Comparison: #15 vs #72/73

Hawk45

Hawk45

Joined
Jan 28, 2005
Messages
2,154
Looking at both of these for my next traditional and wanted to get some feedback. Both seem to be highly rated "go-to" models. Would love to see some comparison pics too. Thought for sure I'd be able to find a comparison pic of these too in Google Images.. but no luck.
Thanks,
Hawk
 
If you're going for single blade versions, these are the best EDCs out there. I carried both a 15 and 73, but it seemed kind of redundant. A 15 or 73 paired with a modern one hand folder is great. My daily carry is always my 15 barehead spear point, with either a 73 or Tribal Spear, and a one hand folder. The 15 is usually more than enough. If you can though, get both.
 
Which of the two, 15 and 73, has less blade play? I prefer the lockback which is the 73 right?
 
csisland said:
Which of the two, 15 and 73, has less blade play? I prefer the lockback which is the 73 right?
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The Lockback is the 72. A few of these have been found with minimal to unacceptable play. I have never seen a 73 or a 15 with any blade play whatsoever. And I have handled many. The 73 is a larger knife than the 15. In it's single blade form, though, it is quite pocketable. I switch my EDC between a 735109 in Burnt Stag and a 151112 in Rust Red Jigged Bone. I also carry a 721113lt in Autumn Gold Jigged Bone, EDC Version no blade play, frequently.
 
rma100 said:
The Lockback is the 72. A few of these have been found with minimal to unacceptable play. I have never seen a 73 or a 15 with any blade play whatsoever. And I have handled many. The 73 is a larger knife than the 15. In it's single blade form, though, it is quite pocketable. I switch my EDC between a 735109 in Burnt Stag and a 151112 in Rust Red Jigged Bone. I also carry a 721113lt in Autumn Gold Jigged Bone, EDC Version no blade play, frequently.
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Those single blade 15's are hard to find.
 
I have a 73 in Stag and a two blade #15 so I took a few pics for you. Hope these help.

i-83BZcft-L.jpg


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i-7Z7rQhb-L.jpg


i-9HQSPFL-L.jpg
 
From Bottom to top: 15 with clip blade in Rust Red Jigged Bone; 73 with Drop Point Blade in Burnt Stag; 72 with Clip Blade in Autumn Gold Jigged Bone. All are users.
 
Thanks guys for posting pics. That 72 with the clip blade looks really nice.
 
Mainstay knives in my view, but different from each other.

The 15 as you'll note from the pix is quite a bit smaller than the 73. The 73 tends to have thicker handle slabs too, this may be a consideration.

15 White Bone Clip single, 15 TC Barlow Spear single Amber, 73 liner lock THICK Stag Northfield, 73 linerlock Tidioute Bonestag, 73 Beaver Tail Tidioute Almond Bone, 73 Tidioute White Bone, 73 Northfield Burnt Orange. You can tell I like them....
 
I would describe the #15 pattern as a versatile gentleman's folder, easily pocketable. The #72/3 patterns offer a bit more handle both in length and depth making them a touch more reassuring for harder work.

For example I will often carry my #15 Barlow on weekends and my #73L is my working knife:)

Sam
 
avoidspam said:
. The #72/3 patterns offer a bit more handle both in length and depth making them a touch more reassuring for harder work.
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I just got an '06 73 from a board member. I wonder why they don't have a different pattern number, or perhaps a suffix, to differentiate singles from doubles? As Avoid pointed out, I was immediately struck with the solid amount to hold onto with this knife. I imagine it would still be a pleasing grip even with a single blade.
 

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I'm all about these new 15s in single blades. I havent had or held any of the 73s but I did see a 72 (lock) with a wharny blade that was calling my name over and over.
View attachment 404678
 
VictorLouis said:
I just got an '06 73 from a board member. I wonder why they don't have a different pattern number, or perhaps a suffix, to differentiate singles from doubles? As Avoid pointed out, I was immediately struck with the solid amount to hold onto with this knife. I imagine it would still be a pleasing grip even with a single blade.
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Isn't that an early 06 Cyclops Works stainless? I have a similar one and I don't think they had tang numbers. The later models in carbon do, I believe.
 
Will, I think tang pattern numbers started in 2008, along with COAs for serialized knives only.
'06 and '07 knives just had the year stamped on the tang instead of the whole pattern number.
 
I believe you're right Jeff. GEC uses the following numbering system for a few years now http://greateasterncutlery.net/blog/pocket-knives/tang-number-chart/

Tang Number Chart
Main Blade Identity
0.Wharncliffe
1. Regular Clip
2. Regular Spear
3. Sheep Foot
4. Spey
5. Drop Point/Skinner
6. Sabre Clip
7. Sabre Spear
8. Muskrat Clip
9. Cotton Sampler

For Example: if the Tang Stamp reads 735208
# 73 = Pattern number
5 = the main blade (Drop point/Skinner)
2 = the knife has 2 blades
08 = it was made in 2008
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