GEC 73 Genuine Stag

richstag

richstag

Joined
Feb 22, 2007
Messages
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Quick Cell Pic

Hey guys, got a few new GEC's in the mail today. I posted a thread about a lot of the things I love about the single blade slipjoint GEC 73 in my "Blood Red" thread. I wanted to make a separate thread for this Genuine Stag. It is one of the nicest knives that I own at any price point period. The fit and finish is incredible, not just respectable anymore.

I received the pictured Genuine Stag and two burnt stags. All three have noticeable differences over the rest of my GEC collection. Most notable being a PERFECT to me opening ease. The pull is not strong but it is not weak. It is smooth right out of the tube. Much smoother and easier to operate then my broken in Blood Red 73.

For those concerned with out of the box sharpness, the three knives came with wonderfully executed edge grinds. They are not as sharp as some of the GEC's but they are solid even edges.

The stag on this one is so uniform from side to side it makes me smile when I handle it. The blade closed does not sit "proud" of the the handle liners. The back spring does sit a little higher then the back tang of the blade when open but this is not an issue to me. The back-springs/liners are perfectly flush open and close. In the half stop position the back spring sits lower then the liners. Again, nothing I see an issue with in any way.

I forgot that I had a 73 two blade in burnt stag until I was looking through my collection. With the thick stag on this one the handle is not as cumbersome as the two blade, but not as thin as the single blade bone. It fits my hand better then the slim bone and does not feel bad in my pocket.

I know I have been ranting and raving about GEC, but IMO it is well deserved. They are putting out some beautiful knives that just beg to be carried and used. This Genuine stag is my new EDC and I will update this thread with more thorough pictures and thoughts on the knife as time goes by.

Again, I hope this helps.
 
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The blade sits even to the liners and there is no blade play evidenced.
 
I got one of those - no shield. Absolutely fantastic that knife. Glad to see you got one :)
 
Noddy, glad you got one too :) I have been looking for a single blade 73 slipjoint with stag for a while. I could not be happier with this Genuine Stag.
 
I have the same knife with a wharncliffe blade, and it is my absolute EDC. I wish I could find another just like it for backup.

Although yours is a drop point, where did you find it?
 
scarysharp - Visitor message coming for you as I believe they frown on vendor listing.
 
Beautiful knife, Kevin. My #73 is in burnt stag and has the linerlock. I like the threaded bolsters on yours, which mine lacks,
but GEC's stag is just terrific, and the 1095 takes a wicked edge. I carry mine often.

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Quick question. In the first photo you can't see this triangular mark on the blade. I noticed it just now when I took the knife out of my pocket to use. It looks to symmetrical to be a manufacturing flaw. Any ideas what this mark could be? It is deep into the blade like the blade etch engraving on the side of the tang. Is it a rockwell mark? Maybe the oil from my hands got into it and darkened the steel because I didn't notice it at first. But I haven't used the blade so it was definitely there new. It is not on the new burnt stags or any of my other GEC's that I have inspected.

I don't care if it is a manufacturing mark, I am just curious if it is something new that GEC is doing? Any thoughts?
 
These pictures are not helping my GEC addiction. :D

GEC uses some beautiful stag. It's no wonder I have such a hard time keeping my wallet in my pocket whenever I browse the selections. LOL!!

VERY...very...nice!!!
 
First let me say, congrats. That one is a stunner for sure. Second, the single blade 73 pattern is nearly perfect in my book. A solid user that is easily carried. Almost unnoticeable.

Adam
 
I completely agree Bobby.

Thanks Adam. Your "almost unnoticeable" comment is so true :)
 
Thanks Trand, and I hope that's a good thing.

After some use my first impression is I am missing the long pull.
 
richstag said:
Hey guys, got a few new GEC's in the mail today. ... All three have noticeable differences over the rest of my GEC collection. Most notable being a PERFECT to me opening ease. The pull is not strong but it is not weak. It is smooth right out of the tube. Much smoother and easier to operate then my broken in Blood Red 73.
Click to expand...

That's a mighty good sign. GEC seems like a company that listens to their customer base. :thumbup:

-- Mark
 
Nice knife, Kevin! GEC's stag is hard to beat. The 73 pattern is nice, I own a few. ;) The single bladed versions would benefit greatly from an easy-open cutout, IMHO. Even though it would probably look weird, and wouldn't be strictly "traditional", it would be nice to be able to get that blade open a bit easier. I've cracked my thumbnail more than a couple of times on a GEC #73.
 
richstag said:
After some use my first impression is I am missing the long pull.
Click to expand...

I agree, Kevin. My favorite style is with a shorter swedge and the long pull running from the back of the swedge to the plunge, as on this #72 lockback.
The drop point blade could have an even longer pull and a shorter swedge than the clip on the #72.

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Andy, I agree with you about the easy open, but once my bloodred got a good patina going I could pinch the blade and open it right up. So I guess there's always a way :)

Jeff - the long pull on your 72 is perfection. One qualm I had with the long swedge on the bloodred drop point was that ut really dug into my thumb when I whittled with it. I know its not a whittling knife. I do usually test a knife I plan to carry by whittling seasoned locust though. Just to see how the edge takes it.

Speaking of what I think would be neat to see, I could go for a long pull spear blade with a swedge that begins at the end of the long pull on the 73 pattern. Add some nice stag and I would have just about my dream knife.

Thanks again for all the kind words.
 
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