73 Drop Point? vs Clip?

G

george c

Joined
Jan 26, 2013
Messages
66
Hi Folks,

Just got my 72 NF w/clip a couple of days ago. Dang, now I'm looking at a 73 w/drop point.

Two questions. How would the drop point sit it the frame. My clip is perfect. Would the drop point sit up any higher than the clip?

Second question, is there a consensus as to which blade is better or more useful? I'm assuming Opinels have drop points. I've used a #8 for kitchen duties for over a year. Works fine as far as I'm concerned.

Well, OK, one more question. Except for an eighth of inch difference in length and the LB on the 72 is there any difference between the 72 & 73? To me, they look the same.

As always, appreciate any comments.

Regards,

George, watching Richmond...
 
The difference is very slight, but the drop point sits even lower in the frame than the clip does.
 
Drop point all the way. Clip points are a pain to use when skinning or sliding the blade under something to cut. Also more steel on the end of a drop point. I own a couple but personally I dont understand clip points. I am happy to be educated though!

I have both the 72 and 73. The 73 with a drop point gets more pocket time.
 
The 73's look really good. The blade sits down in the handle nicely. The only complaint I have heard on the 73 is that the back spring is very stiff making them somewhat difficult to open. I do not have one of the current run 73's but the one I did have I ended up selling because of how difficult it was to open the blades. The one I had was a two blade jack, the main blade was stiff but tolerable, the pen blade was a real nail breaker.
 
It's all personal pref, but to me the #72 Northfield clip lockback is the one to have. It sits nearly as low in the frame as the drop point #73.
A small amount of blade play from the lockback mechanism is nothing compared to the ease and safety of opening the lighter springed LB.
Also the long pull clip blade with the triple threaded bolster is one of the most beautiful knives that GEC has ever made.

IMG_9992.jpg~original


RS_MHLB_zps5f1d79cd.jpg~original
 
black mamba said:
It's all personal pref, but to me the #72 Northfield clip lockback is the one to have. It sits nearly as low in the frame as the drop point #73.
A small amount of blade play from the lockback mechanism is nothing compared to the ease and safety of opening the lighter springed LB.
Also the long pull clip blade with the triple threaded bolster is one of the most beautiful knives that GEC has ever made.

IMG_9992.jpg~original


RS_MHLB_zps5f1d79cd.jpg~original
Click to expand...

that just might be MY grail knife. But i keep forgetting the size differences between the 72 and the 73, i think the 72 is the "slightly" smaller one and thats the one i like
someone posted a pic in the 72/73 post with what i believe was "antique bone" but it almost looked like greenish...yeah that one or this one is probably my grail knife :p
 
The 73 is 3 3/4 inches closed, the 72 is 3 7/8 inches closed. The 72 is 1/8 of an inch longer. The picture you saw was a Northfield 72 in Antique Green Jigged Bone.
 
rma100 said:
The 73 is 3 3/4 inches closed, the 72 is 3 7/8 inches closed. The 72 is 1/8 of an inch longer. The picture you saw was a Northfield 72 in Antique Green Jigged Bone.
Click to expand...

:thumbup:
yeah ok that ;)
thanks. Maybe when funds allow i can still find me one!
 
Hi Folks,

Thanks all for taking the time to comment. Greatly appreciated.

Ed, I started the thread for the link you sent. Yep, that's when I was trying to decide between the 72/73.

Mamba, great looking stag.....

There are few 73s out there and I didn't want a liner lock. Anyway, I found a couple and ordered a cocobolo w/o liner lock.

Manowar's great photo of a cocobolo knife on the 72/73 thread help me decide.

Again, thanks for the comments and photos.

Regards,

George
 
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