Nail breaker GEC 73

O

oldrifleman

Joined
Jan 5, 2006
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Just received a Burnt Stag single blade Scout and without tools there is no way I can open it. I have a ton of GECs and while many are firm, none even approaches this. My question, can the factory fix this or is this common to the 73? Steven
 
Steven,
I'm under the assumption that the backspring tension is somehow a genetic feature: you can't really alter it substantially, just slightly influence it.
Try talking to the retailer or sending it back to GEC, but don't expect miracles.
They will do what they can (just like they did with mine), and with awesome kindness, but unless they disassemble the knife and modify the backspring, it will always be hard to open it.
I hope I'm wrong though :)

Fausto
:cool:
 
Oil the joints and work the knife open and closed a few times. That's about all you can do. I suppose you could return it but when it comes back, I'd bet that it will be as stiff as all get out. Oh, if you have compressed air (even canned compressed air) handy, blow out the frame and joint after a liberal application of oil. Just keep working it and using it. It'll loosen up somewhat before you know it.
 
Yeah that kind of what I thought. I may mod the back spring on my own with a dremel even though it could result in a stress fracture. Steven
 
This discussion makes my thumb nail nervous. I have a 73 Northfield Antique Green Bone on its way. I didn't see this being a problem on other 73 threads I read. Had a similar problem a while back with a Case Barlow. Spent 2-years working it with no progress. Finally sent it to Case and it came back perfect. Fingers Crossed.
 
I've never had a problem with a 73. Or any other slip joint pocket knife for that matter.
 
this may sound extremely stupid, but it works for me on my 73, it kind of depends on whether its a crescent nick or long pull, but seeing as you said stag it must be long pull. You have to use the laws of leverage, and put your nail in at the absolute end of the nail nick, so that part of your nail is almost out of the nick. This affords you just a bit of leverage but it could be enough.

This is a supplement to the oiling and working of the joint of course.
 
My 73 is pretty tough. I've been leaving it between the half stop and closed (maximum tension on the backspring). It seems a little better now, but it's still tough. I think maybe my thumbnail is getting stronger too.
 
I have a couple of GECs with strong springs. When I open one of those, I make sure to angle my nail upwards, so that the force is directed parallel to the nail, rather than at right angles to it.

But it sounds like you will need to follow Ed's advice first.
 
I picked up two of the 73's from the current run and The green antique was about an 8-9 when I got it and the cocobolo was almost perfect at 6-7. It is common for the 73 to have a strong pull, and I have heard of people sending them back for lightening. I do what is suggested above and do a through cleaning followed by oil and leaving in between half stops. All of my 73's have loosened up to an acceptable pull.
 
roninelh said:
I picked up two of the 73's from the current run and The green antique was about an 8-9 when I got it and the cocobolo was almost perfect at 6-7. It is common for the 73 to have a strong pull, and I have heard of people sending them back for lightening. I do what is suggested above and do a through cleaning followed by oil and leaving in between half stops. All of my 73's have loosened up to an acceptable pull.
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Ditto what Eric says. :)
 
I had a real problem with the GEC sunfish. I don't have nails long enough to scratch with, nevermind use the nail nick. I've always pinched the blade right at the nick, and used it as a grip to pull open the blade... there wasn't enough blade to grab on the sunfish - 1) The second blade was in the way, so I could only pinch at the smallest sliver and 2) the false edge up top meant my fingers slid right off. I was told by their customer service that they could attempt to relieve the backspring, but could not guarantee a fix.

I regretfully sent it back to the retailer (as it's a gorgeous knife otherwise) in favor of an EZ-Open version of the sunfish. I'll miss the second blade.

With some of their products, I get the impression GEC makes knives for collectors rather than EDC users. The massive, beefy backspring looks great, especially with two blades on the same spring, but they went for form over function, here.
 
My first #73 was actually labeled "Bradford Cutlery" (Bradford Bullet) which was made by GEC for "that big knife store in Sevierville TN". It was a nail breaker, but it has loosened up somewhat. Tremendous snap. I was actually hesitant to buy another GEC. My second #73 had a much lighter spring, with the corresponding "less snap". This particular pattern was my favorite at first and then I have gone larger with the #23 and #42. Both are still Trapper patterns.

My Sunfish has a pretty heavy spring too. I like it a lot also. It was the first GEC I bought in my quest for a larger EDC. Dang. I just cut myself with it.
 
Greg over at KSF gave me a suggestion for my #23 that is working for me. It takes time, but it is logical.

Take the knife and open it to a midway point where the backspring is stressed outward (between closed and half stop or half stop and open) and leave it that way. What you are doing is leaving the spring in a stressed position for a period of time. Better than opening and closing. Look at it like pulling a coil spring for a time - it never quite goes back to the original position. Same concept, but much, much stronger spring.

But it takes time. I left mine like that for a weekend and it helped a little. I then left it like that for a couple of weeks and the difference is noticeable.
 
I like the "Greg" method--seems to work for me over the course of a few nights. Also, my #42 trapper was pretty tough to deal with--especially the secondary blade. I sent it to GEC and they did manage to loosen/ easy it up a bit--not by much, but just enough that I noticed (and appreciated it). It is worth a try to send it in... otherwise, the "Greg" method... good luck with it, it would be a shame not to keep such a beauty...
 
I agree with the OP. This run of 73's is MUCH harder to open then the other runs. I don't have many but I have an couple older 73's and a 42 and a couple 23's. All have somewhat stiff pulls but this new one in ebony is way harder to get open. I'm not sending it back but I hope the suggestions provided here lighten the pull up a bit. I find myself grimacing and tightening my neck muscles to open this one.
 
oldrifleman said:
Yeah that kind of what I thought. I may mod the back spring on my own with a dremel even though it could result in a stress fracture. Steven
Click to expand...

Geez don't do that, dremels do not belong anywhere near the backspring, especially considering what you paid for that knife. Tension can significantly be reduced by removing material at the pivot, but you definitely want the factory to handle that. I'd send it back for sure, especially since you've got a warranty on it. I'm sure they can improve it.

Eric
 
Yeah I won't dremel it. I have flushed a couple of times and right now it quietly sitting with it's blade part open to stress the spring. If the does not work I think I will get one of the talented folks here to put an easy open notch in the handle. Steven
 
I sent my 23s in to GEC and the single blade came back perfect. They didn't even touch the 2 blade. I can't use it. Too tight, afraid I might lose a digit.

The first 73 I had was too tight. Both 73s I have now are smooth and not loosey goosey.
 
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