Question for GEC 72 USERS.

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rma100

rma100

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My question is for people who own and USE a GEC 72 Lock Back. It has been discussed to some length on this Forum that some of these knives have more or less Blade Play. Most of the one's I have handled, as a GEC Distributor I've handled a few, have very minimal vertical (up and down) blade play when open and locked. And by minimal I mean barely able to feel the blade move but not able to SEE the blade move. Now my question to you users is: How does this minimal vertical blade play affect the use of the knife? Does it get worse with time and repeated use? Would you recommend this pattern to other users?
 
I have two. Both with limited barely detectable blade play up and down. I don't find it a problem, and don't see it increasing so far. I've only had them for a few months on one and the latest I received a couple weeks ago. I like lockbacks and I recommend the 72 to anyone who asks. The 42 is more of a perfect size for me though.
 
I am anal about lockback play. A little play and it drives me up the wall like nails on a chalkboard. I have a Northfield and had a Beaver Tail. They were solid and any play was taken care of by some oil in the pivot.
 
My 72 has some vertical blade play. It hasn't changed since I've gotten it and doesn't effect the utility of it at all. Still bugs me a little just cuz I know its there but I really love the knife so I can live with it :)
 
as someone who's been looking at the 72 and 73, some of the talk about blade play with these models is given me second thoughts about buying one and going with something different like a 42 or 25.
 
I have used both the 72 and 42. The 72 started with play and it got worse and the 42 started with no play and developed it over time. Nice knives that I would recommend to folks that do NOT mind lock play. I found on the 42 the pivot pin was not strong enough for the large frame and blade size. Mine came loose constantly.

Kevin

rma100 said:
My question is for people who own and USE a GEC 72 Lock Back. It has been discussed to some length on this Forum that some of these knives have more or less Blade Play. Most of the one's I have handled, as a GEC Distributor I've handled a few, have very minimal vertical (up and down) blade play when open and locked. And by minimal I mean barely able to feel the blade move but not able to SEE the blade move. Now my question to you users is: How does this minimal vertical blade play affect the use of the knife? Does it get worse with time and repeated use? Would you recommend this pattern to other users?
Click to expand...
 
richstag said:
I have used both the 72 and 42. The 72 started with play and it got worse and the 42 started with no play and developed it over time. Nice knives that I would recommend to folks that do NOT mind lock play. I found on the 42 the pivot pin was not strong enough for the large frame and blade size. Mine came loose constantly.

Kevin
Click to expand...

they were saying in another thread there was no blade play in the 42. this is driving me nuts.:confused: i like gec but don't want blade play and in sizes like the 42, 72 or 73.
 
I am sure that is very possible. From example to example it could vary. I am just one guy giving a very limited user experience.



cards94 said:
they were saying in another thread there was no blade play in the 42. this is driving me nuts.:confused: i like gec but don't want blade play and in sizes like the 42, 72 or 73.
Click to expand...
 
I've used my 73 for a lot of things including carving etc. it has a little bit of play but it isn't bad at all. I don't think it has changed in its life with me
 
cards94 said:
they were saying in another thread there was no blade play in the 42. this is driving me nuts.:confused: i like gec but don't want blade play and in sizes like the 42, 72 or 73.
Click to expand...

This was a question to 72 OWNERS. I WASN'T looking for general comment. Thank You.
 
I have no problem with it for my intended usage around the house and yard and at some point eventually in the field. I wouldn't characterize it as hard use so even if it were to get significantly worse, I have a hard time imagining it getting bad enough that there was a risk of failure.

I would definitely recommend this great pattern.
 
I'm not so concerned with up and down play as side to side, my 72 gets used fairly often and it doesn't have side to side play to speak of, I would recommend the pattern
 
My 72 has a bit of up/down blade play - like mentioned I can feel it but not see it.

It does not matter a bit to me, it's part of the edc rotation, and pockets better than a 23 or 42. It's a work knife so it gets a fair share of use.

Would I recommend it? Sure. Nice cutting tool.
 
rma100 said:
It has been discussed to some length on this Forum that some of these knives have more or less Blade Play.
Click to expand...

Based on what you read at Bladeforums, 98 percent of all lockbacks on the planet have blade play issues. :rolleyes:

-- Mark
 
I don't think it's something to be pinned onto GEC. As for the "does the problem worsen with time" question, I'm sure this is a difficult one for most of us to answer as we rarely have one knife in our pocket for longer than a few days....;)

Sam
 
what would be the safest gec buys to avoid blade play or possible blade play in the future?
 
Please stay on Topic Gentleman. If you have and use a 72, or 42 let us know your thoughts. There are other threads for General Discussion on this topic. Thank You.
 
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