Lets talk GEC!

Do you guys like your 38 Specials? I just got one in for my wife with abalone covers. The blade is off center, the walk and talk is basically not existent (pull is probably a 4) and it generally just feels cheap. I'm really disappointed. I was hoping her first slipjoint would have some wow factor. I bought a factory second Calf Pen that was better made than this.

I'm really curious what everyone else's take on the 38 special is?

Pic of centering on blade attached.
 

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Elliot_Stallings said:
Do you guys like your 38 Specials? I just got one in for my wife with abalone covers. The blade is off center, the walk and talk is basically not existent (pull is probably a 4) and it generally just feels cheap. I'm really disappointed. I was hoping her first slipjoint would have some wow factor. I bought a factory second Calf Pen that was better made than this.

I'm really curious what everyone else's take on the 38 special is?

Pic of centering on blade attached.
Click to expand...
I can see that it is a little off center , but I would not have a problem with that very small amount . My wife picked out a 38 with Mexican Bacotte covers last year in part because it did not look as Fake as the Abalone covers . The knife is a Safe Queen but it is well made . There are still some of them out there at dealers .

Harry
 
I am Interested in opinions of what is the best oil for storage and/or display. I have been using Rem Oil but would like to know what other people like.
 
E Elliot_Stallings I cannot comment on the other issues with your 38, because I do not have one. However, with reference to the blade, I would not be too concerned. Before I discovered this forum, I never even noticed slightly off centered blades. They would have to be almost touching the liners before I would care. But when someone points it out to you, it can become an annoying obsession.

Same thing with the spring being uneven at the half stop. I was surprised to see that some collectors care about that. It does not affect the use or present a safety hazard. If it is even when open or closed, I could care less. I do not carry or use my knives at the half stop.

I doubt your wife would notice that blade. Mine certainly wouldn’t. But at the end of the day, you have to be happy with your purchase. If you cannot accept it as is maybe you should consider returning it or selling it.
 
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Leslie Tomville Leslie Tomville

She's pretending to like it as of now. I already sharpened it and gave it to her which means she wouldn't allow me to sell it. She'd never admit to disliking a gift from me. I just know I am disappointed. Every other GEC made knife I've bought was really nice. Fairly centered blades, if not perfect, and really beautiful. This looks like a $40 Case product.
 
Elliot_Stallings said:
Do you guys like your 38 Specials? I just got one in for my wife with abalone covers. The blade is off center, the walk and talk is basically not existent (pull is probably a 4) and it generally just feels cheap. I'm really disappointed. I was hoping her first slipjoint would have some wow factor. I bought a factory second Calf Pen that was better made than this.

I'm really curious what everyone else's take on the 38 special is?

Pic of centering on blade attached.
Click to expand...

I regret to hear you've felt short changed, but people should share their experiences good & bad for a forum to be useful.:thumbsup:

Personally, I don't think that the blade is much off centre, I've seen worse customs actually.... but if it annoys you it's bad, and the more so since you intended it as a present. Abalone is something I avoid, I've never seen it look good on any knife but our tastes are all different. I think you should've returned it immediately if you were that discontented and tried something else.

I'm very pleased with my 38. Once I cleaned it out the W&T seems really good and the wood's not too bad either;)

jJKBgzC.jpg
 
r8shell said:
I sure do like my #35 Churchill. There's just one thing that would make me like it more.
Inspired by @waynorth 's Cattle Knife thread, I played with stacking 35s. :D

View attachment 846988
What do y'all think? Maybe switch one of the main blades out for a bottle opener and it would make a nice camper.

View attachment 846989
Click to expand...

Swap one main blade with the cap lifter/can opener combo tool from the Texas Camp Knife, add a bail, and you’ve got yourself a winner!!!
 
Leslie Tomville said:
View attachment 850358

So far, I have resisted the 56’s. I am satisfied with my 78’s in some of the same handle materials. Please buy them up guys, I can only hold out so long!
Click to expand...
What a beautiful run of 78’s you have !!
I’m helping you out as per your request lol. I have a 56 2 blade micarta in hand with a single blade micarta that should be here today , a Mardi Gras on the way just for fun and a appaloosa :)
 
Elliot_Stallings said:
Do you guys like your 38 Specials? I just got one in for my wife with abalone covers. The blade is off center, the walk and talk is basically not existent (pull is probably a 4) and it generally just feels cheap. I'm really disappointed. I was hoping her first slipjoint would have some wow factor. I bought a factory second Calf Pen that was better made than this.

I'm really curious what everyone else's take on the 38 special is?

Pic of centering on blade attached.
Click to expand...

I don't care if a blade is a little out of center, as long as it's not close to the sides. My #38 came with really weak / lazy feeling walk and talk but after flushing, oiling, and opening and closing it is much nicer and similar to other GECs without half stops.

How does it feel cheap? The LVS abalone actually is many little pieces of abalone in injected acrylic/epoxy, so it kind of feels like a synthetic, but I think they look great.

r8shell said:
I sure do like my #35 Churchill. There's just one thing that would make me like it more.
Inspired by @waynorth 's Cattle Knife thread, I played with stacking 35s. :D

View attachment 846988
What do y'all think? Maybe switch one of the main blades out for a bottle opener and it would make a nice camper.

View attachment 846989
Click to expand...

Buzzbait said:
Swap one main blade with the cap lifter/can opener combo tool from the Texas Camp Knife, add a bail, and you’ve got yourself a winner!!!
Click to expand...

I would love to see a STAINLESS #35 camp knife, but no bail please. After lots of carry and use I don't think I like bails, at least on the #98.
 
L.H.S said:
I don't care if a blade is a little out of center, as long as it's not close to the sides. My #38 came with really weak / lazy feeling walk and talk but after flushing, oiling, and opening and closing it is much nicer and similar to other GECs without half stops.

How does it feel cheap? The LVS abalone actually is many little pieces of abalone in injected acrylic/epoxy, so it kind of feels like a synthetic, but I think they look great.
Click to expand...

I detest acrylic covers so it took quite a bit of getting used to. I'm used to micarta, smooth bone and jigged bone. It's slowly growing on me, mostly due to the beauty of the abalone underneath.

I've oiled and worked it some. Hopefully it gets better with time. Sill feels soft and you have to TRY to get a snap out of it. I guess I need to give it some more attention.
 
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