#73 vs. #74 Comparo

[black mamba]

I have had several #73 single blades in stag and bone that were great, but I just acquired my favorite #73, a linerlock that GEC made for Bulldog USA back in 2009. The ram's horn covers are exquisite, and the pull, action, centering, everything is top notch. The #74 that I've fallen for is my 440C burnt orange bone Mustang from the recent release. All the same applies to it, top notch all the way for F&F, W&T.

Here are the numbers:
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . #73 Ram's Horn . . . #74 Burnt Orange Bone . . . . . .
LENGTH (closed) . . . . . . . 3.78" . . . . . . . . . . 3.85" . . . .
WIDTH (center pin): . . . . 0.58" . . . . . . . . . . 0.45" . . . .
EDGE LENGTH: . . . . . . . . 2.82" . . . . . . . . . . 2.76" . . . .
WEIGHT: . . . . . . . . 84 g, 2.96 oz . . . . . . 69 g, 2.43 oz . .
DEPTH (spine to spring): . . 0.97" . . . . . . . . . . 0.91" . . . .

Blades are virtually identical, while the #74 frame is slightly longer because of the rounded bolster. The slipjoint Mustang is slimmer and lighter, and with the stainless blade is great for mixed company who may not understand that patina isn't "dirty." The heavier horn covers and the linerlock of the Scout each add about a sixteenth of an inch in width, and the rounder covers are great for more heavy cutting. I just couldn't be happier with each of them.

 

[redsparrow]

Jeff, the 73 and 74 are two of GEC's finest. Really like the horn and shield on the 73, congrats!

 

[traumkommode]

I have had several #73 single blades in stag and bone that were great, but I just acquired my favorite #73, a linerlock that GEC made for Bulldog USA back in 2009. The ram's horn covers are exquisite, and the pull, action, centering, everything is top notch. The #74 that I've fallen for is my 440C burnt orange bone Mustang from the recent release. All the same applies to it, top notch all the way for F&F, W&T.

Here are the numbers:
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . #73 Ram's Horn . . . #74 Burnt Orange Bone . . . . . .
LENGTH (closed) . . . . . . . 3.78" . . . . . . . . . . 3.85" . . . .
WIDTH (center pin): . . . . 0.58" . . . . . . . . . . 0.45" . . . .
EDGE LENGTH: . . . . . . . . 2.82" . . . . . . . . . . 2.76" . . . .
WEIGHT: . . . . . . . . 84 g, 2.96 oz . . . . . . 69 g, 2.43 oz . .
DEPTH (spine to spring): . . 0.97" . . . . . . . . . . 0.91" . . . .

Blades are virtually identical, while the #74 frame is slightly longer because of the rounded bolster. The slipjoint Mustang is slimmer and lighter, and with the stainless blade is great for mixed company who may not understand that patina isn't "dirty." The heavier horn covers and the linerlock of the Scout each add about a sixteenth of an inch in width, and the rounder covers are great for more heavy cutting. I just couldn't be happier with each of them.

Outstanding Ram's Horn, Jeff. And you kno im a sucker for burnt orange acorns...

Do you happen to have a 72 to toss into that comparison? Not hard for me to spot the difference between the 73 and 74 due to the handle shape, but when it comes to the 72/73 split, I'm unappraised.

 

[johnny twoshoes]

That #73L is a stunner!!!

 

[Railsplitter]

Nice ones, Jeff! That 73 looks like a very comfortable knife to use. Looks hand filling.

 

[black mamba]

Thanks fellas, I'm tickled PINK with the ram's horn, it's always been my favorite handle material.

Traum, here is a #72 in stag with a similar orientation for you to compare. The #72 has the length of the #74, but retains the finger notch of the #73. The clip blade is the major difference.

 

[traumkommode]

Thank you, Jeff. I see the difference there, the profile on the front of that bolster.

 

[kamagong]

The 73 and the 74 frames are close enough in size that the determinative factor for me is blade shape. I get the knife whose blade I like the best, simple as that.

 

[black mamba]

I'm with you on that, Christian. The long pull clip on the #72 is my favorite for looks, but the more slender drop point has a little less belly and is a better all-round choice, I feel. Which do you prefer?

 

[kamagong]

Make mine a clip.

 

[black mamba]

Great choice, but next to this #23 you can see the more abrupt belly of the clip quite easily.

 

[kamagong]

Perhaps it's because I don't work my knives all that hard, but I've learned that for EDC purposes and the mundane tasks that I may encounter, I can pretty much make do with any blade shape. Clip, spear, drop point, wharncliffe, it doesn't matter. As long as the blade is good and sharp I'll make it work.

That being the case, I find that I want my knives to be aesthetically pleasing. While I agree that the slim drop point on the 72 is likely the most useful, in terms of personal preference drop points are a distant fourth behind clips, wharncliffes, and spear points.