A carving, a broken knife and a question...

[Doc B]

I was on my 4th "carving" with my GEC Red / Black micarta pocket whittler....

I basically only use one small blade, on the knife. In the midst of carving... I opened the other small blade, that I don't normally use. Sadly, It scrunched up and smashed the middle "liner". I guess it's something between a liner and a "catch bit". The knife has never been dropped. It seems that the piece is very thin and probably bent (or came out of it's seat?) with carving forces. Once out of position (or bent), the opening of the second blade really scrunched it up and you can see it won't open fully now. Additionally the large blade had excessive side-to-side wobble, from the very beginning...but, I never used that blade much. I would have considered working on it myself. I know that would have voided the warranty...but I wasn't sure how the "pins" worked. So, into the mail, it went yesterday, for warranty service. I envision it will be a while before I see it again.

So, here's the question. Are these pins, through the blades, a solid rod and get peened, like other traditional knives?
Edit: After Googling everything I could think of...is this a cutler's rivet?

[Dinadan]

That is a real bummer, especially for knife that was not cheap! I do not know about the pins. Nice carving: it kind of reminds me of some Norse stuff.

[doglegg]

Wow Doc! That's not suppose to happen. I love your carving and bummer is the right word on the knife.

[kootenay joe]

Is it possible that this small secondary is not supposed to open all the way ? Would being cocked at an angle in any way be useful in certain carving maneuvers ?
Doc, absolutely beautiful carving, full of personality. You are an artist to be able to visualize this character in your mind's eye and then bring him into physical reality. I am very impressed and 'moved' by this little guy.
kj

[Doc B]

Is it possible that this small secondary is not supposed to open all the way ? Would being cocked at an angle in any way be useful in certain carving maneuvers ?
Doc, absolutely beautiful carving, full of personality. You are an artist to be able to visualize this character in your mind's eye and then bring him into physical reality. I am very impressed and 'moved' by this little guy.
kj

Thanks KJ. No, it opened fine...and if you click and enlarge the end-on view of the knife...you'll see how the middle "liner" is now curled up, in the space that the blade would go. You can see it is now curled out over the head of the spring...whick prevents the blade from snapping or opening in to it's full position. It previously functioned exactly like the other blade.
GEC did get these small blades "right", in my opinion. It's short, which allows maximum force to be applied to the blade. The blade is very thin and that decreases the force required to cut through the wood. I do; however, believe that the middle "catch bit" thing is too thin and a design flaw, for this knife. You can see the middle brass thing is probably 1/3 - 1/4 the thickness of the brass liners...that's pretty darn thin.
I'll get it back (hopefully under warranty)...but, I have to wonder when it will bend again. If I could get the answer to my question...then, the next time it happens, I'd probably grind it down to a "washer", instead of how it is currently designed. If anyone has a "Pocket Carver"...take a look at that piece and feel free to "chime in". I tend to feel it was designed for looks.

In regards to the carving...Wish I was creative enough, to come up with my own designs. At this stage of learning, I'm looking at a lot of pictures and trying to recreate other's works. Thanks for the kind words.

[herbva]

Doc, that's a new one on me. The fact that one of the blades had the wobbles right from the start suggests to me that the knife was incorrectly or badly assembled at the factory. I have never seen a center liner fold up like that, nor do I recall seeing one quite that paper thin. I would expect better quality from GEC. Sorry for your troubles. I like your carving too!

[glennbad]

I agree with Herb. I have seen bent liners, but never one that folded up like that. Quite odd...

[Doc B]

GEC received my knife, today and sent me an email that they will send me a new one...but, I had to pay the $5 shipping.

[cudgee]

GEC received my knife, today and sent me an email that they will send me a new one...but, I had to pay the $5 shipping.

I'd cop the $5 shipping any time. I have to pay $30 -$40 to return something. That is why i have a few knives that i am not happy with, but i won't spend good money after bad. I understand where you are coming from, but $5 is cheap in the scheme of things. Enjoy your new knife when you get it, and have a good week.

[Doc B]

GEC received my knife, today and sent me an email that they will send me a new one...but, I had to pay the $5 shipping.

I'd cop the $5 shipping any time. I have to pay $30 -$40 to return something. That is why i have a few knives that i am not happy with, but i won't spend good money after bad. I understand where you are coming from, but $5 is cheap in the scheme of things. Enjoy your new knife when you get it, and have a good week.

Definitely not complaining about it. Just wanted to let folks know what to expect, in dealing with GEC warranty issues. There's scant instructions on their web site...but; they have been responsive!

[cudgee]

GEC received my knife, today and sent me an email that they will send me a new one...but, I had to pay the $5 shipping.

I'd cop the $5 shipping any time. I have to pay $30 -$40 to return something. That is why i have a few knives that i am not happy with, but i won't spend good money after bad. I understand where you are coming from, but $5 is cheap in the scheme of things. Enjoy your new knife when you get it, and have a good week.

Definitely not complaining about it. Just wanted to let folks know what to expect, in dealing with GEC warranty issues. There's scant instructions on their web site...but; they have been responsive!

I know exactly where you are coming from. If you are sent a faulty item, the seller should cover your out of pocket costs, but in the world we trade in now, they don't, but they should, you purchased from them in good faith. There was a time when they would have covered all your out of pocket expenses, sadly that time has passed. I was not having a go at you, just trying to point out this is the way we have to do business now. If i can give you an example, we have a very limited of traditional knife selection over here, nearly all of my purchases are from overseas. I am currently looking at buying a Case knife from America, the cost of the knife is $100 US, with the conversion rate including postage the cost to me is over $190 Australian. I have to take all the risks that it arrives, with the current pressure that all postal services are under all over the world with covid-19, i have to decide whether i want to take that risk. So when i see $100 on the website, looks reasonable, but works out very expensive, the latest GEC 33's in stag retailed for $120 US, if i could have fluked getting one, it would have cost me over $200 Australian, with me taking all the risks. So i apologize if i appeared to be having a go at you, that was never my intent.

[Doc B]

Cudgee, I didn't feel you were having a "go at me" I gladly will cover shipping for the new knife! Just like to give folks an idea about what to expect. I've never had to use Buck knife warranties or services...but; I can certainly say I'm impressed with their service, to those here, that have reported their dealings with them. That's part of what makes this site so valuable, to me! My dealings with GEC have been very timely and favorable.
I feel your pain, from down under!!! Today's world market, is a "double-edge sword". On one hand, it costs more to get it there...but, on the other hand, with the internet, you can find just about anything you could want. I spent seven consecutive years, overseas, before the internet...while I was in the Air Force. 1992-94 Guam, 94-97 Germany and 97-99 Turkey. Any time we went home, we tried to get current catalogues, from stores, to aid in shopping. Not only the added expense...but, the transit times were sometimes nearly unbearable!

[cudgee]

Cudgee, I didn't feel you were having a "go at me" I gladly will cover shipping for the new knife! Just like to give folks an idea about what to expect. I've never had to use Buck knife warranties or services...but; I can certainly say I'm impressed with their service, to those here, that have reported their dealings with them. That's part of what makes this site so valuable, to me! My dealings with GEC have been very timely and favorable.
I feel your pain, from down under!!! Today's world market, is a "double-edge sword". On one hand, it costs more to get it there...but, on the other hand, with the internet, you can find just about anything you could want. I spent seven consecutive years, overseas, before the internet...while I was in the Air Force. 1992-94 Guam, 94-97 Germany and 97-99 Turkey. Any time we went home, we tried to get current catalogues, from stores, to aid in shopping. Not only the added expense...but, the transit times were sometimes nearly unbearable!

You are right it is a double edged sword, i am sitting here with the worlds shops at my fingertips, but at a cost. I know i am old fashioned, but there is just something about being able to go into a bricks and mortar store and either looking and picking something up, or trying them on. But we cannot have it both ways. You have a good week and take care.

[Doc B]

...and to you Cudgee!!!