The third photo down by BigFattyT above is a good example in my eyes of why the 3" Barlow/Jacks are neither fish nor fowl. For a knife that is a three-finger grip at best, we have the peanut type, which is extremely pocket friendly and can handle those minor tasks. I don't see what is gained with the short, squat 3" Barlow.
Once you have decided to carry a Barlow/Jack, and thus willing to have the squat, heavier multi-springed knife in your pocket, why would you not prefer an almost unnoticeable extra 3/8" to 1/2" additional length that lets you have better finger control and leverage and are able to (seemingly) take advantage of the extra girth/blade that the Barlow gives you over the smaller peanut?
I have a couple of GECs, but not a Barlow, so I am questioning the overall effectiveness of a tool that I don't even have or have never held. I realize that, so my question is not meant to be argumentative.
Once you have decided to carry a Barlow/Jack, and thus willing to have the squat, heavier multi-springed knife in your pocket, why would you not prefer an almost unnoticeable extra 3/8" to 1/2" additional length that lets you have better finger control and leverage and are able to (seemingly) take advantage of the extra girth/blade that the Barlow gives you over the smaller peanut?
I have a couple of GECs, but not a Barlow, so I am questioning the overall effectiveness of a tool that I don't even have or have never held. I realize that, so my question is not meant to be argumentative.
