Just Landed: GEC #74 Ranch Hand

Hawk45

Hawk45

Joined
Jan 28, 2005
Messages
2,154
Showed up this AM via USPS. This is only my second traditional I've purchased and starting to get on a roll (scary). My first was the Northwoods Madison Barlow (great knife) and love the size, but I want some variety. Plus they all look so great they are mini works of art in my eyes. Seeing how thin the Madison Barlow was, I wanted to get something a little thicker in a two blade model. I wanted a clip blade but pretty much everything out there in the 72/73 lineup was skinner type main blade. So when I saw GEC just dropped the new #74 Ranch Hand, I thought perfect!! This one is in Blood Red Jig Bone which is beautiful up close.. so classic. Fit and finish is very good. Has half-stops and pulls very nice, no nail breaker here. Anyway it's brand new so no time with it so can't comment there. With that said, on to the important part.. pictures. I've added a few comparison pics with the Northwoods Madison Barlow single blade and my grandfathers (now mine) Case Medium Stockman. Enjoy!

9e1j.jpg


yzmw.jpg


0kll.jpg


0p10.jpg
 
Nice trio! Bone looks great on them all but the Blood Red takes the cake.

If you like the #74 and desire something a little closer in size to the Northwoods, check out a GEC #42 Missouri Trapper.
 
Last edited:
blademan 13 said:
If you like the #74 and desire something a little closer in size to the Northwoods, check out a GEC #42 Missouri Trapper.
Click to expand...

I've been eyeing the #42 and the #23 and the #15 and the #25 :D
The #74 is actually a little bigger than expected, but in a good way. I will probably go a little smaller on the next one, but for now I need to let the knife fund fill back up.
 
Nice!! I love that Blood Red bone also - my favorite color in fact. I have a 79 in BR and it's just gorgeous. I like that combo of full sized blades. That's a winner!
 
Here are few more pics since the light has gotten a little better outside..

o5id.jpg


svok.jpg
 
Nice! I'd say you've done a pretty good job with your last two purchases....and that Case ain't bad either! Enjoy!

Peter
 
Very nice. That's the problem with GEC, and I never thought I would call it a problem, but there are so many different scale options. Not to mention all of th edifferent patterns...
Well, I guess those aren't really problems, but not having enough $$$ to buy all of them is :D
 
No doubt brother.. the list keeps growing. And it doesn't help to know there are a limited amount of each. And when they are gone.. they are gone. At least for a good period of time. So right now I'm in the "catching up" phase.
 
You got a peach there Hawk.
I went for the antique green.I dig this shape of knife.
 
Hawk45 said:
No doubt brother.. the list keeps growing. And it doesn't help to know there are a limited amount of each. And when they are gone.. they are gone. At least for a good period of time. So right now I'm in the "catching up" phase.
Click to expand...

:D

My normal knife buying program is, I find one I really like, then I go back and forth trying to decide if I really want it or not. You can't do that with most of the GEC's...
Like you said, if you wait to long, they are gone
 
I have been looking at those Ranch Hands the last few days myself. I really don't need one but they sure are tempting.

Jim
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top