GEC liner-locks

fishface5

fishface5

Gold Member
Joined
Feb 3, 2001
Messages
9,580
I'm looking online at an UN-X-LD #73 scout, with the liner lock, but is their liner lock a regular slippie with a strong spring AND a liner-lock, or is there no/less spring tension on the versions w/liner-locks included? And either way, does anyone have a recent Scout that they can report on, in terms of quality/satisfaction?

Also, I'm interested specifically in the UN-X-LD version (as opposed to the Tidoute) because of the swedge. Are there any other differences in quality between the 3 versions GEC makes?

(Please don't mention the search function, it's come close to giving me an anneurism already tonight & I'm done with it for now).

Any info appreciated!
 
Spring tension is the same as all others. The only difference in the three brands is that the Great Eastern knives are 440 stainless. The Tidioute an UN-X-LD is made of 1095 carbon.

I don't think it would be proper for me to give a review since I'm one of their distributors.
 
I have 2 blade #73 and then later purchased a #73 linerlock (pictured below) because I wanted something lighter and I also liked the locking feature. The linerlock version has significantly less backspring tension. This may not be the case for all of them though.

IMG_0532-1.jpg
 
Not for mine, it's so tough, I stripped the top of my thumbnail off. And with the liner, it was scary to close, flip the liner over and SNAP like a crocodile to the half stop. That knife scares me.:eek: I wish it had Case like spring tension, then it would be perfect. The fit and finish of the knife is amazing.
 
interesting - thanks for the info guys. I'm thinking of getting one to tinker with as an office knife; sounds like spring tension is a bit of a crapshoot though.
 
I have a stag #73 Scout linerlock. It is really easy to open and shut. Not at all like the nail breaker some describe on their slipjoint. It has only one blade. I wonder if there is a difference between the one- and two-blade versions?
 
I have not noticed the 73's being tough at all. The 23's are whole different story, but seems limited to the single blades....
 
I have a #73 "Beaver Tail" (not a liner lock), and the springs are stout, but it's not a nail breaker. It has a half stop so I'm not to worried about it closing too quickly.

-- Sam
 
Mine is a 23 linerlock, so it's the norm? Maybe I should pick up the set, one for the shelf, the other for the pocket :D
 
Well Perry is hand-picking me one from his stock (now that's customer service!), so we'll see if it's user-friendly for me. I'm really excited about it b/c I've wanted a Queen Mountain-Man for years, but that's too big for the office. The 23 >> 73 << might be just the trick, and the blade swedge really adds some class. Plus the more recent reports on the UN-X-LD's would indicate that they have among the best fit & finish of the current production slippies. I'm planning on grinding down the protruding liner to be more like a regular liner-lock (but I'll give it some pocket time before I do anything rash).
 
Last edited:
RobbW said:
I don't know this person, who is he?

Thanks.
Click to expand...

Perry Miller is a member here and runs spaceportcutlery.com

He is also the current president of the NKCA.
 
fishface5 said:
I'm really excited about it b/c I've wanted a Queen Mountain-Man for years, but that's too big for the office. The 23 might be just the trick, and the blade swedge really adds some class.
Click to expand...

I just wanted to comment on this part because, to me, the Queen Mountain Mans and the #23 Great Easterns are knives separated at birth. Meaning, they are almost exactly the same size and weight, with the GE being a little heavier with the liner lock.

In comparing a Carved Stag bone Queen MM with a Stag #23 Linerlock Pioneer they are very close to the same shape and size with the MM being maybe 1/8" longer in because the bolster is rounded over instead of flat on the top.

The MM is 4.7 oz and the GE is 4.9 oz.

Of course there are differences and the weights depend on scale materials and such.

I like them both and have a number of each. The Queen is far easier to open and close because of the lighter spring tension.

GE vs MM.jpg


Of course, if you meant the #73 GE, that is a different story, same proportions as the #23 but smaller and more pocket friendly.

GE23 vs GE73.jpg
 
Last edited:
Thanks for posting that eswartz. :thumbup:

It allowed me to check my digital scale using my CSB Mountain Man lockback (with paracord lanyard) against yours.

With lanyard mine came in at 4.75 ounces so it looks like we're good to go. :cool:
 
I also have a Queen Mt Man and can vouch for the fact that they are very easy to open and close. I found, however, that the lock-up is not very tight compared to my GEC #73. I have read on this forum that this is common problem with the Mt Man. If I had to choose between the Queen Mt Man and GEC #23 I'd go with the GEC for that reason alone.
 
FWIW, mine locks up like a vault. YMMV as has been previously reported with this model.
 
My No.73 Liner Lock in Burnt Stag is a much prized knife, opens very well,shuts without giving you a fright and the liner lock is good and solid.Fit etc, matchless at this price I'd say.No blade play,properly sharp,no gaps or rough spots etc.

Don't know about the Mountain Man, but the Queen Cutlery Teardrop Liner Lock I have in Amber Bone is another favourite, the liner lock on this model is not as substantial as the GE but it has less spring and is certainly good enough.
 
well hot diggety, I received the 73 liner-lock in "dark river bone" I think it's called, and it is a sweet sweet knife! [Many props to Perry for hand-selecting one that best fit my specifications, thank you!!] It's not custom quality, of course -- the blade rubs the liner, which I'll have to fix, and the spring isn't flush at half-stop -- but overall it's head-and-shoulders above any other factory slippies I have fondled. Like a piece of jewelry! Nice thin sharp blade, and the tension isn't too hard on the thumbnail at all. Only problem is that the swedge thins the blade at the nail-nick, making it a little hard to get a secure purchase when opening. But overall it is SWEET. I may have to get a version in stag w/o liner-lock to compare. Oh, my precious . . . . . . .
 
i own 4 genuine stag's 2 w/ LL & 2 w/o. fit & finish are above average. i use one in the shop for small trim & cleanup jobs.i'am also a big fan of 1095 steel and the fact it holds a great edge & sharpens easily.
the only think i can say is that once you buy one, it will lead to more knives in your collection.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top