Bails and Chains

waynorth said:
I think some people here shouldn't bother to buy a knife with a bail and chain!
It's obviously too much trouble!! Why pay extra for something you are going to struggle with, and probably remove and toss??
I found a chain useful when I was wearing bib jeans as a kid. Just button it onto a shoulder strap button, under the strap latch at your chest. Then you could hang from a branch by your legs, upside-down of course, and you wouldn't lose your knife!!
I remember using a suspender button on my pants also!
I doubt I will need to use a bail and chain any more to keep my knife, but I just want one for nostalgia purposes!!
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BINGO! Couldn't have said it better myself Charlie, I've been hoping someone would resurrect one of those old treasures for years! I'm big on nostalgia when it comes to knives, heck this is the "traditional" forum anyway, right? Anyway there are a few great features with the chain; you can put the knife in any pocket, even one that you can't get your fingers into since you pull it out by the chain. You rarely have to worry about the bail flopping under the blade when you close the knife since the weight of the chain holds it down. It's got an easily released clasp ( the one that goes over your button) so unhooking is a breeze if you need to reach farther than the length of the chain. It's cool, especially if you wear a leather vest :)

I've got an old two blade Schrade Cut. Co easy open with the chain, and I think it's awesome that I can someday match it up with a modern old school version.

Eric
 
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I totally get their nostalgic value. I wish I could have chosen the jigged bone version. In terms of difficulty of use, I would wager that most of the bail and chain 15s will become prized and highly collectible in their mint and unused condition. Those who were able to get one should consider themselves fortunate.
 
After seeing the M & G bail & chain #15 pictured on the GEC blog, I'll be looking forward to buying one!

It looks great and the bail should be simple to remove (if desired) -- nice knife :)
 
GEC has built a couple of tools to install/remove the bail, without scratching the handle!!
They have warned me that if you scratch the handle, it is NOT under warranty for repair!!:eek:
That said, I am looking forward to getting a couple of those knives!!:)
 
waynorth said:
GEC has built a couple of tools to install/remove the bail, without scratching the handle!!
They have warned me that if you scratch the handle, it is NOT under warranty for repair!!:eek:
That said, I am looking forward to getting a couple of those knives!!:)
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Thanks for posting this information.

I was concerned about divots and/or scratches from the installation of the bail.

Also, nice to hear about a shield on your SFO :D
 
waynorth said:
I think some people here shouldn't bother to buy a knife with a bail and chain!
It's obviously too much trouble!! Why pay extra for something you are going to struggle with, and probably remove and toss??
I found a chain useful when I was wearing bib jeans as a kid. Just button it onto a shoulder strap button, under the strap latch at your chest. Then you could hang from a branch by your legs, upside-down of course, and you wouldn't lose your knife!!
I remember using a suspender button on my pants also!
I doubt I will need to use a bail and chain any more to keep my knife, but I just want one for nostalgia purposes!!
Click to expand...
 
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It would appear that these bails are NOT made to be removed on the fly. A blog from one dealer communicates that GEC is warning customers that removing the bail will result in a voided warranty.

**Edit**
My apologies, I guess I blew right past waynorth waynorth 's
comment above communicating a similar message.
 
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Nonetheless, these sure look cool.
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I intend to remove bails and chains with reckless abandon, and in the dark light of the moon I will replace bails and chains when I fancy.

If I am lucky enough to get more than one bail and chain knife, I might even swap bails and chains between knives AND NO ONE WILL KNOW☠️☠️☠️.

And collectors will have a new term to learn “bail and chain rash” caused by half drunk warranty voiding wrench monkeys.

When will GEC start selling bail and chain attachment/removal fixtures so those of us at home can buy one?! I want one with nice stag handles.......
 
Being a nut for that elusive historical accuracy, let me post this: For everyone's information, I have about a dozen old Boy's knives, and every one has a sprung bail like GEC's, and not a pinned bail. @Buzzbait , MCar MCar and others, I see it as relatively easy to snip the chain link at the bail, and install a snap hook to make disconnecting easy!!
This pic is enlarged. The hook is from a necklace, but they are available.

Snap hook 1.jpg
 
Funny you mentioned this Charlie because I thought, in the pics that GEC showed, that there was a snap hook or something like that on the bail end of the chain. I must've been seeing things that weren't there.o_O
 
I was looking through my Remington book and I didn't see any boys knives that had a snap, the chain was directly attached to the (non pinned) bail. The bails appeared to be a rounded piece of wire.
 
Yes Charlie, but I don't mind seeing them in closeup now,,,even better! Thanks for that!:thumbsup:
I'm glad Bill decided to go with the Schrade Cut Co. idea of how the bail attaches to the handle, (how far into it) rather than the Imperial/IKCO attachment. I also like that he went with the larger flat tooled button attachment, similar to the Schrade Cut Co. And I will say that his design of the bail itself on the new GEC boys knives is a nice and uniquely GEC change that will set them apart from just being a copy. They look like they hug the handle, leaving less dead bail space, a unique but still simple design.
Finally with the whole snap hook idea, I'm glad he stayed clear of those larger ones. He used, (what looks like to me now) is a simple, round tension circle link on both ends of the chain. He took the older Maher&Grosh and Schrade Cut designs and blended them into his own. It keeps the chain from being visually interrupted. Can't wait to get my grubby paws on a couple of my own!
How's that for going into the weeds over a bail and chain design, but hey it's all part of the fun for me!
Couple shots of the new bails and chains that some may not have seen.


 
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Elgatodeacero said:
I intend to remove bails and chains with reckless abandon, and in the dark light of the moon I will replace bails and chains when I fancy.

If I am lucky enough to get more than one bail and chain knife, I might even swap bails and chains between knives AND NO ONE WILL KNOW☠️☠️☠️.

And collectors will have a new term to learn “bail and chain rash” caused by half drunk warranty voiding wrench monkeys.

When will GEC start selling bail and chain attachment/removal fixtures so those of us at home can buy one?! I want one with nice stag handles.......
Click to expand...

I spent a lot of time pulling the nails out of my house and replacing them with new ones! But with the price of nails these days, and the poor off-shore steel, I gave it up!:rolleyes:
 
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