Refresh my memory, re: GEC #72 Mini Lockback Hunter

coyote711

coyote711

Joined
Sep 19, 2009
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I'm thinking about the most recent run of these, produced in January of this year - the ones with the lanyard hole. I seem to recall there being some talk of blade wobble, the lockup not being tight, etc. (I've tried the search function here on BF's, but I'm not coming up with much). I'd appreciate any personal observations if you own one of these, or any links you could provide to earlier discussions about these knives/issues.

I've got a "late model" #73 (with the lanyard hole), and it's a sweet knife - feels great in hand and carries nice in the pocket. I'm considering a #72 not because I need or even necessarily want a locking blade, but for something with the ability to be pinched open and without half-stops.

Thanks much! (Gratuitous pics always welcome, of course)! ;)
 
It may have been me saying to check for play. I checked with a couple dealers and they could not find me one with ZERO lock play. A friend got one from this year with the lanyard tube and it had bad blade and lock play. Sent it back to GEC for repair. Received the knife back with no blade play but the same Lock Play.

Not trying to trash them but just putting it out there.

I know a lot of the guys here have gotten perfect examples too. I trust the guys saying this 100 percent.

Kevin
 
I have a #72 from the latest run; a Micarta short-run, actually. It's beautifully made, and has no lateral play, but it does have a hint of up/down play. I have six #72s, a few from each run, and three have the same hint of up/down movement, while the other three are wiggle-free. The play is functionally insignificant, but it does compromise the fit aesthetics a little. I guess it comes down to the luck of the draw. And it shouldn't.

I'm much more impressed with the consistent zero-play lockup on the new #65 lockbacks. I haven't seen or heard of a single one with any play.
 
I have a #72 lockback in stag and the only problem I have with it is the huge gaps between the scales and liners....other than that it opens with little effort and locks up tight.
Ive had it for about a year, so I assume its the version you're talkin about.
 
I have one of the jigged plum bone from earlier in the year and it had to be sent back for up and down, and also side to side play. But now it's good to go.
 
I just got the new version a few weeks ago and it has no side to side play but it has very slight up and down play, so it's all good to me. I have a first run 72 with a spear blade and it has worse lock rock. I have it's big brother, 42 in ebony, coming tomorrow so we'll see if they improved their lockback design or I just got lucky on my 72.
 
I have a #72 and a #42, both have lock play (front to back). I also have a #65LB and that has absolutely no play in any direction. I much prefer the locking mechanism on the #65LB, it really is very nice.
 
I have a recent one, GEC ruby red, clip blade, and it is darn near perfect.
attachment.php


Kris
 
I have a 72 in micarta, just checked it and has no type of movement. Its a fantastic knife.
 
Hi Keith - Here's one from their latest run. Plumb Bone. I bought two of them with this Plumb Bone. Both have GEC's #1 Regular Clip blade.

gecnflockbackplumbbone1.jpg


These knives are tighter than an old spinster. No wiggle, wobble, or play of any sort. Very tight lockup. Couldn't be happier with them.
 
Just got my first GEC yesterday... An ebony Tidioute 72, and it has obvious up/down and side to side blade play. I'm pretty disappointed because I really like the knife otherwise. I plan on sending it back to the seller tomorrow, but I am regretting having to do it. I guess I will take my chances elsewhere rather than keep it and send it to GEC to be repaired. I hate the idea of sending a brand new knife back to the factory to be fixed (especially with a turn around taking anywhere from 2-4 weeks).

It's a shame because the ebony Tidioute 72 has such clean lines and it feels great in the hand. The ebony on this one has beautiful dark browns in the grain. Hopefully I will be able to find an ebony 72 with solid lock up. I would like to make this one an edc!
 
Thanks for the help guys! Sounds like it's somewhat of a crap shoot, but I just rolled the dice on a Plum Jig Bone w/clip blade. I'm hoping for an old spinster like yours, Ed, but if I get "Lucy Loose" :rolleyes: I'll send her back to GEC for a little re-work. Kris, Ed, P&G - thanks also for the pics. :thumbup:
 
I had one of the spearpoints. It was beautifully put together. I don't remember any vertical play, but there may have been some very slight side-to-side wiggle. I didn't have any complaints with the knife other than I just couldn't warm up to it.

- Christian
 
burnside said:
Just got my first GEC yesterday... An ebony Tidioute 72, and it has obvious up/down and side to side blade play. I'm pretty disappointed because I really like the knife otherwise. I plan on sending it back to the seller tomorrow, but I am regretting having to do it. I guess I will take my chances elsewhere rather than keep it and send it to GEC to be repaired. I hate the idea of sending a brand new knife back to the factory to be fixed (especially with a turn around taking anywhere from 2-4 weeks)
Click to expand...

That closely mirrors my experience and thoughts on the matter, though the two I tried weren't my first GECs. I tried a stainless 72 in red wine bone and a spear blade in black plum. Sent 'em both back for refunds. Rather disappointing, but I knew their reputation for blade play and I decided to roll the dice and take my chances. Based on that, I'm done with that particular pattern but am tickled to hear the new 65 Ben Hogan lockers are rock solid.

What puzzles & troubles me is that GEC continued to make these knowing the locks were less than solid. (The two I tried were 2011 manufacture.) It wouldn've made good sense and happier customers if they'd addressed the lock before making the 2012 runs.
 
I just have one GEC #72 Lockback with ebony scales on order. But it has a spear blade and no clip blade. Now I´m really curios at what I will get there. It might arrive in one or two weeks :) I gonna tell you my experiences with this, when it´s here.
 
coyote711 said:
Thanks for the help guys! Sounds like it's somewhat of a crap shoot, but I just rolled the dice on a Plum Jig Bone w/clip blade. I'm hoping for an old spinster like yours, Ed, but if I get "Lucy Loose" :rolleyes: I'll send her back to GEC for a little re-work. Kris, Ed, P&G - thanks also for the pics. :thumbup:
Click to expand...

Hey Coyote, You beat me to it! I literally asked about the lockup on that particular #72 from the seller you bought it from and got a response about an hour before you purchased it. The response was that it is solid, so you should be good to go! I was seriously on my way to the site to buy it about 30 minutes after your post last night! Oh well...good on you for not hesitating, and congrats on a beautiful looking #72!

biglmbass said:
That closely mirrors my experience and thoughts on the matter, though the two I tried weren't my first GECs. I tried a stainless 72 in red wine bone and a spear blade in black plum. Sent 'em both back for refunds. Rather disappointing, but I knew their reputation for blade play and I decided to roll the dice and take my chances. Based on that, I'm done with that particular pattern but am tickled to hear the new 65 Ben Hogan lockers are rock solid.

What puzzles & troubles me is that GEC continued to make these knowing the locks were less than solid. (The two I tried were 2011 manufacture.) It wouldn've made good sense and happier customers if they'd addressed the lock before making the 2012 runs.
Click to expand...

I am still contemplating on weather or not to send it back to the seller, or if I should just keep it and send it to GEC in hopes that it can be fixed. When held up to the light, you can see it leek through the back springs or spine of the handle. If I knew this was something that can be permanently fixed, I might be more inclined to just keep it and wait for the repairs.

Since this is a bit frustrating, I am going to order another GEC (Half Congress) so I have something to satisfy my need for instant gratification. I also have a 2012 Forum Traditional knife coming to me, so I do have that to look forward to as well!

The 65 Ben Hogan Lockback looks nice, I just wish there was a smaller version of it to be had.
 
I will say that my #72, while it does have SOME play, its very minimal, really it was not enough for me to send it back as it doesn't effect my use at all and other than that very slight amount of lock play the knife is perfect.

The #42 had a bit more play, but it had some other issues so I sent it back to GEC, I am hoping that one gets fixed up.

The #65LB is perfect lock up, but it does have some medium-large gaps in the liners, functionally its perfect and while it would be real nice to get a "perfect" knife its still a production knife. I am still not sure if I will send it back or not...
 
burnside said:
Hey Coyote, You beat me to it! I literally asked about the lockup on that particular #72 from the seller you bought it from and got a response about an hour before you purchased it. The response was that it is solid, so you should be good to go! I was seriously on my way to the site to buy it about 30 minutes after your post last night! Oh well...good on you for not hesitating, and congrats on a beautiful looking #72!

..... The 65 Ben Hogan Lockback looks nice, I just wish there was a smaller version of it to be had.
Click to expand...

Oh WOW, that's crazy! I thought about calling too, but it was the only #72 I found with the clip blade and I finally decided I needed it. I'd been looking at it for about a week so it wouldn't have surprised me at all, once I decided to get it, to find that it was already gone. Anyway, thanks for passing along the info and for the "congrats".

I agree with you on the 65's. (Just a little too long for me and not quite my style).

FWIW, I'd give Christine at GEC a call regarding your knife. I had to send back a Watch Pocket Sunfish 'cause the main blade was darn near impossible to open - common on that particular run. Anyway, Christine was very pleasant to deal with and the knife came back perfect. Not sure how much success they would have in fixing gaps between the liner & backspring and the blade play, but hopefully you'd get an honest answer regarding their ability to address your problem. Best wishes, good luck, and let us know what you decide. :thumbup:
 
I'm pretty bummed out now. I was waiting to hear back from another dealer about the last plum I could find on the net. I figured, I better go and buy it now just in case. So I just went to the site and now it's sold. The dealer never got back to me, so I was worried if his business was even up and running. No contact phone number either. Not having much luck with this... This is a lesson to be learned for sure.
 
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