First GEC (720111 Mini-Lockback) Mixed Impressions

[Pima Pants]

New member here.

Yesterday the postman delivered my first GEC knife, a Ruby Red jigged bone mini-lockback. After examining (playing) with the knife for the past 24 hours, my impressions are somewhat mixed, but mostly good.

First, let me say that I am a longtime collector of pocket jewelry and have at one time or another owned nearly every brand imaginable over the last 45-50 years. I am by no means an expert, but just consider myself a reasonably knowledgeable individual. I bought this knife to be a user and deliberately chose a stainless blade because my knives spend most of their time in my pockets rather than being used. Although I love me some good 'ol carbon steel, the stainless just suited my needs better. I am a typical suburbanite, so my knives are used for typical lightweight duties around the house/office. I also chose this particular knife due to my penchant for the color red/wine/purple, etc. I'm sorry that I don't have a picture of it, but it looks like any other model of this designation. The knife was eighty-one dollars and some change from one of our fine AAPK member stores.

This knife is beautiful to look at and I really like the Wharncliffe blade. For the most part the fit and finish is excellent with a few minor exceptions. For example, the first inch or so of the blade near the tip is barely below the surface of the liners when closed. The tip doesn't sit "proud" and I can't feel the tip by running my finger over it when closed, but I just wonder why the blade doesn't sit just a little deeper. There is plenty of room between the blade's edge and the bottom inside of the backspring and I'm a little concerned that there is so little margin for error as it were. If the tip of the blade was a few thousandths of an inch higher, it would be problematic. The blade came reasonably sharp and will cut hair with some pressure, but it isn't what I consider "scary sharp". But I can fix that.

The knife is very easy to open; maybe too easy. It opens a little if I give it a deliberate downward snap from the closed position. It takes very little effort to open it and when the lock is depressed, the blade falls easily into a position perpendicular to the ground. There is also a very minor cosmetic flaw near the backspring and the lock. It apparently wasn't ground evenly. I was pleasantly surprised when I discovered that the backspring was also stainless.

The scales on this knife are gorgeous, with several subtle shades of wine, red, purple and a little pink-to-white area. The jigging is perfectly executed and the acorn shield sits completely flat.

All in all I am very pleased with this purchase and certainly will consider buying more GEC's. When you realize that some A.G. Russell knives that are made in China come very close to this knife in price, it's very satisfying to own a piece of American steel.

Thanks for reading my long-winded review.

[big monk]

Very informative review,and welcome to AAPK ________I'm sure,you'll enjoy your first GEC___Monk

[gino]

WOW she is a pretty knife, I think GEC will soon become your favorite brand of knife! It has mine. I just ordered another yesterday, I CANT GET ENOUGH !!! lol

Here is my latest GEC Muskrat in elk

[Pima Pants]

Thanks for the pics gentlemen. Monk, that's the one!

[Earl]

Welcome to AAPK Pima Most likely the first of many GEC's for you............

My only red

[biglmbass]

I've found that it's not at all uncommon for the blade tips to peek up a smidge higher than they should on various pattern GECs. It's an easy fix and an issue I wish GEC would pay more attention to, but it's still minor in the grand scheme of things and therefore it hasn't dampened my enthusiasm for GEC one bit.

Congrats on your new knife.

[Pima Pants]

I've found that it's not at all uncommon for the blade tips to peek up a smidge higher than they should on various pattern GECs. It's an easy fix and an issue I wish GEC would pay more attention to, but it's still minor in the grand scheme of things and therefore it hasn't dampened my enthusiasm for GEC one bit.

Congrats on your new knife.

Thanks for the input. If the point becomes a problem then I will either fix it myself or send it back to GEC.

I REALLY like this new knife!

[IMBand]

Congrats on an extra fine USA made knife. I have that very model and like it quite a bit, I EDC a #72 with a
spear blade and love the size of it and the lock. Mine is carried in a belt sheath that TSA Knives offers. The spear
and wharnie both have alot of blade above the liners, so it seems better on my belt than in my pocket. Good luck
with yours and post pics soon.

IM

[Ramrod]

Pima,
I have thought the same thing with some recent GEC's. They look like they should be just a smidge lower. But after carrying and using them with no problems, and trying to catch a finger nail on them ( and not being able to ) I've come to the conclusion, an inch is as good as a mile. In other words, they are just barely low enough. I have heard others have problems with the warnies though.
If it is to high or bothers you, just file a bit off the kick.

By the way, nice one. I'm really impressed with GEC's stainless steel.
Mark

[knifeswapper]

For some reason they are leaving many of the wharncliffe blade tips above the liners. If I catch them I lower them myself below the liner; it wouldn't surprise me if yours wasn't lowered by your friendly dealer before shipment

I think they want to leave as much blade exposed as possible for pinch opening; but can't figure that one out myself..

[Pima Pants]

Thanks again for all the comments gents. I've already got my eye on an 89 pattern in either deep purple or ruby red bone. Or, I may branch out and get something in a completely different scale material. I'm not sure what pattern it is, but I sure like some of those slanted bolster knives.

These things are like crack...

[Pima Pants]

This is the knife I purchased. I added a thumbstud and a lanyard my wife made for me:

[gino]

Nice laynard, it go's well with that beauty. Gec is the best American made knife out there today in my opinion! I cant wait to get more!

[Pima Pants]

Thanks. It's kind of hard to tell, but the beads match the ruby red color of the scales.