H73210 GEC Fixed Blade Hunter

B

BrotherJim

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I've wanted a single blade #73 folder for some time now and been unable to find one in wood or bone that didn't have a ridiculous price attached. I've seen a few stag handled single blade ones but that's not what I'm looking for.

So to appease my lust for the #73, I ordered a Canoe Pattern Hunter to tide me over until GEC makes another run of the #73. While not serialized (didn't want that anyway) there were only 27 of these made in this configuration in 2010. I feel very lucky to have found one and the price hadn't been jacked up.

I love this knife. It's beautiful in the hand. For me it just fits. I can easily see how a #73 folder would be a primary EDC ... if I had one.

The sheath has the thickest leather of any leather sheath I've ever seen. It's quite nice but the color of the sheath neither matches the brown tone of the knife handle nor appeals to me. The sheath does not have a plastic insert and I'd be a little concerned about the knife edge in the sheath over time. But, I don't intend to use this sheath much.

I have a Sharpshooter Prudhoe Bay Pocket Sheath on the way and pocket carry is how I intend to try and carry this knife. If the Sharpshooter doesn't work out, I'll have a pocket sheath made that will work. This knife is 7 1/4 inches long and pushing my limits in length for pocket carry, but I have a BK11 Becker Necker and a BK24 Becker D'EsKaBar that I pocket carry, so I think this knife just might be okay for pocket carry.

The fit and finish is what you'd expect from GEC and I'd be hard pressed to find any fault with this one. The 1095 edge is paper cutting sharp out of the tube, but not shaving sharp. That will be easily remedied.

Comments, thoughts, your experience with the Hunter and your pictures appreciated :)
 
I think the GEC fixed blade knife sheath gets first place for the ugliest sheath made. They actually have to dye the leather to get that baby poop brown color.

Fiebing's makes a leather dye that might be able to fix it.

Tom
 
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Yep, it's a great sheath ... just a little off on the color IMO
The color does look a little better in person than any picture I've seen and I could "get used to it" mainly because the quality of the sheath itself is excellent.
Maybe semantics, but more of an orange tone than a yellowish tone of BS brown. And I'll bet the tone darkens a bit with use and care.
 
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I just applied some Dr. Martens Wonder Balsam and it did darken. I think it will be fine with use and care, though I honestly would prefer a different tone with more brown and less orange.

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... I just noticed the label on the tube says, "Manufactured at the Cyclops Steel Works" ... but I thought that meant 440C steel.
The steel of this the knife is 1095 and the tang is stamped "Titusville Iron Works". Maybe a generic tube for GEC FBs ??
 
I've been tempted many times by these H73 and H23 fixed blades. Maybe I'll get one someday, although bocote would be my first choice :)
I do think that they're a bit overpriced though, and that their sheath is almost unpresentable :p

Fausto
:cool:
 
Regardless of the sheath, that's a great looking knife. I could see that easily being a belt carry EDC.
 
I'm really liking this knife ... a lot. GEC quality on a good day is right here on this knife.
The emblem is a little proud on the handle. That's the worst thing I can say about it.
I'm even getting used to the sheath because it's so dang well made and think it will improve with age, use and care ... somewhat.
With all that's been mentioned about the sheath, the worst of that for me is that it is for a righty and I'm a lefty.
Wish more (semi) production cutleries made lefty sheaths available.
 
I don't have a #73 folder to compare this knife to, but here it is with a #15 and a #99 for a size idea.
Sorry for the bad lighting. It doesn't do these knives justice. Early evening now ...

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BrotherJim said:
Comments, thoughts, your experience with the Hunter and your pictures appreciated :)
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Just can't get into their fixed blades, visually, on account of the handle pattern. They look like folders that just don't fold.

I would be interested in one of these:

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Bob W said:
Just can't get into their fixed blades, visually, on account of the handle pattern. They look like folders that just don't fold.
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HA !!! I've thought the same thing a couple of times today, the brief time I've had it thus far.

I looked down once without thinking and was surprised for a split second that the blade well in the handle was filled LOL
THEN LATER ... for a split second my hands started to move to "unlock" the blade before I replaced it into the sheath DOH !!!

I thought too, the flat grind of the blade suits it well as a strong general purpose / utility knife. This sucker isn't gonna fold up on ya ;)

... steak knife comes to mind too ...
 
The grind and finish on the blade is beautiful with a satin finish. The entire top of the blade from the tip, down to the tang, has like a cut swedge on both sides that gives it a "splinter removing" tip but doesn't really show well in pictures. There's much more to this blade than just stamping a piece of steel out and it's nicely finished as good cutlery should be. The lines and symmetry as well as the balance and proportions of this bone and steel reflect an art as well as an attention to detail. The bone jigging, flawless. I just can't find fault with this knife and I'm sure I will throughly enjoy carrying and using it.
 
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Double Ott said:
I think the GEC fixed blade knife sheath gets first place for the ugliest sheath made. They actually have to dye the leather to get that baby poop brown color.

Fiebing's makes a leather dye that might be able to fix it.

Tom
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Tom, I don't think you've actually seen a GEC FB sheath in person or you wouldn't call it baby poop brown color. Here it is beside a Sharpshooter Prudhoe Bay Pocket Sheath that I'm using until I can get a custom pocket sheath made for the hunter. While the color is SLIGHTLY different ... not a whole lot ...

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The GEC product photo is terrible and I THINK that is what you are basing your color assessment from. The sheath just looks MUCH better in person. At least my sheath does thank gawd Lol

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I like the oak leaf and acorn motif. It reminds me of the sheaths that came with knives in times past, which is I'm sure is what it's meant to do.

The blade design looks like a great deer skinner.
 
Fiebings leather dye is what to use, the dark brown oil dye will match it to the handle colour. As for plastic in the sheath edge?? There's a welt (third layer between the front and back) to keep the edge from cutting the stitching.

Regards

Robin
 
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