Stag GEC Scagel Fruitport - Concern - Input From Forum Knife Makers Appreciated.

richstag

richstag

Joined
Feb 22, 2007
Messages
9,008
Hello,

I had sent back my Scagel Fruitport for a loose stag cover pin. I received it back today and I have questions for folks that are more knowledgeable than me. I would like to get my ducks in a row before I call GEC back on this.

Here is a photo of the knife:

KRG_0991.jpg


The pin of concern is located closest to the bolster. These pins appeared to be spun from the factory. Received today the pin looks as follows:

L1010147.jpg


Now the marks are not what has me concerned. What has me concerned is that the pin is still loose. The stag is not flush with the liner. When I push down on the stag and look into the blade-well I can see the pin moving a small fraction, less than 1mm, but enough to be easily visible.

I am asking here is it possible that this was simple a failed attempt at repair or would there ever be a reason to leave stag loose??? Could tightening it down all the way cause stress that would lead to a crack?

You all know I love GEC and support them with my words, recommendations and endless photos so I am not looking for any poor words towards GEC.

Thanks to anyone that can help me decide if this is worth following up on or just tossing it in my pocket and forgetting about it.

Kevin
 
Beautiful knife! I hope this all resolves. I'm interested to see what the experts say.

Peter
 
your not happy surely that's all that matters, GEC are good people they will sort you out.

It's one of the reasons why their knives are so popular.
 
Cover pins are normally pre-headed, not spun. They're generally fastened by peining from the liner side until tight. The only way to tighten them once the knife is assembled is to hammer them from the cover side, with a solid backing such as a stiddy edge slipped inside to hold the peined side of the pin in place. Either the pin simply wasn't hit hard enough to compress it, or the peined over end on the inside of the knife isn't even with the liner. To clarify: the cover pin hole that's drilled in the liner is countersunk so that the pin can be spread when hammered, thereby holding the cover firmly in place. If the pin isn't long enough to completely fill the countersink, it will either be easily pulled back through the hole, or in the case of having to tighten it up, won't spread any more when the opposite side is hammered because it's not long enough to contact the stiddy. In a case such as that you'd need a piece of material such as a liner with a little metal bead on it that would fit into the countersunk hole and press against the recessed pin, thereby providing support when the pin is hammered.I hope tha made sense! Definitely a failed attempt, there's no reason to intentionally make a cover loose, regardless of material.

Erici
PS- You should be able to see the flaired end of the pin by looking inside the knife. Does it move in and out if you pull on the cover?
 
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Thanks Peter, it's a tremendous knife otherwise.

Eric thanks a ton. Sounds like you are confirming what I fear. In response to your P.S. yup that's correct I tried to describe it less effectively in my OP :)

Sad news for sure.

Kevin
 
Man that sucks your still having issues with that beauty bro. I hope they can get it back to you fast as in they should pay for overnighting imo. You know I love GEC as well but this shouldnt happen.
 
No problem Kevin. They'd be better off using a wide punch to drive that pin. A hammer won't cut it because half the pin is recessed below that high rib of stag. Trying to hit it with a hammer will only result in glancing blows since you don't want to hit the stag. You can see this in the hammer marks on the pin, only striking the low side. BTW that's a beautiful knife, it'd definitely be worth the trouble to get it right.

Eric
 
Awesome....I am so glad that beautiful knife is fit for duty!

Peter
 
Thank you Peter :)

It is tight and flush. This was a first attempt for me. I'm really happy I didn't screw it up :)

Touched up the edge and its in my pocket.
 
Lovely. I almost bought a couple of those GEC scagles, and now I am wishing I had!
 
Still available....if you search. I too am tempted, but just dropped a load of vet bills. They really are beautiful.

Peter
 
T, they have plenty in stag. I highly recommend this knife. I have had the ivory version for over a year and its been awesome. Got the stag for an Edc
 
Just a beautiful knife, Kevin!! How did you secure the pin? How did you improvise the piece that went inside the knife to provide a base to pein the pin
 
Thanks Gevonovich. I actually thought about what Eric said and tried a few things. Then I realized I was actually able to make the pin move inward in the liner but Not able to pull it outward. So the countersinking seems filled right. I realized with the knife closed the pin sat on the tang tight. I made the punch the size of the pin so I could set it right into the contour of the stag. I flatted and mirror polisehed the punch to avoid gouges. I put the knife on a piece of leather over my anvil and started tapping. Took me about 30 minutes since I was so worried to go to tight. Then I actually went in with a jewelers file and made sure it was flush inside. It tight and flush. I hope I did good :)

I look in now with a loupe an it fills the countersink perfect.

Kevin
 
Brass ones my friend. Not many people would attempt that on a stag knife. Now its back where it belongs :), great job.
 
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