Tidioute #81 Imperfections

[oldmanwilly]

Howdy,

I just received an #81 Boss Bull Keeper in Bkue Richlite. The knife is great and I'm glad to have it, but I found an imperfection that I think is uncharacteristic for GEC: a proud spacer on the spey blade end.

And a little (poor quality) video:

https://imgur.com/Jy8Cyii

I've never sent a knife back for warranty work and, since I use 98% of my knives, I'm tempted to just file it off and move along. But I've never seen something like this on a GEC before (I think I've had more than 2 dozen over the years).

Has anyone else seen this on one of their new #81s?

 

[oldmanwilly]

The plot thickens:

Video:

https://imgur.com/2PIlG1X

The spacer is loose and rotates around the pivot. I can squish it into place such that the proud little nub is moved out of the way, but it wiggles loose again if pushed.

 

[sceva]

I believe that is the catch bit. It looks like there is room to move it and I have seen some that would pivot slightly; try pressing it down on a hard surface.

 

[oldmanwilly]

I believe that is the catch bit. It looks like there is room to move it and I have seen some that would pivot slightly; try pressing it down on a hard surface.

View attachment 2674180

Indeed, thanks. I discovered this after making my first post in this thread. Not a big deal, but kind of annoying.

 

[sceva]

If they make it too tight it's hard to open the blade, a little too loose and you get that pivot. If it was mine I would try hitting it with a file to knock it down a little and make it less pointy that use it .

 

[glennbad]

That's aggravating...I've seen that where the catchbit is not fit snugly, and will rock back and forth with the action of the blade. there is no real permanent fix other than disassembly to rework it. I think Sceva's idea about knocking it down with a file is the best long term solution...

 

[oldmanwilly]

That's aggravating...I've seen that where the catchbit is not fit snugly, and will rock back and forth with the action of the blade. there is no real permanent fix other than disassembly to rework it. I think Sceva's idea about knocking it down with a file is the best long term solution...

Yeah, I think that's what I will do and hopefully not scar up the bolsters in the process. I considered adding a drop of liquid CA glue to fasten it in place, but I do NOT want to risk it migrating into the pivot, spring, and liners. Maybe I'll just pack it with beeswax and let it go.

 

[Hatchet_Jack]

Couldn’t you just send it back as a warranty job?

 

[oldmanwilly]

Hatchet_Jack yes, I probably can, but I am impatient and am trying to determine if it is worth the trouble to send it in if I decide to keep this as a user.

 

[Kiteman72]

I would demand mechanical perfection at this price point. I have never needed GEC's warranty but if I were you, I would give them a holler.

 

[black mamba]

For sure, call your retailer and see if they have another one to exchange. If not, send it back to GEC.

 

[MarbReds]

I think I personally would send it in. Mine does not move like that.

 

[Modoc ED]

Jeff black mamba has the best solution - dealer first and then GEC f it comes to that.

 

[Badger28]

Yikes what a bummer. Hadn’t seen this come up as an issue before. Worth getting a replacement for sure!

 

[oldmanwilly]

Thanks all for the advice. I have reached out to the dealer to talk through solutions. It's not a fatal flaw and, in my experience, not common from GEC, but it's bothersome enough.

 

[meako]

I'm on the sendbacker wagon....wonder if any others turned out the same..

 

[abcdef]

Send it back, send it back, send it...........................................

Proud registered member since 2005
Cheapskate #8

 

[Viper84]

My red linen 81 had the same thing, but I was able to move it to be flush by applying pressure.

 

[CVamberbonehead]

Yeah thats crap, send that back. Good luck, I hope it gets fixed.

 

[oldmanwilly]

In the unlikely event that anyone cares for an update: I reached out to the the dealer, a BF member and supporter, who agreed to exchange my knife for another he has in stock and address any warranty claims himself with GEC. My knife is already with the USPS and on its way back to the dealer.

Now I have to wait even longer before I can drop a new #81 into my pocket and get to work... pure agony .