GEC #73 Liner Lock VS Slip Joint

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BrotherJim

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My interest in a single blade #73 is to the point of giving thought between choice of liner lock or slip joint (wonder if GEC will make a #73 lockback?).

I've observed the popularity of the single blade #73 but never had hands on one. Aside from the obvious physical configuration differences, I wonder what subtle or not so subtle differences there may actually be?

Is the slip joint a nail breaker?
Will the tensioned steel liner lock interfere with, and perhaps mar the blade when not in the open and locked position?
Is the liner lock version easier to open and close than the slip joint or is perceived walk and talk virtually the same on both?
Does the liner lock tab become a hot spot in hand?
Aside from a possible safety concern point of view, why pick one over the other?
... are a few things I wonder about ...
 
The main clip blade on my #73 slip joint is a nail breaker. The spey is difficult, but doable.
 
BrotherJim said:
My interest in a single blade #73 is to the point of giving thought between choice of liner lock or slip joint (wonder if GEC will make a #73 lockback?).

...

Is the slip joint a nail breaker?
Will the tensioned steel liner lock interfere with, and perhaps mar the blade when not in the open and locked position?
Is the liner lock version easier to open and close than the slip joint or is perceived walk and talk virtually the same on both?
Does the liner lock tab become a hot spot in hand?
Aside from a possible safety concern point of view, why pick one over the other?
Click to expand...

I had a single-blade 73 liner-lock. I sold it to help pay for some music gear, but still regret that. Here it is:



I can't imagine the opening of the liner-lock model is any different -- or at least not much different -- than the slipjoint model because it's basically a slipjoint with the simple addition of the line-lock tab.

Regarding that tab: To my surprise, it didn't interfere with my grip or create any hotspots at all. :thumbup: You really don't notice it; at least I didn't. Really a wonderful knife.

BTW, they do make a lockback version: It's model 72. However, these are pretty difficult to find at the present time. If I had to do it all over, and could choose any of the three (73 liner, 73 slipjoint or 72 lb), I think I'd go with the lockback. That's just personal preference. I ended up with the liner-lock because someone was selling it at a GREAT price here on the exchange.

Lastly, my 73 wasn't a nailbreaker, but it did snap shut with such authority that I wouldn't let my son (now 10) close it, even though he'd already shown enough responsibility and knife-safety savvy to borrow my other knives and own a SAK of his own. Something about that wickedly sharp blade and the authoritative snap made me reluctant to lend the knife out to the kids or wife.

-- Mark
 
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My observations....

Is the slip joint a nail breaker? ***Not a nail breaker, but has a strong pull.
Will the tensioned steel liner lock interfere with, and perhaps mar the blade when not in the open and locked position? ***No.
Is the liner lock version easier to open and close than the slip joint or is perceived walk and talk virtually the same on both? ***Same or no percieved difference.
Does the liner lock tab become a hot spot in hand? ***No.
Aside from a possible safety concern point of view, why pick one over the other? ***My only concern would be safety. If I had a choice, I'd go with the Slip Joint.

(wonder if GEC will make a #73 lockback?) The 72 pattern lockback is the alternative to the 73.
 
Some 73s certainly are in the Hard School of springs, even for my taste, but they do vary.

The linerlock version seems to have lighter pulls though. As Mark noted, the linerlock is a really desirable version - you get the slipjoint backspring plus a very unobtrusive tab as a lock, it seems to create no irritations or obstruction when holding it. Moreover, the liner tab gives a decent amount of locking protection which I do appreciate when cutting into tough clingy plastic buckets or the like, you don't want a 73 shutting on you under any circumstances. Yes, I know there's a correct way of cutting but in difficult conditions you just sometimes do rushed things..the lock really helps.

The good news is a new run of 73s including liners will be coming out shortly, I certainly want one in micarta and a stainless version would be..knirvarna:)

IMG_1020.jpg


Thanks, Will
 
Here's my take on this...if you are thinking tactical liner lock when looking at the 73 you will be disappointed.

It IS NOT a one handed closer. As others have mention most 73 LL's are hard pulls in the +7 to 8 range. That's just part of the problem. My LL was also in the 7 push range. So it's a two hand closer and you have to be careful because your thumb on the LL is right in the impact zone of the blade. The half stop should stop it but it can be a problem. I sold mine and won't buy another.

BTW this is a poor design. None of my tactical LL's have a tab. IMO slipjoints do not make for good LL's.
 
Think of the #73 LL as just a #73 with an extra liner for the liner lock. Both are still slip joints with half stops but the LL also has a tab you need to push over to close.

Nail breaker? Depends on your nail and your opening technique. Walk and talk as well as pull strength of the SJ and LL versions should be the same within the same run. In my experience, the #73s that have a lanyard hole have been the lightest pull #73s and they were available as both slip joints and LLs. They were the #735111Ts. The #735111s made just a few months earlier have a stronger pull. The only differences between the two were the lanyard tube which I believe meant a slightly different backspring.

I didn't experience any hot spots due to the tab. The tab would only touch the tang of the blade so don't worry about marring.

As for picking one over the other, if you don't want the blade to close without manually moving the tab over, go for the liner lock. The only other difference is the ever so slight thickness increase of the LL verse the SJ version. My micarta #71, and other sodbusters for example, are thicker still than the LL versions.

Here's a pic of a #72 Lockback, a #735111 which was my user, a short run ECL in ebony also a user, and a #735111T in Bocote. They are all pretty similar with regard to feel in hand. Pull wise from easiest to hardest it is the #72, the #73T, then the other #73s which I modified a bit by rounding the tang to make them easier to open. The #73T would be about a 4-5 IIRC. I think a little easier than a Vic Pioneer. The Jigged Cherry one was about a 7 and the Ebony about a 8 before I modded them. Now they're more like 6-7s. Keep in mind, as long as the pull isn't too great so you don't use the knife, you'll get used to the pull, build up your finger muscles, and they'll get easier to use.

 
nugun55 said:
Do the liner locks have half steps?
Click to expand...

Indeed they do.

BTW, if you're dead set on a lockback, don't forget the model 42. VERY similar, but a bit bigger. Just about the same length as a Buck 112.

-- Mark
 
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Thanks for the replies, discussion, links and further questions for consideration !!!
I'm leaning toward the slip joint ... less "moving parts".
 
Thank you Mark! It's a Bonestag version that is serial numbered, very pretty bone I think. Oh yeah, I've also got a Northfield 73 L in thick grooved Sambar:D

Re-reading Ed's thread about the closing problems some people have with the 73L was interesting, I've never found it difficult or dangerous. These are of course not like Tactical linerlocks-fortunately- they cannot open in your pocket like those lethal things can:eek::eek: A very sturdy safe work-knife this, in my experience anyway.

Regards, Will
 
To me, a Liner Lock on a 73 is like wearing suspenders AND a belt! Just my opinion though.
 
If a knife has a locking feature, liner or otherwise, I don't want or need a half-stop.
 
rma100 said:
To me, a Liner Lock on a 73 is like wearing suspenders AND a belt! Just my opinion though.
Click to expand...

I was having similar thoughts. With how firmly these things snap open I've never used a 73 or 23 and worried about it closing on me. I'm guessing that I'm not using them in the same ways as people that see the need for the lock. Maybe they are stabbing things with their knives? That's the only way I could see one of these accidentally closing.
 
Here's the way I see it. GEC put a liner lock on a pattern that didn't need it. If the 73 had an easy pull and no half stop I could see having a LL.
Just my opinion. Others may disagree.
 
bdev said:
Here's the way I see it. GEC put a liner lock on a pattern that didn't need it. If the 73 had an easy pull and no half stop I could see having a LL.
Just my opinion. Others may disagree.
Click to expand...

Gotta agree with bdev, I have had 3 73s. 2 without linerlock and one with.

The spring tension and halfstop are more than enough to keep the blade in place without a linerlock. I found the lock to be a pain and get in the way of the use of the knife so I let it go.
 
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