GEC#73 in smooth black buffalo horn, Oh Yeah!

P

PB Wilson

Joined
Jul 17, 2006
Messages
2,231
So, this particular forum sucked me in and forced me to pull out the credit card (actually it was Paypal;)) and got me to buy a new knife. With all the good stuff being said about Great Eastern Cutlery, I just had to choose one (it wasn't easy) and support this American company.

Like I mentioned in the thread title, I got a #73 Scout in smooth black buffalo horn with a single blade and liner lock. It arrived today (thanks Cumberland for the quick shipping!) and I gave it the once over. I'm very satisfied overall with my choice and the apparent quality of this knife. I'll definitely be looking at GEC in the future for myself and for a special gift. The prices are fair for stuff made in the US and it appears that they make a really fine knife. Maybe I'm in the honeymoon phase, but here's the breakdown:

Things I like:

It's nicely put together. It's crisp and clean except for the hairline gap between the scales and the bolster. I can slip a piece of paper in there, but in reality it doesn't make a difference to me. I read about horn scales shrinking but in the greater scheme of things, the knife looks good and a little gap won't affect performance a bit.

I love the size. I was thinking about getting a #23, but after seeing a youtube video, I could see that it was too big for practical use. One reason I got a slipjoint (even though it has a liner lock) is because it won't scare non-knife folks like a more tactical knife, or heaven forbid an assisted opener might do. The #23 looks awesome, don't get me wrong, but I felt that bigger didn't necessarily mean better. Also a forumite (who I can't recall right now) showed his #73 with nice stag scales in hand and I fell in love. No, I don't have a hand fetish!;) I just saw that this model knife is a really practical size, looks comfortable and the blade shape is sexy as hell.:cool:

I like the looks of the scales. I wanted something classy and understated even thought I do love the dead skunk scales quite a bit. The smooth black horn is really cool and there's a tiny whisp of gray streak that tells that it's not plastic. Also the brass liners look cool between the shiny steel of the spring and the shiny black of the horn.

Things I'm not so fond of:

The knife is dull. I am skilled at sharpening and know that I will have to sharpen it sooner or later. I just didn't imagine that I'd have to do it before I actually used it.:grumpy: Once I get it sharp I'm confident that the thin blade will cut tomatoes thinner than that of a ginsu knife commercial. I'd bet that it'll stand up to any reasonable task I throw at it. Right now it'll open an envelope pretty well, but not much more.

I don't much care for the 1 OF 50 mark on the opposite side of the blade. I'd prefer something more understated or even in a cooler font. It'll fade under use and a patina, so I'm not worried. It's just that it doesn't look like it belongs. C'est la Vie!

I also thought that it wasn't going to have a number engraved on the bolster. I don't care, but I got number 02. Did I get a 2nd? Just joking.:D

All in all, it's going to be a real user and a nice companion for my right front pocket. Once I get a patina on it and my keys and change give it some real-world wear marks, I'm sure that I'll love it even more. Thanks Cumberland. Thanks GEC and thank you folks for leading me back into the finer side of knives.:)

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They are nice knives! One thing I did with mine (before I lost it) was to file down the liner-lock, sort of take the top off so it was flat instead of a hump. I found that small difference made it much more comfortable. If you're not trying to keep it pristine it's worth considering.

(Other 73 mods I tried were sanding the edges of the bone scales, which yours doesn't look like it needs, and enlarging the nail-nick to a long pull - I don't recommend that unless you have a REALLY steady hand with the dremel!)
 
PB that's a nice pocket knife congrats. they been putting horn
handles on knives for centuries, so good luck with yours...
 
fishface5 -- I thought the liner would be uncomfortable and in the way, but it doesn't seem to be a problem so far. I'm a fan of the dremel tool and use mine a lot so maybe one day I'll but it down to size.

As for grinding a longer nail nick, I doubt I've got the guts or a steady enough hand to try that mod!

Thanks for the well-wishes d.parker!
 
PB Wilson said:
Also a forumite (who I can't recall right now) showed his #73 with nice stag scales in hand and I fell in love. No, I don't have a hand fetish!;) I just saw that this model knife is a really practical size, looks comfortable and the blade shape is sexy as hell.:cool:
Click to expand...

That was me....I think you made a great choice. My 73 was also a little blunt but a brief session on the Spyderco stones and mine was razor sharp.I find it a great little knife which alarms no-one when I pull it out to open a box or peel an orange. Also the liner lock just gives me that little more security........

I wish you well to own it:)

All the best
Steven
 
That's right. It was yours. I now recall your forumname. Beautiful knife. Not nearly as alarming as a tanto or tiger-striped blade. I'm going to enjoy it I'm sure.

I'm really not bugged by the lack of sharpness. I'll give it a bit of time on the Lansky and I'll be shaving my forearms in no time.
 
I was just looking at the 73 b4 stopping in here. I like em a LOT and yea that blade shape is SEXY all swedged up like it is.
I just now noticed the nail nick is inside the swedge i dont believe ive seen that b4
 
I was considering a #23 for my second GEC, but I may now consider a #73. If it's too big, it won't get used.

As for the Incredible Shrinking Buffalo Horn, my #25's scales leave the smallest bit of the liners showing. I waffle back and forth between ingnoring it or possibly sending it to GEC to see if they'll re-handle it. It's very slight and I'm just being fussy here; it is a beautiful material.
 
Very nice. In addition, I think it's great there's an American company making great product that we can get behind and support financially. The more I see GEC on the forums, the happier I am.

Excelsior! :D:D

As far as the liners showing just the most miniscule bit, they do on every one of the 6 GECs I own. It's probably because they cut and sand the handles before they put them on, to avoid having to grind the frame and backsprings down to perfect flushness. That's just a guess, but it stands to reason. If they had to grind, then re-polish the frames and all, it would add probably an hour and $25 to the final cost of the knife. As it is, it's really nothing to worry about (it might even protect the handle material from snagging and chipping), it's very easy to fix, and at the pricepoint GECs are selling, they're still making the finest traditional knives on the market, IMO.
 
My #25 came surprisingly dull as well. It didn't stay dull long though, And that 1095 takes a heck of an edge. Also I hated the "1 of 100" on the blade so I took that and the "northfield" off with a scotchbrite pad.
 
Mine came somewhat shaper than most slipjoints, which is still poor for me. To be honest though, I've only had a couple knives in my lifetime where they didn't need a full rebeveling upon receiving. They happened to be Spydercos. I expect dull knives these days, especially slipjoints.
 
Foilist said:
I was considering a #23 for my second GEC, but I may now consider a #73. If it's too big, it won't get used..
Click to expand...

I bought both for edc and honestly the 73 is perfect for the pocket and daily chores. I do carry the 23 sometimes but it is just a little to large for a pocket knife........

Having said that the 23 is a handsome knife:)

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