GEC warranty experience

[r8shell]

It's kind of a moot point at this stage of the game but both of the op's "nail breaker" knives have half stops which means that the squared corners of the tang that rotate against the back spring could be causing some resistance when opening and closing the blade.

If the op could find a way to gradually round those corners without scratching the liners, that might loosen the pull just enough to make it manageable.

I've never tried this because I know I would scratch the liners but it seems like it might help if that could be avoided.

I have actually done this once or twice. I may have scratched the insides of the liners a little, but it's not like that area is very visible, anyway. It made a nail-breaker usable, so it was worth it to me.
By only rounding the corner that pushes the spring on opening, it doesn't weaken the spring strength to keep open, or snap on closing.

 

[Mayonardo]

Excellent modification. I wish I had known this, or thought about it with my #44.

 

[r8shell]

Excellent modification. I wish I had known this, or thought about it with my #44.

Thanks. It's a little risky and you have to take your time: don't remove too much or get metal filings in the joint. Probably hurts resale value, too...

 

[Mayonardo]

Or it might enhance it. In my case the extensive chemotherapy destroyed my nails and I couldn’t open my beautiful 44 Ebony. Well, I could but it was a struggle and I didn’t want to inadvertently cut myself. Anyway, if I run across another beautiful 44 and grab it I will certainly take care of that deal breaker characteristic. Thanks again.

 

[HEMI 49]

I have actually done this once or twice. I may have scratched the insides of the liners a little, but it's not like that area is very visible, anyway. It made a nail-breaker usable, so it was worth it to me.
By only rounding the corner that pushes the spring on opening, it doesn't weaken the spring strength to keep open, or snap on closing.

R8shell,
That is a very good solution as the corners on the tang create a high spot in the rotation cycle; exactly the same as a camshaft on an engine...... Pattern makers utilize a myriad of files in their line of work.... There are files called "Safe" files that only cut on one edge...... Thus you could file the tang and leave the liners untouched... Probably McMaster-Carr would have safe files if you are interested..... Or you could grind the teeth off your file and make it "safe"....

 

[r8shell]

R8shell,
That is a very good solution as the corners on the tang create a high spot in the rotation cycle; exactly the same as a camshaft on an engine...... Pattern makers utilize a myriad of files in their line of work.... There are files called "Safe" files that only cut on one edge...... Thus you could file the tang and leave the liners untouched... Probably McMaster-Carr would have safe files if you are interested..... Or you could grind the teeth off your file and make it "safe"....

Thanks. I use jeweler's files, which also have safe edges, as you describe. It was a little risky, but I was in a stubborn, foolhardy mood. It was a knife I'd wanted for quite some time, and finally got one, only to find I couldn't open it. I managed to take the pull from a 10 down to an 8, which is the limit of what I can open. Now I expect it will smooth out some more from repeated opening and use.

 

[brownshoe]

I really don't think we need to pile up on people with dissenting opinions. I am a big supporter of GEC, but no person or organization is perfect. And it doesn't help to call names and such.



I don't really think the leaving it open works. It seems to me it would only work if the spring wasn't actually heat treated to a spring temper.

It worked for me with a Queen made Vintage Knives Moose. Took more than a few months, but I can open it normally now.