Question for GEC 72 USERS.

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rma100 said:
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?
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When a phenomenon is common to a pattern, it's hard to limit the discussion to one brand or model. I won't say that "98% of lockbacks" have a bit of vertical blade play. But it is not an uncommon phenomenon for lockback knives.

In my experience of using lockbacks for a few decades, though not GEC lockbacks per se, "minimal vertical blade play" does not get worse with time and it does not have any affect on usability of the knife.
 
The replacement 72 you sent locks up fine compared to the first one. No verticle play that I can see or feel. It has not developed any play with some light use. Mostly opening and breaking down boxes and cutting some fruit. If it develops play I will send it in.
I would recommend the pattern with suggestion to ask the seller to check for play.

What surprises me is how many people in the thread report verticle play. I realize a lot of brands have this issue but it seems rather common amongst the sampling here.

Is this something that's difficult to correct at the factory during the manufacturing process?
 
I have a 2010 #72 with minimal vertical play that has not worsened. I picked up 4 from the new run and they suffer the same affliction. To give you an idea of what I mean by minimal, 2 layers of newsprint between the lockbar and blade eliminate it. Doesn't really bother me in use but of course it would be nice if it wasn't there. All my 42's are tight so far.
 
I have a few #72s and a couple of them lock up tighter than a bank vault and three of them have just a tiny, tiny, bit of up and down play but not enough to effect the use of the knife. I'd rather have just that tiny bit of up and down play than one that locks up like a bank vault as it is much easier to release the lock with the ones with just a touch of play. Nothing worse than a blade that locks up so tight that it is a pain to release it when closing.

I know a lot of people post that they've never had a lockback knife that had up and down blade play no matter how little it is. Well, they've just never run across one yet. If they keep buying them, eventually they'll run across one.

Someone above said; "it's not just something to pin on GEC". Right they are. I've seen/felt itty-bitty amounts of up and down blade play in various knife brands across the board.
 
Just now checked my 42 and 72. Slight vertical play on the 42 and slight vert and hor play on the 72. They're too pretty to kick out of the knife drawer for a little wiggle.
 
Hi Bob. I just checked the 72 that i have in my pocket (the new run). it has *slight* wiggle both vertically and laterally. i haven't even noticed until i just checked right now. it surely doesn't bother me or the use of the knife. i will need to keep an eye on it to see if it worsens. I will check my other 72 when i get home and report back.
 
i got mine with minimal up&down play,about six month of use and it didn't get worse,it doesn't affect usability

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now
 
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I swap between a 72 and 73 in my EDC. And while the blade play (very slight vertical) doesn't bother me really I have gravitated towards the 73 liner lock because of its definate/positive lock. Essentially it is a slipjoint with a liner lock.

Also I prefer the drop point on the 73. Mind you I have just ordered a 72 lockback spear point. I really want it to speak to me and find its way into my pocket (heart) daily.

So I guess I wouldn't recommend 72 over 73 or 42 over 23 but present anyone who asked with my opinion and experience and let them decide.

Anyway you cut it they are great knives and at the end of the day if looked after will serve you well...

Richard
 
Mine had a little bit of a play from the tube, it didn't change in the few weeks I've had it.
Doesn't affect the function at all, and I've used it quite a bit.
It seems like the lock catch is not fitted perfectly to the tang.
It is probably the hardest backlock to disengage (stiff spring) that I have ever had in my hands.
I would and I have recommended #72 to others :D
 
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i wonder if gec knows about the blade play issues with the 72 and 73, and if they are aware of it are they going to address it.
 
cards94 said:
i wonder if gec knows about the blade play issues with the 72 and 73, and if they are aware of it are they going to address it.
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Someone correct me if I'm wrong but my understanding is that the 72 has blade play issues because it is a lock back. The 73 is essentially a slip joint (with a liner lock on some) and does not suffer the same blade play issues?

Richard
 
I have 2 user #72s and both are "S" models due to some rough finished bone. The clip one has no vertical play and side to side play I haven't fixed yet. The wharncliffe has a little vertical play and less side to side play than the clip point, I also haven't fixed the s2s play on this one either. Neither has gotten any worse in my use. I haven't found minimal vertical play to be an issue in use as once the blade is against what ever is being cut, it wouldn't be moving back down until I pull away and stop cutting. As for recommendations, I tend to recommend the #73 over the #72 unless the user can't handle the stronger springs of the #73 and they don't care about possible blade play. When I do make recommendations for the #72 (don't remember the last time I did though) I do mention that blade play is possible.

I have avoided the #42 so far. Possible blade play, possible legality issues for my locality, and it not bringing anything more to me than what I already have are mostly the reasons. Blade play is probably the least of the 3. I did get a #65 lockback but that was for the blue camel bone covers. I don't recall any blade play at all with that one.

RelaxedCat said:
Someone correct me if I'm wrong but my understanding is that the 72 has blade play issues because it is a lock back. The 73 is essentially a slip joint (with a liner lock on some) and does not suffer the same blade play issues?

Richard
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Correct, the #73 and the #72 Cody Jack are essentially slip joints and wouldn't suffer vertical play. S2S can be an issue with any folding knife.

cards94 said:
what would be the safest gec buys to avoid blade play or possible blade play in the future?
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Any folding knife can potentially have side to side play as you essentially have 2 slabs with a blade in between. Too tight and you won't be able to open the knife. Too loose and the blade might wiggle in between the 2 slabs. Its a balance that GEC mostly gets right. Thankfully it (S2S play) is also pretty easy to fix at the factory or at home. The safest GEC or any knife to get to guarantee absolutely no play ever would be a fixed blade. GEC makes some nice ones.
 
I think dealers/vendors ought to go the way of Mike Latham over at collectorknoives.net and put a full disclosure on some knife models about a small amout of blade movement on some knives and further refuse to take those knives back. Too, too, many people whine and complain about this wee bit of verticle/up and down movement that is basically a phenomenon for the lockback knife. That may lose a vendor a customer or two but if you vendors don't start doing something soon about this type of return, those style knives will be in a revolving door pattern - a vendor to customer to vendor to customer to vendor -- never ending.
 
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For what it is worth, I tried something different last night. I put a very small drop of superglue on the back of the tang on my #72. Let it set a bit to form a skin and then flattened it. Let dry overnight. This eliminated any play, tight as a drum! Don't know for how long but will keep you posted. Has about 20-30 cycles so far and still good.
 
Modoc ED said:
I think dealers/vendors ought to go the way of Mike Latham over at collectorknoives.net and put a full disclosure on some knife models about a small amout of blade movement on some knives and further refuse to take those knives back. Too, too, many people whine and complain about this wee bit of verticle/up and down movement that is basically a phenomenon for the lockback knife. That may lose a vendor a customer or two but if you vendors don't start doing something soon about this type of return, those style knives will be in a revolving door pattern - a vendor to customer to vendor to customer to vendor -- never ending.
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I've thought about this as well and realized I probably wouldn't buy traditional lockbacks if they were advertised this way.
I am one of those folks who doesn't want blade play on a new knife. Considering this "new to me" information I will likely avoid them in the future. Honestly, I was leaning this way anyway after having 2/3 GEC knives with issue. No biggie, I still like the brand and will continue to support them.

Until recently my experience with traditional lockbacks has been fairly limited. I have an old Buck 110 that has slight play after years of use. It was my go to hunting knife back in my younger days. I was unaware that blade play was the "norm" for this design. Still learning here so forgive my lack of knowledge on the subject. In contrast my experiences with modern lockbacks has largely positive.
 
Modoc ED said:
That may lose a vendor a customer or two but if you vendors don't start doing something soon about this type of return, those style knives will be in a revolving door pattern - a vendor to customer to vendor to customer to vendor -- never ending.
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Or they can get it right the first time and there won't be any returns.
 
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