The Les George Knives Thread

[norcalAF]

Darn near my favorite!

 

[norcalAF]

New LG day!

 

[The Fort]

New LG day!View attachment 2912808View attachment 2912807

Me Too!

 

[norcalAF]

Me Too! View attachment 2913036

That one looks oddly familiar

 

[marrenmiller]

Has anyone had any experience with a VECP pivot being installed crooked?

I just bought a VECP Button lock on the secondary market and have been trying to tune the blade play out of it, and what I'm seeing is that the press-fit pivot is installed at a slight angle to the handle scales. Les indicated that this can happen if someone tries to disassemble it and does a poor job, but I'm not sure what to do about it. Is the pivot possible to remove? It feels very firmly embedded in place.

 

[mitchnola]

Has anyone had any experience with a VECP pivot being installed crooked?

I just bought a VECP Button lock on the secondary market and have been trying to tune the blade play out of it, and what I'm seeing is that the press-fit pivot is installed at a slight angle to the handle scales. Les indicated that this can happen if someone tries to disassemble it and does a poor job, but I'm not sure what to do about it. Is the pivot possible to remove? It feels very firmly embedded in place.

The pivot is pressed in. I wouldn’t recommend removing it. I would just send it back to Les and let him get it right for you.

 

[marrenmiller]

The pivot is pressed in. I wouldn’t recommend removing it. I would just send it back to Les and let him get it right for you.

He's been made aware of the entire issue and hasn't indicated that I should send it in. It's unclear to me if maybe he thinks I damaged it or something.

 

[mitchnola]

He's been made aware of the entire issue and hasn't indicated that I should send it in. It's unclear to me if maybe he thinks I damaged it or something.

Just tell him you would like to send it in. He’s really good about fixing any issues pretty quickly.

 

[marrenmiller]

Just tell him you would like to send it in. He’s really good about fixing any issues pretty quickly.

Thank you, I'll do that. I think I've reached the limit on what I can do by myself to resolve this.

 

[marrenmiller]

Les didn't seem receptive to my complaint and he stopped responding when I asked if I could send it in. I'm not interested in pursuing this further with him. The VECP is a neat knife but maybe Les's knives aren't for me.

 

[Ilikesharpstuff]

Les didn't seem receptive to my complaint and he stopped responding when I asked if I could send it in. I'm not interested in pursuing this further with him. The VECP is a neat knife but maybe Les's knives aren't for me.

I also had a VECP (frame lock) that couldn't be tuned to what I thought was an acceptable combination of no blade play and good action as compared to a Talos I still own, which can simultaneously have no blade play and an excellent action. I also have an MK3 that has the smoothest washer action I've ever felt while also having no blade play.

Les sent me new washers which didn't fix the issue and when I pushed further and asked about sending it in he never responded. I got the impression that he isn't interested in taking knives in for work if the only issue is the action but that was just my assumption based on the fact that he never responded. I can't say I blame him for that...tighten the pivot and the blade play goes away, problem solved. That said, much of his reputation is built on his excellent washer actions so I don't think it is unreasonable to hope for that and want it addressed when it isn't the case. If he knows the pivot can be made crooked I'd think he'd be willing to work on them when it happens.

 

[mitchnola]

Les didn't seem receptive to my complaint and he stopped responding when I asked if I could send it in. I'm not interested in pursuing this further with him. The VECP is a neat knife but maybe Les's knives aren't for me.

I’m really surprised to hear this. Hopefully he will get back with you soon. It’s been a couple of years since I’ve sent something in to him for repair. I’m sure he’s busy now that he’s also running d7 so maybe give him some time. Also the best way to reach him is via ig and fb. I would be surprised and sad to hear if he refuses to at least let you send it in.

 

[marrenmiller]

I also had a VECP (frame lock) that couldn't be tuned to what I thought was an acceptable combination of no blade play and good action as compared to a Talos I still own, which can simultaneously have no blade play and an excellent action. I also have an MK3 that has the smoothest washer action I've ever felt while also having no blade play.

Les sent me new washers which didn't fix the issue and when I pushed further and asked about sending it in he never responded. I got the impression that he isn't interested in taking knives in for work if the only issue is the action but that was just my assumption based on the fact that he never responded. I can't say I blame him for that...tighten the pivot and the blade play goes away, problem solved. That said, much of his reputation is built on his excellent washer actions so I don't think it is unreasonable to hope for that and want it addressed when it isn't the case. If he knows the pivot can be made crooked I'd think he'd be willing to work on them when it happens.

This is also how I feel about the situation.

His knives are sold at high prices and have absurd demand, partially because of the supposed god-tier action on PB washers. On my example, the rest of the knife is really well made, but the ball seems to have been dropped on the most important part as the pivot just isn't quite right. It's close, and on a cheap knife I'd give it a pass, but it's frustrating seeing that one poor element let the knife down and him seeming to not care. He even insinuated that someone must have tried to disassemble the knife and messed up the pivot, but my knife clearly was barely used and the pivot needs a press to fit into place; it absolutely will not budge no matter what I try.

I can mask the issue on my VECP by using very thick oil and by tightening to pivot more than I'd like, but the action is sluggish, there's still a gap in the washers, and the scales are visibly not parallel at the blade (they're dead parallel at the other end of the handle). Over time, the washers are going to wear unevenly.

 

[marrenmiller]

I’m really surprised to hear this. Hopefully he will get back with you soon. It’s been a couple of years since I’ve sent something in to him for repair. I’m sure he’s busy now that he’s also running d7 so maybe give him some time. Also the best way to reach him is via ig and fb. I would be surprised and sad to hear if he refuses to at least let you send it in.

Even if he suddenly decides to get back to me, at this point I just don't feel happy about dealing with him.

Though this is maybe an unfair comparison, I cannot help but think about how CRK just recently took my Sebenza in without question due to a TINY amount of blade play, and they found the blade/pivot/washers were off-spec by a few thousandths of an inch. They replaced the entire blade because they knew it was needed to make things right. That's not really an isolated incident; virtually every decent knife company I've had warranty claims with has encouraged me to send my knives in if I've had any concerns.

This is not the only knife I've had come out of LG's shop that had a silly manufacturing defect out of the box. I'm probably too picky and am not the target audience for his knives, so I'll just try to move on and pick companies that suit me better.

 

[norcalAF]

Even if he suddenly decides to get back to me, at this point I just don't feel happy about dealing with him.

Though this is maybe an unfair comparison, I cannot help but think about how CRK just recently took my Sebenza in without question due to a TINY amount of blade play, and they found the blade/pivot/washers were off-spec by a few thousandths of an inch. They replaced the entire blade because they knew it was needed to make things right. That's not really an isolated incident; virtually every decent knife company I've had warranty claims with has encouraged me to send my knives in if I've had any concerns.

This is not the only knife I've had come out of LG's shop that had a silly manufacturing defect out of the box. I'm probably too picky and am not the target audience for his knives, so I'll just try to move on and pick companies that suit me better.

Between LG and D7, I've probably owned over 20 blades and have yet to find any defects in any of them. You must have some incredibly bad luck or have gotten some previously buggered up knives from sellers. All of my interactions with LG have been great, including him sending me extra scales for my Magnate at no cost. Until fairly recently, LG was a one man shop, so I could understand if he was a little put off by insinuating that he personally let a flawed knife out into the wild.

 

[marrenmiller]

Between LG and D7, I've probably owned over 20 blades and have yet to find any defects in any of them. You must have some incredibly bad luck or have gotten some previously buggered up knives from sellers. All of my interactions with LG have been great, including him sending me extra scales for my Magnate at no cost. Until fairly recently, LG was a one man shop, so I could understand if he was a little put off by insinuating that he personally let a flawed knife out into the wild.

Alternatively, you and I may have different standards. Impossible to know.

Everybody puts out defective knives from time to time. Stuff happens; what matters is how makers deal with it.

 

[mitchnola]

Alternatively, you and I may have different standards. Impossible to know.

Everybody puts out defective knives from time to time. Stuff happens; what matters is how makers deal with it.

I too have owned well over 30 LGs and have only had an issue with one. And that issue was because someone installed aftermarket standoffs that were not the correct size. Contrary to your experience I’ve actually been very impressed by the consistency in build and performance (action) of his knives.

I have a feeling this vecp you bought was the one sold by initial conditions which I was aware of and he also clearly stated the issues with this particular knife in the sale listing. Which is the only button lock I’ve ever heard of having any issues or complaints about. Sure it could be a lemon or was screwed up by a previous owner. So I don’t think would be fair at all to pass judgment on the quality of his knives based of off this one particular knife which clearly had issues prior to you acquiring it.

I do completely agree though that Les should take it in for a repair. And maybe he hasn’t responded quickly enough for you but he has a stellar reputation for warranty issues in the past. Hopefully that hasn’t or never changes. While this situation is unfortunate it would be a big mistake never giving him another shot because the button lock and every other knife he makes is absolutely stellar and as good or better than any other knives out there.

 

[marrenmiller]

I too have owned well over 30 LGs and have only had an issue with one. And that issue was because someone installed aftermarket standoffs that were not the correct size. Contrary to your experience I’ve actually been very impressed by the consistency in build and performance (action) of his knives.

I have a feeling this vecp you bought was the one sold by initial conditions which I was aware of and he also clearly stated the issues with this particular knife in the sale listing. Which is the only button lock I’ve ever heard of having any issues or complaints about. Sure it could be a lemon or was screwed up by a previous owner. So I don’t think would be fair at all to pass judgment on the quality of his knives based of off this one particular knife which clearly had issues prior to you acquiring it.

I do completely agree though that Les should take it in for a repair. And maybe he hasn’t responded quickly enough for you but he has a stellar reputation for warranty issues in the past. Hopefully that hasn’t or never changes. While this situation is unfortunate it would be a big mistake never giving him another shot because the button lock and every other knife he makes is absolutely stellar and as good or better than any other knives out there.

On the history of he knife, I spoke with the seller and he linked me to the original sale thread where the knife was (supposedly) first sold. I can't confirm anything 100% but can only report that both known prior owners deny disassembling the knife, and neither owner mentioned any issues other than the centering being off. It doesn't look to me like it was disassembled before I took it apart, and I doesn't look like the crooked pivot is anything a user could have managed on an otherwise like-new knife, but anything is possible.

I got a Defiant 7 Talos (supposedly these also come out of his shop? Totally open to being wrong about this) that had a stop pin which was too long, keeping the handle from fully coming together and messing up the action. This was a silly defect that I rectified myself by grinding the pin down, but that's kinda why I'm assuming that I'm simply expecting a different level of quality than they are aiming to put out.

 

[norcalAF]

On the history of he knife, I spoke with the seller and he linked me to the original sale thread where the knife was (supposedly) first sold. I can't confirm anything 100% but can only report that both known prior owners deny disassembling the knife, and neither owner mentioned any issues other than the centering being off. It doesn't look to me like it was disassembled before I took it apart, and I doesn't look like the crooked pivot is anything a user could have managed on an otherwise like-new knife, but anything is possible.

I got a Defiant 7 Talos (supposedly these also come out of his shop? Totally open to being wrong about this) that had a stop pin which was too long, keeping the handle from fully coming together and messing up the action. This was a silly defect that I rectified myself by grinding the pin down, but that's kinda why I'm assuming that I'm simply expecting a different level of quality than they are aiming to put out.

From my understanding, D7 is currently ran by themselves with their own production facility, with LG doing some design and consulting as needed. Originally D7 was a collaboration between LG and Chad Nichols that has since grown into its current form.

 

[mitchnola]

On the history of he knife, I spoke with the seller and he linked me to the original sale thread where the knife was (supposedly) first sold. I can't confirm anything 100% but can only report that both known prior owners deny disassembling the knife, and neither owner mentioned any issues other than the centering being off. It doesn't look to me like it was disassembled before I took it apart, and I doesn't look like the crooked pivot is anything a user could have managed on an otherwise like-new knife, but anything is possible.

I got a Defiant 7 Talos (supposedly these also come out of his shop? Totally open to being wrong about this) that had a stop pin which was too long, keeping the handle from fully coming together and messing up the action. This was a silly defect that I rectified myself by grinding the pin down, but that's kinda why I'm assuming that I'm simply expecting a different level of quality than they are aiming to put out.

So D7 is his production company that he has taught some young bucks to build knives. I haven’t owned any so have no experience with them.

It sucks you seem to have gotten a lemon and I hope Les gets back with you as he should. All I can recommend is giving him another shot because it’s well worth it once you have what’s to be expected. Send me a dm with your email, ig or fb account and I’ll send you a video of how great the action is on his button lock.