My first GEC

A very fine introduction to GECs. Be careful though they are highly addictive :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:
 
laker199 said:
Is a firm open/close typical of GEC's ?
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I can't speak for all GECs...but the knives I own/owned/held have all been a little different. The new 14 run has been consistently about a 7 pull...so a little on the firmer side. The 43 Oregon Trapper I have is probably more like a 4-5. The 15 single spearpoint blade was about a 5. The 44s were a little firm maybe a 6 pull.
It does vary a bit but the 6-7 range is typical in my experience.
 
I had a Bullnose, it was my first GEC. I sold it because the backspring was WAY too tight for my liking, otherwise a nice blade. I do have a couple since then that are really nice though.

Enjoy.

P.S. so far my experience has been positive, well above Case IMO.
 
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waverave said:
I can't speak for all GECs...but the knives I own/owned/held have all been a little different. The new 14 run has been consistently about a 7 pull...so a little on the firmer side. The 43 Oregon Trapper I have is probably more like a 4-5. The 15 single spearpoint blade was about a 5. The 44s were a little firm maybe a 6 pull.
It does vary a bit but the 6-7 range is typical in my experience.
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Thanks for the info waverave.
 
The bullnose is the stiffest pull I’ve had and I’ve handled about twenty or so patterns now. A patina will probably make it pinchable though.
 
Oh boy. Be careful... the bullnose was my first GEC in 2017 and started an addiction that's been hard to satisfy or cure.

Yes the bullnose do seem to have a stiff pull. A flush with some oil and some breaking in will help ease it up, but the four #71s I have are all on the firm side. I gave one to my brother-in-law and his first comment was "this thing is tough to open." In hard use I think you'll appreciate the firm pull.
 
laker199 said:
Is a firm open/close typical of GEC's ?
Click to expand...
They seem to be all over based on pattern mostly, but sometimes vary by the run (i.e. the 2018 version of that pattern might be different than in prior years). The bullnose in particular is pretty tight.
 
In the early years, 2006-2008 they were all pretty firm, with the #73s being the hardest. Since then they have lightened up a little, with some patterns being pretty middle of the road. The #78 American Jacks went back to a pretty firm pull in 2014, and again with the most recent 2017 release. The lightest are the lockbacks, the #72s and #83s. Linerlocks usually still have a pretty firm spring.
 
boykinlp said:
If the pull is stiffer than the pen blade on the Whaler, I would never be able to use it.
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I've never handled a Whaler, so I couldn't say. Mine is stiff, but not so bad that I slip off.
 
boykinlp said:
If the pull is stiffer than the pen blade on the Whaler, I would never be able to use it.
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I have several Bull Noses from a few different years/runs and one of the recent Whalers. The pulls on both blades of the Whaler are stiffer than any of the #71’s I have (or any other GEC I own, for that matter).
 
Most of my GEC are firm in the open/snap.
The 15 frames I've had (two TC Barlows and a Beer Scout were lighter, but still a very lovely walk and talk).
 
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