GEC Whaler

[drzarkov1]

I received the Tidioute ebony whaler last week, and the Northfield stag whaler just today. They're both good looking knives with flush joins all round, but they both suffer from all the defects Wullie mentioned---hard, gritty, uneven opening especially on the main blades, and no closing snap at all ---they have to be pushed all the way into the closed position. Scratch marks that are evidence of blade rub on all blades. To think that I paid $285 (for the stag alone) and got this kind of shoddy, third-world product in return! This is a serious fall from the good level of fit & finish I'd come to expect from GEC. At these prices, a knife's operation should be silky smooth, but obviously GEC has become complacent.

[Owd Wullie]

I just sent MR Daniels a nice e-mail noting my concerns about the knife. I'll keep you posted.

I just checked again and the small blade is bending into the main blade when you open it. I can slip a piece of paper between the blades when it is closed, so they aren't touching until pressure is put on the blade to open it.

[theblindog]

I hope GEC can make it right, keep us posted Wullie

[chautauqua]

well when a company has a problem with qc and u acquire its employees both companies eventually end up with same problems if u know what im saying

[big monk]

Well,may as well add my 2 cents,since I have a few GEC's____ I also,got one of the ,Whalers___I also have,light blade rub, on the back of the main blade ""that I noticed the first time,I opened it""___ I grabbed the semi-chrome,and polished, my brand new knife** ( to no avail )__ since ,I'm only going to display,the knife in a glass case___I let it go _______,but as with all the rest of ya', I am concerned that a company,I have come to expect better of, the quality of this "'Whaler Knife"" is below par_____ I hope, that everyone's problem is ,taken care of,and quality is back to ""above normal"" soon_____________just my thoughts, Monk

[bonehead]

Golly Guys,

Sorry to hear about the problems here. I've bought several dozen knives from GEC and none have had any issues. I am suprized at a blade rub as extensive as wullies could leave the factory. I know GEC will make it right.... Many of us here have come to expect the best from GEC since they do deliver 99.9999% of the time. A couple problems are bound to occur. IMO , I think just because they are falable GEC is far from complacent, that comment seems out of place

Bonehead

[bonehead]

I received the Tidioute ebony whaler last week, and the Northfield stag whaler just today. They're both good looking knives with flush joins all round, but they both suffer from all the defects Wullie mentioned---hard, gritty, uneven opening especially on the main blades, and no closing snap at all ---they have to be pushed all the way into the closed position. Scratch marks that are evidence of blade rub on all blades. To think that I paid $285 (for the stag alone) and got this kind of shoddy, third-world product in return! This is a serious fall from the good level of fit & finish I'd come to expect from GEC. At these prices, a knife's operation should be silky smooth, but obviously GEC has become complacent.

drzarkov1,

Not to discount you above complaints, but "and no closing snap at all ---" is the way GEC have designed this pattern, it is also the same on the # 36 sunfish. It has been designed like this intentionally.

BH

[big monk]

I agree,with Bone, on this one____the backspring on the #36 & #46 are "softer"" to avoid,missing a finger__the small blades, have good snap **

[chautauqua]

im not sure as to what ypur saying when u say they designed them with no snap,i just watched them make those from start to finnish and one of the things there supposed to ck for when they leave is the amount of snap,i could hear the one being tested shut through a glass panel and all the ones they had displayed for sale at event had good snap and no blade rub

[bonehead]

im not sure as to what ypur saying when u say they designed them with no snap,i just watched them make those from start to finnish and one of the things there supposed to ck for when they leave is the amount of snap,i could hear the one being tested shut through a glass panel and all the ones they had displayed for sale at event had good snap and no blade rub

Can't Say chautauqua,

I wasn't there. However I own ~ 30 of the #36 pattern and overall they are all the same, Minimal snap. I would prefer the finger chopping snap of the old days but I can understand why they would engineer these this way. I do have some Old NYKC,Union,Case Bros, amomg others in the sunfish pattern and many are just downright wicked when closing. Not what I prefer of the new knives but that's how they make them. It does not mean a sub-standard knife by any means, and in fact if used as an EDC the same way of the early 1900's the spring would hold up much better than the older knives I have with wicked snap. I don't believe there is very much varriation in the snap of these knives. I have 5 Whalers now and to be perfectly honest they all snap like my #36 Sunfish do.

I didn't say anything regarding blade rub... I don't like it either as noted, It does seem mighty unusual for a knife to go out like Wullies, that is pretty poor.

Bonhead

[Owd Wullie]

Mine would snap closed if it didn't feel as if it was full of sand in the joint. When you break mine over center it goes about halfway closed on its own power and then grinds to a stop. You can then push it a bit through the grit and it will finally snap closed when about a third pf the blade is still out.

Here's where mine stops and has to be pushed to get it snap closed.

You can see that I've worn the etch just opening and closing the damn thing trying to get it smoothed out. No big deal.

BUT

That ain't right.

I've flushed it a couple of times and re-oiled it with QUICK RELEASE lube. That stuff works wonders on any knife or fishing reel I've tired it on.

The blade rub on mine happens on opening. That small blade is so thin that it pushes over against the main blade. Like I stated earlier, when the knife is closed, you can slip a piece of paper between the blades. The small blade is flimsy and too thin. Hell, the pen blade on my Challenge jacks is thicker than the small blade on that BIG Whaler.

It's either poor design or cost cutting.

I'll wait and see what Mr Daniels has to say.

One other thing, I have NO problems with Bob, at Old Hundred. He did everything he was supposed to do. He shipped me the knife when he said he would and sold it for the lowest price I could find on the net.

He did not make the knife and I don't think he bears any responsibility for these issues.

Thanks BOB.

[bonehead]

Bob,

I wouldn't sweat it Ken will make your knife right IMO. I have had personal business with him an he is an awesome guy. That pen blade should not be doing what its doing.

On the other hand, When I first read your post here a minute or two ago, I grabbed three Whalers and a couple of the 36 pattern Sunfish. I think what you are describing is the nature of these guys. I brought a couple Whalers over center and it actually takes 1,2, or 3 additional shoves to get the blade moving again. However, right before totally closed let's say 3/8ths to 1/4 inch from complete closed, it closes, but still soft, and with minimal audible snap. The sand thing you mention is consistant with all of mine. I don't know but it may because of the large surface area between the liners. When I first found the very soft close I was also confused. But after the knife is closed, its closed. What I mean is there is significant force on opening before the master blade blade starts to move upon opening. Some feel this is defective?, Myself, I'm totally comfortable with it since its does seem very consistant across all the knives I own. If you have ever owned a #36 Sunfish I bet you might feel the same.

All in all, I wouldn't be happy with a poorly fitted pen blade and the kind of rubs you have. I believe GEC will make it right for you, they are the best IMHO. As far as the closing, I think this is quite typical of these knives, it may not be what we expect but I do believe it was the way it was designed. Anyone who purchased a good number of knives would think this very unusual of a knife this large, but what can I say I think its as designed.

Bonehead

[Owd Wullie]

You're telling me the pen blade doesn't rub on any of your whalers?

This and one more make two GEC's that I own. This one doesn't even compare with the brawn of my 2007 year Model #23.

I can easily deflect that pen blade with my finger when it's open. Funny thing, it snaps shut very nicely.

I'm not comparing the strength of the snap of the whaler with that #23 as I know they backed off that due to complaints from people hurting themselves or that were afraid they might hurt themselves. Mine hasn't bitten me yet and if and when it does, I won't go crying to the mf'r. I've got some OLD knives that snap harder than that #23.

I have no doubt that Ken will make it right. It just seems damn strange to me that a knife of this caliber and company with that reputation is having problems getting a knife to work as smooth as twelve buck Rough Rider.

Willie

[chautauqua]

well before the rendezvous at the end of july there where several people touting this knife and dropping clues about it on a daily basis on nearly every knife site on the web so u know gec is out here lurking at the posts ill be kinda dissapointed in them if they dont reply to this thread,and offer a explanation, and when you do send it back willie ask for a refund on your shipping ,i have with case and queen.case sent me a refund with my new perfect knife and queen said they dont refund shipping but there was a nice new sheath for my knife in the box when it was returned,i just told them if i plunked down good money for a knife it should be right and if they didnt like it get the money from the person who said it was good to ship and it wont happen again worth a try with them also

[HiPower]

i'm not sure of the exact nature of the closing problem. i do know thet the 36 was designed with a hesitation of the large blade when you get down to 30% or so from closing. this hesitation was to keep the large blade from slamming shut due to the huge backspring. a safety factor was built in to keep from cutting fingers severely. at least that was what i was told.---HiPower

[trutemper]

They just don`t make em like they used to

[chetr1200c]

the only way my whaler pen blade rubs is if i do not open the main blade 1st. since they are both stubborn to open, i have to exert pressure on the the pen nail nick to open it. i would not open it that way. it would seem i am just asking for trouble. kinda like wiggling a clip blade when fully open to see if it wobbles.. eventually it will., so i open my main blade before i open the pen... its not like i will ever use this knife for anything...
but if anyone has issues. i am sure they would be rectified asap

[johnnierotten]

Check this out..... http://blog.tsaknives.com/2011/08/15/co ... award.aspx ......you Guys should write them and tell'em what you think about the whaler..

[vikingdog]

Don't you think the dealers should give them a once over before sending them out to the customer? A lot of problems and bad press might be easily avoided.

[johnnierotten]

Don't you think the dealers should give them a once over before sending them out to the customer?

You would think so...

[Owd Wullie]

I'm going to take the dealer' side on this one.

Most all of their dealers have been handling superb knives. So, when they order a knife I bet the LAST thing that goes through their mind is that the knife has or might have problems. I'd bet they would rather have a customer receive an un-opened knife package than one that has been played with. As near as I could tell, I was the first one to handle my knife after it left GEC. I respect that.

I didn't hear anything from Mr Daniels today on the e-mail I sent him Saturday.

The knife stayed home today.

[big monk]

Willie,you may have a better chance of getting an e-mail, to Chris ____ she will normally get back to ya' quicker ???___as with all ""Big Business"" type people,Ken Daniels,has folks,that take care of things like this___even though,I know, you are wanting to go to the ""HEAD MAN"" on this issue___good luck,Monk

[biglmbass]

Willie,you may have a better chance of getting an e-mail, to Chris ____ she will normally get back to ya' quicker ::

That or call them, like I've done a few times. You never know who's going to answer the phone. I got Ken once, trying to get Chris.

[NYRich]

As can be inferred from the number of post I've made, I'm not in the same league as a lot of those posting here.

So far, I've been collecting Case only but have been looking at GEC as a way to add some variety. They do make some beautiful knives and I've only been wavering due to the higher cost. Now this thread has got me wondering if GEC is worth the asking price.

I can understand the occasional bad piece getting past whoever does the final inspection (I presume that there is a final inspection). No company is perfect but what impresses me is how the company responds to the problem when the customer brings it to their attention.

This is a thread that I'll be following with interest.

[johnnierotten]

NYRich.....I have 15 GEC's of various patterns....Fit and finish is excellent. Personally...I think they're some of the best knives made!!
But ...I do not own a whaler..