Questions about GEC serial numbers.

[sogflash]

I just got a GEC Northfield #85, and it came with two serial numbers. One on the bolster, and one on the blade.

Is this normal? The blade is marked "1 of 35", and the bolster has the number 15 stamped on it. On the little piece of paper that came with it it says "15 of 35".

The markings on the blade has almost been polished away, but I can see that it says "1 of 35".

Is this something I should care about?

 

[AKC]

It's #15 of 35 produced. I like the Bullet-End Jacks....

Ebony, Ivory, Cocobolo, Bone???

Don't worry about it, use it in good health.

Happy New Year's Eve!

 

[SPNKr]

The 1 of 35 literally means it's 1 among 35 made. The actual serial number is #15.

 

[2Dead]

Serialized GECs have their individual numbers on the bolster and usually have that "1 of " blade etch. The one in the bolster is the number for your knife. They also make them without serial numbers which don't have the blade etch or bolster engraving. Please note the blade etch isn't always accurate. You have to look at the production totals to see how many were actually made. Below are the 2011 numbers for Northfield #85 with pen secondaries.

#852211
Cocobolo Wood 35 pcs. serialized 35 pcs. no serial number
Greenbriar Jig Bone 35 pcs. serialized 37 pcs. no serial number
Burnt Stag 35 pcs. serialized 28 pcs. no serial number
Red Stag 23 pcs. no serial number

I wouldn't care about the serial number if you're planning on using the knife. If you're just collecting, then you should know that GEC typically keeps the #01s and #02 is the lowest available for the rest of us. I understand that sometimes for short runs, they skip #01 all together.

 

[sogflash]

It's my first traditional knife.
Thank you guys for the explanation.

As a reward, here are some pictures, taken with a really bad camera.

 

[sogflash]

I have noticed a few problems with the knife now.

There's a small mark on the edge, and it seems like the blade will hit something in the bottom of the handle if it's pressed all the way down. It'll take some force so I think I can avoid it after resharpening it.

The second problem I can see is that the tip might become exposed from the handle after some resharpening. How do you deal with this?

It also has some very sharp corners at the end of the blades, the part that meet the spring when opened. Do you think it's safe to take the sharpest edge away with sandpaper?

 

[Railsplitter]

I have noticed a few problems with the knife now.

There's a small mark on the edge, and it seems like the blade will hit something in the bottom of the handle if it's pressed all the way down. It'll take some force so I think I can avoid it after resharpening it.

The second problem I can see is that the tip might become exposed from the handle after some resharpening. How do you deal with this?

It also has some very sharp corners at the end of the blades, the part that meet the spring when opened. Do you think it's safe to take the sharpest edge away with sandpaper?

Sharpenening the edge down a bit will, in fact solve your first problem. In the meantime try not to let the blade snap closed. Gently ease it down while grasping it to avoid this problem until you can get it sharpened down a bit. I remember reading a lot of comments from folks who had the same problem with the #85's.

If the tip does become exposed you can file down the "Kick" just a little bit. This is the part of the tang that hits the backspring when closed. In other words, the opposite side of the tang where your sharp corners are exposed. This might be a bit tricky in your case because you will once again lower the blade slightly which might bring you back to problem number one again.

I have sanded down the sharp, exposed corners of the tangs on several GEC knives with no ill effects.

 

[2Dead]

Same thing happens on my #85 Ebony. If I follow the blade closed instead of letting it snap closed then its not really an issue. You can also put a "stop" like part of a match stick or folded up paper right on that spot that the blade hits on the back spring to lesson the impact if you do forget to follow through. This is the only thing I don't like about the knife.

I like the Cocobolo on that one btw. I have on just like it :thumbup: