Questions about GEC quality.

A

akguy59

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Aug 19, 2017
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Morning fellow porch dwellers. I have a couple of questions about my first GEC purchase. Due to reading on here about the quality and fit and finish of GEC offering I purchased my first GEC. Hooray. My 60th birthday is coming up in a couple of months and I didn't want to wait around and miss out so I ordered a GEC 82 in stag. When it arrived I was kind of disappointed in the stag. It had pretty coloring and was beautifully fitted but it was very smooth compared to most of the GEC stag I had seen pictures of. Not a deal breaker but still disappointing. As I examined it closer I realized the drop point blade had a very uneven grind. On one side the grind goes all the way to the spine as it should but on the other side the grind stops about 3/32 short of the spine leaving a small flat at the top of the grind. This is not affecting the cutting edge it is mostly a cosmetic flaw. But it bothers every time I look at it. The last flaw is to me the most aggravating, all three blades have scratches where they rub against each other during opening and closing.
I guess what I'm trying to ask is are these flaws normal to GEC or did I get a lemon? I also need to know that if I decide I don't want to keep the knife should I try a return through Blade HQ or should I go directly to GEC? I appreciate any feedback as I respect that most of you have a great number of GECs and have much more experience than I do. Thanks in advance for any input.
 
Good God Amighty!!!!!! Send that knife back to GEC immediately.

The scratches are pretty much normal - most likely caused by pushing the blades against each other when opening them and the grind shouldn't bother you as much as you say it does. Stag is come and go. Some stag has a lot of popcorn some is smoothish. None of the issues you list are flaws, it's just normal issues for most knives that aren't custom made. You're not going to get perfect in a production knife although GEC comes close.
 
A akguy59 sorry that you arent happy with your knife I can understand. The stag on that run was mostly on the smoother side compared to other stag runs so I think you will find quite a few with the same features.
The uneven grind is something you dont see a lot with GECs and is probably more of a rarity than it is normal (that Ive seen anyway).
The blades touching is very common for 3 blade knives and GECs included. Some more than others but it is almost always there when you have to cram in more than two blades.
Youll need to talk to the dealer if you want to return it or contact GEC if you want them to fix anything you feel is a factory defect.
 
I’ve had 100’s and the fit and finish can vary significantly. Each is a hand made unique piece. Some people this bothers but the more you collect the more you disregard the quirks and discrepancies. If a flaw is serious enough it becomes a second and are offered as EDC discounted but fully functional knife. Also, the sambar stags never, ever match it’s just the way they do it. The old world craftsmanship is what drives GEC and their following. All imho but I’ve been around since the beginning. :thumbsup:

Bryan
 
I have an 82 in copperhead jigged bone. Its probably my finest knife. There is minimum blade rub between the drop and sheepcliffe. Rub is common on multi bladed knives. There is a thread dedicated to this run and the possum skinners, if you would like to peruse other folks opinions and talk shop about this particular knife. Good luck!
 
If I’m not mistaken, this retailer does not take photos of individual knives to choose from in uniquely individualized cover materials such as stag. Now, if you are a collector and it will be a safe queen , and it bothers you, then return it. Those are widely available so they are probably not as collectible as other patterns/variants. That retailer will certainly replace it though. If it is a user, then maybe just enjoy.
 
Expectations are different for everyone, and no one is wrong. Some are more realistic than others, but the bottom line is whether you, the buyer, are satisfied. Sounds like you aren't, so should probably return the knife. If you aren't happy with it now, you most likely never will be.
 
black mamba said:
Expectations are different for everyone, and no one is wrong. Some are more realistic than others, but the bottom line is whether you, the buyer, are satisfied. Sounds like you aren't, so should probably return the knife. If you aren't happy with it now, you most likely never will be.
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Great way to sum it up! Agreed 100%.
 
I got three 82 stockmans and I am thrilled with all of them, so if you don't feel the same about yours I'd send it back for another that you will be thrilled with.

As far as the blade rub, if you get a stockman with no blade rub that's more of a bonus than an expectation.
 
My Possum Skinner has that same grind on the clip. At first I was annoyed, but when I looked closely at the photos of others and at the photos of the Dixies, I see the same grind on all of the clips. I think it was intentional, for whatever reason.
 
My conclusion in purchasing Stag is that unless the dealer shows you an image of the one you would be purchasing, it’s a crap shoot. I rarely now purchase Stag, sight unseen, unless it’s a must have pattern. Sometimes a model is available and you are advised that blade rubs are a feature. That was the case with the 82. One of the best benefits of BFs is the wealth of knowledge shared about the different offerings. Become a member, plug in, and often hear of issues before release. GEC doesn’t always guarantee perfection, but they do provide some of the best traditional production knives on the planet. Unless the issues with your knife renders it barely useable, it is a beautiful classic begging to be used.
 
gaj999 said:
My Possum Skinner has that same grind on the clip. At first I was annoyed, but when I looked closely at the photos of others and at the photos of the Dixies, I see the same grind on all of the clips. I think it was intentional, for whatever reason.
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I have never handled any, but maybe its a clearance grind? I'll have to look at some pics, as I'm totally not familiar with these. But is it possible its to "soften" the edge of the spine so it has less chance to dig into and scratch the other blade?
:rolleyes: somehow I missed the post directly above mine that says it IS a clearance grind, oops
 
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Oh, yeah. If it's a user, plan on reprofiling the edge. Mine have all had the same factory bevel - insanely obtuse. Sharp enough, but at such a high angle that the shoulder skates off of pencils when I go to sharpen them. They look good in a case because the bevel is so narrow, but in real life they aren't ideal. Happily, 1095 is a breeze to reprofile.
 
I will say that GEC has yet to land any of what I would call "good looking stag".
It reminds me of white tail deer antler more than anything. Pasty, soft and personality-free.

Maybe Schatt and Morgan ruined me on stag in the early 2k era with all the sandy, toasty looking sambar they used. I love that look in stag, GEC hasn't found those deer dealers yet, I reckon.
The blade rub in the 82 can't be helped. The blades are thin, the main will flex when you dig into the nick, and they cheap out on the center liner of their 2 spring designs terribly - further reducing lateral rigidity. What is that, 2x-3x the thickness of an aluminum can? Come on.. 20 years of use on those will have the thing worn thru.
At least they look good at arm's length. That's good enough for 90% of those who buy em. Their bone work and general functional quality is enough for me to own a few tho. I like their Micarta offerings, too.
 
I was a bit abrupt in my initial reply. This explanation by SV-97 SV-97 is I believe correct.

"Blade rub is normal, as for the grind: That's by design on the #82's drop-point blade. I think it's there to prevent contact between wharncliffe and drop-point. (It's actually ground at a slight angle inversely to the main bevel)"

This is done by some manufactures to minimize blade rub. Case does this on their 6375 and other stockmans.
 
It's always disappointing when that long sought after knife has an issue.
I would say blade rub is common on American made multi blade knives.
I say that because I have a Japanese made Katz 3-blade stockman with no rub on any blade. This is a knife I've used for about 3-4 years and It's not developed rub in all that time.

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By contrast a Case Seahorse Whitler developed rub the second day I had it. A Schatt & Morgan Congress developed rub in the first week or so.

If your knife A akguy59 has rub marks, Blade HQ likely won't accept it as a return because they won't be able to resell it.

GEC make fine knives, I've not had significant quality issues with them. However I've found some European and Japanese manufacturers are a step above.
 
Modoc ED said:
Good God Amighty!!!!!! Send that knife back to GEC immediately.
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Lol...Ed, you don't pull any punches do you?

OP, unfortunately it seems you have fallen victim to unrealistic expectations. GEC makes a very nice knife, no denying that, but they're not perfect despite what you may read and hear. GEC makes production knives, with natural materials. They are still subject to the same limitations all production makers are subject to.
 
Although this is about my Case 6375 Large Stockman it applies to what we're talking about about grinding the edge of a blade to clear another blade.

From June 17, 2018:

When I got it, there was one snag. The Picture below is of the pile side of the knife. Notice that the apex of the spey blade lies over the nail nick of the sheepsfoot blade. Because this is an "as Ground" knife, all the edges are crisp/sharp - not polished. Now most times when you open a blade you push the blade a bit sideways - maybe just a tad but push it sideways none the less. Well when I went to open the spey blade the apex of the blade would actually engage the nail nick of the sheepsfoot blade and lift it too. The solution was to send the knife to Case for repair and they ground just a smidgen of the material off the mark side apex of the spey blade. Now the spey blade opens smoothly and perfectly with no engagement of the sheeps foot blade at all. That snag was why I waited a month to present the knife here after receiving it from Mike.

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