My first Great Eastern experience... But is it the last???

needbucks · Post by **needbucks** » Thu May 24, 2007 10:26 pm

Just got the new primitive bone Northfield 73 pattern today. I have been truly waiting breathlessly for it. I have loved all the pictures that I have seen so far.

The box got here today and I couldn't wait to open it. I knew I was going to send it back after 3 seconds.

The front scale had a hairline through the bottom pin. Now before anybody says anything, I know that this is old bone, but cracks in old buried bones take on color. This is a new, clean, white crack that goes through the center pin. See pic.

There is a natural fissure running though the center of the front scale but this is NOT what I am talking about.

The reverse scale has a small hairline above the left pin. It does not incorporate the pin and is hard to photograph. The picture below is the best I could do.

Finally, the center pin just sticks out a bit far for my personal taste. I know it might be nit-picky, but it is a real pet-peeve of mine.

Well, all in all, I think it is a beautiful knife though the execution was flawed. The things that I am pointing out may not sound like much to you but I have sent less expensive knives with fewer problems back to other manufacturers before. I expect a bit more for the near $100 mark. I haven't decided on trying for a replacement or returning it for my money back. So my question to all of you is, with your personal experiences with Great Eastern, would you replace it or get your money back?

This was my first GEC knife and I really wanted it to be special. Would I buy another GEC? Maybe, but it might be a while. It would be great if they had a local dealer so I could look them over before I buy.

jonet143 · Post by **jonet143** » Thu May 24, 2007 10:33 pm

write a polite letter with your concerns and return for adjustment. they have had great customer service from my and others experience.

needbucks · Post by **needbucks** » Thu May 24, 2007 10:39 pm

Thanks jonet

GEC doesn't seem to have a web presence yet. I have asked the dealer that I got it from about returning it. Once I get contacted back I will have to decide whether to replace or return.

I do see that GEC has great potential. I hope they can make it through the growing pains.

dewman · Post by **dewman** » Fri May 25, 2007 1:40 am

Jeez guys....is it just my imagination or is it running about 50/50 as to whether you get a knife from GEC that's acceptable or not?

If it's NOT my imagination, then IT'S NOT ACCEPTABLE! The photos I just looked at really are a sorry example of product from a company that's right out of the gate and trying to make a name for themselves. I might not be very savy when it comes to knives overall, but my eyesight and quality perception haven't gone THAT FAR SOUTH YET!

The fact that they are willing to fix a defective knife is not the problem. The fact that so many of them make it out the factory door IS! If I spend a hundred bucks on a knife, I EXPECT it to be of good quality and not a 50/50 gamble. I can flip a coin and have the exact same odds for criminy sakes!

jonet143 · Post by **jonet143** » Fri May 25, 2007 1:45 am

dewman, it's just your imagination. ifr you don't own one to complain about don't complain. go back and read the posts about gec.

Hukk · Post by **Hukk** » Fri May 25, 2007 2:18 am

I own approximately 40 GEC 2006 and 2007 knives. Only 2 needed to be sent back to the factory and they were back in a month including mail time. The quality just grows by leaps and bounds.

Keep in mind, that when a new knife/company comes out, you are more likely to hear stories of went wrong than what what is right, because we expect it to be right. Whether right or wrong the new company is always put under the magnifying glass.

I'm going to post 4 pictures of a 4 1/2 inch Northfield Burnt Stag I just got today from an eBay auction. Because of the IMPRESSIVE stag, $133.00 is actually a really fair price. I actually got it for a trader or ? But I think it is here to stay, the best of my 3 of this model, I'll post some pictures and let them do the talking for me.

Another knife may take the trader role, hard to say, they are really good.

Hukk · Post by **Hukk** » Fri May 25, 2007 2:44 am

jonet143 wrote:write a polite letter with your concerns and return for adjustment. they have had great customer service from my and others experience.

Bear in mind that this is not typically processed bone, this is bone that apparently was dug up from the ground and then procesed. As such, this material could have cracked in transit, but anway, I would call them to replace the bone scales, the number is on the tube.

I would ask for the scales to be replaced, when I called I reached Bill Howard, part owner and president. Very pleasent to work with and I'm sure they will fix those.

I know how you feel, my first 2 were so bad, I did not know there were half stops, my heart sank and I'm sure Bill's did to when I sent them. By some quirk of fate he had them sent to his desk

Everything since has been average to near custom, my highest rating for a prodution knife.

knowtracks · Post by **knowtracks** » Fri May 25, 2007 4:38 am

Each person has to make up their own mind about any manufacturer. In my opinion GE is still a crap shoot. I did not have a good experience with them & will spend my money elsewhere.

Dave

jonet143 · Post by **jonet143** » Fri May 25, 2007 4:45 am

hey dave, what was your experience with them? first hand facts are what's needed. or did you already post before.

knowtracks · Post by **knowtracks** » Fri May 25, 2007 5:22 am

jonet143 wrote:hey dave, what was your experience with them? first hand facts are what's needed. or did you already post before.

I had some problems with their 1st knives released (all fit & finish) I had pre-paid months in advance. When I finally received them (most online dealers were already sold out) I asked about fixing or exchanging these knives. I was told by their sales manager that "there was nothing wrong with the knives & if I wanted to send them back that was fine because they had people on a waiting list who would pay more for the knives than what I had."
I figured if this is an example of their product & more importantly their customer service, I'd seen enough.
I'm use to dealing with people like Bryan & Clarence who make sure their customer is satisfied. Hell I've sent a perfect F&F example knife back because of different colored scales. But of course these are on knives for my collection.

My .02 worth,
Dave

singin46 · Post by **singin46** » Fri May 25, 2007 5:23 am

My experience has been very good indeed. Call it luck or whatever but I'm a believer and yes, I am picky. Also I know Jonet and Hukk had early problems but those problems were addressed.
I can also name you at least 3 others in our forum that have been very pleased with GEC. I would not hesitate in sending a knife back for replacement if I love the knife but it had a flaw in constuction or design.
Hey these things aren't cheap, so ask if they will replace it.

Singin46

jonet143 · Post by **jonet143** » Fri May 25, 2007 6:04 am

that's too bad, dave. i talked to the owner and he was very polite and said to send it back with attention to him. they fixed my problem and that was that. hopefully, their qc is better and those problems are in the past. no matter how good, a stinker is gonna get out occasionally. i have had my share of stinkers from case and other big brands. buying anything over the net or by mail is a crapshoot.

needbucks · Post by **needbucks** » Fri May 25, 2007 10:53 am

Thanks to all.

I think I am going to return the knife for a refund. I will probably give NEC another try sometime soon when they come up with another one that I fancy.

As I have said, I have sent knives back that have had fewer problems. And some of those were from companies that have been in business over a century.

They are really beautiful knives and I hope that they can make a go of it. It's good for the collector and for the country.

Hukk · Post by **Hukk** » Fri May 25, 2007 3:25 pm

knowtracks wrote:
jonet143 wrote:hey dave, what was your experience with them? first hand facts are what's needed. or did you already post before.
I had some problems with their 1st knives released (all fit & finish) I had pre-paid months in advance. When I finally received them (most online dealers were already sold out) I asked about fixing or exchanging these knives. I was told by their sales manager that "there was nothing wrong with the knives & if I wanted to send them back that was fine because they had people on a waiting list who would pay more for the knives than what I had."
I figured if this is an example of their product & more importantly their customer service, I'd seen enough.
I'm use to dealing with people like Bryan & Clarence who make sure their customer is satisfied. Hell I've sent a perfect F&F example knife back because of different colored scales. But of course these are on knives for my collection.

My .02 worth,
Dave

I heard about your experience Dave and pased that bit of informaton along. I've been told that the customer service issue has been addressed. That kind of feedback is real important for a new company. I hope you do not take offense to me making a comment about what was said to you, it was wrong for that to be said, regardless of the circumstance. A start up's primary assets are it's people as well as product. Customer Service needs to be at an all time high for a start up company.

Bear Claw Chris Lappe · Fri May 25, 2007 7:13 pm

I'm still waiting on mine to come back, it arrived at GEC on May 4th, so I'm going to give them a few more weeks and if it's not back I'll make a followup call.

Hukk · Post by **Hukk** » Fri May 25, 2007 11:39 pm

Mine was just about a month to the day. I hope yours are repaired quickly as they are darn nice knives and I don't think I'm impressed very easily.

Here is a link to my first 2 GEC knives and I sent them to Bill Howard per his request.

http://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kni ... php?t=3507

I think his heart must of sunk when he got these 2 on his desk, I know mine did, when I first saw them. I have a habit of holding and feeling them under the table or something before I look at them. I had a very good impression, then I looked

Without a doubt, they replaced at least 2 bades, but more likely they replaced 3 of the 4. They were the worst 2 knives I have ever received. BUT, they did a magnifient repair job and I'm very pleased with all that I have.

Click on the pictures of the link to get an idea of how bad they were. With that said I now have around 40 knives that range from average to near custom in my grading. Near Custom is the highest grade I give a production knife.

Well, enough of that old bad stuff, when they get a knife right, I have some GEC knives that I rate higher than my nearly 40 Canal Street Cutlery knives. As a former QC guy it does drive me nuts that I can rate the same model knife from average to near custom. I should be able to pick up knife #1 and knife #221 and not see a difference, or at least the difference should be barely noticeable. They do seem to be getting to that point, IMO.

All About Pocket Knives

My first Great Eastern experience... But is it the last???

My first Great Eastern experience... But is it the last???

Hmmmm......