-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is available! Price is $250 ea (shipped within CONUS).
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/
Greco Falcon Folder Review
- Thread starter Mongrel
- Start date
- Joined
- May 2, 2002
- Messages
- 407
Small update:
I received an Entrek 'Destroyer' on Thursday. After deciding that I would keep it, I took it out into the yard for some 'testing'. Chopping up 2x6's and hacking at some green vegetation (oak and sassafras mainly). Well seeing how my Falcon was 'in pocket'...
....why not?
It was no problem to use the Falcon to split some spruce building lumber up. I just used a 2x3 as a hammer and away I went. With the grain it took about 2 taps and it split right open. I then hammered it thru going against the grain ! I had to hammer it all the way thru this way-but it did it. I have pics if anyone would really be that interested. There was not one bit of noticable damage or even effect on the knife. Everything stayed tight. Only thing was that the blade showed where it had run down the length 2x6.
Another proof-positive of the toughness of this folder.
Oh...BTW...did I mention it makes a decent thrower also......
Mongrel
I received an Entrek 'Destroyer' on Thursday. After deciding that I would keep it, I took it out into the yard for some 'testing'. Chopping up 2x6's and hacking at some green vegetation (oak and sassafras mainly). Well seeing how my Falcon was 'in pocket'...
....why not?It was no problem to use the Falcon to split some spruce building lumber up. I just used a 2x3 as a hammer and away I went. With the grain it took about 2 taps and it split right open. I then hammered it thru going against the grain ! I had to hammer it all the way thru this way-but it did it. I have pics if anyone would really be that interested. There was not one bit of noticable damage or even effect on the knife. Everything stayed tight. Only thing was that the blade showed where it had run down the length 2x6.
Another proof-positive of the toughness of this folder.
Oh...BTW...did I mention it makes a decent thrower also...
...Mongrel
Well, I'll chime in with my reactions as well.
I received my (2)Falcons this past Friday. At this point, I am working with one of them. The other will be placed "in reserve".
All comments about the stiffness were not in the least bit exaggerated. I have been working the pivot since, but have started to
achieve some reasonable success. I have basically used Militec-1 to ease the process along. I used the lubricant in the recommeded way, i.e. heat the joint to the point where it becomes uncomfortable to the touch, then apply Militec and work the joint. This process can be repeated as often as required.
What I have discovered, also, is that all the stiffness does not seem to come from the pivot area, with it's very nice bronze bushings. It also comes from the very tight pressure of the frame lock against the blade itself. This is one really tight sucka'. I'm not sure how much that will break in over time. You need a serious thumb to move it. Also takes two hands to close it.
All things considered, the knife is starting to take it a bit easier on my body and I'm sure easier days are ahead.
That said, the knife gives a tremendous feeling of strength and has a good "feel" in the hand. The blade shape is very useful and the edge was delivered with a beautifully ground, convex final edge. I've only done a little cardboard cutting with so far, but more use is on the way as the action continues to become more "civilized".
Thanks to Mongrel for the heads-up to this really amazing bargain of a knife.
Mongrel, if you make it to the NY Custom Knife Show in Nov., you have a beer or two (or more
) on me. I'll be there for sure.
I received my (2)Falcons this past Friday. At this point, I am working with one of them. The other will be placed "in reserve".
All comments about the stiffness were not in the least bit exaggerated. I have been working the pivot since, but have started to
achieve some reasonable success. I have basically used Militec-1 to ease the process along. I used the lubricant in the recommeded way, i.e. heat the joint to the point where it becomes uncomfortable to the touch, then apply Militec and work the joint. This process can be repeated as often as required.
What I have discovered, also, is that all the stiffness does not seem to come from the pivot area, with it's very nice bronze bushings. It also comes from the very tight pressure of the frame lock against the blade itself. This is one really tight sucka'. I'm not sure how much that will break in over time. You need a serious thumb to move it. Also takes two hands to close it.
All things considered, the knife is starting to take it a bit easier on my body and I'm sure easier days are ahead.
That said, the knife gives a tremendous feeling of strength and has a good "feel" in the hand. The blade shape is very useful and the edge was delivered with a beautifully ground, convex final edge. I've only done a little cardboard cutting with so far, but more use is on the way as the action continues to become more "civilized".
Thanks to Mongrel for the heads-up to this really amazing bargain of a knife.
Mongrel, if you make it to the NY Custom Knife Show in Nov., you have a beer or two (or more
) on me. I'll be there for sure.
- Joined
- Oct 26, 2000
- Messages
- 6,104
I found that out as well, though taking it apart, and smoothing out the coating in the pivot area on both the blade and scales helped some. One thing that helped make it easier to open was to put a dab of oil right on the ball detent.
Now my Falcon is a one-hand opener, and closer. I can't disengage the lock with my thumb, but can stick the tip of my index finger in there enough for a purchase, and then close it against my leg.
A comment on the "bent" blade:
Mine is straight up until the thumbstud (where the grind begins). The hollow grind of the blade appears to be straight, though the swedge is uneven. My blade angles the opposite of how it would if stamping the name caused it, so I'm at a loss, unless the stock was just warped from the outset, or warpage was caused during heat treat. Does that sound feasible? I've heard of knives warping during HT, but thought it was because of an uneven grind or something
I like the knife, and it seems to cut ok, but I haven't really used it enough to comment much on its cutting ability.
Lockup seems incredibly strong, my only concern being how fast the lock bar is wearing just from breaking the action in.
The lockbar started out engaging the tang at the far left, just enough that it was getting 100% of its face engaged. It is already hitting dead center of the tang. I wonder if the lockbar's "spring" is so strong that it's causing alot of wear when engaging/disengaging the lock. If you ever get the knife apart, you'll get a real appreciation for just how strong the lockbar is when you try to get it back together. It's a handful.
- Joined
- May 2, 2002
- Messages
- 407
Knifenerd! Again, I appreciate the kind words. I've never been to a knife show, and NY would be a good place to start (pretty 'local' for me)-if you still feel that way in Nov. I'll be sure to take you up on it!
@OwenM-yea I agree with the lock bar concern
. Only way to tell will be to ride it out. Mine has gotten to the point of almost touching the oposite handle. No play whatsoever as of yet, but like I said, we'll have to wait it out some.
I am going to 'cut and paste' some stuff from previous\other threads to fill out the review better-
steel characteristics
disassembly procedures.
I've been playing around with some t-shirts and cardboard, looks like the Falcon is turning out to be quite the slasher. I'll update with pics asap.
Mongrel
@OwenM-yea I agree with the lock bar concern
. Only way to tell will be to ride it out. Mine has gotten to the point of almost touching the oposite handle. No play whatsoever as of yet, but like I said, we'll have to wait it out some.I am going to 'cut and paste' some stuff from previous\other threads to fill out the review better-
steel characteristics
disassembly procedures.
I've been playing around with some t-shirts and cardboard, looks like the Falcon is turning out to be quite the slasher. I'll update with pics asap.
Mongrel
It took about 5 days, but I finally got my Falcon to the point where it can be opened with one hand. Not to say that this is any speed demon, but it can be done and no doubt over time will ease up some more. I did not take down the knife--just used lube and worked the pivot alot.
This knife will accompany me on a backpacking trip to northern New Hampshire later this month, so I should have some real-world input at that time. I have no doubt that the Falcon will handle any task thrown at it.
Mongrel, my offer is good. You owe it to yourself to get to the NY Custom Knife Show. It's a great place to talk to the various makers you hear about on the forums and meet many BFC members as well. Everyone comes away having a ball!
This knife will accompany me on a backpacking trip to northern New Hampshire later this month, so I should have some real-world input at that time. I have no doubt that the Falcon will handle any task thrown at it.
Mongrel, my offer is good. You owe it to yourself to get to the NY Custom Knife Show. It's a great place to talk to the various makers you hear about on the forums and meet many BFC members as well. Everyone comes away having a ball!