Lets talk GEC!

[J_Curd]

I am so happy to see more mirror finished Northfields the last few runs. All of these satin SFOs make puppies and kittens cry at night.

 

[B.F.U]

So GEC got the #38 in LVS Abalone this Monday and called me to let me know what they thought was going on on Monday afternoon. Chris said Bill thinks it is from something in the mineral oil I use to lube and maintain this and all my knives. This comes as a surprise to me since I started using mineral oil after Charlie said it is what he uses on his knives, and I've been really happy with it. I won't use it on my acrylic knives anymore though I guess!!! They suggested WD40. Chris said Bill thinks sanding the handle lightly will fix the issue. Great service as usual! Very happy it'll be coming back to me without really any wait.

Sorry to hear of the troubles with your #38. I personally have had multiple really good experiences with GEC’s customer service and I’d recommend reaching out to them to see if anything can be done.

On a few occasions ( I’ll see if I can dig up some old posts) They have repaired/replaced defective covers for members here and done some very unique ( and awesome) things in the name of customer satisfaction. I know it can take some time, and you may have to wait until #38’s are run again, but it’s worth exploring your options if the knife holds sentimental value.

Hey Logan,
First of all, sorry this happened. Although I find myself in the "ambivalent" camp of 38 Special appreciation, that is still a beautiful and special knife.

Upon reading of your dilemma, I took out both my rendezvous knife, and my alvs standard release 38. The ALVS was fine, but I did notice a mark on my LVS rendezvous knife, and my heart sank. Upon further inspection though, I realized it was on the surface, and was likely buffing compound or something. It had to be there when I bought it, as I only had it out of the tube once to show my wife. Neither a cloth nor my thumbnail could remove it, so I gently scraped it with a blade, and got most of it removed. I know you know what you're talking about, but please check for this just in case.

Since they're probably bubbles though, I suspect there had been some trapped air within the abalone that carrying may have released. Some very cursory research suggests you may be able to lightly sand bit by bit until you reach the bubbles, clean the debris, then repour a bit of epoxy over the sanded area.

I am far from an expert though, and would definitely check with Chris before trying anything. I'm not sure they'll be able or willing to fix, but at least you'll know your options.

Good luck sir!

Call Chris at GEC is what you should do. She'll get it straightened out for you

^^^Looks looks like air pockets in there

I agree, looks like air underneath one of the lamination layers. I doubt that it would ever be an issue, probably just some air trapped in the material that expanded when it warmed up in your pocket. Acrylic ought to be about the strongest cover material that GEC uses, probably even stronger than Micarta. So if you're already carrying the knife and it isn't a trophy piece, I'd say unless they continue to get bigger, you're fine.

That's what I thought also. There are two things that concern me. 1) they already seen to have gotten wider and 2) the areas that look pitted open to the surface, as in it has created holes on the surface that I can feel with a finger nail

I sent the pictures to Chris and she said they'll get back to me once Bill has a chance to look at them. Glad they are so helpful.

New GEC Dog Paw key ring knife in 440C, 2.75" closed, thoughts???

Very interesting. Do you know what frame this blade is from?

These and a GEC 33 have been available from Plaza Cutlery for years.

Unfortunately the owners of Plaza Cutlery are retiring. I wonder if KSF bought the remaining stock of dog paw GEC products.

I got one of the 33s when they were on Plaza, extremely nice knife but the stag was a little thick for me. Interesting SFOs. I have to say I am not huge on the etch or handle styling, but I like the idea.

I guess KsF picked them up from Plaza. I got one when they had their retirement sale. It’s a great little keychain knife, especially being stainless. F&F on mine isn’t GEC’s greatest but fine for what I paid and for it’s intended use. Now that 33 Dog Paw is outstanding F&F, almost picked up a second one when they were going for a crazy good price! Happy with both.

 

[Heirphoto]

Thanks never would have put that together. Is that new i have never seen that?

From my observations I think originally all of the GEC knives had either TIW or Titusville Iron Works spelled out. I think there is some issue and they can no longer use that marking so on the #78 run started using CKC for "Carbon Keeps Cutting", after the #78 run they went to just CAR for "carbon". (anyone with more info please feel free to correct my observations).

I know it is just a little thing but I really dislike both the CKC and CAR markings and much prefered the TIW or Titusville Iron Works markings instead.

 

[black mamba]

The TIW markings were only on the 1095 bladed knives, while the GEC branded stainless blades were stamped with Cyclops Steel Works.

 

[Babalu32]

I believe the 81 bullmoose is the only knife to have CKC.

 

[black mamba]

 

[Camillus]

Agree with other posters why waste an opportunity to improve the knife with something that downgrades it? CAR does nothing for anyone.

 

[cbr1000]

1095 seems more appropriate. CAR is weird because it appears as an acronym but it's not... odd.

I'd prefer GEC, TID, NF, if they feel like something needs to be there. At least it serves a purpose vs CAR.

It would be nice if GEC used a dating system on the blades. For example, the 43's that are coming out would have 218 on them for Feb 2018.

 

[Norcaldude]

It would be nice if GEC used a dating system on the blades. For example, the 43's that are coming out would have 218 on them for Feb 2018.

They have the year on the blades already.

 

[cbr1000]

They have the year on the blades already.

That's true. I was thinking more along the lines of something like the Sebenza birthday system - but on the blade. For those that are not familiar, each Sebenza has a date of birth. I know, sounds silly, but they are sought after by folks that have a memory associated with that date.. maybe your kids birthday or other special event. Not that GEC needs that - I guess I'm just saying that CAR is wasted space and they have the opportunity to use something that has some meaning.

 

[StoneBeard]

So GEC got the #38 in LVS Abalone this Monday and called me to let me know what they thought was going on on Monday afternoon. Chris said Bill thinks it is from something in the mineral oil I use to lube and maintain this and all my knives. This comes as a surprise to me since I started using mineral oil after Charlie said it is what he uses on his knives, and I've been really happy with it. I won't use it on my acrylic knives anymore though I guess!!! They suggested WD40. Chris said Bill thinks sanding the handle lightly will fix the issue. Great service as usual! Very happy it'll be coming back to me without really any wait.

Really glad to hear that you’ve got a solid way ahead. If your going to do some light sanding and polishing I’d recommend trying a “tropical shine four way colossal buffer” which is used to finish acrylic nails in beauty salons. Sounds crazy, but I once chipped a nice bone knife, filled the crack with acrylic and used my wife’s buffer to sand and and then buff/ shine the repair. About a month later I was looking at GEC’s “ What’s Happening” section and low and behold right there in the production pics was a tropical shine buffer next a pile of knives in finishing.

 

[cbr1000]

Really glad to hear that you’ve got a solid way ahead. If your going to do some light sanding and polishing I’d recommend trying a “tropical shine four way colossal buffer” which is used to finish acrylic nails in beauty salons. Sounds crazy, but I once chipped a nice bone knife, filled the crack with acrylic and used my wife’s buffer to sand and and then buff/ shine the repair. About a month later I was looking at GEC’s “ What’s Happening” section and low and behold right there in the production pics was a tropical shine buffer next a pile of knives in finishing.

Maybe the staff at GEC like to keep their nails lookin' good

 

[traumkommode]

So GEC got the #38 in LVS Abalone this Monday and called me to let me know what they thought was going on on Monday afternoon. Chris said Bill thinks it is from something in the mineral oil I use to lube and maintain this and all my knives. This comes as a surprise to me since I started using mineral oil after Charlie said it is what he uses on his knives, and I've been really happy with it. I won't use it on my acrylic knives anymore though I guess!!! They suggested WD40. Chris said Bill thinks sanding the handle lightly will fix the issue. Great service as usual! Very happy it'll be coming back to me without really any wait.

Glad to hear it. Some oils aren't safe for some hydrocarbon-based polymers. Think of the warning labels on certain items regarding oil-based substances in the family planning section... That said, this would be the first I've heard of a mineral oil affecting GEC's acrylic, and WD-40 is basically aerosolized fish oil, but it's cheap enough and you get the added benefit of the spray can to clean out your joints!

 

[WoodManGM]

So GEC got the #38 in LVS Abalone this Monday and called me to let me know what they thought was going on on Monday afternoon. Chris said Bill thinks it is from something in the mineral oil I use to lube and maintain this and all my knives. This comes as a surprise to me since I started using mineral oil after Charlie said it is what he uses on his knives, and I've been really happy with it. I won't use it on my acrylic knives anymore though I guess!!! They suggested WD40. Chris said Bill thinks sanding the handle lightly will fix the issue. Great service as usual! Very happy it'll be coming back to me without really any wait.

















Very interesting. Do you know what frame this blade is from?



I got one of the 33s when they were on Plaza, extremely nice knife but the stag was a little thick for me. Interesting SFOs. I have to say I am not huge on the etch or handle styling, but I like the idea.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad tidings but WD-40 is about one-fourth mineral oil. I've been using it on all my knives for years.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WD-40

 

[WoodManGM]

Glad to hear it. Some oils aren't safe for some hydrocarbon-based polymers. Think of the warning labels on certain items regarding oil-based substances in the family planning section... That said, this would be the first I've heard of a mineral oil affecting GEC's acrylic, and WD-40 is basically aerosolized fish oil, but it's cheap enough and you get the added benefit of the spray can to clean out your joints!

From the wd40.com website:
What a Fish story!
Myth: WD-40® contains fish oil.

Fact: Consumers have told us over the years that they have caught some of the biggest fish ever after protecting their fish hooks and lures with WD-40®. We believe this legend came from folks assuming that the product must contain fish oil since it appears to attract fish. Sorry Charlie®, it just ain’t so.

 

[t.willy]

My guess is no 15 TC's, just a guess... about as good a guess if you ask me if it's going to rain next Monday at 6 p.m. so take that for what it's worth.

My guess is Washington Jacks for 2018. I hope to see 14 TC return some day with a different blade - hopefully sheepsfoot.

I can't speak for the TC #15s but I have it on very good authority there will be a run of TC #14s and the blade will be a clip.

 

[Pàdruig]

I can't speak for the TC #15s but I have it on very good authority there will be a run of TC #14s and the blade will be a clip.

You might break the internet with that revelation.

 

[Slim278]

I had been under the impression "I dont know where from" that GEC pinned the shields on its knives. Is this something that has changed or am I incorrect? I do not see pins in the shields for the 43.

 

[Railsplitter]

I had been under the impression "I dont know where from" that GEC pinned the shields on its knives. Is this something that has changed or am I incorrect? I do not see pins in the shields for the 43.

I have never seen a GEC without a pinned shield unless it didn't have a shield at all. Sometimes they weld a pin onto the back of the shield and pin it on that way.

I can only assume that the shields in your pic haven't entered that stage of production yet.

 

[Ramrodmb]

I have never seen a GEC without a pinned shield unless it didn't have a shield at all. Sometimes they weld a pin onto the back of the shield and pin it on that way.

I can only assume that the shields in your pic haven't entered that stage of production yet.

Exactly.