Lets talk GEC!

rma100 said:
Barkin up the wrong tree Logan!
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..... by bringing up a publicly posted blog?

I only posted to ask that person (in private) where they got the knife. I didn't mention anyone specifically and made it clear that I'd only discuss in pm. I'll delete the post if you feel it was unfair, I am not trying to hurt your business and apologize if you feel I have.

Also, I actually agree that this degree of uncenteredness is not a big issue, at least for me. I would not have returned this knife. I understand the crinking process and haven't had much issue using or sharpening crinked blades. Again, I agree with your assessment of the situation and think you handled it well. You ended up offering an exchange then fully refunding the customer, right? I think that sounds like good service, and you have nothing to hide or be criticized for. I guess some knife buyers, such as these, just have more picky tastes than you or me and that's alright also.

I was purely curious if it was the same knife. I'm not against you.
 
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A blade that isn't dead center shouldn't be an issue on a traditional knife as long as it's not touching the liners. GEC just crinks the blades to center them. I think way too much emphasis is put on centered blades on traditional knives. It would take GEC a couple seconds to adjust it. It is completely different with modern tactical type folders. They are manufactured differently.

BUT I haven't wrapped my mind around why Frankki's blade is so close in the closed position and so far off center in the open position. Maybe the run up is uneven??
 
The pivot's not drilled properly. In my recent paroxysm of cheap acquisitions, many being single-blade jacks, I've become intimately familiar with the phenomenon of "reasonably centered" blades that were likely crinked into position only to be significantly off-center to the naked eye when opened. The knife is tossed together, presumably the pre-drilled holes are found to not be perfectly in line with each other, and the pivot pin is slammed into place without being exactly perpendicular to the scales.

I'd expect this out of some of the old east Asian manufacturers who produced many of the aforementioned cheap jacks. I find it unacceptable from GEC, which is why this spate of criticism is welcome. The #15 isn't a cheap knife and it should not suffer from the same manufacturing foibles as cheap knives often do.

(And, yes, I agree that a dead-centered blade when closed is much ado about nothing when it comes to traditionals. But open is another matter.)
 
Not really cool if GEC are having to rush production so much that poorly constructed and/or finished knives are rolling out from the plant. To say that the knives are popular and in demand would be understatement of the decade.. but is this the flip side? I certainly hope not. Would like to dare to try another one yet.
 
Got this gem in the mail today. Picture don't do it justice. #15 boys knife in elephant ivory bark.

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Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
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I'm not a fanboy. I own knives from a lot of different MFG but I would imagine that it must be difficult for GEC. Trying to balance such high consumer demand for more releases, dealers expecting larger quantities of knives to sell, and still maintaining the quality that we have all come to expect. While I agree that there is no excuse for a lapse in quality control, I believe there would be just as much of an uproar if GEC had to cut down on production quantities even more. Perhaps these are growing pains for a thriving small business. It is important to remember that GEC is still a small business. I'm not sure what the answer is but I believe that ounce for ounce, GEC still makes a good product for the money. Every manufacturer puts out a few lemons. Fortunately GEC has good customer service to counter this, at least in my experience. One just needs to take advantage of it.
 
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Good point Tilley. I also think people should remember that these are production knives being made on machinery that is very old in some cases. If people are upset by a little gap or the such, their expectations are far out of reach. Even customs can have them (I would know since I have almost all custom knives now).

The one complaint that comes up time and time again is the blade rap. If it's a user, use the knife, sharpen accordingly and it will take care of itself. If it's strictly a collector knife just to be looked at, fondled, posed for pretty pictures in this forum, don't let the blade snap shut. There's no reason to do that.
 
Jsega51 said:
Good point Tilley. I also think people should remember that these are production knives being made on machinery that is very old in some cases. If people are upset by a little gap or the such, their expectations are far out of reach. Even customs can have them (I would know since I have almost all custom knives now).

The one complaint that comes up time and time again is the blade rap. If it's a user, use the knife, sharpen accordingly and it will take care of itself. If it's strictly a collector knife just to be looked at, fondled, posed for pretty pictures in this forum, don't let the blade snap shut. There's no reason to do that.
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I agree that blade rap is one of the gripes that reoccurs as far as I see. I dont think that is too much to ask. I wish they would just round the point on the spring a little to make sure it would not make contact..
As far as I'm concerned, who cares if the blade isn't straight as an arrow when open? I cant see that affecting performance (or sharpening) in any way (at least for me) and I would rather have it centered when closed.
 
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I think that we have seen 4 knives posted in this thread recently with production issues. I don't think there is much cause for alarm. I expect a great deal more knives that are absolutely flawless have been purchased in the last 24hours.

In regards the Jobillo #92's, I think these are a 'parts knife' made with leftovers from the run. So we can't be too harsh. When I emailed Chris, I noted in my email that 'the knife wasn't marked as a second'. Now I see that the delrin Mustangs are all marked as seconds. Could be that GEC are covering themselves, while at the same time, doing their best to meet demand by producing as many knives as possible. That would make sense and show that they take quality seriously.

In other news, I returned another #92 that had an issue with a shield that was a bit high. I got a refund. Easy done.
 
Ramrodmb said:
As far as I'm concerned, who cares if the blade isn't straight as an arrow when open? I cant see that affecting performance (or sharpening) in any way (at least for me) and I would rather have it centered when closed.
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I do care,somewhat. But as I also wrote, it doesn't make the blade cut any worse. Compared to the amount of crinking one sees in multi-blade knives, it's relatively minor, but in all honesty a straight pivot hole and blade assembly should not be an unreasonable demand. Perfectly centered blade is nice but not in any way a necessity. And I do know that you have to spend a lot more than $80 to demand "perfection". Even the Case/Bose Tribal Spear I had needed a little extra work and attention (tip not very pointy, quickly fixed but a small flaw nonetheless).

Now, if i was in the USA I would be sending that Navy knife back. However, given my geographical location and the amount of paperwork it would require with both the customs office and the postal service, it's just not worth the trouble for a knife in this price range. I have done it once, but that was for a $400 knife.
 
Please note that I was in no way suggesting that the blade on that navy knife is acceptable. It should not have left the factory and should be sent back without haste. My point was simply that a half a dozen less than perfect specimens are probably not an indication of the greater decline of great eastern cutlery. Even custom makers produce lemons, I know I have. It's just easier to keep them out of the market when you are only making a couple knives at a time.
 
Frankki said:
Not really cool if GEC are having to rush production so much that poorly constructed and/or finished knives are rolling out from the plant. To say that the knives are popular and in demand would be understatement of the decade.. but is this the flip side? I certainly hope not. Would like to dare to try another one yet.
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I don't think the amount of mistakes has gone up, I just think we are seeing more people who have little experience with traditional, handmade knives buying GECs. GEC has become legendary for quality knives and so when people get a knife that is slightly different than the "perfect" knife they were expecting, they're upset. Every GEC I own has come with a "flaw", same as any maker. I have a 2013 #33 with a gap around the acorn and the main blade tip is near unground, a 2014 #42 with lock rock and blade tip near unground, my 2015 #48 had pokey jigging and came with a blade tips that were you guessed it... flat and my NW Presidential came butter knife sharp and has significant blade rub. My 2016 SS #15 is as good as I've seen from them, with ok edge grinds and a slightly off center blade when closed. I have only seen one factory made traditional knife that I honestly couldn't find any issue with. All of mine aren't "perfect" and if they were they would never stay that way too long anyhow.
 
Does anyone know if the "Black Cherry Sawcut bone" is the same as the "Sawcut Dark Red Ragg bone"?

It doesn't seem like it's the same, but the Black Cherry isn't on the production schedule so maybe it is?

Thanks

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Ragg bone is supposedly the 'second cut' variant. That might be a "typical" version of the same "dark red", though.

I won't know if I'm in love with that until I see one in person. Which presents a fresh quandary. :o
 
TsarBomba said:
Ragg bone is supposedly the 'second cut' variant. That might be a "typical" version of the same "dark red", though.

I won't know if I'm in love with that until I see one in person. Which presents a fresh quandary. :o
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Well, whatever it is I sure like it. It's very dark... like a sawcut ebony.
 
Dr-Mabuse said:
I don't think the amount of mistakes has gone up, I just think we are seeing more people who have little experience with traditional, handmade knives buying GECs. GEC has become legendary for quality knives and so when people get a knife that is slightly different than the "perfect" knife they were expecting, they're upset. Every GEC I own has come with a "flaw", same as any maker. I have a 2013 #33 with a gap around the acorn and the main blade tip is near unground, a 2014 #42 with lock rock and blade tip near unground, my 2015 #48 had pokey jigging and came with a blade tips that were you guessed it... flat and my NW Presidential came butter knife sharp and has significant blade rub. My 2016 SS #15 is as good as I've seen from them, with ok edge grinds and a slightly off center blade when closed. I have only seen one factory made traditional knife that I honestly couldn't find any issue with. All of mine aren't "perfect" and if they were they would never stay that way too long anyhow.
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My personal view is that the position GEC has established based on their quality should ensure knives which are a cut above those of companies at the lower end of the market. A blade off to one side, a blade which is not fully ground or hitting the spring and blunting itself are issues with what is the primary task of the tool. Cutting. There should not need to be compromise in this most basic knife task. Especially in these days where the chances to check F&F before purchase are almost zero.
 
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