Lets talk GEC!

[btb01]

That's to let people hear the opening snap and so they could see that you haven't cheated by helping it with your hand. Mostly for selling purposes, I suppose.

Well the dealer whose videos I’m referring to has them all set to music, so I’m not sure that’s the case.

 

[Alex.Y.]

Well the dealer whose videos I’m referring to has them all set to music, so I’m not sure that’s the case.

He used to have a real sound. If we are talking about the same guy who inherited his business from his grandfather and named it after him)?

 

[JonesJorgen]

Hey guys, quick question here. Does anyone have any experiences with gec knives with acrylic scales? Are they brittle? How do they handle water? Do they shrink a lot?

 

[Jacques Mi]

The ones I have seem to hold up most excellent JonesJorgen

 

[JonesJorgen]

The ones I have seem to hold up most excellent JonesJorgen

Thanks for your input! I think I’m ready to take the plunge. Was offered a 35 in hummingbird acrylic and it’s gonna be a daily carry but I haven’t owned one before

 

[draggat]

Hey guys, quick question here. Does anyone have any experiences with gec knives with acrylic scales? Are they brittle? How do they handle water? Do they shrink a lot?

Its basically plastic. Not as durable as delrin, but less brittle than bone. They will get a bit dull and foggy if you carry with keys, coins, etc. You can polish it out with flitz occasionally or carry in a leather slip.

 

[JonesJorgen]

Its basically plastic. Not as durable as delrin, but less brittle than bone. They will get a bit dull and foggy if you carry with keys, coins, etc. You can polish it out with flitz occasionally or carry in a leather slip.

Brilliant! Thanks. Been after a Churchill forever, seems like it’ll hold up just fine. Gonna update with a picture when it arrives

 

[AZCoyote]

Brilliant! Thanks. Been after a Churchill forever, seems like it’ll hold up just fine. Gonna update with a picture when it arrives

Can't go wrong with a 35 churchill, that's probably one of my favorite GECs I own, it's been in the rotation for a while.

 

[JonesJorgen]

Can't go wrong with a 35 churchill, that's probably one of my favorite GECs I own, it's been in the rotation for a while.

It’s near perfect I think. A clippoint in one end and a sheepsfoot (thank you btb01 , can never seem to get those right) on the other on one spring. Why is that combination not seen more? Was days away from buying a Lionsteel bestman in the 2 blade config (might still do that, the santos version is a looker)

 

[btb01]

A clippoint in one end and a lamb on the other on one spring.

Sheepsfoot, not a Lambsfoot.

 

[Will Power]

Blade each end is my preference over same end Jacks every time. The Churchill has a good broad EE frame and offers this very useful blade combination, plus the 35 has now hosted many other interesting variants.

As for Acrylics, I find them tough enough, won't crack as easily as Bone-or Delrin, nearly all of my CASE Yellow Delrin have a centre pin crack I dislike carrying a knife with coins or keys so can't comment on that type of 'durability' the only problem with Hummingbird is that it's the devil to photograph it should look really tidy on the 35 JonesJorgen

Here Cougar Claw and CASE Rootbeer Bone

 

[JonesJorgen]

Blade each end is my preference over same end Jacks every time. The Churchill has a good broad EE frame and offers this very useful blade combination, plus the 35 has now hosted many other interesting variants.

As for Acrylics, I find them tough enough, won't crack as easily as Bone-or Delrin, nearly all of my CASE Yellow Delrin have a centre pin crack I dislike carrying a knife with coins or keys so can't comment on that type of 'durability' the only problem with Hummingbird is that it's the devil to photograph it should look really tidy on the 35 JonesJorgen

Here Cougar Claw and CASE Rootbeer Bone

Always a joy to read your reply’s Will Power Thank you for your inputs, now im really looking forward to handling the 35. Your 35 is very very cool I must say!

 

[Will Power]

JonesJorgen Thank you, don't think you will be disappointed at all. Has very good action and uses well, plus it's an attractive looker Hope to see your photos and reports soon.

 

[lithicus]

I'm not certain the best place to post/ask this. If I need to make a new thread, let me know and I'll delete this post. I tried scouring the forums, but mostly found information on pin cracks. The information I could find about longitudinal cracks were usually in reference to giraffe or camel bone, horn material, or things like ivory.

I just picked up this 72 cody scout from the post office and out of the tube found what I believe would be described as a longitudinal crack. One end terminates at the bolster. The other end is not terminated but seems like it would terminate at the liner if extended. In my opinion, it was already cracked at the factory and not a result of shipping/handling as there is some polishing compound in the crack near the bolster.

Is this crack in danger of spreading? It seems like it could lead to a pretty significant chip if it managed to make its way to the liner. I heard thin super glue or epoxy can help stabilize cracks. So, I presume that would help in this case.

Kind of related, I imagine if I contact the dealer they will just issue a full refund. But, odds are I will not score another one of these knives. I've heard GEC is not great at turning around replacement covers due to stock. But, would I have better luck sending it in now while the run is still happening?

Sorry for all the questions. I only own half a dozen GEC knives and they've all been top notch. This is the first time I've ever had to deal with anything I'd maybe consider a defect and I'm not certain how to proceed. If it were Case or some other mass produced knife, I'd just exchange it for another (which I have done before for Case knives with cracked bone handles). But, as difficult as it is to obtain GECs I don't see a quick exchange happening? Anyway, thanks everyone for your input!

 

[Kiteman72]

That crack would bother me, that's for sure.

I would email that same pic to GEC and see what they say. Certainly try to get it back for repair while the run is "fresh".

If no satisfaction from GEC, I would get a refund from my dealer, I reckon. I would never be able to overlook the crack and would worry it would get worse.

I feel you tho, it sucks to win at Fight Club and then the prize shows up buggered. But I think GEC will fix you up. Heck, they may even have a couple squirreled away for warranty claims if you're lucky.

 

[lithicus]

That crack would bother me, that's for sure.

I would email that same pic to GEC and see what they say. Certainly try to get it back for repair while the run is "fresh".

If no satisfaction from GEC, I would get a refund from my dealer, I reckon. I would never be able to overlook the crack and would worry it would get worse.

I feel you tho, it sucks to win at Fight Club and then the prize shows up buggered. But I think GEC will fix you up. Heck, they may even have a couple squirreled away for warranty claims if you're lucky.

Appreciate the advice. I figured the wisest thing to do was to contact GEC first and as quickly as possible to see what can be done.

Part of my question, too, was definitely how acceptable this is for GEC. Oddly enough, I'm tempted to be more "strict" with a company like Case or Buck because I know I can easily exchange the knife out for another. With GEC, I am more tempted to let things slide or pass them off as a natural occurrence because I know how difficult they are to obtain. And in the larger scheme of things, I just need the knife to stay whole and function. I do worry with this crack though that it might result in a very large chip if I cannot stabilize it properly. I'd honestly have preferred a pin crack lol At least those aren't at risk to spread as much since both ends are terminated.

Again, appreciate your input and information about what types of cracks are "natural" vs "defects". I'll probably shoot GEC an email now and hopefully hear back from them sooner rather than later.

 

[Kiteman72]

Appreciate the advice. I figured the wisest thing to do was to contact GEC first and as quickly as possible to see what can be done.

Part of my question, too, was definitely how acceptable this is for GEC. Oddly enough, I'm tempted to be more "strict" with a company like Case or Buck because I know I can easily exchange the knife out for another. With GEC, I am more tempted to let things slide or pass them off as a natural occurrence because I know how difficult they are to obtain. And in the larger scheme of things, I just need the knife to stay whole and function. I do worry with this crack though that it might result in a very large chip if I cannot stabilize it properly. I'd honestly have preferred a pin crack lol At least those aren't at risk to spread as much since both ends are terminated.

Again, appreciate your input and information about what types of cracks are "natural" vs "defects". I'll probably shoot GEC an email now and hopefully hear back from them sooner rather than later.

It is my very amateur opinion that the crack on your knife appeared when the knife was hafted, and is not a "natural" crack or "feature" of the bone type.

I would expect GEC to replace the scale under warranty and would also probably have hurt feelings about it if they refused.

 

[Elgatodeacero]

I would put a couple dabs of crazy glue into the crack, wipe excess off and then enjoy the knife.

 

[birdsbeaks]

I'm not certain the best place to post/ask this. If I need to make a new thread, let me know and I'll delete this post. I tried scouring the forums, but mostly found information on pin cracks. The information I could find about longitudinal cracks were usually in reference to giraffe or camel bone, horn material, or things like ivory.

I just picked up this 72 cody scout from the post office and out of the tube found what I believe would be described as a longitudinal crack. One end terminates at the bolster. The other end is not terminated but seems like it would terminate at the liner if extended. In my opinion, it was already cracked at the factory and not a result of shipping/handling as there is some polishing compound in the crack near the bolster.

Is this crack in danger of spreading? It seems like it could lead to a pretty significant chip if it managed to make its way to the liner. I heard thin super glue or epoxy can help stabilize cracks. So, I presume that would help in this case.

Kind of related, I imagine if I contact the dealer they will just issue a full refund. But, odds are I will not score another one of these knives. I've heard GEC is not great at turning around replacement covers due to stock. But, would I have better luck sending it in now while the run is still happening?

Sorry for all the questions. I only own half a dozen GEC knives and they've all been top notch. This is the first time I've ever had to deal with anything I'd maybe consider a defect and I'm not certain how to proceed. If it were Case or some other mass produced knife, I'd just exchange it for another (which I have done before for Case knives with cracked bone handles). But, as difficult as it is to obtain GECs I don't see a quick exchange happening? Anyway, thanks everyone for your input!

Pretty hard to tell the extent of the fissure in pictures, but - if I wasn't willing to go the refund route and wasn't able to get it repaired or replaced by the factory, I'd probably use the hell out of it and if the worst case occurred and it did eventually chip off, I'd probably have it recovered in some really "popcorny" stag. I'm sure there are folks on here who could offer suggestions on someone who could perform that kind of work.

I'm not saying I wouldn't be annoyed, but I've come to accept that traditional knives are inconvenient in a kind of charming way, the same way as manually pumping water from a well is inconvenient compared to flipping on the tap, or how hand churning butter is inconvenient in comparison to just slicing open a cardboard package. If this occurred with a modern knife, I'd call the company and tell them to send me a new scale and bolt it on myself but, again, traditional knives are what they are -- sometimes inconvenient but possibly worth the headache in not necessarily quantifiable ways. Lately, as a person who compulsively can't "leave well enough alone" I've been entertaining the idea of investigating what it would take to be able to perform my own repairs/alterations. What I've learned so far is that it seems inconvenient -- but also possibly worth it. lol.

Good luck, cool knife, and I hope you're able to get the satisfaction you're after.

 

[lithicus]

I would put a couple dabs of crazy glue into the crack, wipe excess off and then enjoy the knife.

I'm definitely considering it. I'd rather have the knife than not. And, if I can stabilize that crack so it doesn't result in a giant chip, my cutting tasks would be none the wiser. Even small chips wouldn't bother me so long as they weren't uncomfortable in the hand. This seems like it could result in a pretty large and uncomfortable chip though if I was unable to stabilize it and the worst case scenario happened.

Pretty hard to tell the extent of the fissure in pictures, but - if I wasn't willing to go the refund route and wasn't able to get it repaired or replaced by the factory, I'd probably use the hell out of it and if the worst case occurred and it did eventually chip off, I'd probably have it recovered in some really "popcorny" stag. I'm sure there are folks on here who could offer suggestions on someone who could perform that kind of work.

I'm not saying I wouldn't be annoyed, but I've come to accept that traditional knives are inconvenient in a kind of charming way, the same way as manually pumping water from a well is inconvenient compared to flipping on the tap, or how hand churning butter is inconvenient in comparison to just slicing open a cardboard package. If this occurred with a modern knife, I'd call the company and tell them to send me a new scale and bolt it on myself but, again, traditional knives are what they are -- sometimes inconvenient but possibly worth the headache in not necessarily quantifiable ways. Lately, as a person who compulsively can't "leave well enough alone" I've been entertaining the idea of investigating what it would take to be able to perform my own repairs/alterations. What I've learned so far is that it seems inconvenient -- but also possibly worth it. lol.

Good luck, cool knife, and I hope you're able to get the satisfaction you're after.

I love this response It rings so true. Having a knife with flaws does certainly have its benefits. It's like that first scratch on a car or the first rock gouge in a canoe. Once it's done and over with you can kind of breathe easy. Perfection is the enemy of good, and there's nothing wrong with leaving well enough alone. I intended on it being a user anyway. So, it was never going to stay perfect.

I hadn't considered just getting it recovered in some nice gnarly stag if it ever does chip badly. I love a good stag knife and it would be one of a kind at that point with the memories of putting it to hard use to go along with it. I do think I'll reach out to GEC just to see what they might suggest. But, I think I'll have a hard time returning it for a refund and being left empty handed so to speak (not like I don't have a few dozen other knives to use but you get my point).

Again appreciate the comments and the best wishes. It is a cool knife, lockbacks hold a special place in my heart, and the timing of me placing the order on my grandfathers birthday means a lot to me. I'll try to keep everyone updated! Thanks again!