Great Eastern Cutlery: #66 - Equal End Serpentine

The Fort said:
Hopefully this doesn't start a firestorm, but is anyone else sensing hypocrisy regarding this run of 66s? What I mean is that most of us are acknowledging somewhat lazy secondary blades on several examples. Also, there's been some controversy on some of the dyed bone scales. If these examples were produced by Case, or Queen, people would be all up in arms.
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I agree. If I paid this much money, and got lazy blades, I would not be a happy camper. I can excuse the dyed bone issues on such small batches of knives, but not lazy blades.

But I haven't actually handled one yet. I'll have more of an opinion in a few days, when my Hemlock arrives.
 
The Fort said:
Hopefully this doesn't start a firestorm, but is anyone else sensing hypocrisy regarding this run of 66s? What I mean is that most of us are acknowledging somewhat lazy secondary blades on several examples. Also, there's been some controversy on some of the dyed bone scales. If these examples were produced by Case, or Queen, people would be all up in arms. However, everyone seems to be accepting of these GECs. Please, don't take me wrong. I have an Oily Creek Bone and an Ebony out of this run that I'm satisfied with, despite any shortcomings. It just seems that there are some double standards. I've seen virtually flawless examples from all three companies, as well as some that could be better from each company. Just my observation, for what it's worth.
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I don't know, there are things to like or dislike about most of their patterns.

I love wharncliff 56's, but every one I've owned could catch your finger on the main while closed.

Everyone knows about the rotten banana bone 48's that weren't even ripe yet.

I feel like their hit rate is a lot higher than their competitors, though. And they get the Mom-and-Pop pass since they're a small company with good engagement with their customers.

For what it's worth, my ironwood 66's pulls are exactly to my taste. I hate a nail-bender.
 
The Fort said:
Hopefully this doesn't start a firestorm, but is anyone else sensing hypocrisy regarding this run of 66s? What I mean is that most of us are acknowledging somewhat lazy secondary blades on several examples. Also, there's been some controversy on some of the dyed bone scales. If these examples were produced by Case, or Queen, people would be all up in arms. However, everyone seems to be accepting of these GECs. Please, don't take me wrong. I have an Oily Creek Bone and an Ebony out of this run that I'm satisfied with, despite any shortcomings. It just seems that there are some double standards. I've seen virtually flawless examples from all three companies, as well as some that could be better from each company. Just my observation, for what it's worth.
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I can only speak for myself but I am 100% guilty of this with this Calf Roper run. I would normally be more critical of any knife I bought that had lazy snap. Even if it was a GEC.

My tolerance for the lazy snap is a by product of having to wait so long for another run (6 years?) and the fact that the Calf Roper Stockman is my favorite GEC pattern. I never knew for sure if GEC would ever make the pattern again and honestly, I was beginning to think that they wouldn't.

I suppose it's accurate to say that I'm just happy to have them. I just like the pattern so much. I'm definitely giving the soft springs more leniency than I would with just about any other knife.

It also helps that they are extremely well made otherwise.
 
I feel compelled to add that while all three of the Calf Ropers I have so far from this run have snap that is lazy by my standards, none of the blades on any of those knives have snap lazy enough to be considered a defect. It's just a little weaker than I prefer but all blades close under their own force with an audible click.

Someone on the forum mentioned getting a 66 from this run in which one of the blades had to be pushed closed. If I get one like that then I will consider it a defect and the knife will be returned to either the dealer for exchange or GEC for repair.
 
I'm not surprised that there is a bit of a problem with the walk and talk of this run. GEC has had this problem on a majority of the small blades on the knives I've owned. And I've noted it before.

As has been noted on this thread the problem has usually been overcompression at the pin. I know this because I've had them loosen up as the months/years of use add up. At least from my experience.

This isn't anything new.

Will
 
Who said a 'softer' spring is a problem? All that is needed is enough tension to close the blade and keep it closed; any more spring tension is wasted on a slip joint unless you are using it improperly. Anyway, I like the pull on the secondary 66 blades just fine, and they are far easier for my stiff, arthritic fingers to open! I just don't see an issue here whatsoever.

BTW, I've always considered a 'lazy spring' one that would not have enough tension to hold the blade open, nor would it keep it closed in the frame. JMHO
 
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gunstockjack said:
Who said a 'softer' spring is a problem? All that is needed is enough tension to close the blade and keep it closed; any more spring tension is wasted on a slip joint unless you are using it improperly. Anyway, I like the pull on the secondary 66 blades just fine, and they are far easier for my stiff, arthritic fingers to open! I just don't see an issue here whatsoever.
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Same here. I sold my black pearl 53 Stockman because it bent my thumbnail back one too many times. I feel like my 66 is an appropriate example of a slip joint pull. Why does anyone want a bear trap for small secondary blades?
 
Spring tension is a tricky thing in slip-joint manufacturing. Most complaints about GECs is that they are too hard to open and are 'nailbreakers' just as Colin describes. I have had many folks ask me which models were EASIER to open due to the complaints on stiff springs. I also have many older Case knives that are just as stiff, and some that are sprung with softer pulls.
 
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Barry and Colin, you guys are right. As much as I like a good strong closing snap, I humbly admit that I do like how easy the secondary blades are to open on my examples. It's actually kind of nice.
 
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Barry, I agree 100%. While I prefer a stronger snap (6-7), it's clear to me that GEC were simply responding to the many voices calling for softer springs. My ironwood is a 4-5 on all blades, but still with snap.
 
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black mamba said:
Barry, I agree 100%. While I prefer a stronger snap (6-7), it's clear to me that GEC were simply responding to the many voices calling for softer springs. My ironwood is a 4-5 on all blades, but still with snap.
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My ironwood is the same, and to me, that's perfect. All blades have snap, are positively retained, but easy to open. What's not to like?
 
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I have three so far. They're consistent in fit ,finish , pull, etc . Pull might be a little lighter than other calf ropers I have but not much. I haven't flushed any out yet which will only improve function.
Couple years ago I heard a LOT of " oh my,their pulls are way to stiff " lot of knives got send back for adjustments. Gotta be frustrating for the dealers who discussed the "issue?" with gec
 
I agree that the spring tension isn't the problem. But there is a problem. And it has been an ongoing and recurrent problem for years.

It seems to be confined to secondary blades. The majority of GEC knives I own in the pen configuration have it. I love the 68 frame. 3 of 4 of the 68 knives I own have a secondary blade that has bad walk/talk. The 33 conductor is an absolutely gorgeous knife. Same story on the ones I own. I adore the 66 slim. Same story. Weak function on the secondary. Same for my 66 jacks.

After some long term and serious carry time one of the 68 white owls and one of the 66 slims grew to have MUCH better function.

Now the springs didn't magically grow stronger over time. Nor did the tang cam shape magically become more aggressive. The tang wore against the liners and loosened up.

I think they need to either tighten up tolerances or change the amount of compression at the secondary hinge. Or both.

I love GEC. And I'm not trashing their knives. But this is a flaw that needs to be corrected. I have example after example of it in my collection.

Will
 
gunstockjack said:
Who said a 'softer' spring is a problem? All that is needed is enough tension to close the blade and keep it closed; any more spring tension is wasted on a slip joint unless you are using it improperly. Anyway, I like the pull on the secondary 66 blades just fine, and they are far easier for my stiff, arthritic fingers to open! I just don't see an issue here whatsoever.

BTW, I've always considered a 'lazy spring' one that would not have enough tension to hold the blade open, nor would it keep it closed in the frame. JMHO
Click to expand...

gunstockjack said:
Spring tension is a tricky thing in slip-joint manufacturing. Most complaints about GECs is that they are too hard to open and are 'nailbreakers' just as Colin describes. I have had many folks ask me which models were EASIER to open due to the complaints on stiff springs. I also have many older Case knives that are just as stiff, and some that are sprung with softer pulls.
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black mamba said:
Barry, I agree 100%. While I prefer a stronger snap (6-7), it's clear to me that GEC were simply responding to the many voices calling for softer springs. My ironwood is a 4-5 on all blades, but still with snap.
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Txjohn said:
I have three so far. They're consistent in fit ,finish , pull, etc . Pull might be a little lighter than other calf ropers I have but not much. I haven't flushed any out yet which will only improve function.
Couple years ago I heard a LOT of " oh my,their pulls are way to stiff " lot of knives got send back for adjustments. Gotta be frustrating for the dealers who discussed the "issue?" with gec
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:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

I don't have any more to add.
 
Wait, yes I do...

gvMTVAZ.jpg

;)
 
I flush my knives with warm soapy water in the sink. I work soap into the pivots well then submerge under water for a bit . I use a air compressor to blow out the water . Compressed air is very important , water will be trapped in between liners , etc. Then I oil .
 
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