How much blade play is too much?

A

alfbacca

Joined
Apr 12, 2007
Messages
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I just noticed last night that my new GEC knife has a little blade play, side to side, as the main blade is open. I wasn't going to make it a heavy user, just cut some fruit here and there with it. I'm just don't know if the blade play will get worse over time, and should I just go ahead and send it in for repair? Oh, and I can't return it to the vendor as I've already sharpened it, but I think the bone on the knife looks fantastic, so I'd rather not return it anyways. What would you guys do? Do any of your user knives have any blade play in them?
 
alfbacca said:
I just noticed last night that my new GEC knife has a little blade play, side to side, as the main blade is open. I wasn't going to make it a heavy user, just cut some fruit here and there with it. I'm just don't know if the blade play will get worse over time, and should I just go ahead and send it in for repair? Oh, and I can't return it to the vendor as I've already sharpened it, but I think the bone on the knife looks fantastic, so I'd rather not return it anyways. What would you guys do? Do any of your user knives have any blade play in them?
Click to expand...

I find it generally does. I'm sure if you return it to GEC they can fix the problem, and I'm sure you'll get other posts offering DIY solutions.

Personally, I find bladeplay unacceptable in a new knife. In an older knife, I can live with a little, or try and do something about it if it gets worse.
 
A little play doesn't bother me. GEC offers a lifetime warranty, so I'd worry about it when it affects the usability of the knife, maybe.

A solution may be to stop wiggling it. Like the joke about the guy who goes to the doctor and says "It hurts when I do this," to which the doctor responds, "Don't do that."
 
Of course, these are my two cents...
I'm with Jack on this: I might be too picky, but I think a new knife should have no blade play. Then, obviously, on old or used knives, I can accept a bit of play, but not on a new knife.
Also, as a general thought, I think it's up to us customers to "force" any factory to raise the level of their quality check; if we accept any flaw, we shouldn't be surprised to get another new knife with some problem.
As for the DIY solutions, I'm the last one who can help you...but I suggest that you send the knife in. I'm sure GEC will take care of it, and make it right.

Fausto
:cool:
 
Barring modification, blade play is not something that improves over time, but gets worse. So whatever amount of blade play you currently accept - expect that you will eventually have to accept even more. I'm with Jack & Fausto.
 
Thanks for the replies everyone! Yeah, I'll probably send it in. I know it's going to keep bugging me and I won't enjoy using it as much knowing the blade moves. Plus it just sucks not being able to use it since I just received it this week. On the bright side, it gives me an excuse to pick up one of their leather sheaths I've been eying for a while now.
 
Speaking to the title of the OP's thread: Any. I hate it, cannot live with it.
 
Blade play is the one flaw that annoys me greatly, there can be only a minimal amount on a used knife for me to be happy, and I di mean minimal! On a new knife this would bother me greatly!!
I personally would send it back being a new knife.
 
On a new knife any is too much. It'll only get worse.
 
No blade play is okay with me. You could send it back. Its such an easy fix though if you have a few tools and a little confidence.

Kevin
 
I can't stand blade play. I've had to send one knife back to GEC for a few different reasons (blade play being on of the major reasons). The knife came back about 3 or 4 weeks later and was like new with perfect fit and finish. It even looked more polished up than it was beforehand. I'd send it in.
 
On a new knife, any play is wrong. I don't expect perfection in a production knife, but I use every knife I own, so I expect the parts to fit correctly. After a long run of good luck, I had to send two knives at once back to a manufacturer. The first had only a bit of play at first, but got more so after only a week of lunch duty. I was considering just living with it, since it wasn't extreme, until I received a second knife that, right out of the packaging, had way too much play to live with. So, I sent them both in. Knowing the company's rep, I'm sure they'll be returned in top shape. Like Mike Latham said, no use in getting mad at a knife every time you play with it.

On old knives, I can understand and appreciate a certain amount of play on knives that are well-used and show a life of use.
 
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