GEC 3" and Under Comparison

KBA

KBA

Joined
Apr 27, 2014
Messages
4,449
Forgive me if this has been discussed in one thread prior. I also know there is a Talk GEC thread, but I didn't want this to get buried in other conversations. If this doesn't take off, or, if it dies out, Im good if we move this thread into the other.

Patterns Numbers - Main Blade

06 - Clip
09 - Pen
14 - Spear
18 (Beagle/Coyote) - Wharncliffe & Spear
22 - Clip
25 - Clip, Sheepsfoot, Drop Point, Spear, Wharncliffe
26 - Wharncliffe, Spear, Clip
**Am I missing any?

Does anyone have all the GEC patterns at 3" or under? I'd love to see a consolidated shot of all including the 2 bladers and the different main blades, and thickness of handle? If not, show what you have please.

Do you prefer one over the other as a daily user? Why?

I have tried all except the 18, 22, and 26. I am considering picking up one more small one to pair with the other larger ones when I want something different than the peanut. I had a TC 14 Lick Creek Barlow, but aesthetically, I find the lines on the regular 14 run more attractive. I found the single blade 06 and 09 just to thin or small, but Ive never used a two bladed 06. I had a 25 but never used it.

Anyways, Im NOT looking for recommendations. Im really just wanting to see what you all think of these patterns as users. It may help someone else down the road as well.

Thanks

A few pics for fun.





6y1a21.jpg
 
Last edited:
That patina on the 14 in the second pick is amazing! How'd you get it? I'm guessing you did a forced patina since it has such an even look to it , looks great.
 
Brett You can include a Wharncliffe with the 25 pattern as well.

I like the 25 pattern as it has enough breadth to the handle and a relatively broad blade. Great blade range, the DropPoint being the best but the scarcest. I prefer singles, don't really like the Jack Barlow versions so much, the Pen blade is a bit redundant on a small knife somehow.

The 26 has such a tough spring (even for me) that I rarely use it. The Primitive Bone is very attractive though.

The other small GECs have failed to enthuse me, they feel skimpy and thin somehow, too toy like for my tastes. I might add, I have small hands for a man so the diminutive aspect of small GECs is not due to some Yeti paw on my part! The Coyote remains tubed, well made no faults but so light. Likewise the 14, big disappointment for me, proportions too pencil-like.

I'd like to try a Pemberton single blade ( I think there were 2 blade versions?) there was an Olive Bone Tidioute that I liked the look of. I contacted a member about one but he set a huge price on it and I don't want another redundant Tube dweller.

Still think small knives are a WIP for GEC, they haven't yet hit the spot - 25 excepting.

IMG_3107.jpg


IMG_2419.jpg
 
Last edited:
I've been a big fan of the #25 and #26 patterns since they first came out in 2009 I think it was. They were my favorite 3 inch and under GEC's until the #14's came along. I carried one or the other for a fair amount of time and I always did like using them.

Now that the #14's are available I'm stuck on those. I carried a Rust Red #14 Boy's Knife for a couple months and I have really enjoyed it. I received a #14 TC Barlow a couple days ago and it has taken the place of the Boy's Knife. The size, shape, all steel construction, and Spear blade of the #14's are a combination that I find irresistible.

These smaller knives are my "secondary" blades that I carry in my watch pocket. I always carry a Stockman of some sort in my right front pocket.
 
Last edited:
Thank you Will. Edited OP. :thumbup:

NVT said:
That patina on the 14 in the second pick is amazing! How'd you get it? I'm guessing you did a forced patina since it has such an even look to it , looks great.
Click to expand...

Forced with a strawberry rub down.

Appreciate the insight and post Will and Rick. Valuable post. :thumbup:
 
I've found the pemperton to have a stronger than expected back spring, which gives it a tiny but stout feel, I've open the gunstock 22's and found them weaker almost sluggish to me. The 14's were just about perfect, but I never bought one of them yet

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk
 
I've had a few #25s, a #26 little carver, a coyote, a lick creek and a pemberton. The #25s are the only ones left.
 
KBA said:
Forgive me if this has been discussed in one thread prior. I also know there is a Talk GEC thread, but I didn't want this to get buried in other conversations. If this doesn't take off, or, if it dies out, Im good if we move this thread into the other.

Patterns Numbers - Main Blade

06 - Clip
09 - Pen
14 - Spear
18 (Beagle/Coyote) - Wharncliffe & Spear
22 - Clip
25 - Clip, Sheepsfoot, Drop Point, Spear, Wharncliffe
26 - Wharncliffe, Spear
**Am I missing any?
Click to expand...

Brett, the 26 was also made with a very cool stubby little clip.

 
Appreciate that Ken. :thumbup:

Does anyone have any photo comparisons of the patterns listed?
 
I have or had all of them except the 22 and 26 . The 25 is my favorite and the rest fall behind in no particular order. One thing I've realized is that I prefer the two blade options more. I don't really use them much, I just like a little heft in these little knives.
 
Of the smaller GEC patterns listed, I have three: #14, #18 and #25.

The #18 is my least favorite. I have two, only in the Coyote variant. (I was going to pick up a Beagle, but after sizing up the Coyote, I decided against it.) Don't get me wrong, they're fine knives, just too small for my taste.

B5080167-C97A-4840-A543-E03928D23A17.jpg


I like the #14 quite a bit. It's a great small knife, just the right size (for a small knife, that is :D). I, uh, went a little overboard on #14's. :rolleyes:

C9FE4D49-F105-4B8F-A56F-AEFC080F1705.jpg


I'm really looking forward to seeing other blade shapes in this pattern, particularly a clip.

FBB95F21-5C51-4132-B924-465A0CF5B01B.jpg


The #25 has to be my favorite of these patterns. Sturdy, stumpy, stout little things. Small in your pocket, but still manages to feel substantial in hand. Great little knife!

EB951593-6EAB-4894-8B51-C599F0966BFE.jpg


FA696919-BCDC-43CA-B309-6B35B1975232.jpg
 
I love the smaller GEC's. It is great to be able to tuck away a fully functional knife into a small pocket and not feel it. The 25's are my favorite. They just feel substantial in the hand and are still very small in length. In addition these are the only sub-3 inch pattern with an EO notch which is good for me.

IMG_1341_zpsfyb3tcl4.jpg


The 26 I own is nice, but it does require a harder pull to open and close. Also, there is no half-stop on these.
image_zps1ykxehqd.jpeg


If you are familiar with the Case Peanut and like the size then the #18 Beagle will work for you. The extra width from the second blade does make the Beagle feel more substantial than the Coyote.
image_zpsbrpzuwhb.jpg


However, when you want the smallest & lightest knife around that is still usable, the Coyote is great. Plus, the wharncliffe blade with a serpentine pattern is just plain beautiful.

image_zpsjdxaejrp.jpg


The 14's are good too. These are thin and pencil-like as mentioned earlier. These are true "Boy's Knives", simple knives with no extras like shields. I have given them to my nephew and sons. I've kept a few for myself too.

image_zpslvm5izrv.jpeg
 
Last edited:
These are the ones I have.



And with a Peanut for scale -


The 26 has the most carry days and usage hours clocked up on it, by far.

I must have lucked out, reading about the beartrap pulls on other 26s - mine's an easy 4 1/2 on the wharncliffe and a little too light on the coping, maybe a two or three.

The 25s are all great, but the Barlow and drop point have snappy enough halfstops and heavy enough pulls that I'm a bit wary of using them as work knives like the 26. They're very sharp and demand a little too much attention in a work environment where you have to open and close 'em dozens of times a day.

The EZ open sheepfoot was bought as a replacement work knife for the 26 when I thought I'd lost it, then put aside when I found the 26 again. The 26 has the advantage of the little coping blade which can be deployed almost anywhere without NKP batting an eyelid.

The Coyote's beautiful but a little too small. If it was the only knife I had, no doubt I could make it work, but it's not. 😊
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top