New #71 have steel liners?

I

ilmonster

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Dec 7, 2013
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I recently picked up one of the new, 1095 steel maroon linen micarta GEC #71's from one of the popular online vendors. Having used it now for a week, mostly cutting my afternoon apple at work, the blade is beginning to develop its nice fruit patina. As I always thought the liners and spring in #71's were steel, I thought the outside of the liners would have gotten a few little spots of fruit juice on them and at least gotten stained. My liners on the outside (outside being the bottom of the knife on either side of the spring) are shiny and new looking.

Do we know if the new, 1095 blade steel #71's still have steel liners and springs? Thanks!

p.s. love the #71!
 
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I believe the spring is 1095 steel like the blade, but GEC's steel liners are definitely a different steel (or at least a different temper). The liners never seem to patina at the same rate as the blade/spring HOWEVER the insides of the liners are left with an as-ground finish which is more susceptible to rust than any other surface on the knife. I like to keep a thin coat of mineral oil on the inside of the liners (using a toothpick and piece of thin cloth). The seem between the liners and backspring can also cause rust if fruit juice or water is left in that gap.
 
I used to greatly prefer steel liners over brass (because they were different) but I find myself liking the brass not now. I like the use of multiple materials on brass longer knives and I really think the difference in strength is moot as traditional blades are usually so thin that they are put at risk much before any liner would be. The maintaince required is not bad but a day on the water or in the rain would almost certainly cause liner rust if they were unoiled where a blade and spring would fair much better...
 
The all steel models from GEC should have mild steel for the liners and bolsters. It is not high carbon. But it must have some.

Mine have colored nicely, but slower than the blades and springs. They will rust, too.

I've had finger prints and spots and rust when snow camping, and when out in the wet, or sweat.


I have a hard time getting good photos, but this sunfish is all steel. The bolsters and liners have grayed nicely!



 
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ilmonster said:
Do we know if the new, 1095 blade steel #71's still have steel liners and springs? Thanks!

p.s. love the #71!
Click to expand...

Just set it out in the weather for a week or so and find out.

Here's an experiment I'm running right now - Mudbug manufactured by GEC. A larger version of the #71 with a linerlock set out to weather. This is what it looks like after eight days.

MKfFvEh.jpg
 
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