GEC Compare & Contrast: Conductor vs. White Owl?

AFAustin

AFAustin

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Jun 8, 2004
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I am quickly becoming a GEC admirer, and one of the objects of my affection is my Conductor (smooth bone, EDC). Great little knife, with so much blade for its size, and yet so light and slim. Took it on a little road trip this past weekend, and it was a great travel companion---performed routine assignments splendidly and without frightening the local populace.

The White Owl has caught my eye, and it seems similar (clip point version, anyway) to the #33, but longer and stouter. I think I have seen some comparison pics of the two together, but darn if I can find them now. If anyone can kindly point me to them, I'd be much obliged. I'd also appreciate reading any comments comparing the two from someone who has both.

Thanks,

Andrew

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Update (2/9/12): Well, as for the subject raised above, I decided that science required me to make the comparison in the time honored way: I bought both. :D So, here are a few quick pics of my Conductor EDC in smooth bone and my White Owl in dusk buffalo horn. In the pic showing their widths, my angle is a bit off, making the Conductor appear thicker. It's not. In fact, I think the White Owl may be just a hair thicker.

Andrew

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I have one of each and I like the Conductor a little bit better. I just woke up a few minutes ago and I don't feel like taking pics just yet. My slight preference for the conductor stems from the fact I like to carry two knives at the same time. I like one to be significantly smaller than the other and the White Owl, with its more robust design, is too close to the size of the other knife I carry. I also really like the master blade on the Conductor.

The White Owl is great knife too. It is only my carry methods that cause me to favor the Conductor.

I will get some comparison pics posted later if somebody doesn't beat me to it.
 
Here are a few comparison pics. I didn't realize it until I took these pics but the master blade on the Conductor is slightly longer than that of the White Owl's.

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Great photo comparison! I've been meaning to ask the same question as Andrew. The Conductor sure is a surprising package considering its small size .. :D
 
I had been wondering this very thing as well. I appreciate the photos.
I'm still in the honeymoon period with my Conductor.
It just brings a smile to my face every time I use it.
 
For what it's worth the clip blade on the 68 white owl is the same one used in their 66 serpentine jack. But for the curves of the 66 and an extra spring thickness it's size is fairly close to that of a 68.
 
Rick, thanks very much for the pics and comments. I wouldn't have guessed the Conductor main blade is longer than the White Owl's---very interesting.

Andrew
 
Would the #33's main blade also be longer than the W.O's if the latter sported the spear point?

Also, the Conductor has been discussed as having some of the softest springs on a GEC. How does the pull on the W. O. compare?

Thanks,

Andrew
 
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I also have 'em both and prefer the Conductor for the same reasons as Rick. There's something beyond that though that makes me like the Conductor a little more than the White Owl, but I'm having a hard time figuring out exactly why. By rights I should prefer the White Owl due to its slightly longer length and width - objectively it does feel better in hand. Maybe it's just that I've carried a Conductor for about a year now and have gotten used to its feel in hand. I do like the swell-center aspect of the Conductor though - it gives it an old-timey feeling and appearance, and a bit of class, imho.

Overall though, I'd say if you like the Conductor you'll like the White Owl. Do you need them both? Of course you do - you're a knifeknut, otherwise you wouldn't be here! :D
 
Don't expect any difference in performance or ability between these 2. They fill the same niche in the range that is pocket knives. The Conductor has got beautiful flow and unity in it's design, which is really a definition of "Art" and why most of us find it has lasting appeal.
roland
 
AFAustin said:
Rick, thanks very much for the pics and comments. I wouldn't have guessed the Conductor main blade is longer than the White Owl's---very interesting.

Andrew
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You're welcome guys.

I know what you mean, Andrew. Kinda surprised me a bit too.

AFAustin said:
Would the #33's main blade also be longer than the W.O's if the latter sported the spear point?

Also, the Conductor has been discussed as having some of the softest springs on a GEC. How does the pull on the W. O. compare?

Thanks,

Andrew
Click to expand...

Andrew, I can't answer your first question but the pulls on mine are roughly about the same with the White Owl having better snap than the Conductor. Both are very easy on the nails. For what it's worth, my Conductor was sold to me as an EDC model meaning that it has cosmetic flaws. That shouldn't have anything to do with the snap but I thought I would point it out.
 
Regarding blade length, by my measurement the clip blade is the same length on both knives, while the pen blade is maybe 1/16" longer on the White Owl.

Regarding pull, I'd rate them about equal. No nailbreaker springs on either.
 
I'm awaiting a White Owl, hopefully next week.

The Conductor has an amazing Master/Frame ratio, you certainly get a lot of blade in a small knife. It looks sleek&elegant too, with that swell-centre aspect. I expect the Owl to be a bit bulkier but retaining that appeal of all single-spring knives. I'm still sulking about the obligatory bail on ALL the Northfield variants, what a shame not to give us some choice as there were some decent scale options.
 
Thanks, gents, for all the helpful comments. Maybe this is a silly question, but anyone know if the spear is the same length as the clip on the W.O.?

Andrew
 
Andrew, I just went to the GEC site and clicked on "GEC Distributors". Some dealers have better, and more, pics than others. Anyway, from that it certainly appears the spear and clip are the same length. One thing I noticed however, is that the nail nick is placed further out towards the end of the blade on the spear than on the clip. That should give a little more leverage when opening the blade. I don't happen to think that's necessary however, because the clip is smooth and easy to open anyway.

Having said all that, I don't have a spear blade W.O., so I don't know for sure about the blade length comparisons. We've got some heavy duty GEC collectors around here that haven't chimed in yet, so hopefully some of them will have both and give you a definitive answer to your question. ;)
 
Both are excellent patterns, but I give the White Owl a slight edge in comfort. The joints are more deeply sunk in the handle, so there are less sharp edges to abrade the hand and the pocket. I also think the wider handle offers better control with less tenancy to roll in the hand.


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Great picture, Rick! That ought to push any fence sitters over the edge - heck, I might even have to buy another one! ;)

Edited to add: That's very nice looking Snakewood on yours! It seems like on some of their models in the past the Snakewood wasn't very "snakey". (Is that a word?) :D
 
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