How do you like the softer pulls on recent GEC knives?

[Railsplitter]

I'm trying to post a poll but I've never done it before so I hope this works.

I'm just curious what the general opinion is on the softer pulls on most of GEC's recent production knives.

Personally, I've always been a real stickler for good snap and if that meant that the pulls were up around 8 or 9 on the pull scale then so be it. Much to my surprise, the Calf Ropers and the Churchills from last year have changed my perspective. I like that the blades are easier to open and although the closing snap has suffered some, I think it is still acceptable.

What do you folks think?

 

[JTB_5]

I have very little experience so I’m not a good source, but I’ve been surprised at how much I like the lighter pull on my 43 cocobolo and 35 Churchill. Perhaps coming from modern to traditional the lighter action is more familiar to me? I like a strong pull too, so I guess I’m in the “doesn’t matter” camp.

 

[black mamba]

For the most part, I think they went overboard. Pulls which used to be 7-8 are now 4-5.
6-7 is my sweet spot, for others it's 5-6, but either way, the current pulls are mostly too soft.

 

[Burnt Stag]

I like a solid snap and a half stop. Just feels like the knife has many more years left in it if it shuts with authority. Don't get me wrong , a medium pull is just fine , but I find a soft spring a turn off for me. Nothing worse than having to finish pushing a blade shut. If I cant have the middle of the road I will take a tougher pull all day long. Let em snap like a Gator.

 

[JTB_5]

I like a solid snap and a half stop. Just feels like the knife has many more years left in it if it shuts with authority. Don't get me wrong , a medium pull is just fine , but I find a soft spring a turn off for me. Nothing worse than having to finish pushing a blade shut. If I cant have the middle of the road I will take a tougher pull all day long. Let em snap like a Gator.

I think a lazy walk and talk isn’t the same as a soft pull. My 43 is softer than my 47, but it still has snappy action—Just not as much. My 35 is a cam tang and is smooth, but still has snap at open and close. I’d consider both my 43 and 3 sifter pulls but not lazy so that I have to help the spring with extra effort.

 

[The Fort]

Great idea for a poll, Rick! I'm on board with black mamba and Burnt Stag! The Pull and snap on the calf roper was unacceptable to me. I sold both of my, otherwise great knives, for that exact reason. -Lance

 

[Burnt Stag]

I think a lazy walk and talk isn’t the same as a soft pull. My 43 is softer than my 47, but it still has snappy action—Just not as much. My 35 is a cam tang and is smooth, but still has snap at open and close. I’d consider both my 43 and 3 sifter pulls but not lazy so that I have to help the spring with extra effort.

I hear what your saying and that is likely more true than not. Even so , I have always associated good snap with a strong pull. The only strong pull knives I have had that were lazy on the close were dirty and or rusty. I have a Abalone 38 that is a beautiful knife but everything about the action is just too soft for me. It functions fine I suppose , just not to my liking.

 

[JTB_5]

I hear what your saying and that is likely more true than not. I have always associated good snap with a strong pull. The only strong pull knives I have had that were lazy on the close were dirty and or rusty.

It does seem like a strong spring is less likely to be lazy than a lighter one, unless I’m missing some physics (not my forte) so a lighter spring will fall prey to lazy action more than a stiff one. Still, I think the action on the examples I’ve had, while not up to the desire of strong pull advocates, doesn’t suffer from flawed action so much as just being less forceful, but smoother too.

 

[BenjaminRush]

I don’t really mind the soft pulls because I haven’t gotten a GEC this year with lazy action, but I prefer a bit more snap. For example, my Bullnose, 78s, and Stallion are all around the sweet spot for me.

 

[Burnt Stag]

It does seem like a strong spring is less likely to be lazy than a lighter one, unless I’m missing some physics (not my forte) so a lighter spring will fall prey to lazy action more than a stiff one. Still, I think the action on the examples I’ve had, while not up to the desire of strong pull advocates, doesn’t suffer from flawed action so much as just being less forceful, but smoother too.

JTB_5,
Again I think you are correct that the softer pulls like my 38 seem to function just fine. But it always seems to be in my mind that it is a "functions fine for now" feeling for me. Like a problem waiting to happen. I honestly don't use one particular knife so much that I would wear it out anyway , so my fears are likely not warranted. But if I were to focus on just a handful of knives I would want them to be strong and snappy for my tastes and peace of mind.
The Fort is right Rick , this is a great poll and very interesting subject

Burnt Stag

 

[traumkommode]

The pulls recently are softer than I like. The last pulls I appreciated were the stainless runs in 2016 (ranged from 5 to 7, mostly 6). And the 77 Barlows from 2016 (pretty consistent 6.5s all around). The bullnose pulls are decent, but it seems to me like another thing that is happening is overtightening bolsters, so actions are lazy.

I'm in the 6-7 camp. I have a 15 that isn't pinchable because it's a 7, but it isn't hard to nick open. It's perfect. I do a tap test on the spines to see how easy it is for them to close, just with my hand, and anything 6 or higher seems low risk of closing during use. Some 5s are iffy, but most are fine enough. The 8-9 pull knives disappoint me because they hurt my hand to open, and I've cut myself trying to open a really stiff knife.

I don't understand the springs on the 43s at all. They are so light and that should be a hard-working knife.

 

[JTB_5]

Y’all are making me nervous! I hadn’t associated the lightness with a flaw (present or potential) until now. My 35 has been used (not hard) and seems only to be getting better. The 43 I haven’t had long but is better now than when I got it.

Must a lighter spring entail poor function at some point?

 

[traumkommode]

Y’all are making me nervous! I hadn’t associated the lightness with a flaw (present or potential) until now. My 35 has been used (not hard) and seems only to be getting better. The 43 I haven’t had long but is better now than when I got it.

Must a lighter spring entail poor function at some point?

No, it's just a matter of preference. I had a 35 that I really liked and would call that one a light 5. But the things I like, I like to be as intense as they possibly can before they cause discomfort. For me, that equates to a knife with a pull weight of 6-7 from open.

 

[JTB_5]

No, it's just a matter of preference. I had a 35 that I really liked and would call that one a light 5. But the things I like, I like to be as intense as they possibly can before they cause discomfort. For me, that equates to a knife with a pull weight of 6-7 from open.

I guess I’m still working out my preferences. I love the sound of a solid snap and the authority of the force, but there is something nice about silky smooth action too. Maybe 6-7 perfects the balance I’m talking about and I just need some experience to dial that sense in (not that there is an absolute right or wrong, but a sound grasp of the differences).

 

[bflying]

No snap is one thing, but my very first GEC was so tight, that it literally took plyers to open. Almost turned me off of the brand. Should have just sent it in, but decided to take it on myself with all the suggested tricks. It's now an easy 9.5 out of 10, so now a breeze.

 

[Babalu32]

The northfield 78's of recent were near perfect for me. So is my 74. If I had to choose a number for ideal pull in my eyes, I'd say 7.
I'd sooner complain about a 4 than a 9.

 

[Jak3]

I think they should stick to heavier pulls. I think heavier pulls set them apart from inferior manufacturers.

 

[mfm22]

I'm new to GEC but from the little I've seen / felt my #78 feels just about right
Both the single & double have enough W&T for me ..nice snappy without a struggle

Now I've have been on a 66 binge - like the overall aspect of it That said the pulls are lighter on the secondary's for sure . That is not necessarily a bad thing - it's a med-small knife softer pulls seems to work for me.
On larger knives like 81 I believe the pulls are stronger and a larger knife is easier to hold with a stiffer spring than smaller But I have a lot to learn

 

[Babalu32]

I'm new to GEC but from the little I've seen / felt my #78 feels just about right
Both the single & double have enough W&T for me ..nice snappy without a struggle

Now I've have been on a 66 binge - like the overall aspect of it That said the pulls are lighter on the secondary's for sure . That is not necessarily a bad thing - it's a med-small knife softer pulls seems to work for me.
On larger knives like 81 I believe the pulls are stronger and a larger knife is easier to hold with a stiffer spring than smaller But I have a lot to learn

Is your 78 a tidioute or northfield? I ask because the tidioute 78 single I have has a lighter pull than the northfield single. And if memory serves, others have echoed this.

 

[waynorth]

I loved my early 2007 - 2009 GECs. Bill modeled the knives and their strong pulls on the old Remingtons - such beautiful knives!!
Now, I am not always happy with the pulls; much prefer 7-9!!.
But, I recognize that strong pulls are not for everyone!!