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A bit heartbroken with GEC NKD
Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2026 1:13 pm
by Tinpanva
Picked up a couple of rendezvous releases recently and they just arrived yesterday so I was grabbing a few photos for my collection catalog when I noticed a hairline crack in one of them. First time I’ve run across this and a bit of a loss for my next steps. This will NOT be a carry piece, she’ll spend her days being cared for in the collection. Based on the knife pedigree, should I just treat it with care and not worry about it? Should I reach out to GEC for their input?
A large portion of my core collection is prototypes, one offs, small releases in mint condition. This has me confuddled.
Re: A bit heartbroken with GEC NKD
Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2026 1:30 pm
by wlf
I don't think 2nd hand purchases are covered. The seller is responsible.
Re: A bit heartbroken with GEC NKD
Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2026 1:30 pm
by SEArkHog
Tinpanva wrote: ↑Tue Jul 07, 2026 1:13 pm
Picked up a couple of rendezvous releases recently and they just arrived yesterday so I was grabbing a few photos for my collection catalog when I noticed a hairline crack in one of them. First time I’ve run across this and a bit of a loss for my next steps. This will NOT be a carry piece, she’ll spend her days being cared for in the collection. Based on the knife pedigree, should I just treat it with care and not worry about it? Should I reach out to GEC for their input?
A large portion of my core collection is prototypes, one offs, small releases in mint condition. This has me confuddled.
That is a real bummer, very sorry about that brother. That is a really nice knife but I would contact GEC directly. I have read before that GEC/Bill Howard has been very help with situations such as this. It wouldn't hurt for sure.
**EDIT** - Very sorry I misunderstood after reading wlf's post. I was thinking that you bought them at the Rendezvous. Still may not hurt to contact GEC about it I suppose to see what they say.
Re: A bit heartbroken with GEC NKD
Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2026 1:32 pm
by bestgear
Tinpanva wrote: ↑Tue Jul 07, 2026 1:13 pmShould I reach out to GEC for their input?
YES!
Great Eastern Cutlery Limited Warranty - We warrant all Great Eastern Cutlery (GEC) knives to be free of defects in material and workmanship. GEC does not warrant its products against normal wear or misuse. GEC does not warrant natural handle materials after the use of the knife. GEC knives are not intended to be used as hammers, chisels, pry bars, screw drivers or used in any other manner for which the product was not designed for. Furthermore, any physical or cosmetic alterations to GEC products will void this warranty. GEC will repair any knife which it deems flawed and for which the factory is at fault. GEC reserves the right to replace parts with those that are on hand and not identical to the products original form. GEC may at its discretion offer a replacement product, either identical to or of similar value, to the costumer. This is a non-transferable warranty and only applies to the original owner of the knife. All warranty requests must be submitted via email or phone and approved in advance of mailing your knife back to the factory.
[email protected]
(814) 827-3411
Re: A bit heartbroken with GEC NKD
Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2026 1:44 pm
by Tinpanva
I just reached out to Erin at TSA for her input then I'll hit GEC up for theirs. It wasn't mentioned in the posting at TSA but returning for a refund is the least thing I'm looking for. The real shame is I'm getting so old my eyes failed me, took a photo to see it lol
Re: A bit heartbroken with GEC NKD
Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2026 5:19 pm
by peanut740
The knife is stamped with a "S" which means store/second.
Re: A bit heartbroken with GEC NKD
Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2026 5:26 pm
by Tinpanva
Yeah, I assume because it was sold during rendezvous and not sold as a production knife.
Re: A bit heartbroken with GEC NKD
Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2026 5:42 pm
by robpa
The S(store) knives are sold at a nice discount. 30-40 bucks. My bro collects them actaully. Check close to see if it has been stabilized. I would think an up and up seller would surely note that it is an S knife, if he bought it at the store, he sure would know, all S knives are in a seperate case. Many time the flaw is so minute it is very hard to find. I always have young Bill go over them. The last knife I bought is an S and he could not find any fault anywhere.
Re: A bit heartbroken with GEC NKD
Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2026 5:51 pm
by Railsplitter
In my humble opinion, if the crack in the handle is the reason for the S in the first place, GEC may not warrant the flaw unless they are just feeling generous.
Re: A bit heartbroken with GEC NKD
Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2026 6:00 pm
by Tinpanva
Fair points, I knew about the seconds but in my brain I didn't think of it that way. I connected the "S" to the "Store" and it being for rendezvous.
Re: A bit heartbroken with GEC NKD
Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2026 6:13 pm
by Railsplitter
Tinpanva wrote: ↑Tue Jul 07, 2026 6:00 pm
Fair points, I knew about the seconds but in my brain I didn't think of it that way. I connected the "S" to the "Store" and it being for rendezvous.
You were about half right. When GEC began using the S it was indeed for flawed knives that were only sold at the GEC store. They wanted to keep them in the store so that people could only see them in person and decide for themselves if the flaw was acceptable to them as a buyer.
Then they started to realize that they had more than they wanted for the store so they started letting dealers try to sell them as seconds.
Re: A bit heartbroken with GEC NKD
Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2026 6:53 pm
by Tinpanva
So its a flawed SFO rendezvous knife, ok, I can buy that (no pun). I'll just ease that girl back into her drawer and forget I noticed the flaw in the first place. Still a 1 of 17 knife IMO
Re: A bit heartbroken with GEC NKD
Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2026 6:57 pm
by Tinpanva
Of course now I have to figure out whats wrong with its little brother that I bought with this one. Its a "S" also
Re: A bit heartbroken with GEC NKD
Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2026 8:45 pm
by OLDE CUTLER
Tinpanva wrote: ↑Tue Jul 07, 2026 6:57 pm
Of course now I have to figure out whats wrong with its little brother that I bought with this one. Its a "S" also
Can you show it with the blade fully open? I have a second (not a GEC) that is a second because the spring and the spine don't align exactly.
Re: A bit heartbroken with GEC NKD
Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2026 8:58 pm
by Rookie
Correct, my understanding is that "S" stamped knives carry no warranty.
Re: A bit heartbroken with GEC NKD
Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2026 9:26 pm
by Tinpanva
OLDE CUTLER wrote: ↑Tue Jul 07, 2026 8:45 pm
Tinpanva wrote: ↑Tue Jul 07, 2026 6:57 pm
Of course now I have to figure out whats wrong with its little brother that I bought with this one. Its a "S" also
Can you show it with the blade fully open? I have a second (not a GEC) that is a second because the spring and the spine don't align exactly.
Re: A bit heartbroken with GEC NKD
Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2026 10:41 pm
by robpa
The bone is splintered at 2 . rivets on back slide.. im telling ya, the girl that inspects has eagle eyes.
Re: A bit heartbroken with GEC NKD
Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2026 11:15 pm
by Tinpanva
Cheese and Rice, that’s a tiny blemish. It’s not my concern, my kids will have to deal with it
Re: A bit heartbroken with GEC NKD
Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2026 1:44 pm
by wlf
I usually can't tell what makes a knife an S. I don't believe that crack as in the OP would not have come out of inspection like that.We have guys here that can stabilize it.
