HELP HELP HELP GEC Sunfish

[Ashley]

Ok well I got a GEC sunfish in snakewood and well its huge but thats not the problem. I can't open it without pliers. I've tried the WD-40, opening, and closing, leaving 3/4 open and dawn dish liquid hot soapy water wash and its still the same. What can I do to fix it? I'm testing and reviewing it for GEC but I can't really review a knife I can't open.  I contacted my contact at GEC and he said it was normal because of all the steel.  Well I don't think thats normal, do you? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks Ash

[David]

I havent handled a GEC Sunfish but I do not think having to open one with pliers is normal. Reckon that`s a bit to stiff. You`ve all ready tried most any thing I might have recommmended to try so dont have any other suggestion on what to do.

[Grant Lamontagne]

I can't say as I know anything about the knife in question, but I've written a few reviews in my life, so I'd be certain to mention the problems you are having in your review.  My basic rule is that if there's a problem with something, let the manufacturer know ASAP- if the result is something like yours, then there's a good chance other people will have that problem too.  For the sake of your integrity, make sure you mention it in your review.  You don't have to focus on it, but be sure that folks know about it.

Def

[Sazabi]

Also, for stouter backsprings, you may wish to invest in a steel thumbnail to save your own.

[2xTap]

Ashley,

This has become somewhat of a GEC standard. They build their knives TIGHT, and most come with stout backsprings. I have a few GEC's that many would call a "nailbreaker"......one is actually, for me, a true nailbreaker. And I am one that prefers real stout backsprings.

That being said, some of GEC's patterns are harder to open than others. I have no experience with their Sunfish pattern so I can't say how hefty the springs on them come but I know from other patterns they make that they can be tough. Add in their hefty springs alongside nothing but steel on steel, with their super tight fit, and I can only imagine how tough that Sunfish can be to open before it's somewhat broke in.

For those whose fingers or nails can't handle the stoutness of their knives fit and springs GEC does make a tool to help, knife picks..........



They are cheap and can be had at a couple places in either bare stainless or scaled in bone and Stag. They greatly help in getting blades open on stout knives without marring them up.

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[Ashley]

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I got ahold of my contact and told him if he wanted me to review the sunfish on video I needed a nail pick. He is to send it out tomorrow. I had one and lost it. LOL 

[2xTap]

Ashley,

Well it's good they are sending you out a pick. Without stout fingers or nails, it is must for some of GEC's larger patterns.

When you said you could only get it open using pliers.....I cringed!

I'll tell ya, I got a GEC Tidioute SARPNT that has the strongest backspring of any knife I've owned, handled, or ever looked at. The first time I tried to get it open I about flipped the thing out of my hand. Second go around snapped the tip of my thumbnail. I have to use the side of my thumbnail, near where it reaches the skin, to get this beast open. It's a Beartrap!

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