GEC 72 vs 73 differences?

OneStarLeather · Aug 22, 2015

Can someone educate me on the difference between the 72 and 73? Hunter vs. Trapper? They seem to be every so slightly different sizes, but it's so close why are they even two separate patterns? Seems that the 72 has had a lockback but never the 73, and the 73 sometimes comes with an end cap. Anyone know how these two patterns came about? I know the 73 was one of the original patterns, but then why the 72 so close to it in size, shape, etc?

Ancillary question: are the pulls on the linerlock 73s similar to the lockbacks in that they don't take as much effort to deploy? I'm thinking of trying a linerlock, even though I don't like the look of it. It might be functional and allow the knife to be closed with one hand.

Thanks!

BigBiscuit · Aug 22, 2015

I cannot answer the differences between the 72 and 73 because I never owned a 72. But I do have a 73 with a linerlock. It has a much lighter pull than the standard slipjoint without the lock. I only have the one that my buddy Ron (Half/Stop) sent me. I would rate mine at about a 6 on a scale of 1-10.
I also have a 73 without the linerlock that also has a pull at about a 6, but that isn't true for most of them. I've had two others that were at least a 9 if not a 10. Real bear traps and with arthritis as is my case, it can be difficult to deal with. So now I just have the two 73's that have the lighter pulls.

Markesharp · Aug 22, 2015

They are the same knife with the major difference of the 72 being a lock-back. If I'm wrong feel free to pelt me with rocks and sticks.

BigBiscuit · Aug 22, 2015

I got a whole bag of rocks here Marko.

You can get the 72 in either lockback or slipjoint. The 73 is either liner lock or slipjoint.

Now where did I leave that pile of sticks.

gastonian · Aug 22, 2015

I have a 72 in my pocket and it is a slip-joint, so I can say that is not the difference.

I believe the handle lengths of the 72 is 3 7/8 whereas the 73 is 3 3/4.

Other than that, I do not know if there are any other differences.

Markesharp · Aug 22, 2015

BigBiscuit said:
I got a whole bag of rocks here Marko. You can get the 72 in either lockback or slipjoint. The 73 is either liner lock or slipjoint. Now where did I leave that pile of sticks.

Why do I always have to learn things the hard way?!

Let the pelting begin Bob!

rma100 · Aug 22, 2015

BigBiscuit said:
I got a whole bag of rocks here Marko. You can get the 72 in either lockback or slipjoint. The 73 is either liner lock or slipjoint. Now where did I leave that pile of sticks.

They made one run of 72's as a two blade slip joint, 3 handle options Tidioute Brand, 4 in Northfield. They also made one small run of Equestrian Trappers, two handle options. All of the rest of the 72's are single blade lockbacks.

BigBiscuit · Aug 22, 2015

rma100 said:
They made one run of 72's as a two blade slip joint, 3 handle options Tidioute Brand, 4 in Northfield. They also made one small run of Equestrian Trappers, two handle options. All of the rest of the 72's are single blade lockbacks.

I knew there were limited runs on the variations, but I didn't know the exact break down. Thanks Bob. :thumbup:

Mingecutter · Aug 22, 2015

I can't speak to the pulls on the liner lock 73s, but the couple of standard 73s I've owned in the past both had very strong/heavy pulls (8ish or so). I believe this is common, or at least it was, in the standard (non liner lock) 73s. YMMV

black mamba · Aug 22, 2015

The pulls on the linerlocks are still a good deal firmer than the #72 lockbacks.

Ramrodmb · Aug 22, 2015

A lockback does not have the same spring tension as a non-lockback.
In other words, almost all lockbacks are much easier to open than a linerlock.
Mark

Kitten Party · Aug 22, 2015

Didn't one have squared ends on the bolster and one has rounded right

dave308ek · Aug 22, 2015

gastonian got it right, the 72 is an 1/8" longer to make room for the extra thread on the bolster.

black mamba · Aug 23, 2015

I just took this photo indoors with a flash (sorry, it's rainy today) to show the differences in the frames. It is entirely in the bolsters. The original #73 is a copy of the old Remington, and has the same "flush and clean" square tangs that come even with the flat bolster ends, keeping out debris. The newer #72 has a slightly rounded bolster end which is roughly an eighth inch longer, extending past the round tang. Both frames are the same otherwise. Note the spring pin has a different placement for the lockback to work better.

"Flush & Clean" #73 on the left, cam end #72 with extended bolster on right

Modoc ED · Aug 23, 2015

GEC #73 on top - linerlock. These had drop point blades.

GEC #72 on bottom - lockback. These had clip blades.

Both were offered sans linerlock, sans lockback

The #73's pull is much stiffer that the #72's pull.

Both the #72 and #73 were offered in a variety of covers. All are very serviceable knives.