New Lockback from GEC

Nice blade shape. Don't really care much for the red bone, so looking forward to seeing some different handles on this one.
Looking good!
 
I'm getting to where red bone doesn't do much for me either; but it seems they are not on the production schedule again for some time. So we will have to wait until late March to see the next variant it seems.

Mike Latham
CollectorKnives.Net
 
I got my #72 yesterday afternoon. I think people will really like this pattern. The action is very smooth, and it's really easy to open compared to my non-locking GEC slipjoints.

Unfortunately the tang doesn't meet well enough with the backspring, so there's noticeable play in the blade when open. You can hear the tang click against the backspring and feel the blade move when you put cutting pressure on the edge. I'm unwilling to accept that much play on a lockback in particular, so I have to send it GEC for repair. :(

That, and it's as dull as a hammer. But I at least expected that, as it seems to be par for GEC.

The angles on the clip blade are quite a bit more gradual than the clip on my #54. The angles on the latter are pretty severe. I think I like the gradual angles better.

The #72/73 is a great pattern, and I think I'll be really happy to have a lockback that works properly. I'm just bummed right now I got one that was missed by QC and I have to wait longer.
 
If they (GEC) would only take the time to sharpen those blades. I hope that very nice knife was delivered sharp. :thumbup:
 
smallmouth said:
I got my #72 yesterday afternoon. I think people will really like this pattern. The action is very smooth, and it's really easy to open compared to my non-locking GEC slipjoints.

Unfortunately the tang doesn't meet well enough with the backspring, so there's noticeable play in the blade when open. You can hear the tang click against the backspring and feel the blade move when you put cutting pressure on the edge. I'm unwilling to accept that much play on a lockback in particular, so I have to send it GEC for repair. :(

That, and it's as dull as a hammer. But I at least expected that, as it seems to be par for GEC.

The angles on the clip blade are quite a bit more gradual than the clip on my #54. The angles on the latter are pretty severe. I think I like the gradual angles better.

The #72/73 is a great pattern, and I think I'll be really happy to have a lockback that works properly. I'm just bummed right now I got one that was missed by QC and I have to wait longer.
Click to expand...

I bought a Bulldog Mountainman lockback (made by Queen) a few months ago & noticed the same up & down blade play. My initial reaction was to send it back
(bought from collectorknives.com)for replacement, but was told by Mike L. that he didn't have any more, so a refund was my only option.
I was really torn because it had beautiful rams horn scales which I really loved.
After doing some research on the net, I found out the this up & down play was pretty common in these mountainman lockbacks.
As much as I hate any blade play, I decided to live with it because of the nice scales. Mike actually told me I probably should return it if that was going to bother me, but in the end I'm glad I kept it. If the scales weren't anything special or the play was severe (which I don't consider mine to be) I certainly would have returned it.
So it appears this play is in the GECs also. :(
 
Mick57 said:
I bought a Bulldog Mountainman lockback (made by Queen) a few months ago & noticed the same up & down blade play. My initial reaction was to send it back
(bought from collectorknives.com)for replacement, but was told by Mike L. that he didn't have any more, so a refund was my only option.
I was really torn because it had beautiful rams horn scales which I really loved.
After doing some research on the net, I found out the this up & down play was pretty common in these mountainman lockbacks.
As much as I hate any blade play, I decided to live with it because of the nice scales. Mike actually told me I probably should return it if that was going to bother me, but in the end I'm glad I kept it. If the scales weren't anything special or the play was severe (which I don't consider mine to be) I certainly would have returned it.
So it appears this play is in the GECs also. :(
Click to expand...

You might consider sending it back to the factory for repair. However, I wrote them an e-mail (nice and polite) pointing out the issue of dull blades but they never answered.
 
I considered sending it back for repair, but probably won't. Although I know the play shouldn't be there, I can live with it the way it is. Otherwise, I'd do just that.
Thanks for the suggestion though.
 
All this talk of blade play in a lockback is making me feel uneasy....think I will wait a bit and see how the next handle offering turns out. I'm in a minority I suspect, but I'd like to see one in stainless as well. Not been disappointed by my other GEC knives though.
 
I have to think mine was just an issue that slipped by QC. I'd be surprised if many others had similar issues, based on the excellent fit of the rest of my GEC knifes.
 
My Ruby Red has no play and is soooooooooo blissfully easy to open! I intend to get one in every handle material they offer. It's like a new dimension for them, portends good things me thinks!
Also love my jigged wood fur taker Beaver Tail, it reminds me of chocolate for some reason. It doesn't taste like it though.
I do hope no other lock backs decide to play also.
Happy slicing folks.
 
Just opened the package today. Nice fit and finish, easy opening.

Sharp enough, just needs a touch up.

Nice slim pakage, a nice surprise.

Maybe they'll do a Lockback model 23?

What's the little circular logo on the back side of the blade mean?
 
Last edited:
Jenner 515 said:
What's the little circular logo on the back side of the blade mean?
Click to expand...

If it's the
PROTOMARK.jpg
logo, then it means Pattern Production Premier. GEC uses that on the first run of a new pattern. Usually Tidioute and could be several different handle scales.
 
Yes, the first run of knives of a given pattern; the ones that introduce or "premier" the pattern, have the "PPP" etch as well as unique package labeling to identify them as such.

It's something GEC started doing during 2009.
 
I received my #72 back from GEC today. The tang meets with the spring like it should and the blade locks up perfectly. I'm very happy GEC and collectorknives.net got this taken care of and quickly. :D
 
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