#72/73 for everyday carry? New guy here...

I just took a new pic of mine-- red stag is very photogenic!

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Yes it is Jeff. I want to grab one of those if GEC ever makes any more.

- Christian
 
GEC also made a knife for the new Schrade owner called the Fire & Ice Trapper. This knife was manufactured by GEC in 2007 when GEC was just getting their feet wet in the knife building business. It was built for the new owner of the Schrade name (Taylor) and is built on GEC's #73 Pattern/Frame. They are still available from various dealers.

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I have and enjoy 2 of the Farmer (single spey blade) SFOs in ebony. I have also had the wharncliffe in ebony and a lockback clip in cocobolo. Definitely one of GEC's best successes and I think they know it! The single blade version is slim in the pocket but the ergonomics of the 'Remingtonesque' trapper frame allow it to fill the hand like few other patterns could.

I'd like to see a run of barehead drop-point liner locks in antique yellow or chestnut bone with a landyard hole...just in case anyone out there is listening...;)
 
Hi again Folks,
Yes, again, thanks for your photos comments and advice. As was mentioned there are few knives left. I've spend far-too much time looking around and decided I'm just going to wait until a new "batch" of knives are made. I just couldn't find anything that I wanted to buy.....well, that was in my price range.
Again, thanks so much.
I wish you all well.....
Regards,
George
 
i prefer an end-capped version to a free one for pocket carry: smoother and sinks to the bottom better. the 73 is just about perfect for pocket carry but it's still in the "big slip-joint" category.

but just my preference, i prefer the papa bear, the #23 pioneer, in either a survival situation or even as a permanent fixture on the work bench. it definitely loses out to the scout when it comes to pocket carry.
 
kamagong said:
I had one of the spear point #72s in stag. I let it go because I couldn't warm up to the pregnant blade. Wonderfully made knife though.

northfieldlockbackhunte.jpg



- Christian
Click to expand...

I did not care for the look of that style of spear point, preferring the normal spear point as on the Boys knives, but oddly enough that style spear on that style of frame I find very appealing. Nice looking knife. But then again, I suppose I've been slowly warming up to that leaf shaped spear in general I guess, even looking at a possible EZ 85 purchase.

As to the OP I can't speak to which one you should get as I've experience with neither of those knives, but I've been thinking about a 72 with a pen blade, black micarta. I'd prefer the size of the 73, but I don't think I've seen any with pens, and I don't want an outright nailbreaker either. I probably won't get either as I have too many knives planned and I'm trying to cut down my purchasing, but a 72 is tempting.
 
The Scharade branded GEC's are pretty darned swell in my book!

#23 two blade.



With the #73 two blade.



I liked them so much, I bought one for each of my two boys to have when they are older.



The Yellow Rose Single #23 pattern was the "hook". It was given to me by another member, and brought me back into the traditional fold after a long absence (25 years or so!)






george c said:
Hi again Folks,
Yes, again, thanks for your photos comments and advice. As was mentioned there are few knives left. I've spend far-too much time looking around and decided I'm just going to wait until a new "batch" of knives are made. I just couldn't find anything that I wanted to buy.....well, that was in my price range.
Again, thanks so much.
I wish you all well.....
Regards,
George
Click to expand...

Left you a visitor message, since I can't PM you.
 
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I have a two blade #23 Pioneer (Brazilian Cherry). I just got it a few weeks ago and received a pocket sheath from KSF in the last week (large, in case anyone wants to know) which is quite the bargain compared to many things "leather". I am shifting to carrying the #23 as an EDC along with a small SAK to cover a couple tools that I frequently use. It is a large pocket knife, but I like large pocket knives to use. The single blade version would certainly be a little more pocket friendly. The #23's and 73's are definitely reminscent of the Remington Bullet Knives made by Camillus.

Note: I had already posted this when I realized it was a #23 versus a #73.

Added: The #73 (with Cocobolo scales) was my second GEC knife that I purchased. I like it as I really like the Trapper pattern in general, but went for the big boy #23 to carry. Sorry, I get mixed up with all these numbers.
 
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You may be surprised how moderate and smooth the pull is on the run of 73's that included my GA knife. :)

quattromori said:
I will be honest: I tend to carry smaller knives, but this GEC frame always caught my eye, especially the drop/pen or spey/pen combination patterns.
Unfortunately, I know for a fact that the backspring tension on these knives is way too stiff to make me carry one.
Yet, I feel the charme of these knives, and I can easily understand someone who just carries this knife and forgets about anything else in his/her knife drawer.

Fausto
:cool:
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I'll be the odd man out here... While the 72/73's are great, the 42's are my favorites--both the trappers and traders. They are a bit bigger, without being as big as the 23's. Can't go wrong either way though ;)
 
OK, folks. What can I say.
First off, thanks for the note Big. I sent you an email, not sure if I did it correctly.
Thanks to all of you who have taken your time to post suggestions, comments, and photos. Greatly appreciated.
Yes, I will admit I'm a little out of control, if you will; impaired judgement and poor impulse control.
There were a couple of the lock-backs, #72 (I think) that I almost bought. They all had the huge spear blade. Yes, I have three of the 85s...two are the EO and one is the first issue JBF that I've used.
I have bought far-too many knives.... Have a Case canoe arriving tomorrow along with a #55 Hounds Tooth.
Anyway, there may still be a #72 for me but I'm just going to (try) wait until they come out with a new issue.
So, what's on the way? I had mentioned in my first post that I was considering an 85, stag, single blade..... Yes, I ordered that. And, I also ordered a bone White Owl with bail.
What can I say folks......
Again, thanks so much for all of your help.
Regards,
George

PS. Forgot to mention, while on one dealer's Website, I looked at Queen and S&M (sp)...and, thought, Dang, things are getting out of hand.
 
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richstag said:
You may be surprised how moderate and smooth the pull is on the run of 73's that included my GA knife. :)
Click to expand...

Kevin,
I trust your judgement, and yes, I might be surprised :p but as a general rule, I probably won't buy any GEC without handling it first.
My pull scale seems to be different from you US traditionalists :rolleyes:

Fausto
:cool:
 
Gotcha, Fausto. If your scale is that far off you may still find the pull to be overkill.

:)
 
I just wish for a pull like the one on Buck 30x series to become the standard for production slipjoints.
Then, I will get one of these with spey/pen or drop/pen, and be happy :p
Back to the OP: I know there aren't many around...but this would be my choice (currently for sale by our fellow member Jeff):

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Fausto
:cool:
 
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I've been wearing a 72 since it got here a week or so ago, very easy to carry EDC, I'm enjoying it anyway:)
 
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