GEC #14 vs #15

ndeezl

ndeezl

Joined
Sep 18, 2008
Messages
2,037
Hi all,

It's been a while since I've come around these parts and I trust that y'all have been keeping the place clean for me :) I'm trying to decide between picking up a single blade #14 or holding out to find a #15 on the secondary market. Does anyone who has both have a preference? I'm looking for something small that will disappear in my pocket, and it appears there's a half inch difference between the two (closed). Does anyone find the 14 to be too small or the 15 too large riding loose in the pocket? Thanks in advance for your opinion :thumbup:

Nathan
 
I have owned both. The #15 is my favorite pattern and the perfect size for me. It is just small enough to disappear in the pocket and still be a capable blade size. The #14 is nice as well but I find that it is just a little too small and the ones I have handled had walk and talks that were a little on the weak side (less snappy). I would also look into the #25. If I had to rank them I would put the #15 first, followed by the #25 and then the #14.
 
As a guy who owns a dozen Peanuts, two 18s, a 25, and two 14s, understand that I am biased. The 14 single blade disappears in your pocket like a Peanut but packs an even more capable blade.

I find two-blade 15s to be too large for my tastes. Then again, I find Alox Pioneers and Opinel 8s too large for pocket carry, as well. Single blade 15s are okay, but I do not find the extra blade length necessary for anything I do in my day-to-day routine; in the process making the extra weight unnecessary.

I do not prefer the current two-blade 14s over the single blade 14, but the TCs are too beautiful to ignore. If the next run on 14s has a Sheepsfoot main/Pen secondary or Spear main/Sheepsfoot secondary, it would probably supplant that single blade 14 for me.

What do you currently carry that you would consider "small" and what would you consider "large"? That will go a long way in determining what you would prefer.
 
gusnuts said:
I have owned both. The #15 is my favorite pattern and the perfect size for me. It is just small enough to disappear in the pocket and still be a capable blade size. The #14 is nice as well but I find that it is just a little too small and the ones I have handled had walk and talks that were a little on the weak side (less snappy). I would also look into the #25. If I had to rank them I would put the #15 first, followed by the #25 and then the #14.
Click to expand...

Thanks Gus, appreciate your opinion.

Wurrwulf said:
As a guy who owns a dozen Peanuts, two 18s, a 25, and two 14s, understand that I am biased. The 14 single blade disappears in your pocket like a Peanut but packs an even more capable blade.

I find two-blade 15s to be too large for my tastes. Then again, I find Alox Pioneers and Opinel 8s too large for pocket carry, as well. Single blade 15s are okay, but I do not find the extra blade length necessary for anything I do in my day-to-day routine; in the process making the extra weight unnecessary.

I do not prefer the current two-blade 14s over the single blade 14, but the TCs are too beautiful to ignore. If the next run on 14s has a Sheepsfoot main/Pen secondary or Spear main/Sheepsfoot secondary, it would probably supplant that single blade 14 for me.

What do you currently carry that you would consider "small" and what would you consider "large"? That will go a long way in determining what you would prefer.
Click to expand...

Thanks Shawn. I typically carry a slipjoint between 3 and 3.5 inches closed so that's what has me on the fence. As far as modern folders go it's pretty much always a large sebenza. I've found peanut patterns to be a bit smaller than what I prefer, and I think they're usually what, 2 7/8?? I agree the TC barlows are absolutely gorgeous and I'm generally not a barlow fan. Might have me leaning more towards the 15 but of course it's going to be more difficult to find...

Nathan
 
Nathan, I have both and carry both at the same time. The 14's fit horizontally in the bottom of the jeans watch pocket. I use a snap hook to hang a #15 Beerscout vertically from my belt into my front pocket. With these two carry methods the knives are completely secure.

The 14's are three finger knives. The 15's are four finger knives. The 14's are small knives. The 15's are mid-size knives.
 
I just got the 15 beer scout and really like the size in hand, I have a 14 but it seems a little small, but I like the way it rides in the pocket. The 15 feels a little big when it settles horizontally in the pocket, but I may be a little sensitive to that because I have become used to knives with clips. I do carry a small Sebenza or Inkosi quite often.
 
Man, that's a tough question. I own both and I enjoy them both. I guess if I had to pick a favorite, it would be one of my single blade $14's. There's just something about them that I find irresistible.

On the other hand, if I could only pick one for pocket carry I would have to go with the #15. When I carry a #14 I carry it as a secondary knife with a slightly larger knife in the other pocket. If I could only carry one I would want the slightly larger knife.

I don't find the #14's too small nor do I find the #15's too large.
 
I love the #15. The size is just right. The #14 is too small for me.
 
Wurrwulf said:
As a guy who owns a dozen Peanuts, two 18s, a 25, and two 14s, understand that I am biased. The 14 single blade disappears in your pocket like a Peanut but packs an even more capable blade.

I find two-blade 15s to be too large for my tastes. Then again, I find Alox Pioneers and Opinel 8s too large for pocket carry, as well. Single blade 15s are okay, but I do not find the extra blade length necessary for anything I do in my day-to-day routine; in the process making the extra weight unnecessary.

I do not prefer the current two-blade 14s over the single blade 14, but the TCs are too beautiful to ignore. If the next run on 14s has a Sheepsfoot main/Pen secondary or Spear main/Sheepsfoot secondary, it would probably supplant that single blade 14 for me.

What do you currently carry that you would consider "small" and what would you consider "large"? That will go a long way in determining what you would prefer.
Click to expand...

+1. Pretty much what I was going to say, so I will save myself some typing.
 
ndeezl said:
Hi all,

It's been a while since I've come around these parts and I trust that y'all have been keeping the place clean for me :) I'm trying to decide between picking up a single blade #14 or holding out to find a #15 on the secondary market. Does anyone who has both have a preference? I'm looking for something small that will disappear in my pocket, and it appears there's a half inch difference between the two (closed). Does anyone find the 14 to be too small or the 15 too large riding loose in the pocket? Thanks in advance for your opinion :thumbup:

Nathan
Click to expand...

Both disappear in the pocket. 15 is a little more substantial, 14 I still wouldn't feel underknife'd. It will be easier to get a 14 and not pay over retail for it. I think even the 2 blade 14s would disappear in your pocket. If you order a 14, I would request the dealer test the blade's walk and talk.
 
I think 15 is one of GECs best offerings, if you need a little bigger 77, a little smaller 14. There is speculation that there maybe a clip 14 some day! 14s are softer in pull. I had at first considered them too small, then ended up with 6 of them sometime ago, gifting a few. They are nice little knives
 
Yeah after a relatively deep google search I think I'll probably end up grabbing a 14 new and keep my eye out for a 15 on the exchange (along with the rest of y'all :p ) My gut feeling is I'll prefer the 15 but having an extra knife never seems to be a problem :thumbup:

Nathan
 
I prefer the 15, but it doesn't disappear in your pocket. I like the 14 also. It is not too small. Both great knives!
 
ndeezl said:
Yeah after a relatively deep google search I think I'll probably end up grabbing a 14 new and keep my eye out for a 15 on the exchange (along with the rest of y'all :p ) My gut feeling is I'll prefer the 15 but having an extra knife never seems to be a problem :thumbup:

Nathan
Click to expand...
You can't go wrong with whatever you decide.

14's aren't the only ones currently available new. There are still plenty of 15's in the form of Caplifters and Beescouts available new from dealers.
 
Single clip 15. GEC with smaller bolsters is noticeably lighter than TC variety, burnt orange worm groove has a nice texture. Blade shape of the 14s doesn't work for me.
 
If interested, I think there are still some #15 two bladed one arm jacks out there. I've been thinking about getting one, but GEC keeps putting out new knives that I like better.

I've never carried a two blade 15, but the single blades carry very well. The #14 carries better of course, but I like 15's size in hand a little bit more.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk
 
I prefer a two blade (with small pen) because I like the option of having two blades to choose from for the cutting task at hand.

Personally, I like to use the smallest blade that has the capability of doing the job. Individual taste for sure.

That being said, that "smaller is better" preference means I like a smaller knife in my pocket, which will often have me reaching for the single blade knife when choosing my carry for the day.

Of couse, that means on a day when I'm puttering around the house, I will switch out my carry knife half a dozen times or so (and a stockman always makes it into the rotation).
 
Sabercat said:
If interested, I think there are still some #15 two bladed one arm jacks out there. I've been thinking about getting one, but GEC keeps putting out new knives that I like better.

I've never carried a two blade 15, but the single blades carry very well. The #14 carries better of course, but I like 15's size in hand a little bit more.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

LastRodeo said:
I prefer a two blade (with small pen) because I like the option of having two blades to choose from for the cutting task at hand.

Personally, I like to use the smallest blade that has the capability of doing the job. Individual taste for sure.

That being said, that "smaller is better" preference means I like a smaller knife in my pocket, which will often have me reaching for the single blade knife when choosing my carry for the day.

Of couse, that means on a day when I'm puttering around the house, I will switch out my carry knife half a dozen times or so (and a stockman always makes it into the rotation).
Click to expand...

Yeah I definitely like the versatility of two blades but this will be mostly for pocketing while in the office so I'd prefer the single blade to keep the weight down.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top