GEC liner Locks or slip joint?

rma100 said:
{But there are many GEC's that have such stiff backsprings, it seems nominal gain to have a lock of any kind.}

My sentiments exactly! If you have a 73 or 23 slip joint close on your hand, you must have been doing something VERY stupid!
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This is very true, same could be said about airbags and seat belts though:rolleyes:
Some people may benefit from lockbacks if they have dexterity or mobility issues. The ease of opening these models may be a plus for such customers, a liner lock, not so much.
 
The #73 I use the most is an ebony #73ECL, ie a liner lock model. But that is because that's the only ebony end capped single blade #73 that I'm aware of.
 
I like em both ways - linerlock or lockback. I received two GEC #73 linerlocks last week and ordered a GEC #72 lockback today.
 
2Dead said:
The #73 I use the most is an ebony #73ECL, ie a liner lock model. But that is because that's the only ebony end capped single blade #73 that I'm aware of.
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I have that very same knife Trand but since I ran over it with my brush hog, it is in pieces. Oh well, I gotta remember to take the tools off the tractor wheel before driving off on it.:rolleyes:
 
I agree with what Mike said, but it can be reversed, too. Having a linerlock on a slipjoint means the springs can and probably should be only a 4-5 in stoutness, because they aren't the primary means of keeping the blade open, and would be safer upon closing.
 
rma100 said:
{But there are many GEC's that have such stiff backsprings, it seems nominal gain to have a lock of any kind.}

My sentiments exactly! If you have a 73 or 23 slip joint close on your hand, you must have been doing something VERY stupid!
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I have, and I was! I have closed a few strong back spring slip joints on my self and every time, I was doing some thing stupid. Usually closing it, and not even cutting anything!
 
Modoc ED said:
I have that very same knife Trand but since I ran over it with my brush hog, it is in pieces. Oh well, I gotta remember to take the tools off the tractor wheel before driving off on it.:rolleyes:
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Ouch!! I've been meaning to ask you why you switched to the newer #73L but figured you wanted a bare head one.
 
black mamba said:
I agree with what Mike said, but it can be reversed, too. Having a linerlock on a slipjoint means the springs can and probably should be only a 4-5 in stoutness, because they aren't the primary means of keeping the blade open, and would be safer upon closing.
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Why a 4-5? Most linerlock tacticals don't have a backspring at all....
 
silenthunterstudios said:
Lock back is fine, and in some cases preferred, for instance the large 23 pattern. I prefer a slipjoint though, for anything about 73/48 size and smaller. 48 and 23, give me a lockback. I've had some experience with liner locks on traditional knives other than GECs, and I didn't like them at all.
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I didn't think that GEC made a #23 lock back--when did it come out? Any pictures?
 
I have never bought a #23, but if I did, I think I would prefer a LL, a slipjoint of that size seems almost unnatural, and I would be happy to have anything that minimizes the chance of such a blade coming down on my fingers. I have had one 73LL, and I think it would have been improved with a lighter pull and no half stop, the liner lock itself was perfectly tight, in being a more complex design, it gives GEC a chance to show off its craftsmanship.
 
I don't think GEC made a #23 Lockback but GEC did make a 4 1/4" #42 Missouri Trader Lockback
 
I would consider it a lock-back. I generally have broken these into either back locks or mid locks depending on where you deactivated the lock. I guess that means the Bull Lock is a front lock lock-back!;)
 
Liner locks are the last type of lock I consider on a folder, so you know my preference would be a slipjoint. I dislike closing the blade on them or deactivating the lock. I have read they aren't as strong as you might think.
 
Modoc ED said:
I don't think GEC made a #23 Lockback but GEC did make a 4 1/4" #42 Missouri Trader Lockback
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Yep; I have the Missouri Trader and Trapper... the lock back on the trader is my preference over the liner lock, but with a #23 I don't mind some kind of lock--it's a big knife and I will not frown upon a little extra security for my fingers. That said, I carry and use the lock-less #42 trapper the most. The #23 is on my radar right now--likely my next purchase.
 
rma100 said:
Would y'all consider the 23 Bull Lock a Lock Back? Or no?
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That is a million dollar question right there! It does work from the back, so yes it is a lock back, but appears to have the traditional " slip joint" type construction from what I can gather from the pics I have seen: ie fixed spring which tensions the blade into the open position...But! It does not have the typical lockback rocker bar/ seperate spring construction of the more modern lock-backs. Again, as previously stated, this gives GEC an opportunity to showcase its excellent execution and craftsmanship which they seem to do so well in these types of patterns. I personally think of this type lock as a bail lock, which is a unique and interesting take on locking blades in its own right.
 
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