As an old Buck 110 fan from way, way back, I've always liked lockback knife designs. When I came across my first Great Eastern Cutlery 72 (a red handled Tidioute), I fell in love with it in short order. As much as delighted in the 72 (and I've since added several to the collection), when I saw GEC's new 42 on Gary Norton/Northwest Knife Company's web site, I knew that I had to have it.

The second that I had the knife shown in the photo out of it's wax paper, I knew that his was something truly special. In basic terms, the 42 is a larger version of the 72. The 72 has an overall length of 7" with a blade length of 3 1/8" (overall, not cutting edge...which is 2 15/16"). The 42 has an overall length of 7 3/4" with a blade length of 3 7/16" (cutting edge is 3 1/8"). The blade is quite a bit broader across it's grind and though the knives aren't radically different in size, I really like the extra handle real estate that the 42 provides.

Also...I like Cocobolo handle scales. Obviously, there is a warmth in wood that is hard to find anywhere else. The scales that GEC put on this 42 (also called the "Missouri Trader") are the most beautiful that I've encountered.

A++ GEC.