Why are GECs so hard to open?

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Bob, no one mentioned you but you. There is no bashing going on here. If you need to discuss this further please pm me.
 
I think the walk and talk on GECs are just right. I like my springs on the firm side though.

How's this for a change? I always thought that the springs on Bucks and SAKs too soft. It goes to show that these things are subjective. Thicker nails, stronger or more dexterous fingers, whatever the reason may be it is impossible for a production company to make the pulls on slipjoints satisfactory to everyone. I'm just glad that there is a company out there that makes knives to my preferences. There are more than enough floppy slipjoints on the market.

;)

- Christian
 
I have a GEC 73 that came with Bear Trap back spring. Sent the first one back to GEC but that did not accomplish much at all. Traded it off and got another one in trade that had the same spring action. Since I wanted to use this knife I used several of the ideas I had seen posted here. Finally gave up and decided what the heck and did my own thing. I applied a lot of powdered graphite and started working the opening/closing and followed up by liberal doses of WD40 and graphite again. After several of the above applications the thing finally started to give in some. Still a strong pull but not a bear trap. It's a fine knife but still don't use it all that much. The best pulling I found to be on GEC 48 and the GEC Bull nose sodbuster ( 71? ) I have several other of GEC offerings but spring pull is all over the place. Hopefully GEC will get the spring pull down soon but for now I will stick with my BM 555.
Tried two GEC 48 trapper models and the spring pull was just about right.
 
kamagong said:
I think the walk and talk on GECs are just right. I like my springs on the firm side though.

How's this for a change? I always thought that the springs on Bucks and SAKs too soft. It goes to show that these things are subjective. Thicker nails, stronger or more dexterous fingers, whatever the reason may be it is impossible for a production company to make the pulls on slipjoints satisfactory to everyone. I'm just glad that there is a company out there that makes knives to my preferences. There are more than enough floppy slipjoints on the market.

;)

- Christian
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My only Buck is a 301 from 30+ years ago, the pull is softer than I like. My SAks seem just about perfect :thumbup:


black mamba said:
FD, I am not a fan of half-stops for the exact reasons you enumerated, and they are especially difficult when paired with stout pull springs. I just received a #78 jack last week, and the pulls were just like my 2008 GECs, a 7½-8 pull, but even had the half-stops to exacerbate things. Rather than sending mine back, I just open the blades about halfway between the half-stop and fully open (135° open) and let it sit for a few days to a week. This stresses the spring to its maximum, softening them slightly down to a 6½-7, which is fine for me.

Do not give up on GEC, they make a fine knife. Try a pattern with cam tangs (no half-stop) and I think you will be very pleased. Also, their lockbacks (not linerlocks) have wonderful easy pulls.
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I have been looking at the lockbacks. As far as a 3.5" jack without half stops, that would be a 66?
 
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This bus has safely arrived at the Exchange station, Good, Bad, and Ugly. The conversation deviated enough for the traditional forum mods to have it moved here. So just a note to be aware. Seeing as how there was a full refund issued, and the dealer in question interjected (outed himself) on his own behalf, what can we do here now in this forum?
 
rma100 said:
I have never had any trouble opening a GEC.
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That's great. Others have had issues. I feel that GEC has done a great job within the past few years in regards to pull, and many other factors. For years early GECs, some not all, looked like slipjoints on steroids to me. Some of these early pieces were, to me, ugly as sin and some even came dull. They did not possess the allure that most slipjoints had, again for me. Now, they are at the top of their game in looks, edge, and the pull. They are my favorite brand of slipjoints, but they have an issue with putting out some nail breakers. They have greatly improved, but it is still there. As I said above, my recent 73 acquisition has a stiff spring, one of the new ebony ones. I was carrying it in the hopes of it smoothing out. Doesn't mean I will stop buying them.

Also, it is discussed so much because it is probably the main issue, out of very few and as far as I knew a rare occurrence these days, negatively affecting a great knife company.

Let me also say, that even after all of this, I do not like loose springs. I feel that most knives should be within the realm of the 15 barlow/boys knife for pull. Larger knives might need a little bit stiffer pull, but not as stiff as some.
 
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rma100 said:
Actually Rusty, "Pocket Knives they way whey Used to Be" is my slogan. Although I am a Distributor of GEC, you won't find that slogan in any of their material.
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It is mentioned on their web site. not as a slogan as such but In words.
 
Had to count how many GECs I own in order to respond with my own empirical data. A bit surprised by the final tally, but I own 19 GECs. I carry and use all my knives, with a few favorites getting additional pocket time, but that rotation not withstanding I feel comfortable that my assessment will be accurate as to blade pull.

Of the 19 that I own, I have one (a frame lock Houndstooth) that was a nail breaker. I sent it back to GEC and the issue was resolved to my satisfaction and sent back to me in 3 weeks. So statistically, I took issue with the pull strength on 5.3% of the GEC knives I've purchased, but in that instance I was pleased with their customer service and am now very happy with the knife.

In general, the pull is stronger on my GECs than it is on the modern and custom knives that I own, and is stronger than the pull on other production traditionals that I own by other makers. That said, the fact that I own more GECs than any other brand probably speaks best to my overall satisfaction with their product. I like a medium to slightly firm pull on slip joints, and in my opinion, that's what I usually get from GEC.

I appreciate that others will have differing opinions and tastes, but that's one of the great things about our hobby and this forum. If everyone liked the same thing this would still be a great forum due to the character of the members, but it wouldn't be nearly as interesting.
 
Esav Benyamin said:
My finger nails are definitely light duty tools at best. But on my keyring I keep a steel thumbnail provided by A.G.Russell. No more problems with nailbreakers!

http://www.agrussell.com/steel-thumbnail-/p/RUL-STN1BM/
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That's a reasonable workaround. Personally I prefer to find knives that open OK without having to use another tool for the purpose. Of my eight GEC knives, all have acceptable pulls but I did specifically choose patterns that were reported by first purchasers to have medium pulls.

I guess it boils down to individual preferences. I like the smooth easy pulls on the Buck 300 series knives that I have. I have nothing wrong with my hand strength and I seem to have normally healthy fingernails.
 
So what would be a good choice for me in a med (3.5" or so) jack. I'd prefer clip and pen blades.
No half stops please. I know the 66 doesn't have half stops, and the 66 is supposed to be an easier pull......
The 15 has also been recommended. That nifebrite was just not for me :thumbdn:
 
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Most of my GEC's are on the " heavy " side, compared to other brands, but I like them that way. Give me half-stops and I'm really happy.

But I can see how it would bother someone new to them. I've had them snap closed while trying to open them up.

Queen and Case seem to be lighter.

If you want something really easy to open and still have a traditional look , try one AG Russell's folders, like the sowbelly, rancher/cowboy, gunstock or barlow. They're so light most can be opened with one hand.
 
Esav Benyamin said:
My finger nails are definitely light duty tools at best. But on my keyring I keep a steel thumbnail provided by A.G.Russell. No more problems with nailbreakers!

http://www.agrussell.com/steel-thumbnail-/p/RUL-STN1BM/
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I traded for a really nice one from Ryan Daniels with cocobolo scales as part of a big knife deal when his family had a stake in GEC. I also received one of those top poppers from Waynorth as a gift. I really enjoy both, and use the top popper when I am checking out older and rusted shut knives. However, on a new knife you shouldn't need one. A good tool to have though. If I need one to open a knife, I'm not buying the knife.

Not just GEC though. I had a really nice humpbacked stockman from Case, with a spey blade that set too low. Needed the top popper to get it out. I viewed it as a flaw, but not the spring strength. Couldn't get to it that well.
 
filedog said:
So what would be a good choice for me in a med (3.5" or so) jack. I'd prefer clip and pen blades.
No half stops please. I know the 66 doesn't have half stops, and the 66 is supposed to be an easier pull......
The 15 has also been recommended. That nifebrite was just not for me :thumbdn:
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Lots of half stops, I don't think any of the 15s are offered without half stops. They are easy for me to open and close. I have neuropathy, pinched nerves and the beginnings of arthritis (nice for age 34).
 
rma100 said:
The pulls on various GEC's have been discussed on this Forum, in various threads, Ad Nauseum. It is a general consensus, I believe, among most contributors that all New GEC knives need a thorough cleaning of the Pivots to start with. Having said that, there are a few, that to some, still have unacceptable strong blade pull. There are a number of options to further remedy the situation in the few knives, that to a few individuals, are too strong. First of all, I would suggest a person who is active on the Forum would be able to thoroughly research the various comments about a particular pattern before purchase. Not all patterns are for all people. There are also a number of remedies available for the particular issue of blade pull, not the least of which is return to manufacturer for Warranty Service. In this case the knife was hand picked for a very demanding customer. The customer then choose not to excersise any of the available options except return to the Distributor. After an immediate refund of his purchase price and credit for return shipping, to go on a public forum and complain about the knife, the distributor or any part of the experience is totally uncalled for and frankly quite offensive.
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Like me, Bob (rma100) can be a bit blunt with his post; however, he has always been concerned about his reputation as a dealer/distributor and from what I've seen from him, he is an honest, hardworking, individual that strives to satisfy his customers.

Any complaint or perceived complaint about a particular dealer/distributor such as posted by filedog should be posted in "The Good the Bad the Ugly" forum. It seems to me Bob bent over backwards to please a customer and got nipped at the heels for it.

Most of the early (first releases actually) GEC #23s and #73s did have very hard, difficult, pulls. Some people couldn't even open some of them using their thumb nails. They had to resort to using metal opening tools to open their knives. Since then, GEC has put out #23s and #73s with softer springs but they still seem to come with stiff springs - at least to some individuals. I think overall most of us are pleased with the pull of the current GEC knives. Heck, some of us were not bothered by the original hard pull GECs.
 
filedog said:
So what would be a good choice for me in a med (3.5" or so) jack. I'd prefer clip and pen blades.
No half stops please. I know the 66 doesn't have half stops, and the 66 is supposed to be an easier pull......
The 15 has also been recommended. That nifebrite was just not for me :thumbdn:
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I have a #68 White Owl and it has an easy pull w/no half stops. 3.5" closed. I have the Northfield version with a clip main and small pen blade. I don't know if there are still any of them around or not.
 
filedog said:
Bob, no one mentioned you but you. There is no bashing going on here. If you need to discuss this further please pm me.
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You didn't name Bob directly but you did indirectly. We all got who you were referring to pretty darn quick.
 
Modoc ED said:
You didn't name Bob directly but you did indirectly. We all got who you were referring to pretty darn quick.
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"We all" didn't know who the dealer was. I didn't have any idea who he got it from until the dealer named himself. I read it as a discussion about the pull on GEC knives, not as a bad dealing with any certain dealer.
 
Flint Hills said:
"We all" didn't know who the dealer was. I didn't have any idea who he got it from until the dealer named himself. I read it as a discussion about the pull on GEC knives, not as a bad dealing with any certain dealer.
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Completely agree. I had no idea who the dealer was either, and the OP wasn't a complaint but a question about why people accept knives that are 'too hard' to open.
Something I have wondered myself.
 
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