Lets talk GEC!

Too much whining lately. Be thankful that the pull on the new run of 71s is a bit stiff. It'll wear in just fine and be just right after use in a very short time. So what if your blade isn't dead center. It doesn't effect the utility of the knife at all - any knife for that matter. You got a scuff mark on a bolster or blade, buff it out. None of these are returnable issues.
 
Too much whining lately. Be thankful that the pull on the new run of 71s is a bit stiff. It'll wear in just fine and be just right after use in a very short time. So what if your blade isn't dead center. It doesn't effect the utility of the knife at all - any knife for that matter. You got a scuff mark on a bolster or blade, buff it out. None of these are returnable issues.

When you are paying for my knives then you can decide these sort of things for me.
 
Too much whining lately. Be thankful that the pull on the new run of 71s is a bit stiff. It'll wear in just fine and be just right after use in a very short time. So what if your blade isn't dead center. It doesn't effect the utility of the knife at all - any knife for that matter. You got a scuff mark on a bolster or blade, buff it out. None of these are returnable issues.
whining? no. maybe complaining a bit, but not returning. and no, the pull will not be just right shortly. buy one and then advise.
 
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I'm not whining, but I also couldn't open the 71 in muslin micarta I got from this most recent run. My fault for ordering before looking it up or asking about pull strength since I know I don't like a heavy pull. I got it open once for photos by pinching, using a thin rubber/latex glove for extra grip and pulling with all of my strength, and it still almost snapped shut on me before I got it to the half stop. It won't break in if I can't open it to use it, so I sold it to someone who hopefully prefers that heavy of a pull. I'm glad for the folks who like the heavy pulls and have been disappointed by the lighter ones we've had recently, and now I know the 71 isn't the knife for me. *shrug*
 
I'm not whining, but I also couldn't open the 71 in muslin micarta I got from this most recent run. My fault for ordering before looking it up or asking about pull strength since I know I don't like a heavy pull. I got it open once for photos by pinching, using a thin rubber/latex glove for extra grip and pulling with all of my strength, and it still almost snapped shut on me before I got it to the half stop. It won't break in if I can't open it to use it, so I sold it to someone who hopefully prefers that heavy of a pull. I'm glad for the folks who like the heavy pulls and have been disappointed by the lighter ones we've had recently, and now I know the 71 isn't the knife for me. *shrug*
The older #71s had an easier pull than the more recent runs, in my experience. If you can find an older one, that has been broke in, it might just be perfect for you
 
whining? no. maybe complaining a bit, but not returning. and no, the pull will not be just right shortly. buy one and advise.

I bought two of the 71s from this last run Here's one of them.

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and already had these

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No problem with the pull on any of the 71s I have.
 
Anyway, I recently got one of GEC's blade keys and it certainly makes opening knives easier. To be honest, I always thought the blade keys were ridiculous but I kind of like it. Put it on my keychain.
 
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I'm surprised no one else is interested in this issue I have on several of my knives. I'd think it'd be something people would be interested in checking for on their own knives.

Anyway, I recently got one of GEC's blade keys and it certainly makes opening knives easier. To be honest, I always thought the blade keys were ridiculous but I kind of like it. Put it on my keychain.

It isn't that I am not interested, very much the contrary, I just can't relate to the problem. I don't have a huge collection but I do have almost 30 GEC knives, most of them from releases in the last year or two, a few from earlier. Some of the things I have noted with playing with all at some point or another:
  • I have a #15 with some horizontal blade wobble and the mark side cover is a bit loose.
  • My #43 has lazy action and significant blade rap.
  • One of my latest #71s came with a very gritty action but smoothed out considerably after a flushing. (Still some roughness though, I'll take a second look at it later)
  • My #35 Drover has lazy action, have to keep it pretty clean and well oiled to maintain good snap.
  • One of the blades on one of my #53s isn't centered but it doesn't rub the liner. (Not generally an issue for me anyway)
~ These are the most notable issues I have found with my knives, and some of them I would say is me just being nit-picky. ~

My 15s and 78s have the best walk and talk out of them all and pretty much all of them, save for the aforementioned #71, have very smooth actions.

I am very interested to see how GEC responds to your issues, it seems consistent enough that it might be something they need to address at the factory.
 
It isn't that I am not interested, very much the contrary, I just can't relate to the problem. I don't have a huge collection but I do have almost 30 GEC knives, most of them from releases in the last year or two, a few from earlier. Some of the things I have noted with playing with all at some point or another:
  • I have a #15 with some horizontal blade wobble and the mark side cover is a bit loose.
  • My #43 has lazy action and significant blade rap.
  • One of my latest #71s came with a very gritty action but smoothed out considerably after a flushing. (Still some roughness though, I'll take a second look at it later)
  • My #35 Drover has lazy action, have to keep it pretty clean and well oiled to maintain good snap.
  • One of the blades on one of my #53s isn't centered but it doesn't rub the liner. (Not generally an issue for me anyway)
~ These are the most notable issues I have found with my knives, and some of them I would say is me just being nit-picky. ~

My 15s and 78s have the best walk and talk out of them all and pretty much all of them, save for the aforementioned #71, have very smooth actions.

I am very interested to see how GEC responds to your issues, it seems consistent enough that it might be something they need to address at the factory.


I'm just interested to see if this is something other people have experienced also. I can't really see what I could be doing to have caused it, but who knows???
 
Nearly every old slipjoint I have gets circular swirls in the brass from the tang rotation. Hadn't thought to call it a problem; but it does sound like you have one that may be a bit too much resistance.
 
Nearly every old slipjoint I have gets circular swirls in the brass from the tang rotation. Hadn't thought to call it a problem; but it does sound like you have one that may be a bit too much resistance.

Oh yeah, they all have swirls. I mean like a trough dug into the liners. I'm not trying to be whiney or picky. I'm gonna attempt to take pictures, but it's difficult to photograph.
 
I have a red 71 coming in the mail in a couple of days and this thread has me worried it’s going to be a bear trap. Fingers crossed!
 
Nearly every old slipjoint I have gets circular swirls in the brass from the tang rotation. Hadn't thought to call it a problem; but it does sound like you have one that may be a bit too much resistance.
 
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