Will you expect top quality from the GEC #47 HAYN’ HELPER WITH HAWK BILL BLADE?

[Modoc ED]

I won't/don't. After all, the GEC #47 HAYN’ HELPER WITH HAWK BILL BLADE will be from GEC's Farm & Field line a line in which GEC says that they will utilize innovative processes, less expensive materials and far fewer labor operations on. That most likely means that we shouldn't expect the finish of these knives to be up to the standards of GEC's knives from the past.

I think one of our forum members has already discovered that the fit and finish of his Glow in the Dark Farm & Field Bullnose Work Knife is not up to the standard of past GEC knives - even the Red Neck Bullnose Work Knife of the recent past.

It's going to be interesting to sit back and see how satisfied members of the forum are going to be with GEC's new Farm & Field line.

 

[rockgolfer]

From a "Farm & Field Tool", no. I dont expect anywhere close to perfect fit and finish. I do demand a perfectly functioning tool that is meant to be used hard for a long time. Any examples that start out with great fit and finish should be considered a bonus for the price of admission, which should be considered relative to this brand. Comparing its price point to other brands is an entire different subject and takes many personal considerations on what one can expect or demand.

 

[confucius37]

I certainly don't expect the same level of finish. In fact I'd prefer it if they spent less time on the finish in order to make these more affordable.

To make it clear, I still expect the FIT and function to be up to the GEC standard, I would not be happy if I got a knife with a wobbly blade or hitting the liners or large gaps.

 

[rockgolfer]

I would not be happy if I got a knife with a wobbly blade or hitting the liners or large gaps.

I would not buy any knife from any company if it had these issues.

 

[mnblade]

I won't/don't. After all, the GEC #47 HAYN’ HELPER WITH HAWK BILL BLADE will be from GEC's Farm & Field line a line in which GEC says that they will utilize innovative processes, less expensive materials and far fewer labor operations on. That most likely means that we shouldn't expect the finish of these knives to be up to the standards of GEC's knives from the past.

Well, I wouldn't buy a hawkbill knife in the first place. I've had one laying around here somewhere for years and never used it, nor cared to. Now, if/when the sheepsfoot/pen model comes out, I'll likely buy one. And while I certainly wouldn't expect the same fit/finish/quality they offer in their regular line, I'm certain I'll get one heck of a great using knife for the price.

-- Mark

 

[Nauplios]

As long as GEC keeps their Farm and Field line completely separate from the three flagship lines, and there is no "creep" of materials across that line, they will no doubt be successful with both.

 

[richstag]

I can tell you one thing as a personal stance on this. I will not buy ANY of the farm and field tools if they don't have the same finish and attention to detail. Take it however you want, a lack of hand fitting and finishing is NOT the reason I support GEC. Not trashing the Farm and Field line, even if "Farm and Field" does indead translate to far less attention to detail. Just saying that is not my bag...

 

[supratentorial]

I expect pretty much what I've gotten. I'm going to quote Currahee since his photos are better than mine. I've gotten solid working knives with good blade grinds and good mechanics. They aren't highly polished but I wasn't expecting shiny... I don't care about shiny on a working knife (it's not pocket jewelry). I do think that GEC clearly explained the Farm & Field tool line but it's a new product and people are still learning about it. I think the photos posted will help a lot of folks that read Bladeforums. They won't be right for everyone. They will be just right for some. On the dealer websites they've sorta just gotten lumped in with the other knives and I wonder if the dealers might avoid some headaches by reiterating GEC's description of the Farm & Field tools.

I'm just curious about how the OP would regard this pivot area?

When I look at this picture I can see the grind marks quite clearly. Even a little separation between the delrin and the pivot in the 6 to 7 o'clock position.

In my hand this area feels perfectly flush and smooth. My fingers cannot detect the grind marks on the pivot area. Until I read the comments in this thread I regarded my F&F Bullnose to be absolutely perfect. Now, after carefully scrutinizing my knife, I will acknowledge that, yes, there are some very subtle flaws that are obvious when placed under a magnifying glass. I will concede that my economy class Bullnose is not a flawless diamond. But, for the money I paid for this working knife, I will continue to regard it as absolute perfection. I guess we all have different expectations? I will also add that this comment is in no way an attempt to invalidate the OP's feelings about his particular knife. Those are his feelings and they are indeed valid. I'm just saying that I am quite happy with my F&F Bullnose and will probably go on to buy another one in black. 'Nuff said.

 

[rockgolfer]

Just saying that is not my bag...

[Austin Powers voice] What exactly is your bag, baby?

 

[richstag]

To me its not about a knife being shiny or not. I don't like when corners start being cut because who knows when the habit will blend in with the rest of the construction and even the higher lines.

I have never tried to make something cheap but I know when I start slacking on one aspect of a job it usually rubs off on the rest.

Time will tell, but I just wanted to add this for clarification. I already own hords of beat up work knives.

 

[richstag]

Hahaha Jeff!

 

[rockgolfer]

To me its not about a knife being shiny or not. I don't like when corners start being cut because who knows when the habit will blend in with the rest of the construction and even the higher lines.

I have never tried to make something cheap but I know when I start slacking on one aspect of a job it usually rubs off on the rest.

Time will tell, but I just wanted to add this for clarification. I already own hords of beat up work knives.

That is a very good point Kevin, good food for thought.

 

[supratentorial]

Kevin, I don't see a problem with that perspective. I wasn't directing "shiny" towards your comments. But I do think that others may want "shiny".

So far from what I've seen they've basically cut corners on finishing/polishing. I haven't noticed anything else yet. They are shadow patterns (no bolsters). The materials really don't seem that much different to me... I was actually pleasantly surprised to see that they're using steel liners instead of brass... I prefer the look of steel liners over brass liners. They use acrylic on some of their Tidioute and Northfield knives so I'm not sure how much they're saving on the materials by using glow acrylic or delrin.

 

[supratentorial]

...btw, I use all of my GEC knives and try to properly maintain them. I would not be inclined to clear a ditch with a $180 stag Northfield. I wouldn't hesitate to use the Bullnose. I won't be cutting weeds out from between the cracks in the sidewalk with any of these knives..

 

[richstag]

Jeff, its just thoughts going through my mind. Nothing that matters really.

Jake,

I didn't take it directly towards me, but its probably the most obvious difference.

I personally prefer the GEC satin finish blades. By far actually. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't focusing on shiny, rather overall workmanship.

I sincerely hope this line is a huge success. I am just having trouble wrapping my head around the mindset that goes into it.

I bet the guys at GEC have the discipline to do it right even with rougher finishing.

Eta, I treat my expensive GEC the same as my Bullnose. Both are tools, fancied up or not.

 

[supratentorial]

Kevin, I think it's great that you use both knives the same. ...it would be interesting to compare blood pressure (I bet yours is lower)


As an example...If you look at the springs, you'll see fine lines. They aren't mirror finished. It's not unlike the Buck 301 (see photo below). But the Buck springs aren't flush and they are on the Bullnose. I think that this difference is because of differences in the manufacturing processes. GEC still using the same old methods that they do on their Tidioutes and Northfields. I think we can expect the springs to be flush. I think they just eliminate the final finishing steps but it's just a guess.

I just received a old 301 I got off of the bay which I purchased because I thought the flat ground blade might make the older knife a better slicer than the new one.

One of the things I particularly like about my Buck 301, 303, and 703 is that they are all three spring designs. I didn't realize that any of them had ever been two spring knives, but my new, old 301 is a two spring design.

What years were the two spring designs made? And are there any three spring ones w/ the flat ground main blade?

Also, is there anything else you can tell me about this older 301, such as year made, handle material, steel (420HC?), etc.

Thanks much.

Here are some pictures of old and new 301s.

 

[ea42]

Just the nature of those parts makes it difficult to make a perfectly flush finish. Drilling the counterbore in the handles doesn't always produce a perfectly round hole on every knife, and for that matter I'm sure those washers aren't all perfectly round either, so you're bound to have a slight gap on one of the sides ( especially when it's magnified!) . Same goes for the lanyard tube. Trying to buff those scratches out will make a shiny rivet, but you'll drag out the letters and the plastic on the downwind side of the buffer, which to me looks worse than a few scratches. I can't say what their final polishing procedure is on those knives, maybe a final run over the rivet on the scotchbrite wheel before polishing would help, but you've got to be careful with the handles, and you'll still have some fine scratches identical to the satin finish on the blades. On working knives like these I'd place much more importance on blade quality and walk and talk than I would on the impeccable finish of the rivets (unless of course they're worse than what's been shown).

Eric

 

[richstag]

Jake,

You seem calm and collected to me my friend. We probably have the same blood pressure, its probably more that I treat my bullnose as well as I treat the stag and not the other way around. I very rarely use a knife to do anything but cut. Usually the most wear will come from in pocket on the handles. I bet you use your bullnose harder than I do. I think that is probably the case. I could be wrong.

 

[richstag]

Kevin, I think it's great that you use both knives the same. ...it would be interesting to compare blood pressure (I bet yours is lower)


As an example...If you look at the springs, you'll see fine lines. They aren't mirror finished. It's not unlike the Buck 301 (see photo below). But the Buck springs aren't flush and they are on the Bullnose. I think that this difference is because of differences in the manufacturing processes. GEC still using the same old methods that they do on their Tidioutes and Northfields. I think we can expect the springs to be flush. I think they just eliminate the final finishing steps but it's just a guess.

My phone acted up, but I wanted to quote this and say, the bolded statement of yours is what I hope. That in a nutshell is my concern.

 

[Tripton]

I wouldn't be concerned about the F&F line. A lone example that didn't meet customer expectations (and no photos to see the actual issues) could happen to any company.

My black Bullnose is slightly less polished than my Glownose, but both are very acceptable for a $50 knife. I believe that GEC has too much pride in what they do to release a product that is not up to their high standards.