Help with GEC choice

Status
Not open for further replies.
We'll do our best.

I took this weekend to take individual pics of all the stag knives so people could actually see the particular knife they are buying. Eventually I'll get to all the others. My eyes are buggy from all the photography.... :)
 
I am in the process of returning a #73 single blade liner lock. An extremely well built knife but the backspring was very stiff. At some point I am sure I would have cut myself just opening it. Like I say a great knife otherwise.
 
okbohn said:
We'll do our best.

I took this weekend to take individual pics of all the stag knives so people could actually see the particular knife they are buying. Eventually I'll get to all the others. My eyes are buggy from all the photography.... :)
Click to expand...

Wow, thanks for responding! I did see all the stag pics you had, and they look great. It's definitely a big plus to see the individual knife, especially with something as unique as stag horn. If I dig the #73, I'll be getting another soon for my Uncle for a retirement gift. I was thinking about those stag ones, too...
 
Scoop65 said:
I am in the process of returning a #73 single blade liner lock. An extremely well built knife but the backspring was very stiff. At some point I am sure I would have cut myself just opening it. Like I say a great knife otherwise.
Click to expand...

Hmm, I've got a #73 liner lock on the way. I already knew of GEC's infamous backsprings, but went ahead anyway. Your experience doesn't sound too good, but we'll see how it turns out.
 
I was debating between the #25 single blade tidioute barlow(narrowed it down to the smooth white bone, smooth yeller bone, or bocote) and a #73 single blade scout (in smooth white bone or bocote). I decided on the bocote scout. It is on the way. Cautiously optimistic.
 
ddml said:
I was debating between the #25 single blade tidioute barlow(narrowed it down to the smooth white bone, smooth yeller bone, or bocote) and a #73 single blade scout (in smooth white bone or bocote). I decided on the bocote scout. It is on the way. Cautiously optimistic.
Click to expand...

The bocote is a top choice for me, too. The other knife I was debating getting is a bocote EZ Open. It looks pretty classy.
If this #73 doesn't work out due to backsprings, then I'll go with an EZ before throwing in the towel on GEC.
I think with as many of us that are getting GECs and are worried about the spring tension, that we should start a thread about it once we get ours this week...
 
Coyja said:
The bocote is a top choice for me, too. The other knife I was debating getting is a bocote EZ Open. It looks pretty classy.
If this #73 doesn't work out due to backsprings, then I'll go with an EZ before throwing in the towel on GEC.
I think with as many of us that are getting GECs and are worried about the spring tension, that we should start a thread about it once we get ours this week...
Click to expand...


Good idea. That is my only concern. I like a good snap, but I won't carry a knife much if I dread trying to open it.

I traded off a big, bone handled MooreMaker trapper with the one locking blade because it was too stiff.

I liked everything else about that knife.

Let's do the thread when the knives start rolling in. :)
 
I really do think y'all are making too much of something that's no longer an issue. GEC has changed their backspring stiffnesses a long time ago.
 
joe-bob said:
I really do think y'all are making too much of something that's no longer an issue. GEC has changed their backspring stiffnesses a long time ago.
Click to expand...

This'll be my first GEC, so I'm pretty much clueless. Sounds like a bunch of other fellas are in the same boat... I'm just figuring that if other folks are finding it an issue, then I'll avoid it, but it seems like most folks' experience w GEC is positive. I'm going to start that thread about stiffness of the backsprings once I get mine. If it really isn't an issue, then this is probably the best place to clear that up.
 
I can't say I've been put off by any of the talk about stiff backsprings. Then again, I have such incredible power at the ends of my arms. I'll be sure to help dispel any myths about the GEC nailbraking pulls, if the knife proves otherwise. And pics, if there's interest.
 
these knives are fantastic , all my friends are awed by the construction & finish. the 73 i.m.h.o. is the best all around edc, however do'nt sell the 4 in. toothpick short since it fits tight pockets better. either knife will move mountains in function & appearance.
 
DennisStrickland said:
these knives are fantastic , all my friends are awed by the construction & finish. the 73 i.m.h.o. is the best all around edc, however do'nt sell the 4 in. toothpick short since it fits tight pockets better. either knife will move mountains in function & appearance.
Click to expand...

Thanks to you and some of the other enablers around here, I've got a single blade #73 and a toothpick coming. :D

I've had a couple of the 3" GEC's, but found them just a little too small and a little too stiff for my 60 year old hands.
 
Last edited:
Don't get too hung up on the backspring talk. At first they'll feel like opening a mouse trap but over time they become easier to open without losing that tight fit. A drop of oil periodically helps the break-in process too. I own 2 73Ls, 1 73, and 1 23L and have no regrets. On the other hand, maybe there are folks out there with paper thin thumbnails in which case you may have to struggle through the break-in period.
 
Got my GEC Tidioute #73 and pretty bummed to find that it seems to have been a return! Looks like KSF shipped me one someone has carried.
It had scratches across the blade, not heavy but also not what you'd expect in a new knife. The bolsters do not have a mirror finish, same a the blade, looks like from someone carrying it for awhile. WORST of all, its dull as a butter knife! It does not cut paper very well at all... my Rough Rider I got in trade that was a real user came to me sharper.
I don't even know what to do. If I return it, I will end up at least a week without a knife, and all the headache. Especially if I don't want to go with KSF again, cause the website says they charge 20% retocking fee.
This sucks.

ASIDE form that, its clear these are very well made. The spring is pretty heavy and the jerk from opening to the half stop is pretty rough. The rest is easy but that first part i a little difficult to get used to... I'll start a thread about that once I figure out what I'm going to do with the knife...
Do the liner lock models also have half stops?
 
My #73 didn't have a perfect mirror finish to it when I got it either. You can see some pics of it in this thread. http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=698307 These were taken fresh out of the tube. The flash makes it look worse than what it actually was. You had to look very close to notice. It wasn't bad enough to make me want to send it back though since I got it as a user.

The one I got was sharp, but it seems with production knives you can't be sure what to expect. I've seen people complain about dull knives from pretty much every manufacturer (some more than others). I don't get what the big deal is though. If it's a user then it's going to have to be sharpened anyway. If it's a safe queen who cares whether it's sharp or not?

As far as spring tension goes, I think the issue gets a little overblown. I was worried about it when I ordered mine because of things I had read here. I don't have any problem with it, although I could see how someone with arthritis or other hand problems might. It just depends on the person using it.

If you decide to keep it be sure to work some oil in the pivot to flush it out. That helped smooth mine out a lot. I like the half stop because it allows me to pinch open the blade the rest of the way. It'll break in a little over time too. I just noticed the main blade on mine is easier to open than the spey because it gets more use and I haven't even had it for that long.
 
Yeah I won't be returning mine. I like the green too much... wouldn't want to risk getting another one I don't like. I think that this one was definitely used before though. I took it too Rivers Edge Cutlery here in Columbus, Ohio to get a convex put on it (I'm not so great at it yet), and they felt it was used before, too, considering I just got it today. It's gonna be a user so I'll get over it... KSF should have an EDC section, though. When I get something returned at work, we sell it 15% off if its obviously been used before.
 
I can't blame you for not wanting to send it back. I've never dealt with KSF before so I can't really comment on them. I know TSAknives and collectorknives offer the GEC EDC models. I'm pretty sure that those are factory blems and not returned knives though because they are marked with an s on the tang.

I know it's disappointing to get a knife that's less than perfect (especially for us knifenuts) but once you use it for a while you'll forget all about it. When I first get a knife, I try to keep it from getting scratched up. After it gets broken in a little though I just drop it in my pocket with other things and don't worry about it anymore. I'm actually starting to enjoy the look of a well used knife more than a brand new one. That doesn't mean I want to buy a new one that looks like somebody else used it though.:D
 
Coyja said:
Got my GEC Tidioute #73 and pretty bummed to find that it seems to have been a return! Looks like KSF shipped me one someone has carried.
It had scratches across the blade, not heavy but also not what you'd expect in a new knife. The bolsters do not have a mirror finish, same a the blade, looks like from someone carrying it for awhile. WORST of all, its dull as a butter knife! It does not cut paper very well at all... my Rough Rider I got in trade that was a real user came to me sharper.
I don't even know what to do. If I return it, I will end up at least a week without a knife, and all the headache. Especially if I don't want to go with KSF again, cause the website says they charge 20% retocking fee.
This sucks.

ASIDE form that, its clear these are very well made. The spring is pretty heavy and the jerk from opening to the half stop is pretty rough. The rest is easy but that first part i a little difficult to get used to... I'll start a thread about that once I figure out what I'm going to do with the knife...
Do the liner lock models also have half stops?
Click to expand...

I am sorry your knife was not up to snuff.

We don't sell used knives unless it is specified. Occasionally GEC has one like that.

We would be happy to exchange it for you and there is no charge for that.

The 20% restocking charge is only if you return it and want your money back. We ship for free and so the restocking fee recovers shipping/handling and processing fees.
 
Coyja said:
Yeah I won't be returning mine. I like the green too much... wouldn't want to risk getting another one I don't like. I think that this one was definitely used before though. I took it too Rivers Edge Cutlery here in Columbus, Ohio to get a convex put on it (I'm not so great at it yet), and they felt it was used before, too, considering I just got it today. It's gonna be a user so I'll get over it... KSF should have an EDC section, though. When I get something returned at work, we sell it 15% off if its obviously been used before.
Click to expand...

Give us a call and we'll work out a discount on your next knife.

Please be careful when you say something is "definitely" used. We have an excellent reputation on BF, KF and work hard to satisfy every customer. We don't sell used knives--and if we did, we would note it.

I understand your frustration. I understand saying it looks used. My preference would be for you to have given us a chance to make it right with you first.

In any event, if you contact us, we will make it right with you.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top