How do you like the softer pulls on recent GEC knives?

[Buzzbait]

I do think that they needed to soften their pulls, but they might have gone just a touch overboard. I’d prefer a pull of around 6, instead of the 4 or 5 they’ve recently been giving us. But at least I’ll be using the new ones. I have a number of older GEC’s, like the 74 Mustangs, with pulls that are way too strong to be safe to use.

 

[H2O2HI]

I'm trying to post a poll but I've never done it before so I hope this works.

I'm just curious what the general opinion is on the softer pulls on most of GEC's recent production knives.

Personally, I've always been a real stickler for good snap and if that meant that the pulls were up around 8 or 9 on the pull scale then so be it. Much to my surprise, the Calf Ropers and the Churchills from last year have changed my perspective. I like that the blades are easier to open and although the closing snap has suffered some, I think it is still acceptable.

What do you folks think?

I just don’t understand the desire to have a difficult time of opening a knife to use it. I want it to open with no complaints. The older a person is, the fingers and fingernails are less functional.
At my age, it is inevitable that several of my users will be gotten rid of. I just got a #72 back lock out of the mailbox today. It is a dream to open. Last month I bought a #99 for the same reason.
I do realize that back locks seem to be less traditional. But I learned to drive with a stick shift, and would never go back from the automatic.
Life is too short.

 

[DelOro]

I don't like soft (inconsistent) pulls one bit

A consistent 5/6 to 6/7 pull is just about right (depending on the knife)

I agree a 8/9 pull can be dangerous, but so can a 3/4 pull (especially with lazy/weak springs to boot)

Recent Examples:

66 Calf Roper, 81 Moose & 43 Oregon (2 of each purchased new) All 6 tube dwellers

 

[Elgatodeacero]

The recent 78 run has a much better snap and action to me than the recent 43 run.

I love the 43 design, but the snap should be like a 78.

I have an 81 that is new and it seems lazy and soft, but it has no half stops so that is usually a different feel.

 

[Ernie1980]

I prefer a nice strong pull on most knives, so I am not a huge fan. However, they still snap fine on all my examples. My wife prefers the newer ones so she doesn’t have to worry as much about her fingers, but I love a gater snap

 

[spyderg]

I typically prefer strong pulls, but don’t mind the soft pull on my 81. I’d kinda like it they could do two different pulls on a run so you could choose, 4 or 8. I guess it’d be a lot of work, and confusion when ordering leading to headaches for the dealers.

 

[flatblackcapo]

I voted for stronger pulls. I wonder if the knife with a softer pull will have a shorter life span than one with a harder pull ?

 

[Fanglekai]

I haven't purchased any 2018 models, but I have a two bladed trapper from 2006 with the main blade that's a 9. It's very difficult to open and I've torn my thumbnail on it more than a few times. I keep thinking about sending it in to see if they can lighten the pull.

I prefer a 6-7. Too light or too heavy and I don't like it as much.

 

[willard0341]

I kind of like the variation. Enjoy the ones with a stronger pull and the knives with moderate ones. This one I would consider light but very pleasant maybe not "light" but perfect for this knife IMO

 

[Will Power]

All the 2017 knives I got from GEC had pull that were for me reasonably stout but not sloppy. W&T has been very good on the 13, 71 Bullnose and 15 Forum Knife, the 35 Churchill was maybe a bit lighter but still fine snap so that's alright with me.

The rest of GECs recent offerings have not interested me at all, Northwoods or more Barlow types, 15s, 78s, any of the SFOs they don't tempt my wallet out of hibernation so I can't say about their pull. I did just get two new 2018 knives a 56 Dogleg which has the same smooth action as my 2011 ones and loud snap. The other one's pull is even better, a small H20 fixed, you just pull it out of the sheath no angst

 

[Bartleby]

I wonder if the knife with a softer pull will have a shorter life span than one with a harder pull ?

I have occasionally had knives that have strong pulls break springs (some runs of MIL-K 818s were prone to this) as well as knives with weak springs go lazy. In both cases, it is probably the result of improper heat treat.

 

[mrknife]

Pull is so relative though, your 9-10 might be some one elses 5-6...

 

[bikerector]

For the most part, I think they went overboard. Pulls which used to be 7-8 are now 4-5.
6-7 is my sweet spot, for others it's 5-6, but either way, the current pulls are mostly too soft.

My sentiments exactly. I do tend to like lighter pulls for EDC users but some of the longer blade models, like the moose, I like a little more tension since I can get to work with the bigger handle a little more. Given, if used correctly it doesn't matter but the stronger thwack opening on the bigger knives is satisfying. I care less on the smaller knives as a strong pull with little handle to hold on to doesn't do me well with my fumble fingers.

 

[Railsplitter]

Interesting poll results so far and some very good points in the commentaries.

Thank you all for voting and special thanks to those who chimed in.

 

[Dean51]

I don't understand why anyone would want a knife that is hard to open. That might be okay on a safe queen, that is only opened so you can listen to the snap.
Not on a user, a user should be easy to open and smooth. The more you use a knife the more you'll appreciate one that is easy to use.
5 t0 6 pull on a churchhill calf roper size knife and on a knife like the #43 Oregon a 5 to 7 pull is fine.
If it's a nail breaker I either have to fix it or get rid of it.

 

[gunstockjack]

I once sold a 73 in smooth yellow bone to a guy who really wanted one. This was well before I began distributing for GEC, and the 73 was one I bought from a dealer (don't recall who), and it was an older model with a strong spring. The buyer was initially very happy with the strong spring and resounding 'thwack' it made when closing. He must have opened/closed it quite a bit, but after a week or so he contacted me and told me the bone was cracked at the spring pivot on both sides! The knife was NIT and in perfect condition when I shipped it, but now he wants his money back. As near as I could tell, by letting the blade snap closed, the bone couldn't take the shock resulting in the cracks. I wouldn't refund his money and he ended up sending it back to GEC for warranty work due to the cracks. GEC replaced the bone, but not with the original yellow.

So, I guess what I'm saying is that there is a down side to having too much power in the spring, both to the user and to the warranty dept. at GEC.

Just as an aside; I have a snappy Case ten dot 6318 stockman that tends to bite if you are careless about where you have your fingers when closing. I find the late model 81 moose to be a lot more 'user friendly' with its softer action, and my stiff arthritic hands seem to prefer the softer springs as well. JMHDAO

 

[mrknife]

I'd be slightly more concerned with blade rap with strong pulls tbh

 

[Buzzbait]

I once sold a 73 in smooth yellow bone to a guy who really wanted one. This was well before I began distributing for GEC, and the 73 was one I bought from a dealer (don't recall who), and it was an older model with a strong spring. The buyer was initially very happy with the strong spring and resounding 'thwack' it made when closing. He must have opened/closed it quite a bit, but after a week or so he contacted me and told me the bone was cracked at the spring pivot on both sides! The knife was NIT and in perfect condition when I shipped it, but now he wants his money back. As near as I could tell, by letting the blade snap closed, the bone couldn't take the shock resulting in the cracks. I wouldn't refund his money and he ended up sending it back to GEC for warranty work due to the cracks. GEC replaced the bone, but not with the original yellow.

So, I guess what I'm saying is that there is a down side to having too much power in the spring, both to the user and to the warranty dept. at GEC.

Just as an aside; I have a snappy Case ten dot 6318 stockman that tends to bite if you are careless about where you have your fingers when closing. I find the late model 81 moose to be a lot more 'user friendly' with its softer action, and my stiff arthritic hands seem to prefer the softer springs as well. JMHDAO

One cover on my favorite 98 Camp knife also cracked at the center pin after use. The funny thing is that the pull on that blade is only around a 6, but it's buttery smooth. I think the blade is so huge and the action is so liquid, that the blade develops a ton of momentum when closing, and shocks the heck out of the spring pivot when it closes. You can feel the whole knife vibrate. Fortunately, I spotted the crack early, and a little bit of Krazy Glue filled the gap nicely. You can't even tell there was ever a crack.

 

[gunstockjack]

Ever since that day I've been a little more careful closing my folders.

Buzz, the patina on your camp knife looks great! Mine is still kinda shiney. Gotta get out more....

 

[Mitt]

Like others have said I t’s all dependent on the user, the knife and its intended use (or lack there of).

I have one of the early 43 frontier bones and love the pull. I wouldn’t want a stronger spring on it. There was a 1/2 of the blade already hitting the spring when I first got it. I got the knife as a user so that was more irritating to me than the sound it makes when I open it. That being said it does have a very authoritative snap when closing. So much so that the last time I let it close on its own everyone at my office stopped and wanted to know what was going on.