Greco Falcon Folder Review

I just got my Greco in the mail. I thought to myself, ha, I usually like tight pivots (makes em feel more secure for some reason) I'll show em. 5 minutes later, I was crying like a baby nursing my sore thumb!!!!! OUCH. That sucka is tight! I like it though:D :cool:
Matt
 
Mongrel,

You sure the knife is loosening up or are your forearms just that much stronger?

After 2 hours exercise on my Raptor I tried opening my Microtech Amphibian and it just flew open. Also what seemed like a hard operating microlock on the Amphibian now seems so smooth after exercising my thumb on the Raptor.

mikemck, I agree that the "wow" factor with the Greco folder is after using one.

I'm trying to figure out how to order another one without my wife know I'm exceeding my knife quota for June and July.
 
I can only concur with what has been written. I bought a falcon and raptor. Both are strong, but way stiff. Neither knife could be opened or closed one handed. I have been working on the Raptor and after several days of openings it can be thumbed opened, but barely. Maybe my thumb has just developed to herculean levels.
The 3/16" blade is so thick on a folder. . . .

Chad
 
Greco folder is hard to close and stiff to open.

But how casual thing is, that
- blade doesn't center (while closed)?
- while opening the lock goes all the way to the right?

My Grifon does all that.
That said, it doesn't disturb me too much.

Or, at least, not so much I wouldn't use it.

Just curious.:confused:
 
I have had the Falcon for about one week. I can only agree with what has been said. Its STIFF STIFF SITFF and hell for strong. Mine has loosened up a little bit but I haven't really worked it in yet. My Falcon has replaced my BM 710 as the yard/gardening knife.

Shawn
 
I've heard enough of this "knife-banter". I did it. Today. Called CQC and got a return call from a nice young lady named Lisa and I ordered 2 Falcons. They'll ship tomorrow.

Now, I'm starting a program of sit-ups, push-ups and jogging-in-place to get my body in shape for the break-in process.:D

I'll let you guys know my input when I get them.

Mongrel, you started all this.;) ;)
 
I’ll be interested to hear how you fellows like these knives in the long term. In my work a knife that is difficult to open and secure when finished using can be a real hazard, so I am reluctant to try one based on these reports.
 
You have brought up a valid point. The Greco may not be for everyone.

But I can assure you that my Greco Falcon is opening and closing very smoothly after using it just over two weeks. It no longer feels 'stiff', it just takes a robust thrust to get it going. I am comfortable with this, as it doesn't have the 'loose' feel of most of my production folders which I can open with a quick downward 'flick' of my wrist. What I mean is that the ball and detent of the Greco holds the blade tightly closed(it is not stiff in the pivot joint) and this to me is a good thing.

After overcoming that initial resistance of the ball\detent it is no more difficult to open than say my BM AFCK when I tighten the pivot up a bit. The great thing is that the Greco, unlike my AFCK (even when the pivot is tightened), has absoulutely NO AND I MEAN NO side to side blade play whatsoever. There is also no flex in the handles of the Greco. I can squeeze the scales and liners on my AFCK almost to the point of touching, something I cannot even begin to do with the Greco.

The integral\frame lock is tight enough to offer great confidence, and at this point I can close the knife with just one hand, though it is definately harder than the liner lock on my AFCK.

As I pointed out in the review above, this type of feel, for want of a better word, is not for everyone. I happen to like it myself.

Obviously, there are many knives available that might better fit your particular job needs. This is one of the great aspects of modern knifemaking.

Mongrel
 
Mongrel,

All good points.

After another day with my Raptor it is now a one hand opener but still a two hand closer.

I'm entralled with how rugged it is. There is to my knowledge no other knives like this one for under $ 125 (Buck Strider).

This is knife you can depend on to get the job done but not be afraid of losing.
 
Mongrel, thanks for the additional information. Has the unlocking of the blade eased up as well? I am wodering if both parts will "wear in", and if so will continual wear lead to sloppy action?
 
I decided to go see for myself what all the fuss was about concerning these "Grecos". Only problem was they were in western TN and I was in upstate SC. Solution......crank up my '01 GL1800 Goldwing and travel 950 mi. in less than 2 days to visit David and his charming wife, Lisa, at their home north of Nashville. What a gracious pair! They received me and treated me like family during my 2 visits to their lovely home........oh,yeah, I did bring back 6 examples of John Greco's best;1 each of the following:
Falcon
Grifon
Raptor
Dangler 1
Companion
MST MK.IV

Each is impressive in its own way and all feel solid as the Rock of Gibralter. The folders are "two-hand openers and closers" until some TLC is shown them. After approx. 50-75 cycles, dismantling, cleaning of the pivot areas ( mostly powdercoating flakes that had come off during break-in )greasing (used Chris Reeve's magic fluorinated grease cause it was handy, but any good lube would do the trick IMHO :-) )and reassembling, they were all "one-handers". Not to be confused with slicksters such as my CRKs or my SERE 2000, but manageable for now. I'm MORE THAN SATISFIED they are in some ways a better value than the 3 CRKs I picked up at Blade!

Larry S.
 
QUOTE"
I've been wondering about greco's knife for a long time and with your's and phwl's confidance boost, i think i'll try one or 2....who knows? i might be converted into a "Greconistas"!!!:D

Eric Wong.

P.S: Larry~ The folders handle is made out of...?? Are they sharp right out of the box? Are the edge/ blade material easy to re-sharpen? Thanks. [/B][/QUOTE]


The handles are hardened 8670 steel, same as the blades.

The fixed blades and the Raptor would not shave; the other 2 folders would. "Out of the box" is not literally applicable in my case as my knives were not individually boxed. David did offer a box to put them in while traveling home on my bike, but I told him some plastic bags would be more suitable due to space requirements. Just more of the low cost/high function aspect of this maker's work I presume. Whether the knives are boxed individually when shipped I really don't know.

Don't know about sharpening ease as I haven't tried that yet. Will let you know.

Larry S.
 
I have had a Falcon for a few days now and have worked to the point I can open/close one handed with some effort. Problem is now I want a Raptor!
This is a heck alot of knife for the money.:D
 
Larry S.,

Please advise what type of wrench you used. The hex heads are so shallow that the wrenches and sockets I have don't get enough gripping surface. The slight bevel on the wrenches and sockets is about half the height of the hex heads.

I was using up my White Lightning to ease the opening/closing and noticed a black coloring to it as I worked the knife. That's those same coating flecks you mentioned. It seems to me that break-in would be much quicker if you removed the coating particles before working the knife.

I think I'll go to a grease lube like you did but would prefer to thoroughly clean the knife and lube the parts.

These are great knives.
 
It arrived in todays mail.

Yes, very stiff.

Yes, very nice.

Yes, it cuts fingers.

I am thinking about changing my signature line to:

I sharpen, therefore, I bleed, and most of the time I am.
 
Originally posted by roshi
Larry S.,

Please advise what type of wrench you used. The hex heads are so shallow that the wrenches and sockets I have don't get enough gripping surface. The slight bevel on the wrenches and sockets is about half the height of the hex heads.
Click to expand...

roshi,

Actually, the wrench I used is part of a Vic SAK Sportsratchet I picked up for $ 14.95 (MSPR around $ 60.00) at a TJ Maxx while shopping with my GF. It is a flat piece of steel with several hex openings punched around the edges, as well as some, (including the 1/4" luckily :-)),in the middle. This made it relatively easy to use in this application, especially since the openings were punched and the flat side had next to no radius around the 1/4" opening and therefore caught the low profile hex head well. Similar performance could be had by filing or grinding the radius from any standard 1/4" socket I would think.
Every once in a while it pays to pick up a tool that looks like a good deal (the SAK Sportsratchet) even though at the time you can think of no earthly use for it!

Larry S.
 
Originally posted by roshi
Larry S.,

Please advise what type of wrench you used. The hex heads are so shallow that the wrenches and sockets I have don't get enough gripping surface. The slight bevel on the wrenches and sockets is about half the height of the hex heads.
Click to expand...

roshi,

Actually the wrench I used is part of a Vic SAK Sportsratchet I picked up for $ 14.95 (MSPR around $ 60.00) at a TJ Maxx while shopping with my GF. It is a flat piece of steel with several hex openings broached around the edges as well as some (including the 1/4" luckily :-))in the middle. This made it relatively easy to use in this application, especially since the openings were punched and the flat side had next to no radius around the 1/4" opening and therefore caught the low profile hex head well. Every once in a while it pays to pick up a tool that looks like a good deal (the SAK Sportsratchet) even though at the time you can think of no earthly use for it!

Larry S.
 
Thanks Larry S.!

I'll go digging for all those flat bicycle nut wrenches I always put aside in favor of more expensive tools.

Sometimes the simple inexpensive route is the best one.
 
I just pulled up BF again and holy smokes this post has taken off. My Falcon arrived today. Impressed is an understatement. Outstanding knife. I took an old 1/4" socket and ground the radius off of the end. It worked great to hold the hex screws. I've discovered that the way to adjust opening tension is not in the pivot screw. My pivot screw turns completely free with the wrench in the allen head. By adjusting the stop pin screw, it releases the downforce on the pivot and allows for pretty nice one hand opening while still maintaining bank vault lockup. I don't think I'll be flicking this knife open any time this year but who knows after a year or two of breaking in. Closing is still a two handed chore.
Mine was ground just a tad off center but I really don't care. 6 swipes per side on my ceramic sticks and hair pops off of my arm.
Thanks for the tip Mongrel. Great buy.
Doc
 
Originally posted by roshi
Larry S.,

Please advise what type of wrench you used. The hex heads are so shallow that the wrenches and sockets I have don't get enough gripping surface. The slight bevel on the wrenches and sockets is about half the height of the hex heads.
Click to expand...

roshi,

Actually the wrench I used is part of a Vic SAK Sportsratchet I picked up for $ 14.95 (MSPR around $ 60.00) at a TJ Maxx while shopping with my GF. It is a flat piece of steel with several hex openings broached around the edges as well as some (including the 1/4" luckily :-))in the middle. This made it relatively easy to use in this application, especially since the openings were punched and the flat side had next to no radius around the 1/4" opening and therefore caught the low profile hex head well. Every once in a while it pays to pick up a tool that looks like a good deal (the SAK Sportsratchet) even though at the time you can think of no earthly use for it!

Larry S.
 
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