Opinion of GEC lockbacks #42?

Bladenoobie1

Bladenoobie1

Joined
Jul 20, 2012
Messages
1,261
Hi,

I like the GEC #42 lockback a lot and some of the stag variants look gorgeous. That said I've read of issues with GEC lockbacks having play among other issues. Are these problems fairly common among GEC lockbacks and not yet fixed?

Thanks,
BN
 
Common among most yet I've never heard of one failing so it won't be an issue.
I have a 1st gen 72 in stag and it is a work horse. Vertical play is only noticeable when you wanna notice it.
Don't let it be a deal breaker for you.
 
I have found that a lockback with zero blade play is very rare. I have a Kershaw Gentleman's knife 1993-2 (Easily the best F&F, materials, and construction for a sub $200 knife, and it only cost $50) and that is my only current zero bladeplay lockback. I have $200 Spydercos, a Lionsteel, A GEC 99, Bucks, etc. and they all have some lock play. It's the nature of the lock: there is no stop pin like on almost all other locks that would create a 3-point mechanical lock: a lockback instead relies on a tight fit in the pivot pin and the lock pin to create a linkage to the frame. Any tolerance you induce into those holes or the geometry of the lock and you get lock play.

I see this as a "characteristic" of a NEW lockback and not a negative. As a positive of the back lock: you are essentially getting a slipjoint knife with a lock. This allows a much easier opening and a blade that locks open (duh) with as little deviation from the slipjoint theme as possible.

Having said all of that: I MUCH prefer a lockback that has a lock (when brand new) that stands just a little more proud when open and preferably slightly sub flush of the liners when closed. Give the knife a year to break in and the contact surfaces in the lock to "mate" and eventually you will have a very smooth opening and tighter locked knife when open. When you have a the lockbar seats itself at the same height of the closed lockbar height you can sand down the spine of the knife and get a flush lock that won't move any time in the near future (oil the joints). I have done this to every lockback I own (sometimes I take them apart and play with the lock surfaces, but this is not possible on Traditional pinned lockbacks).

The thread I link below goes into detail on the dynamics of a lockback and how to true them. You can't perform the mods to the internals (non-removable blade), however the pictures show what's going on:

WARNING: IF YOU CLICK THIS LINK YOU COULD BE EXPOSED TO SPYDERHOLES, POCKET CLIPS, AND TORX-HEAD FASTENERS: CLICK AT YOUR OWN RISK!
 
Macchina said:
Having said all of that: I MUCH prefer a lockback that has a lock (when brand new) that stands just a little more proud when open and preferably slightly sub flush of the liners when closed. Give the knife a year to break in and the contact surfaces in the lock to "mate" and eventually you will have a very smooth opening and tighter locked knife when open. When you have a the lockbar seats itself at the same height of the closed lockbar height you can sand down the spine of the knife and get a flush lock that won't move any time in the near future (oil the joints). I have done this to every lockback I own (sometimes I take them apart and play with the lock surfaces, but this is not possible on Traditional pinned lockbacks).
Click to expand...

interesting info, I didn't know the Lockback fit would evolve over time.

I have a #42 and it has a tiny amount of up and down play, but I only notice it when I actually look for it, I don't feel anything when I am cutting something. The opening is so light and smooth, I would definitely recommend it.
Most other lockbacks I have owned have had no play (5 old Pumas, one old Buck 110, msp backlock, many spyders, Klaas monolith).
 
Just for comparison, the one lock back I have is a Buck 501 and it has zero blade play in all directions.
 
My Missouri Trader has some up and down play, no side to side. Hated it first, but now I love it and it's my favourite folder.

The play is not relevant in regular use. Friction keeps the blade in upper position. Contrary to some other, more expensive lockbacks I've handled, there is no movement when force is applied to the cutting edge. This lock feels very secure. The lockbar needs to move higher than on other lookbacks to unlock and the spring on mine is very strong. I can't imagine unlocking that one unintentionally. It also has the best detent of all my locking folders. I throw it in my pocket or backpack and don't worry about it opening accidently.

I'm sure the stag variants are gorgeous, but try one in ebony :-) The sleek ebony scales, combined with a nice patina on the carbon steel blade fit this design perfectly.

Seriously, this knife may not be executed perfectly, but it's very good in all points that matter. I'm EDC'ing this one for at least six months now, and it has curbed my desire to buy new folders for this role :-)

The factory edge was unusable, but I don't care about that, I reprofile almost all knives I buy anyway.
 
One thing to note is that I feel like the factory took the side play complaints seriously. As this latest batch has a very tight joint and I haven't handled one yet with left/right play. The downside is that there is much more resistance in the tightened pivot leading to slower action.
 
I have 3 42s and two new ones coming.all of my older ones have a little up and down play not sure of the new ones. doesn't bother me at all. don't you need a little play anyway on a lockback?
 
These new 42's (I got the yellow rose) are nice and tight, yet no problem to open or close. I love the knife as a work knife, but, IMO, it is not very pocketable due to it's size.

A 72/73 or a 47, is about as large as I like to carry in my pocket....but that's just me.
 
I bought a #42 ebony user off the exchange a while ago. Really my first 'traditional' knife and it got me hooked bad.:p I love this knife. Mine has no blade play whatsoever, guess I just got lucky. Just a great,great knife.
 
Relee1 said:
These new 42's (I got the yellow rose) are nice and tight, yet no problem to open or close. I love the knife as a work knife, but, IMO, it is not very pocketable due to it's size.

A 72/73 or a 47, is about as large as I like to carry in my pocket....but that's just me.
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hey! I bought one as well. should be here today. was the blade centered?(Yellow Rose # 42 and the Maroon Micarta)
 
Just got a #42 in Chechen Rosewood. No side play, only slight vertical play, if I look for it. Some quality time on the Lansky kit, and it cuts like your mother-in-law's tongue. Thinking stag next.
 
I have been eyeing the 42s, and have considered it for a back pocket carry but just cant see myself using a knife that large. It is a beautiful knife however. Some good info on here if I ever change my mind. Thanks
 
KBA said:
I have been eyeing the 42s, and have considered it for a back pocket carry but just cant see myself using a knife that large. It is a beautiful knife however. Some good info on here if I ever change my mind. Thanks
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I have a large sebenza which is only a tiny bit larger than the 42 when I look at the specs. Seems to be an acceptable carry size for me at least and I'm really tempted to buy one.

Well a gorgeous #42 with some of the best stag I've seen sold from a dealer as I've been eyeing it the past day. :(
 
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DITCH said:
Just got a #42 in Chechen Rosewood. No side play, only slight vertical play, if I look for it. Some quality time on the Lansky kit, and it cuts like your mother-in-law's tongue. Thinking stag next.
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any pics? that's a sweet wood for sure. i ordered the Yellow Rose and the Maroon Micarta<(SS)
 
I've posted my osage orange #42 a couple times already, but I can tell you it's my favorite pocketknife. I don't think it's large at all, but that's coming from a guy who is used to carrying snubnose revolvers in-pocket so a #42 is like a feather comparatively.

The #42 definitely didn't come sharp, and I had to do some serious edge profiling, especially at the tip, to get it to my satisfaction. I wish they'd come out with a run of 42s in a good modern steel, but the carbon steel is fine.

And yes, my #42 has some vertical play. I don't notice it in use, and it doesn't bother me. No horizontal play.
 
I recently picked one up from Mike,( Thanks Mike :D) a #421114 very nice overall,blade centered,nice stag.
It does have vertical movement when locked open. But,like Mike mentioned you have to be looking for it really hard doing a very unnatural action, it really has no bearing on the performance of the blade. Love the Long pull with what looks like a match strike, very smooth to open and locks in place with authority. I think it is a very good EDC size. Had to put an edge on it,other than that it's a very nice copy of the Northfield 42 Missouri Trapper.



 
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texbaz said:
I recently picked one up from Mike,( Thanks Mike :D) a #421114 very nice overall,blade centered,nice stag.
It does have vertical movement when locked open. But,like Mike mentioned you have to be looking for it really hard doing a very unnatural action, it really has no bearing on the performance of the blade. Love the Long pull with what looks like a match strike, very smooth to open and locks in place with authority. I think it is a very good EDC size. Had to put an edge on it,other than that it's a very nice copy of the Northfield 42 Missouri Trapper.



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That is lovely.
 
I just received a #42 Yellow Rose in the mail this afternoon. Fit and finish is perfect. Blade locks up solid with no play (either sideways or vertically) and is easy to open ( soft). I'm happy!:)
 
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