Giant mouse GM 5

jwh720

jwh720

Joined
Feb 21, 2016
Messages
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Anyone have a gm5? Whats your thoughts? I am thinking about picking one up but there doesnt seem to be much discusion on these except for something about a soft detent.
 
The first one I had was just plain bad. The detent was very weak, chip in the edge, asymmetrical secondary, defects in the handle finishing, and the closing action was garbage. I emailed Jim (the CEO) and he offered to refund me or exchange for another. I chose to give it another go because the design is so good, imo. The second one is perfect, except for the weak detent (but not as bad as the first one). Still have it. Great knife.
 
Thanks for the replies. Sounds like it might be hit or miss on the qc. I might give one a try.
 
Anso and Vox are a couple of favorites but I wish they’d try out a different manufacturer. While Viper seems to run the entire spectrum of QC, I haven’t seen many praises of the action.

I’d love to see what Reate could do and I’d feel the GM prices would be a bit more in line with the quality expectations, well, mine at least.
 
I have one. Like others have said, the detent is on the weaker side. On my example, the tip came rounded off from not being sharpened properly. Everything else is quite nice, but I would never say it's worth every penny of $350.
 
Nautique said:
Not a fan of Chinese made knives.
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I don't think many of us are, but Reate is a different level of quality. IMO they are the best production knives in the industry right now. Comparable quality from an American manufacturer would cost a good amount more. I have no issue buying Chinese if the quality is as good as Reate.
 
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I'd avoid the whole GM line. No warranty to anyone you sell them too. Only original owner. Viper has bad qc. Mostly but not limited to detent. They are way more expensive because they are a limited run, often times but not always there is a Viper knife it's based off of already with subtle differences and they are just way cheaper.

My major issue is the qc with Viper.

If GM went to reate that would be world's better. Like way way way better.
 
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Mo2 said:
I'd avoid the whole GM line. No warranty to anyone you sell them too. Only original owner. Viper has bad qc. Mostly but not limited to detent. They are way more expensive because they are a limited run, often times but not always there is a Viper knife it's based off of already with subtle differences and they are just way cheaper.

My major issue is the qc with Viper.
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Yeah thats a good point about viper coming out with a way cheaper verion based off the gm one.
 
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Not very often do I come to Bladeforums and end up talked out of buying a knife but I think Im out on the GM5. Thanks for everyones input.
 
jwh720 said:
Not very often do I come to Bladeforums and end up talked out of buying a knife but I think Im out on the GM5. Thanks for everyones input.
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I would suggest the GM line is only for collectors.

But I find it strange they don't really care about the qc issues from this MFG. Doesnt go in line with quality of a collectors items that they expect. If you know what I mean.
 
I bought the GM5 when it came out because I like the design. This is my only GM knife. It's an attractive knife to look at and handle, and I appreciate the thought that went into it. I'm not an expert in detent, but I haven't noticed any defects or inadequacies in any part of the manufacturing of this knife. It snaps open without fail, way better out of the box than any Spyderco I've ever bought (maybe), and actually better than my CRK's out of the box too (I'm gonna get in trouble for that one), and it falls shut pretty easily as well. The most apt comparison I can think of is that it feels like my ZT 0562CF felt right out of the box. Like the ZT, it's kind of a larger blade than I expected, and therefore a bit "heavier", but still snappy with a middle finger flip when you get the feel for it. I can imagine, if you were to actually USE this knife, it would probably be a beast. Nice blade shape, really sweet scales, beyond solid lockup. Of course, the price puts it in a different category, and that's really the problem. GM is making knives for collectors. I think you should make knives to be used! If this very same knife were a little less expensive, everyone would love it.
 
Buon_Coltello said:
I bought the GM5 when it came out because I like the design. This is my only GM knife. It's an attractive knife to look at and handle, and I appreciate the thought that went into it. I'm not an expert in detent, but I haven't noticed any defects or inadequacies in any part of the manufacturing of this knife. It snaps open without fail, way better out of the box than any Spyderco I've ever bought (maybe), and actually better than my CRK's out of the box too (I'm gonna get in trouble for that one), and it falls shut pretty easily as well. The most apt comparison I can think of is that it feels like my ZT 0562CF felt right out of the box. Like the ZT, it's kind of a larger blade than I expected, and therefore a bit "heavier", but still snappy with a middle finger flip when you get the feel for it. I can imagine, if you were to actually USE this knife, it would probably be a beast. Nice blade shape, really sweet scales, beyond solid lockup. Of course, the price puts it in a different category, and that's really the problem. GM is making knives for collectors. I think you should make knives to be used! If this very same knife were a little less expensive, everyone would love it.
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Well said.
 
Just received mine earlier this week. My only knock on the GM5 would make the cutout for accessing the lockbar a bit deeper, other than that my detent allows me to flick it open via spidey-flick or via thumb reliably and has locked open every time. Lockup on my example is around 20% which meets my light usage adequately. I'm also very happy with my GM3.

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I like it. Feels like a Slysz Bowie meets 0456 to me. Blade kinda looks like a flipper delete though. My only real nit pick is the handle bump on the top before the blade transition, ala Benchmade, which my thumb hates.
 
abbazaba said:
I like it. Feels like a Slysz Bowie meets 0456 to me. Blade kinda looks like a flipper delete though. My only real nit pick is the handle bump on the top before the blade transition, ala Benchmade, which my thumb hates.
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I’ll get totally flamed for this, but I’m gonna say it. The GM5 is a total Slysz Bowie killer. Just straight up. I’ve thought that over and over since getting the GM5.
 
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