Lets talk GEC!

[Buzzbait]

I just find it a bit cumbersome when using the nail nick on a tight half stop - like someone slamming on the breaks when you're in the passenger seat.

This is exactly why the Case Backpocket gives me fits.

 

[btb01]

If memory serves they have came in from 6 to 8 in the past. I just find it a bit cumbersome when using the nail nick on a tight half stop - like someone slamming on the breaks when you're in the passenger seat. A good 6-7 is more my taste.

Makes sense. I hardly ever (I'd almost venture to say "never") use the nail nick to open the Bull Nose. I do love how snappy they are when I pinch them open, though.

 

[spyderg]

The only non-F&F GEC shadow pattern knives I can think of (and someone can correct me if these don't count as a shadow pattern, but I'm pretty sure they do) are these #28 French Kates from 2015.

Interesting assessment. I guess I've never thought of the pull on the Bull Nose as all that stiff, but maybe that's because it's easily pinchable. Do you recall how you rated the pull on previous runs? (I don't have one from this run yet, but should today or tomorrow, so I guess I'll see for myself how it compares.)

I have to say, although it's more "basic" than most of the other knives GEC produces, the Bull Nose is one of my favorite knives that GEC makes. My only complaint is that I don't always get excited when they announce a new run, because the handle materials are generally the same as previous runs -- most of which I own already, or am not particularly interested in (orange Delrin). So I'm excited about the Muslin Micarta, which should arrive in my mailbox shortly.

I’d say they count, but can’t say I’d ever pick one up. I know they’re GEC and therefore well made but that type of knife just looks like cheap gas station stuff to me.

 

[BenjaminRush]

Interesting assessment. I guess I've never thought of the pull on the Bull Nose as all that stiff, but maybe that's because it's easily pinchable. Do you recall how you rated the pull on previous runs? (I don't have one from this run yet, but should today or tomorrow, so I guess I'll see for myself how it compares.)

I have to say, although it's more "basic" than most of the other knives GEC produces, the Bull Nose is one of my favorite knives that GEC makes. My only complaint is that I don't always get excited when they announce a new run, because the handle materials are generally the same as previous runs -- most of which I own already, or am not particularly interested in (orange Delrin). So I'm excited about the Muslin Micarta, which should arrive in my mailbox shortly.

Definitely a stiffer pull this year compared to my example from last year. Still pinchable and awesome though.

 

[B.F.U]

I guess if they have to ship first class in an envelope now instead of priority box this weekend, I can see the logic.

We order several knives at a time. Thus GEC tries to send everyone a few on the first shipment date. So, the dealers that order 3-10 typically get all of theirs and we are generally sent a portion. Then once the smaller orders are satisfied, we get the remaining portion of our order.

Also, I wouldn't assume that the elevated price is because of shipping method - I would just assume it was a need for more of a margin.

That makes sense

If memory serves they have came in from 6 to 8 in the past. I just find it a bit cumbersome when using the nail nick on a tight half stop - like someone slamming on the breaks when you're in the passenger seat. A good 6-7 is more my taste.

After breaking in mines about a 7 I think.

 

[tmd_87]

My #71 from this run is super gritty and the walk in talk is just nasty. Gonna try some compressed air and wd-40 hopefully that helps. Or I may just end up selling it...I haven't really decided yet. Plus my #43 just blows it out of the water as a "working" knife.

 

[btb01]

Got my Muslin Micarta Bull Nose in the mail today. The pull is a bit stronger than on previous runs; maybe GEC has been reading that other thread here where folks were complaining about light pulls on recent knives.

As expected, I really like this knife. I was pleasantly surprised by the Muslin Micarta on the #13 Whittler that I picked up -- what was that, last year? -- and I like it just as much (and maybe even a little more) on the #71 Bull Nose. The texture is nice, and the little dark specs in the Micarta give it extra character. I'm really looking forward to adding this one into the rotation.

Here are all the #71s I have. Most are from the 2015 run. There are definitely some special knives in this group. The Nifebrite is the knife I had in my pocket the day my daughter was born. The Tortoise Shell Acrylic was an SFO for Bob Andrews at Old Hundred Collectibles. The OD Green Linen Micarta was the first F&F knife I ever bought (and only my fifth or sixth GEC). And I held off pocketing the Natural Canvas Micarta for a long time, then decided to designate it as my "Minnesota knife" when we moved a few months ago, and have carried it a good deal in since then.

I feel like the Nifebrite needs a lanyard, but I'm not sure what to use. The leather doesn't seem like it would go very well. I have dark green paracord (like on the Natural Canvas) and some red paracord, but I'm not sure either of those really fit, either. I should probably find something that I like for the Muslin Micarta, as well.

 

[major_works]

My #71 from this run is super gritty and the walk in talk is just nasty. Gonna try some compressed air and wd-40 hopefully that helps. Or I may just end up selling it...I haven't really decided yet. Plus my #43 just blows it out of the water as a "working" knife.

I got an OD green #71 a few days ago and it's barely left my pocket. It's my first Bullnose and I'm sorry it's taken me so long to get one.

Mine was a bit gritty out of the tube. A flush with Rem oil seems to have cured that. The pull is pretty stout. Some of you guys say you can pinch yours open; either mine is stiffer or I have weaker fingers because I'm not able to. Maybe after it breaks in some.

 

[B.F.U]

Got my Muslin Micarta Bull Nose in the mail today. The pull is a bit stronger than on previous runs; maybe GEC has been reading that other thread here where folks were complaining about light pulls on recent knives.

As expected, I really like this knife. I was pleasantly surprised by the Muslin Micarta on the #13 Whittler that I picked up -- what was that, last year? -- and I like it just as much (and maybe even a little more) on the #71 Bull Nose. The texture is nice, and the little dark specs in the Micarta give it extra character. I'm really looking forward to adding this one into the rotation.

Here are all the #71s I have. Most are from the 2015 run. There are definitely some special knives in this group. The Nifebrite is the knife I had in my pocket the day my daughter was born. The Tortoise Shell Acrylic was an SFO for Bob Andrews at Old Hundred Collectibles. The OD Green Linen Micarta was the first F&F knife I ever bought (and only my fifth or sixth GEC). And I held off pocketing the Natural Canvas Micarta for a long time, then decided to designate it as my "Minnesota knife" when we moved a few months ago, and have carried it a good deal in since then.

I feel like the Nifebrite needs a lanyard, but I'm not sure what to use. The leather doesn't seem like it would go very well. I have dark green paracord (like on the Natural Canvas) and some red paracord, but I'm not sure either of those really fit, either. I should probably find something that I like for the Muslin Micarta, as well.

Great picture of your Muslin #71, and great other #71s!

I wish I'd gotten one of those tortoise acrylics from Bob.

I got an OD green #71 a few days ago and it's barely left my pocket. It's my first Bullnose and I'm sorry it's taken me so long to get one.

Mine was a bit gritty out of the tube. A flush with Rem oil seems to have cured that. The pull is pretty stout. Some of you guys say you can pinch yours open; either mine is stiffer or I have weaker fingers because I'm not able to. Maybe after it breaks in some.

I think mine sits quite a bit deeper in the blade well than previous runs. It's still usually pinchable, but that might make it more difficult on yours if it also sits low.

 

[Norcaldude]

I feel like the Nifebrite needs a lanyard, but I'm not sure what to use. The leather doesn't seem like it would go very well. I have dark green paracord (like on the Natural Canvas) and some red paracord, but I'm not sure either of those really fit, either. I should probably find something that I like for the Muslin Micarta, as well.

They make glow in the dark paracord. Google it and you'll find some.

 

[HST]

I too pinch my #71s. I do not use the nail nick either. I’m glad to see so much talk about them and collections.

tmd_87 I always clean my knives the second they come in and the crud that comes out always surprises me. Even the most cleanest examples has crud coming out the top of the spring. The cam and tang is a crud collector. While it’s been a minute, my #71s were all particularly dirty. I attributed it to the extra handle material that got sanded.

btb01 I use a piece of safety orange para cord and it looks summer-y and keeps with the knife-brite. I really like that a fun summer combo. Your #71 collection is really nice. I too use leather on my Burlap.

 

[Augie]

I bought one of the tan 71's,pull is stiff and gritty but I can flush that out,main concern is the bolster pin has sharp edges on it and catches skin. Of all the GEC's I've bought over the years this is the first one I don't really care for

 

[Modoc ED]

I bought one of the tan 71's,pull is stiff and gritty but I can flush that out,main concern is the bolster pin has sharp edges on it and catches skin. Of all the GEC's I've bought over the years this is the first one I don't really care for

Those sharp edges on the bolster pins was covered in this thread.

https://www.bladeforums.com/threads...icarata-have-arrived-comparison-pics.1140736/

Look at Post #66 in the linked thread for a solution for the sharp bolster pin.

There are ways to smooth them out discussed and the reasons for them. One reason was that it cut out a step in the finishing process thereby cutting the labor cost somewhat to make the knives less expensive.

The knife I got from the current run is a bit stiff (harder pull) on opening but I personally like that.

Carry your new knife and give it an honest go and see if you don't end up liking it quite a bit.

 

[btb01]

I got an OD green #71 a few days ago and it's barely left my pocket. It's my first Bullnose and I'm sorry it's taken me so long to get one.

Mine was a bit gritty out of the tube. A flush with Rem oil seems to have cured that. The pull is pretty stout. Some of you guys say you can pinch yours open; either mine is stiffer or I have weaker fingers because I'm not able to. Maybe after it breaks in some.

I should add that all of the #71s that I use regularly have at least a bit of patina on the blade, which improves the pinchability immensely. I hadn't even thought about that when I was commenting earlier on being able to pinch these knives open, but having my new Muslin Micarta in hand, with no use/patina and a bit of the oil from the factory on the blade, I will contend that they aren't particularly pinchable out of the tube.

I bought one of the tan 71's,pull is stiff and gritty but I can flush that out,main concern is the bolster pin has sharp edges on it and catches skin. Of all the GEC's I've bought over the years this is the first one I don't really care for

Sorry you don't like it, Augie. If you decide to pass it on, you should have an easy enough time at least getting your money back out of it.

Most of mine from the 2015 run don't have that sharp edge on the pivot pin, but my 2015 Canvas Micarta does, as well as my new Muslin Micarta.

Those sharp edges on the bolster pins was covered in this thread.

https://www.bladeforums.com/threads...icarata-have-arrived-comparison-pics.1140736/

There are ways to smooth them out discussed and the reasons for them. One reason was that it cut out a step in the finishing process thereby cutting the labor cost somewhat to make the knives less expensive.

The knife I got from the current run is a bit stiff (harder pull) on opening but I personally like that.

Carry your new knife and give it an honest go and see if you don't end up liking it quite a bit.

Thanks for the link, Ed. Some good suggestions in there on de-burring that sharp pivot pin, though, as I said, it's never been something that has bothered me when carrying or using this knife. Maybe it's just ignorance on my part, but I never really considered the pivot pin on a #71 (sharp or otherwise) to be "proud" as many people refer to it in that thread. I just assumed that was the way it was meant to be. I mean, even the ones that don't have that sharp edge aren't flush with the stamped ring that's around the pin (don't know if there's a term for that bit). Just thought it was part of the design, I guess.

I will say that one thing your link brought to my attention was the fact that GEC made a #71 Bull Nose in a darker (is that OD Green?) Canvas Micarta. That run (late 2013) would have been before I discovered GEC. I'm definitely going to have to keep an eye out for one of those! (I'm guessing that run was in O1 steel, too. I don't have an O1 Bull Nose, though I do have a F&F #99 Farmer Lock in O1.)

 

[Modoc ED]

Some of my #71s.

Note the two OD Green Canvas Micarta #71s on either side of the Tortoise Shell #71. The one with the bail has been used and carried quite a bit and the covers have darkened considerably although they could probably be polished back to the original color quite easily.

To me, the sharp bolster pins are not an issue.

 

[B.F.U]

I should add that all of the #71s that I use regularly have at least a bit of patina on the blade, which improves the pinchability immensely. I hadn't even thought about that when I was commenting earlier on being able to pinch these knives open, but having my new Muslin Micarta in hand, with no use/patina and a bit of the oil from the factory on the blade, I will contend that they aren't particularly pinchable out of the tube.



Sorry you don't like it, Augie. If you decide to pass it on, you should have an easy enough time at least getting your money back out of it.

Most of mine from the 2015 run don't have that sharp edge on the pivot pin, but my 2015 Canvas Micarta does, as well as my new Muslin Micarta.



Thanks for the link, Ed. Some good suggestions in there on de-burring that sharp pivot pin, though, as I said, it's never been something that has bothered me when carrying or using this knife. Maybe it's just ignorance on my part, but I never really considered the pivot pin on a #71 (sharp or otherwise) to be "proud" as many people refer to it in that thread. I just assumed that was the way it was meant to be. I mean, even the ones that don't have that sharp edge aren't flush with the stamped ring that's around the pin (don't know if there's a term for that bit). Just thought it was part of the design, I guess.

I will say that one thing your link brought to my attention was the fact that GEC made a #71 Bull Nose in a darker (is that OD Green?) Canvas Micarta. That run (late 2013) would have been before I discovered GEC. I'm definitely going to have to keep an eye out for one of those! (I'm guessing that run was in O1 steel, too. I don't have an O1 Bull Nose, though I do have a F&F #99 Farmer Lock in O1.)

The Canvas OD Green was in O1 still if I recall correctly also. I had one and @flatblackcapo still posts it sometimes, I'm glad it's being used and enjoyed.

I just wanted to say also, I've never had bad service in purchasing GEC knives from a dealer. I've purchased from different dealers at different times for different reasons, but I have no complaints about the service I've received. Just putting it out there. Sometimes tone and intention doesn't come through well through text and I didn't mean any negativity.

 

[btb01]

Good looking group, Ed!

Was it a Bull Nose that you left on the roof of your woodshed for several months, or was that a Smith & Sons Mudbug?

 

[btb01]

The Canvas OD Green was in O1 still if I recall correctly also. I had one and @flatblackcapo still posts it sometimes, I'm glad it's being used and enjoyed.

Thanks, Logan. OD Canvas Micarta and O1 steel... I'm going to be on the hunt for one of those!

 

[Pàdruig]

I have a couple of 71s that I got from this latest run. My second one should be in my mailbox at this moment. More thoughts on those a bit later.

I wanted to switch gears a bit and talk about GEC as a factory and I feel this an appropriate place to do so. I know the annual forum knife discussions tend to bring out the more strongly opinionated of us, but this year especially has seen a rather extensive amount of shade being thrown at them and their supporters for what I cannot deem as being any good reason.

Sure, there are certainly legitimate criticisms to be made, for no one and no entity is infallible. Things such as lack of steel variety, limited runs, wobbly lock backs, and such are all legitimate points to discuss. And if we were strictly speaking about such, I guess the animosity might make a little bit of sense. But I am seeing a lot more than that and it really puzzles me.

I am a rather objective person in general but I fail to see the reason for such vitriolic opinions. I get that someone may not like GEC, but to give no good reason as to your distaste, or to simply drop in a thread, voice your baseless displeasure and then bounce out seems to be in poor form. I like a good discussion and perhaps there are plenty of things about GEC that I am unaware of but I am always happy to learn. My collection is rather meager compared to some but I still have close to 30 GEC knives and though not all of them are perfect, some I like more than others, the company itself has given me no reason to be dissatisfied or bored with them.

I guess my point is this: The recent discussions are bringing out a fair bit of anti-GEC sentiment and I'd like to know why. Beyond the obvious, such as blade steel and sunken pins, the animosity seems to run deeper. Or are we simply seeing folks who are being contrarian for no other reason than the fact that GEC is popular?

Now that I think of it, I wonder if my points are better suited for the Feedback sub, I suppose I will find out soon enough.

 

[JTB_5]

I have a couple of 71s that I got from this latest run. My second one should be in my mailbox at this moment. More thoughts on those a bit later.

I wanted to switch gears a bit and talk about GEC as a factory and I feel this an appropriate place to do so. I know the annual forum knife discussions tend to bring out the more strongly opinionated of us, but this year especially has seen a rather extensive amount of shade being thrown at them and their supporters for what I cannot deem as being any good reason.

Sure, there are certainly legitimate criticisms to be made, for no one and no entity is infallible. Things such as lack of steel variety, limited runs, wobbly lock backs, and such are all legitimate points to discuss. And if we were strictly speaking about such, I guess the animosity might make a little bit of sense. But I am seeing a lot more than that and it really puzzles me.

I am a rather objective person in general but I fail to see the reason for such vitriolic opinions. I get that someone may not like GEC, but to give no good reason as to your distaste, or to simply drop in a thread, voice your baseless displeasure and then bounce out seems to be in poor form. I like a good discussion and perhaps there are plenty of things about GEC that I am unaware of but I am always happy to learn. My collection is rather meager compared to some but I still have close to 30 GEC knives and though not all of them are perfect, some I like more than others, the company itself has given me no reason to be dissatisfied or bored with them.

I guess my point is this: The recent discussions are bringing out a fair bit of anti-GEC sentiment and I'd like to know why. Beyond the obvious, such as blade steel and sunken pins, the animosity seems to run deeper. Or are we simply seeing folks who are being contrarian for no other reason than the fact that GEC is popular?

Now that I think of it, I wonder if my points are better suited for the Feedback sub, I suppose I will find out soon enough.

I'm not one of those who are down on GEC, but judging from human nature, I got the impression that people were down on GEC because they assumed that GEC was unwilling to work with the forum, or consider the forum's input/desires, and that GEC was someone stubborn in sticking to their own opinion. Maybe those aren't everyone's reasons, but that's (some of) what I've gathered from lurking in the annual knife threads.

However, since a couple of folks have communicated with GEC, the biggest "hassle" seems to be giving them enough time and clear communication beforehand in order to allow them to accommodate their own production schedule. I have kept my nose out of the annual forum discussion mainly because I'm unlikely to buy this year, but as far as GEC goes, I think it is a great company and I'd rather have a GEC in my pocket than any other current production knife making traditional patterns.