Northfield Protruding Pin Problem, UPDATE

That's a bummer...hope it works out OK in the end...
But that project your working on.:thumbup: Very Nice :)
 
Good way to look at it Ben. I didn't mean to put a negative twist on the situation.
 
Over the years, others have complained about the tip of Whancliffe blades snapping off while whittling. It seems they are not meant to twist at the end of a cutting stroke but just to make a clean cut in the wood.

I hope you get satisfaction from GEC and I hope this experience with your knife (pin and tip) doesn't sour you against GEC.
 
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Ed, although I agree that a Wharncliff might not be the absolute best whittling blade, it is among the best. I guess there is a reason they are on so many whittling knives, both folding and fixed. As to the twisting, I was mid slicing cut when it broke.

I have broken my fair share of tools and equipment but never a knife. I am one to take responsibility for my mistakes and I whole heartily feel like I have done nothing wrong to cause this break. I was whittling bass wood. If I had been hacking on some mesquite or iron would I could maybe see some reason for the break. Like I said, I'll talk to GEC tomorrow and hopefully everything will be put right.

Ben
 
Ben,

If it makes you feel any better, I HAVE been hacking away at very hard wood. Burl also with grain like explosions that really put more stress on the knife. I don't think you did anything wrong. At least not intentionally. I use wharncliff tip for very fine detail work in tighter spots. For more abusive work I use the sturdier part of the blade. I don't see how you could have done your whittling any other any other way unless you took it to the drill press.

Anyhow, I will say mine have taken a good wook out. I think the picture makes it seem an accidental twist or bend could have caused it. Soft easy to cut wood or not it would have acted like a vise. I'm not saying that's what happened. Just trying to give my thoughts.

Kevin
 
Thanks Kevin, As with anything done freehand there is always going to be a small amount of unintentional hand movement that is unaccounted for. But having whittled fairly extensively in the past, including a short chain out of maple for my niece and numerous other ball in boxes, I sort of feel like my technique is fairly solid. I do understand that in most all thing human errors occur, this could be mine or the companies. I don't think I erred, they might feel like they didn't. Maybe we both did. I guess we'll see. I hope they'll fix it.

Ben
 
Your welcome Ben. I'm not trying to critique your technique either. Good luck. I know how you feel, you get more attached to a whittler than normal knives because you create things with them. At least I do.
 
I thought I'd give you folks an update. Before I called GEC I had prepared myself to do battle with the company. As soon as Chris picked up the phone I had nowhere to vent my rage. There was no need for it. She could not have been more understanding or helpful. She gave me the option of fixing my knife or replacing it with one that they had left in stock. Given the hell I've had with this particular knife, I said I'd take a replacement. The cococolo wasn't available so she said I could have the last stag that was around. Good deal. I had the weekend to think about it and even though it's broken, I couldn't kick my cobobolo knofe out of my pocket. I wrote an email to Chris and explained that I was sorry for my indecisiveness but I would rather have my knife fixed and I'll send back my knife and the new one. The reply blew me away. She told me to return my knife and they would fix it free of charge and to go ahead and keep the new one for my trouble. This is an amazing offer and one that I wouldn't feel good about taking. I'm going to keep the new one and send back the original wrapped up in money for the repair.

This is the kind of action that has now earned my loyalty and respect. Lots of companies don't stand behind their product and treat the people who buy their product like they are lucky to buy it. A company like GEC that has morals and stands behind their product is a company that I can get behind too. I liked their product before but now I love the company. GEC gets an A+ from me.

Ben

Here's the new one
IMAG0209.jpg

IMAG0210.jpg
 
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That's great Ben. I'm glad it worked out for you. That's a sweet looking new knife. I really like the covers.
 
That's awesome. Now you can get your knife fixed as well as have a nice stag set aside for backup.

- Christian
 
Great to hear!!!

I am always pleased to see a company go out of it's way to make a customer happy.
 
ranchmanben said:
She told me to return my knife and they would fix it free of charge and to go ahead and keep the new one for my trouble. This is an amazing offer and one that I wouldn't feel good about taking. I'm going to keep the new one and send back the original wrapped up in money for the repair.
Click to expand...

A real show of class on their part, and yours. :thumbup:

-- Mark
 
WOW, what great customer service. I like the way this turned out because I just ordered a white owl the other day.
And I have to commend you for the way you handled yourself as a customer as well.
 
Wow, now that's customer service!

After reading through this thread I realized that my own (Tidioute 57) whittler hasn't gotten enough pocket time, I'll have to fix that.
 
That's a great testimonial for GEC's customer service, Ben. I'm glad it turned out well for you.
 
I have talked to Christine a few times, she is the a big part of this awesome company.
She is more than just an employee, she is a good friend to all who are willing to be one back.

GEC is lucky to have her and we are lucky she works there, even when it's not about repairs, she makes life a lot easier for us.

So glad to see everything turned out okay, I was following this thread and waiting to see the end result. I can't say I'm entirely shocked, but thats an awesome gesture. :thumbup:
 
The backspring hole must be grabbing the pin and turning it?Weird.Nice knife though,I would just peen it smooth myself and see what happened.
 
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