Nail breaker GEC 73

oldrifleman said:
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
Click to expand...

Putting an easy open notch in the frame of a knife with a hard pull would be like watching paint dry - a waste of time.

Just keep using it, opening it, and oiling the joint and it'll loosen with time. Open it with your nail to the half-stop position and then pinch it open the rest of the way. Going the other way, close the blade to the half-stop position and pinch the blade closed.
 
I would be so happy to experience this problem... Currently, I received two Queen and a S&M which I consider have ridiculously weak backsprings (especially the Clasp Swayback S&M File and Wire Series 6) : jeez, I can almost (thanks to the half stop) flip the blade closed ! The longer the blade, the stronger the action, that's the way I see it. Otherwise, go locked. I'm delighted with my Tidioute Sunfish and its rebar of a spring. That's the way to do it : this is a knife ! Just my two pence...
 
Of all the GEC patterns, and I've nearly tried them all, the #73s have been consistently the stiffest springs. Some will, of course, be lighter than others, but overall they are the strongest. The #23s are probably just as strong, but with a longer blade you have more leverage, so they seem a little better.

As waynorth has reminded us, these are copies of the old Remington patterns which also had bear trap springs, so at least they are historically correct.
 
My 2007 '73' had a beartrap spring on the drop point blade. Taped the edge to protect digits, WD 40, open, close, repeat ad infinium. Keep flushing/lubing, opening. Mine dropped an easy 2 points on the 1-10 scale over an evenings work while watching the tube.
 
black mamba said:
Of all the GEC patterns, and I've nearly tried them all, the #73s have been consistently the stiffest springs. Some will, of course, be lighter than others, but overall they are the strongest. The #23s are probably just as strong, but with a longer blade you have more leverage, so they seem a little better.

As waynorth has reminded us, these are copies of the old Remington patterns which also had bear trap springs, so at least they are historically correct.
Click to expand...

When it came to the Remington 1123, GEC did manage to copy it and call it their #23; however, the Remington 1173 was 3 1/2" long closed and for some reason, GEC chose to make their #73 copy of it 3 3/4" long. I wish GEC had made their #73 3 1/2" also.
 
Well I was working the blade (covered in paper towel) and it accidentally closed. I decided to use my smith and Wesson sight driver that I keep on my key chain to open it. Mistake! It slipped and closed on my index finger slicing along the nail and through the tip. Still bleeding! Wife banned the obligatory photo (may try to post one tomorrow). Now that it has tasted blood I may never be safe:D. Steven
 
I guess I got lucky with my 73 from this run. After a flush/clean/oil it is a very pleasant 6.
I wonder what GEC's thoughts are on the matter. If the larger portion of their buyers are collectors who aren't bothered by the pull strength, maybe GEC sees the hassle of having to adjust it later on from a small subset of users as a necessary risk. Personally I will say that as a user and carrier of several different models of GEC I will always prefer the stronger pull to the weaker one, especially with half stops, and have not yet encountered an example that was truly impossible to manipulate--but I understand it is an issue.
 
Last edited:
I'm on the other side of the fence, whether it's strong nails or just preference.
I only wish my other slip joints had the same stiff springs as my GEC #23 and #73s.
The stiffer the spring, the less likely it is to accidentally close on me when applying force at odd angles.
I like a required, more deliberate force in the action.
However, I can live with a soft spring, such as the one on my #68 White Owl, as long as it is smooth and consistent.
There's nothing worse than sloppy "walk n' talk".
And I have noticed a big difference in pull strength after a nice break in period using all the methods mentioned above.
 
I have one on its way in the mail and should be here tomorrow, though it is the liner lock version so I don't know if that will make a difference. Will report back on the pull tomorrow evening.
 
On a slightly different line of thinking. How can I make my finger nails stronger? Maybe some lady knife lovers could give us some tips.
 
My three 73's all have a perfect (for this size) pull, about a 6-7. For a larger knife like this, I appreciate a little stiffer spring. I only had one GEC that was a nailbreaker. The caplifter blade on my 2011 forum knife was dang near impossible to open, but like others here have said, I oiled and worked it as much as possible, but the real difference was leaving it open at the half stop. I had it with me for a week out in Wyoming recently, opening (several) beers a day with it and realized it was a perfect 5-6 : )

~Jim
 
coop1957 said:
On a slightly different line of thinking. How can I make my finger nails stronger? Maybe some lady knife lovers could give us some tips.
Click to expand...

I've found that after clipping my toenails that if I super glue a piece of the clipping from my big toe to my thumb nail that it strengthens my thumb nail mightly.

Don't take this seriously. Seriously, don't take this seriously.:rolleyes:
 
coop1957 said:
On a slightly different line of thinking. How can I make my finger nails stronger? Maybe some lady knife lovers could give us some tips.
Click to expand...

Actually you are not far from the truth here!

Regular filing and lot of D-vitamins.

The 73s I own, 6, all have quite tough pulls. Interestingly, the UNXLD liner lock in stag has the mildest and a 2 blade squirrel etch stainless has monster springs. This was an 06 knife and it being early it may explain its ferocity. Nothing seems to quell this one and I'd like to have it changed to single blade but GEC refused the job . Something about not wanting to make a unique item etc.
 
After using the advice here by keeping the blade between stops along with oiling and opening and closing it several times a day for the last five days, my new 73's pull has lightened noticeably. It is now very acceptable if not perfect. So thanks to advice posters and I'm retracting my previous complaint in this thread.
 
halfaxe said:
After using the advice here by keeping the blade between stops along with oiling and opening and closing it several times a day for the last five days, my new 73's pull has lightened noticeably. It is now very acceptable if not perfect. So thanks to advice posters and I'm retracting my previous complaint in this thread.
Click to expand...

That's good to hear!!!!! Of course that means you've got to order another one or two.;)
 
For the poster wanting stronger nails : calcium w/ D supplement, AND collagen supplement. 2-3 months will make your nails much thicker, stiffer and stronger.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top