GEC Improved Trapper 48 vs Saddle Trapper 74

H

HellRazor83

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May 21, 2014
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I'm wanting to get my first GEC, one for myself and probably for my Dad. I don't know much about them yet and can't see them in person. Does anybody have experience with the two listed? How do they compare?

It seems like the improved trapper is more narrow and maybe lighter? I'd like something a bit smaller than either of these, with a main Wharncliffe blade and the second blade be something more substantial than a short pen (clip, skinner, etc). Kind of like these but a bit smaller. Is anyone familiar with one of theirs that fits in with that that I'm just missing?

Thanks for your input!
 
the 48-thin and long can't go wrong
the 74-strong and thick will do the trick
both are great
 
there may be others with this blade combo and smaller (offhand I think Case made something like this, but not a regular production), but the quality and availability of the GECs will win out over them. When I get a knife in person, I always find that it seems somehow smaller than it appears in the internet photos, so I would trust to this phenomenon.
 
I personally love the improved 48 pattern. To me, it carries more history than the the 74. Plus, the ergonomics of the 48 seem to be better asthetically. These one would get my vote for both you and your dad.

Stock photo at - http://www.collectorknives.net/great-eastern-cutlery-northfield-african-blackwood-improved-trapper/
2d9vg45.jpg


My 48 next to a Charlow for comparison.
59vbes.jpg
 
The #48 is just a little bit longer in the frame but slimmer and weighs less than the #74. I took some comparison pics along with 2 Case Improved Trappers... the 2013 Case Bose collaboration knife and a Mini Wharncliffe Trapper, ordered by longest frame to smallest. I tend to like slim knives and the #48 fits me the best in hand. I also weighed my versions... Starting with the #48 to the Case Mini Trapper they weigh 84, 114, 90, and 72 grams. Not sure what other knives you own to use as a reference but a Victorinox Pioneer is just smaller than the #74 and bigger than the Case/Bose. I'd say if you want an Improved Trapper, get a #48 and don't look back.




I don't recall another GEC with a full size wharncliffe and other blade that is smaller than the #48 or #74. They did make a #53 Furtaker but it's 4 1/8" closed. GEC is also working on a SFO on the #77 pattern is 3 11/16" closed, a larger version of the #15 Barlows.
-77-barlow.jpg
 
I don't own the 74, but I'm a big fan of the 48. Gets quite a bit of pocket time. Classic pattern.

 
I appreciate all the feedback and the pics are a huge help. I think I will go with the 48. I have a case mini trapper that I've carried some, but I just don't care for the spey blade. If they had the wharncliffe version in CV, I would probably go with it just because of the size, even though I'm also not a fan of the nail nick on the clip blade being back so far. Glad GEC is around and inspiring case to think more about what they put out. I have a swayback jack that I just love, but I do miss something like a full size clip to go with it.
 
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