Dana, looks to me like you got yourself a beauty from the #36 Buffalo Horn Sunfish run we did last year, lucky you. I hope you enjoy it's infinite wonders. I know it's just a knife, but the possibilities are endless, right?
Look on GEC's web site & look under patterns. Click on the picture of the first one and it will have a date. Some of the really old patterns don't have the date on the picture though.
It sounds like maybe your blade is bumping the backspring? This is a common thing when knives have a little too much snap, there is no real way to lengthen the backspring, but if you send it to GEC they will sharpen the blade down some till it doesn't bump the backspring. If it's gonna be a user I would just sharpen the blade down myself.
Johnny, I was actually considering a build up, probably on the spring where the kick rests. A small piece of steel welded to the spring. This would most likely require disasembly of the knife. Is that ever done?
I have heard of some folks "peening" the kick to make it slightly longer or wider. It's not something that I would attempt but it can be done if you are good at that type of thing.
I agree with Johnny's recommendation to sharpen the edge until it no lomger contacts the backspring. Probably the most practical option aside from sending it to GEC.
I really don't see that as a viable option, but I am not very handy, so I wouldn't attempt something like that myself.
If you problem is indeed blade contact on the spring, I think sending it to GEC is the best option. They are just gonna sharpen the blade down so they don't touch anymore. They will do it in a more professional manor and have the equipment to polish it up and make it as good as new.
I was actually considering a build up, probably on the spring where the kick rests. A small piece of steel welded to the spring
Not possible. Any sort of welding would ruin the heat treatment of the spring. You would end up with a broken spring in short order. In addition, metal used in the rod is not the same as the spring. Once welded you can not retemper because of the diference in material. Even if you did retemper the spring it would break at the weld.
The problem will go away after a few sharpening sessions. Its not really an issue anyway if you intend to use the knife.
I have never taken a knife apart then put it back together. As a kid I took apart about everything I could and still not be sold to Gypsy's by my parents. I am going along with Johnny 2shoes. If you love this knife, have a pro repair it. If you don't want to spend the money then place it somewhere you can't find it, something I do on a regular basis, so you will not see it and fret about the defect.
I know there are sellers on ebay who buy broken knives for the parts then rebuild Case and other collectables and sell them as used without telling the buyers they have been repaired. This is why I always ask if the knife had been repaired. It can be done...just if you want to pay the do-ra-me.
Use a piece of stiif leather, the sort that moccasin laces are made of. Cut a small bit of it to size and stuff it down on top of the spring where the blade hits. This will keep the blade off the spring until it gets worn enough so as not to hit the high points.
Hi all, I have a sunfish with a distinctive ripple on the main blade.(see pic.) I see that to one degree or another on many of the blades. There more noticeable on high gloss blades. I call it a ripple or a wrinkle for lack of a better word. How would you describe it.
Jan, It's not a major issue with this knife. It's a Ben Hogan. It just seems set in there kinda low (see pic). It even buries the nail mark a little. There's no blade to spring contact though.
Jan, P.S. I suppose I could ask GEC to remove a little from the top of the frame to fully expose the nail mark. The stag is a little below the liner anyway. Evening that out would be a bonus.
David, How did you paste my earlier message onto your comment. (in italics )
Easy. Copy and paste the quote, type your message, highlight the part that the quote, use the blockquote button in the tool box menu above the message box.
Dana, it seems to me that you're pointing out the blade forward nail nick as being low, but on that stag model you have a foot long "long pull" just behind it, so it would seem that you have plenty of room and a choice of where you want to pull from? I have to say that for myself on the Ben Hogans I prefer the single nail nick Tidioute or the single long pull Northfields over all of the double pulls on this blade. For me it's a beautiful clean and skinny blade, and there's not enough room on the blade for a double pull without mucking it up. But hey, don't get me wrong, I'm just expressing my opinion and any criticism is directed to the design decisions made at GEC, not to you. And like I said above, it's a skinny, beautiful, and wonderfully manageable blade. The Ben Hogan model is brilliantly designed and probably has one of the best hand feels and fit of all of the GEC models, at least for my hands. Good choice.
Hi again, A lot of these GEC knives I have been buying don't seem to have much of an edge on them. The edges are very small. Is that due to a wide angle sharpening. I'm still a novice at sharpening. what angles do GEC use and recommend.
I believe Edge angle is for the preference of the user. I use a 25 degree angle when sharpening, but I know a lot of guys who use a 17. It really just depends on what kind of an edge you want. I am not sure how you sharpen your knives, but I use a Lanksy and I really like the job it does.
Also, I am not sure of GECs angle when sharpening, but you could e-mail Christine Tucker, I'm sure she would know.
At the GEC Factory,they put the finished edge on a knife by eye,freehand. They put a "Factory Edge" on the knife as the last step in manufacture. The Factory Edge is sharp enough to cut a sheet of paper. Individual knife owners are then free to put a lasting edge of their choice on the blade.
I know we have put alot out there for you to think about for sharpening systems and I agree with the guys. Both those systems are wonderful. If your looking to sharpen your own skills at it. This video is pretty basic and easy to follow
Well it is not the newest and it is not an EDC, so I thought I would put it here. This is the 488210EC St Patty's Day. So happy St. Patty's Day everyone
Jan, that's one you don't see every day! I know a collector (not me either) that is looking for one of those! Yours is a nice one! There are so many GEC's that I overlook at first and then they grow on me and by the time that I decide to get one they're long gone!
J2S - that is a way cool shield on the #45! I've been trying to decide if these are a "gotta have it" knife or not. Will get at least one to check out anyway. It kinda stinks to have to buy all of our knives mail order and not be able to look at them and hold them before making up your mind. I just can't decide if the saw blade is a good fit or not.
Johnny great minds must think alike. I just was on GEC's forum and commented on it there too. I am liking it in micarta and look forward to the other handle materials too! I does look pretty cool and I will end up with one or more but I still really want a traditional camp knife. GEC thinks out of the box alot and I like that about them but sometimes I wish they could just give us what we ask for. It's not like I'm not going to buy more knives once I get some of the ones that I really want!!!
Dana Mayo
A few Knife pics.



Mar 1, 2012
Dana Mayo
One more. The Buffalo Horn duo.
Mar 1, 2012
Ron Cooper
Dana,
In the pic of the knives on the blue and white towels (below) that Spyderco stands out like a guy eating a cheeseburger at a vegetarian convention!
You have some very drool-worthy knives, my friend!
Cheers!
Mar 1, 2012
Dana Mayo
Ron, Good analogy. I do have a more appropriate drawer for that Spyderco Military.
Mar 1, 2012
Jan Carter
But the Spyderco is enjoying the company
Mar 1, 2012
johnny twoshoes
Dana, you got a nice collection for sure. I don't buy as many Case knives as I once did, but they still make a better pocket knife than I do. : )
Those Backpockets interest me, but don't tell GEC. LOL
Mar 1, 2012
Dana Mayo
Well Johnny, Case was my 1st love
Mar 1, 2012
Dana Mayo
Also Johnny, those back pockets have that abrupt half stop. It will suprise you if your not expecting it.
Mar 1, 2012
johnny twoshoes
Dana, I have a good friend who has one and I got to play with it for a while. I really do like the knife, I may end up with one someday.
Mar 1, 2012
Luca Vignelli
Dana, looks to me like you got yourself a beauty from the #36 Buffalo Horn Sunfish run we did last year, lucky you. I hope you enjoy it's infinite wonders. I know it's just a knife, but the possibilities are endless, right?
Mar 1, 2012
Dana Mayo
Luca, I agree totally. There is something infinite about an edge.
Mar 1, 2012
Tom Peterson
Dana,
Nice looking #36 & #26!
Mar 2, 2012
Tom Peterson
Ron,
Look on GEC's web site & look under patterns. Click on the picture of the first one and it will have a date. Some of the really old patterns don't have the date on the picture though.
Mar 3, 2012
Jan Carter
or look at the production total lists under information
Mar 3, 2012
Dana Mayo
Hi all, I have a repair question. Is it possible to raise the kick of a knife that closes to low in the frame?
Mar 4, 2012
johnny twoshoes
It sounds like maybe your blade is bumping the backspring? This is a common thing when knives have a little too much snap, there is no real way to lengthen the backspring, but if you send it to GEC they will sharpen the blade down some till it doesn't bump the backspring. If it's gonna be a user I would just sharpen the blade down myself.
Mar 4, 2012
Dana Mayo
Hi Johnny, Does the kick point on the tang wear down over time
Mar 4, 2012
johnny twoshoes
I suppose it could Dana, but I don't see it getting worn down to heavily. That is unless you grind it down.
What is the problem with your knife?
Mar 4, 2012
Dana Mayo
Johnny, I was actually considering a build up, probably on the spring where the kick rests. A small piece of steel welded to the spring. This would most likely require disasembly of the knife. Is that ever done?
Mar 4, 2012
Railsplitter
I have heard of some folks "peening" the kick to make it slightly longer or wider. It's not something that I would attempt but it can be done if you are good at that type of thing.
I agree with Johnny's recommendation to sharpen the edge until it no lomger contacts the backspring. Probably the most practical option aside from sending it to GEC.
Mar 4, 2012
johnny twoshoes
I really don't see that as a viable option, but I am not very handy, so I wouldn't attempt something like that myself.
If you problem is indeed blade contact on the spring, I think sending it to GEC is the best option. They are just gonna sharpen the blade down so they don't touch anymore. They will do it in a more professional manor and have the equipment to polish it up and make it as good as new.
Mar 4, 2012
David Adkins
Not possible. Any sort of welding would ruin the heat treatment of the spring. You would end up with a broken spring in short order. In addition, metal used in the rod is not the same as the spring. Once welded you can not retemper because of the diference in material. Even if you did retemper the spring it would break at the weld.
The problem will go away after a few sharpening sessions. Its not really an issue anyway if you intend to use the knife.
Mar 4, 2012
Clint Thompson
I have never taken a knife apart then put it back together. As a kid I took apart about everything I could and still not be sold to Gypsy's by my parents. I am going along with Johnny 2shoes. If you love this knife, have a pro repair it. If you don't want to spend the money then place it somewhere you can't find it, something I do on a regular basis, so you will not see it and fret about the defect.
I know there are sellers on ebay who buy broken knives for the parts then rebuild Case and other collectables and sell them as used without telling the buyers they have been repaired. This is why I always ask if the knife had been repaired. It can be done...just if you want to pay the do-ra-me.
Mar 4, 2012
David Adkins
Quick fix -
Use a piece of stiif leather, the sort that moccasin laces are made of. Cut a small bit of it to size and stuff it down on top of the spring where the blade hits. This will keep the blade off the spring until it gets worn enough so as not to hit the high points.
Mar 4, 2012
Dana Mayo
David, Fabulous idea.
Mar 4, 2012
Jan Carter
Dana,
I have to go with the majority on this, send it back and let GEC fix it. What knife are you having this issue with?
Mar 4, 2012
Dana Mayo
Hi all, I have a sunfish with a distinctive ripple on the main blade.(see pic.) I see that to one degree or another on many of the blades. There more noticeable on high gloss blades. I call it a ripple or a wrinkle for lack of a better word. How would you describe it.
Mar 4, 2012
Dana Mayo
David, How did you paste my earlier message onto your comment. (in italics )
Mar 4, 2012
Dana Mayo
Jan, It's not a major issue with this knife. It's a Ben Hogan. It just seems set in there kinda low (see pic).
It even buries the nail mark a little. There's no blade to spring contact though.
Mar 4, 2012
Dana Mayo
Jan, P.S. I suppose I could ask GEC to remove a little from the top of the frame to fully expose the nail mark. The stag is a little below the liner anyway. Evening that out would be a bonus.
Mar 4, 2012
David Adkins
Easy. Copy and paste the quote, type your message, highlight the part that the quote, use the blockquote button in the tool box menu above the message box.
Mar 4, 2012
Luca Vignelli
Dana, it seems to me that you're pointing out the blade forward nail nick as being low, but on that stag model you have a foot long "long pull" just behind it, so it would seem that you have plenty of room and a choice of where you want to pull from? I have to say that for myself on the Ben Hogans I prefer the single nail nick Tidioute or the single long pull Northfields over all of the double pulls on this blade. For me it's a beautiful clean and skinny blade, and there's not enough room on the blade for a double pull without mucking it up. But hey, don't get me wrong, I'm just expressing my opinion and any criticism is directed to the design decisions made at GEC, not to you. And like I said above, it's a skinny, beautiful, and wonderfully manageable blade. The Ben Hogan model is brilliantly designed and probably has one of the best hand feels and fit of all of the GEC models, at least for my hands. Good choice.
Mar 4, 2012
Dana Mayo
Luca, Funny you should say that as I ordered a Ben Hogan Tidioute Beaver Tail last night.
Mar 5, 2012
Dana Mayo
High
Gloss Blade
Mar 5, 2012
Dana Mayo
Hi again, A lot of these GEC knives I have been buying don't seem to have much of an edge on them. The edges are very small. Is that due to a wide angle sharpening. I'm still a novice at sharpening. what angles do GEC use and recommend.
Mar 5, 2012
johnny twoshoes
I believe Edge angle is for the preference of the user. I use a 25 degree angle when sharpening, but I know a lot of guys who use a 17. It really just depends on what kind of an edge you want. I am not sure how you sharpen your knives, but I use a Lanksy and I really like the job it does.
Also, I am not sure of GECs angle when sharpening, but you could e-mail Christine Tucker, I'm sure she would know.
Mar 5, 2012
Bob Andrews
At the GEC Factory,they put the finished edge on a knife by eye,freehand. They put a "Factory Edge" on the knife as the last step in manufacture. The Factory Edge is sharp enough to cut a sheet of paper. Individual knife owners are then free to put a lasting edge of their choice on the blade.
Mar 5, 2012
Jan Carter
Dana,
I know we have put alot out there for you to think about for sharpening systems and I agree with the guys. Both those systems are wonderful. If your looking to sharpen your own skills at it. This video is pretty basic and easy to follow
http://www.wonderhowto.com/how-to-sharpen-pocket-knife-307695/
Mar 5, 2012
Jan Carter
Well it is not the newest and it is not an EDC, so I thought I would put it here. This is the 488210EC St Patty's Day. So happy St. Patty's Day everyone
Mar 5, 2012
Dana Mayo
Thanks for all the help. Love that Guitar Shield.
Mar 5, 2012
johnny twoshoes
Awesome knife Jan and happy ST. Patrick's day to you too.
Mar 6, 2012
johnny twoshoes
Here you go!!!
Mar 6, 2012
johnny twoshoes
I love the shields, but I'm still not sold.
I hope you guys can get some good ones, they do look great.
Mar 6, 2012
Tom Peterson
Jan, that's one you don't see every day! I know a collector (not me either) that is looking for one of those! Yours is a nice one! There are so many GEC's that I overlook at first and then they grow on me and by the time that I decide to get one they're long gone!
J2S - that is a way cool shield on the #45! I've been trying to decide if these are a "gotta have it" knife or not. Will get at least one to check out anyway. It kinda stinks to have to buy all of our knives mail order and not be able to look at them and hold them before making up your mind. I just can't decide if the saw blade is a good fit or not.
Mar 6, 2012
johnny twoshoes
Tom, you should see what Pat has to say about this knife on the GEC forum. If you do you may just end up with one.
Mar 6, 2012
Trand
I gotta say, I wasn't too interested in the Whaler or knives that big but I'm wanting this one. I don't have anything I need it for, but I want it :)
Mar 6, 2012
Bob Andrews
That's the FUN part Trand, getting one when you DON'T need it at all!
Mar 6, 2012
Railsplitter
I like it too!
Mar 6, 2012
Tom Peterson
Johnny great minds must think alike. I just was on GEC's forum and commented on it there too. I am liking it in micarta and look forward to the other handle materials too! I does look pretty cool and I will end up with one or more but I still really want a traditional camp knife. GEC thinks out of the box alot and I like that about them but sometimes I wish they could just give us what we ask for. It's not like I'm not going to buy more knives once I get some of the ones that I really want!!!
Mar 6, 2012
Dana Mayo
Johnny, I see that the Northfield #23 has that same half stop as the Case Back Pocket. I guess that goes along with that style.
Mar 7, 2012