Lets talk GEC!

I know the Illuminator has been mentioned, but for those that haven't been to the site:
Ill-photo1-1024x683.jpg
I have had one of the old Princeton Techs that this was based on. It is a decent low end light. Rather water resistant and light, it makes for a good light to mount to a hiking bag, yard/house work light (crawl spaces and such), and other places that a light and inexpensive light will be appreciated.

Plus, I like the cap lifter on it.
 
It's sort of light on the 15 but there is a drawn swedge. You're right. I'm not sure that a tumble polish would make much of a difference. It would on the tip of the blade but the swedge is so light on the 15.

The cut swedge on a satin finished 1095 Tidioute is probably most different from Case's tumble finish.

The 440C 15s were great. But it would also be cool if they did the 440C #15 clip blade with long pull and cut swedge like the knives with 1095.
 
Does anybody know if the "cleaning tanks" at GEC are ultrasonic tanks?

I'm wondering because a lot of recent GEC's have had sluggish snaps, but are fine once you flush the joint. I wonder if an ultrasonic dip would do them some good.
 
Wilted Kilt said:
Does anybody know if the "cleaning tanks" at GEC are ultrasonic tanks?

I'm wondering because a lot of recent GEC's have had sluggish snaps, but are fine once you flush the joint. I wonder if an ultrasonic dip would do them some good.
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Hmm. Good thought. Any experience with other patterns that were sluggish upon delivery?
 
I wouldn't say EVERY knife I've bought lately was lazy upon closing, but it does seem like it became more prevalent with the #14s last year - in my mind anyway.

If correct, that's also about when they started upping their production numbers. We were also told on the tour that they've been on mandatory OT for about a year...perhaps they just haven't had the time to focus on cleaning them like they used to.

Luckily most of them have been correctable - at least to modest acceptability.
 
Sabercat said:
I wouldn't say EVERY knife I've bought lately was lazy upon closing, but it does seem like it became more prevalent with the #14s last year - in my mind anyway.

If correct, that's also about when they started upping their production numbers. We were also told on the tour that they've been on mandatory OT for about a year...perhaps they just haven't had the time to focus on cleaning them like they used to.

Luckily most of them have been correctable - at least to modest acceptability.
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The 440C Chestnut I posted has the best snap of any recent 15 I've owned. A very crisp 6+ but smooth. I had a few early GEC's that I just could not open period. I sure don't want to go back to those days.

I usually flush the joint out with WD 40 and a blast of compressed air. Dawn dishwashing detergent has been recommended pretty often, but it requires very hot water and a good dose of oil afterwards.
 
NewBlades16 said:
Hmm. Good thought. Any experience with other patterns that were sluggish upon delivery?
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66 secondary blades, a couple 25 barlows, and one of the two forum knives all came a little lazy.

I just work the joint with some ballistol or mineral oil for a little bit and it's good to go. It's not really an issue for me, more of a curiousity about their tanks.
 
My 2017 forum knife is very snappy opening, but closing it from the half stop the snap is juuuust a bit lazy/soft. I know for a fact a bit of mineral oil will help. It's not bad at all, just different.

Speaking of that, I need to oil my blade already! I wiped the factory oil off upon receipt yesterday, and it's been in my pocket since (in a leather slip). Pulled it out this afternoon to find a bit of pepper spotting (kind of in the shape of my thumbprint) near the tip. Crazy. I do live in a hot/humid climate, but this is the first time I've experienced that with GECs 1095. Is there a safe, easy way to remove it? I don't want to use anything abrasive. I intend to use this knife anyways, so it's not a huge deal. Just curious.
 
Fire Beard said:
My 2017 forum knife is very snappy opening, but closing it from the half stop the snap is juuuust a bit lazy/soft. I know for a fact a bit of mineral oil will help. It's not bad at all, just different.

Speaking of that, I need to oil my blade already! I wiped the factory oil off upon receipt yesterday, and it's been in my pocket since (in a leather slip). Pulled it out this afternoon to find a bit of pepper spotting (kind of in the shape of my thumbprint) near the tip. Crazy. I do live in a hot/humid climate, but this is the first time I've experienced that with GECs 1095. Is there a safe, easy way to remove it? I don't want to use anything abrasive. I intend to use this knife anyways, so it's not a huge deal. Just curious.
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Anything that removes it is going to be at least slightly abrasive. Flitz works but you'll start polishing your blade. Super Eraser would work as well, but I recommend going WITH the grind lines, not against them, as it leaves a satin/brushed finish.
 
Wilted Kilt said:
Anything that removes it is going to be at least slightly abrasive. Flitz works but you'll start polishing your blade. Super Eraser would work as well, but I recommend going WITH the grind lines, not against them, as it leaves a satin/brushed finish.
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Thanks for the tip. I'll look into that.
 
My Navy Knife in 440C had a swedge.

NKhand.jpg
 
GunGraber said:
I'm curious why some want to see stainless GEC knives sooooo badly. Don't get me wrong, I like stainless knives too but if I really wanted a stainless slipjoint I would just carry a Case and be done with it. Why do some of you want your stainless slipjoint to be a GEC so badly?-Caleb.
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Matt Bernier said:
GEC uses a much better stainless than Case. It's not a step down from their carbon at all. And unlike a Case, it will have nice crisp swedges, and the tip won't be rounded off like a pair of child's scissors. Basically, it's every bit as good as a regular GEC, but less prone to corrosion. I'd love to have one as a rain day carry, for when I'm soaked to my underpants all day and can't carry the carbon.
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Pretty much what Matt said. Case makes a decent knife for the price, but IMO their steel leaves much to be desired: SOFT 420HC. They run it softer than either Camillus or Schrade ran their stainless. And those latter companies ran 440A, which in and of itself is an improvement over 420HC. Yes I can make do with it, but I prefer not to have to.

Personally, I'm not happy with the current quality of Queen knives. And their prices are more than I want to pay for what you get. Boker does not make many patterns in stainless in their high end line, and Buck makes even fewer.

So yes, I'd like GEC to make more stainless.
Doesn't have to be 440C as long as they run it at a higher Rockwell.
I'd be quite interested if GEC went to 440A and heat treated it to a 58 with a cryo quench. 440A is less wearing on the tooling than 440C, so they might be able to make stainless blades without worrying so much about wearing out their tooling.
 
knarfeng said:
Pretty much what Matt said. Case makes a decent knife for the price, but IMO their steel leaves much to be desired: SOFT 420HC. They run it softer than either Camillus or Schrade ran their stainless. And those latter companies ran 440A, which in and of itself is an improvement over 420HC. Yes I can make do with it, but I prefer not to have to.

Personally, I'm not happy with the current quality of Queen knives. And their prices are more than I want to pay for what you get. Boker does not make many patterns in stainless in their high end line, and Buck makes even fewer.

So yes, I'd like GEC to make more stainless.
Doesn't have to be 440C as long as they run it at a higher Rockwell.
I'd be quite interested if GEC went to 440A and heat treated it to a 58 with a cryo quench. 440A is less wearing on the tooling than 440C, so they might be able to make stainless blades without worrying so much about wearing out their tooling.
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I might be imagining it ( Stropping Young Lad Stropping Young Lad didn't remember Bill saying this) but I really thought it was mentioned that Peter's heat treats the stainless BEFORE blanking. Would 440A still be easier on the tooling than 440C if it were also pre heat treated? I've been pretty impressed with Rough Rider 440A, so I imagine Peter's could do a very usable 440A treatment.

Pomsbz said:
My Navy Knife in 440C had a swedge.

NKhand.jpg
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Beautiful! I really need to get around to picking one of these up for my girlfriend's brother who is in the Naval Academy right now (as a graduation gift).
 
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