Lets talk GEC!

Since I now have modified this #78 I might just as well use it. I must confess that I like patina on the blades, they add "character" to a knife. What foodstuffs make a blade patinate fast? I have a Case trapper that developed all kind of crazy colors after I used it to process some meat. I quess everything acid, like citrus fruit will do that too. I don't want to try a forced patina on this one, I have mixed results with this process.
 
I cut up Oranges for juice most mornings, this works well but it can impart flavours...Also vegetable prep for a couple of weeks gets good results. Put it under a very hot tap after use and this also improves the colours.
 
Apples for me, especially granny smiths. Also lemons and limes. Pretty much anything acidic puts a quick patina on my carbon blades.
 
Sriracha sauce, apples, or just dip the blades in warm vinegar until they turn as dark as you like.

I'm going to recommend the upcoming bullnose for a second GEC, they will sell out and for good reason, and they will be about $20 less than that calf pen
 
Matt Bernier said:
Filing or grinding the kick is routine part of sharpening maintainance, and should be no more a warranty issue than sharpening.

Just go SLOW, and keep checking on it. You can't add it back, after all!

I wish I'd known about kicks and their function when my Buck 110 was proud from sharpening. Like a fool, I cut the swedge instead, and it was really never the same.
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Routine? I'd say probably not. I've only filed a kick due to sharpening a few times, and mostly because I hate when a tip is close to proud. Unfortunately, it is often something you have to do before carrying a knife as they seem to come very close to or proud relatively often.

gunstockjack said:
If you file the kick it will void the factory warranty.

This practice lowers the spring as well and will have negative results, in that the back of the knife is not going to be nice and flush.

If you would like to raise the master blade to make access to the nail nick easier, I suggest a small piece of wood friction fit under the master blade kick. You can use leather, but make sure it is VEGETABLE TANNED as other methods leave corrosive agents behind.
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By the letter, your underlined and bolded text is correct.

I don't see why people care so much about the springs being flush. It has no real practical effect, whereas a proud or close to proud tip can be a safety hazard.

gunstockjack said:
Altering the mechanics of the knife will void the GEC factory warranty. If you are removing enough material to expose the tip of the blade, I suggest using a finer hone. Most blades will last for years if proper sharpening technique is maintained, the kick of the knife may at some time require filing the blade tang to bury the tip, but I would imagine well after the factory warranty expires.

So whatever, file away if you like.
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There is no time limitation as the warranty is written.

Will Power said:
Because I detest springs that are not flush open/closed I will never again risk filing the kick...you guessed, I overdid it, once bitten..:D:eek::poop:
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Like I said, I don't get this, but to each their own. It seems like GEC leans toward your end though, as I don't think I've ever had a spring that wasn't flush when open and closed (like I said though, it's not something I care about so I might not notice as much as others) whereas many tips come close to or proud of the frame enough to catch a fingernail.

LastRodeo said:
I thought GEC had a lifetime warranty. What is the length of warranty?
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This is the text of the warranty:

"We warrant all Great Eastern Cutlery (GEC) knives to be free of defects in material and workmanship. GEC does not warrant its products against normal wear or misuse. GEC does not warrant natural handle materials after the use of the knife. GEC knives are not intended to be used as hammers, chisels, pry bars, screw drivers or used in any other manner for which the product was not designed for. Furthermore, any physical or cosmetic alterations to GEC products will void this warranty. GEC will repair any knife which it deems flawed and for which the factory is at fault. GEC reserves the right to replace parts with those that are on hand and not identical to the products original form. GEC may at its discretion offer a replacement product, either identical to or of similar value, to the costumer."

I think it's important to remember however, that a warranty is only as good as its application. Thankfully, in the case of GEC the application is usually better and more forgiving for the customer than the wording. This is not always the case, as I've experienced some warranties that fell far short of the wording in application. GEC is managed and staffed by honest people whom I believe genuinely stand behind their products. I recently bought a knife at the GEC factory store and mentioned how I have an unusually strong dislike for proud or close to proud tips. Chris Tucker suggested a pass or two with a fine file or stone on the kick. I'm certainly not saying that means that altering your knife doesn't void the warranty, because the warranty states that altering the knife does void the warranty, I'm just saying it's a normal and expected thing to do to a knife when the tip is too high. Is sharpening not altering the knife? Warranties are nebulous things, it's mostly just a statement of trust and backing.
 
L.H.S said:
Routine? I'd say probably not. I've only filed a kick due to sharpening a few times, and mostly because I hate when a tip is close to proud. Unfortunately, it is often something you have to do before carrying a knife as they seem to come very close to or proud relatively often.



By the letter, your underlined and bolded text is correct.

I don't see why people care so much about the springs being flush. It has no real practical effect, whereas a proud or close to proud tip can be a safety hazard.



There is no time limitation as the warranty is written.



Like I said, I don't get this, but to each their own. It seems like GEC leans toward your end though, as I don't think I've ever had a spring that wasn't flush when open and closed (like I said though, it's not something I care about so I might not notice as much as others) whereas many tips come close to or proud of the frame enough to catch a fingernail.



This is the text of the warranty:

"We warrant all Great Eastern Cutlery (GEC) knives to be free of defects in material and workmanship. GEC does not warrant its products against normal wear or misuse. GEC does not warrant natural handle materials after the use of the knife. GEC knives are not intended to be used as hammers, chisels, pry bars, screw drivers or used in any other manner for which the product was not designed for. Furthermore, any physical or cosmetic alterations to GEC products will void this warranty. GEC will repair any knife which it deems flawed and for which the factory is at fault. GEC reserves the right to replace parts with those that are on hand and not identical to the products original form. GEC may at its discretion offer a replacement product, either identical to or of similar value, to the costumer."

I think it's important to remember however, that a warranty is only as good as its application. Thankfully, in the case of GEC the application is usually better and more forgiving for the customer than the wording. This is not always the case, as I've experienced some warranties that fell far short of the wording in application. GEC is managed and staffed by honest people whom I believe genuinely stand behind their products. I recently bought a knife at the GEC factory store and mentioned how I have an unusually strong dislike for proud or close to proud tips. Chris Tucker suggested a pass or two with a fine file or stone on the kick. I'm certainly not saying that means that altering your knife doesn't void the warranty, because the warranty states that altering the knife does void the warranty, I'm just saying it's a normal and expected thing to do to a knife when the tip is too high. Is sharpening not altering the knife? Warranties are nebulous things, it's mostly just a statement of trust and backing.
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A better choice of wording on my part would have been "normal." "Routine" does make it sound like it's as frequent as sharpening.
 
I'm testing mustard patina on my Otter, let's see what it does to blade before I try it on the GEC.
 
L.H.S. The reason I hate non flush springs is a matter of feel. If the springs are not flush then my thumb catches against them, it feels rough, poor and badly finished. Thus I dislike it.

Non centred blades ? ;) Don't mind that unless on a very expensive knife.:D
 
HFinn said:
I'm testing mustard patina on my Otter, let's see what it does to blade before I try it on the GEC.
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You can practice on your GEC if you wanted. It wipes off in a minute or two with flitz. Some of my older knives seem to take on a flat gray hue with multiple removal/replacement of patina. Not sure what it's from. It's likely more related to age and micro-scratches, but maybe the micro-scratches are from cleaning off prior patina with flitz, or long term use, or I'm imagining it o_O
 
To be honest, if I had a say in the matter - and I don't ;) I'd like to see the 15s having a well-earned rest & for a good while...:D I'd much rather they did another run of 33s 38s 82s 92s. But there isn't the collector frenzy around this I suppose. Moreover, it would be nice for GEC to produce something new for a change, OK the 44 Gunstock will be a new pattern for them and that is good.

But how about a Coffin Jack? A Teardrop that isn't Candle Tip? A proper Small Stockman or Sleeveboard? A real Norfolk and not that tiny Northwoods effort, an Anglo-Saxon, Large Pen?? GEC used to revive patterns, now they revive the 15, constantly. I understand the economics of it but it could lead to diminished interest if they're not careful:rolleyes:

As for stainless, it seems it died out in 2016..nothing last year and with Queen dropping out of the picture it looks like extinction for non carbon :poop:
 
Will Power said:
To be honest, if I had a say in the matter - and I don't ;) I'd like to see the 15s having a well-earned rest & for a good while...:D I'd much rather they did another run of 33s 38s 82s 92s. But there isn't the collector frenzy around this I suppose. Moreover, it would be nice for GEC to produce something new for a change, OK the 44 Gunstock will be a new pattern for them and that is good.

But how about a Coffin Jack? A Teardrop that isn't Candle Tip? A proper Small Stockman or Sleeveboard? A real Norfolk and not that tiny Northwoods effort, an Anglo-Saxon, Large Pen?? GEC used to revive patterns, now they revive the 15, constantly. I understand the economics of it but it could lead to diminished interest if they're not careful:rolleyes:

As for stainless, it seems it died out in 2016..nothing last year and with Queen dropping out of the picture it looks like extinction for non carbon :poop:
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I like those ideas. I would add a few more. The 06’s and 26’s are small knives that have developed a following and would sell well with another run. A larger coke bottle pattern at 3.5-3.75 inches closed would be nice; basically a larger Pemberton. I’d also like to see a real canoe pattern similar to Case’s Canoe at 3.5-3.75 inches closed.
 
Travman said:
I like those ideas. I would add a few more. The 06’s and 26’s are small knives that have developed a following and would sell well with another run. A larger coke bottle pattern at 3.5-3.75 inches closed would be nice; basically a larger Pemberton. I’d also like to see a real canoe pattern similar to Case’s Canoe at 3.5-3.75 inches closed.
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I would love see another run of the #6 Pembertons or a small canoe.
 
If you really like small knives the pemberton may be for you, but after trying one I was in no rush to get another.
 
A grand daddy barlow would be great!

I've been wishing for a 2 blade English jack, and I would love to see GEC's take on a swell center pen (a la the Case Tuxedo).
 
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