GEC new #43 pattern, who’s excited?

Got my Oregon Trapper yesterday, I love it ! Gorgeous knife, very nice walk and talk, spring is perfect for me...

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There's fire in that wood!
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Karl Meyer said:
So I did this, and it smooths the action out a little bit, but it still feels gritty and I can see the rough unfinished metal on the back side of the tang and I’m pretty sure it’s the source of the rough action.

As I said before, I’m a new knife collector so maybe my expectations aren’t calibrated yet — but I feel a little let down by my first GEC experience. $80 isn’t pocket change to me and I was hoping for something more refined than my old sod buster that I carry every day haha.
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It's not the unfinished metal on the end of the tang, the tang corners may be sharp or rough.
I think the last thing I would do is fill a carbon steel knife with salt. Salt is corrosive and could cause more trouble than benefits.
Flush the joint with wd-40 once, then give it a heavy oiling with 3 in 1 oil. Use enough oil to get into the pivot and spring and work it a bit more.
Over time it will smooth out as the corners wear in.
You could also put a very small radius on the tang corners to speed up the break in. A fine jewelers file or Gesswein stone works good. Tape off the liners and go slow.
The tang corner on the right is rounded and it smoothed out the queen barlow nicely.
Edited to add that more than likely the knife will smooth out with use. My 43 was a little sluggish closing at first but after a week or two of use it is much better now.
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ccsavage said:
Thank you! yea i'm stoked. And feel lucky to get one my friend!! They took the picture down or I would post it. It's actually the fattest knife I've ever seen.. Might be needing a belt sheath
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replying to myself again... In fact it might be to fat for my liking. I have a lot of knives, that said if its to fat for my liking I will buy a gold membership and pass it on to someone on here. I just might like it, but if i'm not gonna pack someone else can appriciate it.
 
kpatr4 said:
GECs, like any manufacturer, have some variation from knife to knife in a given series. What you must also include when thinking of GEC is that the knives are hand finished. With that, there is quite a bit of variation from one knife to the next. I wouldn't say to expect issues, but they do occur. With regard to your knife, some require a little break in period. Why not try drowning it in oil over the sink, open and close a few dozen times, dry off with a cloth. The open and close will smooth things over, the oil will wash the filings out.
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So this is more or less what I ended up doing, and after a days worth of fussing with it the action has smoothed out substantially. It feels really crisp and snappy now. So I think you’re right, it just needed to break in a bit!

Regarding the fraying canvas micarta, I hit it with some superfine steel wool and now it’s perfect. I also rubbed a little beeswax impregnated with flax oil (I make it for my kitchen utensils) over the whole knife and now it feels just incredible in hand.

Thanks everyone on this thread for your input, I’m really glad I didn’t give up on this knife — here’s what I love about it:

The factory edge is nutty sharp

The pull is perfect to me, I have strong hands from rock climbing and I’m just able to pinch the blade open without using the nick — so probably a 6?

The fit and finish around the whole knife is excellent, everything is perfectly flush and the blade centering is perfect.

It looks so cool. The clip on these #43s is even sexier than the Buck 110.

So yeah, thanks again everyone!
 
Even though My Rust red Jig bone has become a daily carry for me and adore immensely . My safe queen Brazilian Cherry Beavertail is my favorite . Exuse the factory oil as it’s been the first time out of the tube since I got her . Beautiful fit and finish and walk and talk on this one .
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And my daily carry much deserving of some recognition for putting up with me everyday . I’m even letting some natural patina develope “ not Forced patina” it’s really hard not to pull the flitz out and get her shiny again .
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Picked my Stag #43 up and it is just incredible. Reaffirming my appreciation for GEC's ability to make what could easily pass (to me at least, I haven't had many customs) as a handmade knife.

Mine has absolutely no issues I can see, certainly none others have reported on this pattern. The pull is lighter, I'd say a 4.5, but very smooth and with GREAT snap both opening and closing right out of the tube without rinsing or anything. The blade is centered and, more importantly and unlike many GECs, sits WELL within the frame. No filing the kick on this one!!! I'm really happy with my stag.

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I'll post a 1 Minute Overview and a Knife Talk video on it on my YouTube channel today.


Old Engineer said:
Congrats Logan on getting a very nice Stag my friend !!! I am assuming that I will be able to see it in person in August ??? Please post some more photos after you get it in hand ???

Harry
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Definitely! I just picked mine up at the post office and WOW!!! Blown away

Old Engineer said:
I am excited now because this one is in my local Post Office now !!!!!


Harry
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Man those covers look great. Can't wait to see your pictures.
 
Here's my 1 Minute Overview of the Great Eastern Cutlery Northfield #43 Oregon Trapper in Sambar Stag:


Long form Knife Talk video coming later today.

L.H.S said:
Picked my Stag #43 up and it is just incredible. Reaffirming my appreciation for GEC's ability to make what could easily pass (to me at least, I haven't had many customs) as a handmade knife.

Mine has absolutely no issues I can see, certainly none others have reported on this pattern. The pull is lighter, I'd say a 4.5, but very smooth and with GREAT snap both opening and closing right out of the tube without rinsing or anything. The blade is centered and, more importantly and unlike many GECs, sits WELL within the frame. No filing the kick on this one!!! I'm really happy with my stag.

AUsjczn.jpg

3onr6sL.jpg

3sUjZD1.jpg

7sANY0m.jpg

DVohwaw.jpg


I'll post a 1 Minute Overview and a Knife Talk video on it on my YouTube channel today.




Definitely! I just picked mine up at the post office and WOW!!! Blown away



Man those covers look great. Can't wait to see your pictures.
Click to expand...
 
L.H.S said:
Picked my Stag #43 up and it is just incredible. Reaffirming my appreciation for GEC's ability to make what could easily pass (to me at least, I haven't had many customs) as a handmade knife.

Mine has absolutely no issues I can see, certainly none others have reported on this pattern. The pull is lighter, I'd say a 4.5, but very smooth and with GREAT snap both opening and closing right out of the tube without rinsing or anything. The blade is centered and, more importantly and unlike many GECs, sits WELL within the frame. No filing the kick on this one!!! I'm really happy with my stag.

AUsjczn.jpg

3onr6sL.jpg

3sUjZD1.jpg

7sANY0m.jpg

DVohwaw.jpg


I'll post a 1 Minute Overview and a Knife Talk video on it on my YouTube channel today.




Definitely! I just picked mine up at the post office and WOW!!! Blown away



Man those covers look great. Can't wait to see your pictures.
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Thanks for posting the very fine looking Stag #43 Logan . Mine is out for delivery . I hope that mine is as nice as yours my friend . I should get pictures posted today .

Harry
 
ccsavage said:
replying to myself again... In fact it might be to fat for my liking. I have a lot of knives, that said if its to fat for my liking I will buy a gold membership and pass it on to someone on here. I just might like it, but if i'm not gonna pack someone else can appriciate it.
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I would be very interested .
☺☺
 
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