GEC Conductor: Bail vs no bail (White Owl content, also)

coyote711

coyote711

Joined
Sep 19, 2009
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The Conductor happens to be my favorite GEC pattern, and I've carried one for the past year or so. I recently started carrying a White Owl and it's giving my Conductor a run for its money. Same slim profile, same blade configuration, but a tad longer and wider. I really don't notice any difference in the knives when riding in the watch pocket of my jeans, but the slightly larger White Owl feels a little better in hand.

Here's what my addled brain is thinking ..... get a Conductor with a bail. Maybe the bail will make it feel like a somewhat longer knife, and also prevent the tendency to "roll in hand" by providing an additional grip point. Or the bail would get in the way when using the pen blade and when closing the knife, feel like a lump in my pocket, and be a general "pita".

Anyway, I've never had any knife with a bail, so I'd appreciate any light you could throw on the subject. Thanks! :)
 
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I don't know about the specific knives you are asking for...but, as a general opinion, I prefer knives without a bail.
I find them uncomfy, and to me they offer no real advantage.
I'd keep my Conductor the way it is, if I were you :)

Fausto
:cool:
 
Bails have their purpose but I don't use them. I carry my knives down inside my pockets and I don't use lanyards or keyrings or anything like that.

I recommend not opting for a bail if you only want it for a better grip. As I'm sure you know, that's not its intended purpose and I think you would be dissatisfied.
 
I have 11 Conductors but only 1 with a bail and I don't use it. I just don't like it there. It didn't seem like it would get in the way of using the pen blade, it would just fold over out of the way resting on the back spring. I also think the bail is pretty easy to bend so you'd have to be careful. Its why I went with a Tidioute White Owl instead of a Northfield.

As for #33 or #68, I don't seem to have an issue with the #33 rolling in my hands. Maybe I have smaller hands or I just don't notice it. I just got my #68 this week so I'll carry it for a bit to see if I like it better.
 
I have one with a bail. It's really not implemented very well and is often stuck and has to be pushed out of the way to get the coping blade out. Pita. It really doesn't make the knife grippier or more substantial.
 
Bails are for carrying larger knives on a belt hook, ala Boy Scout knife. There is no purpose to it on a small knife like this.

If you want a knife with a bail, get a Boy Scout knife.
 
Thanks guys - that's a pretty overwhelming consensus against the bail so far! I think I'll take advantage of your collective wisdom and pass on one with a bail, and just be satisfied with what I have. Thanks again! :)
 
I personally love the bails. I think they add a certain style and I enjoy toying with while the knife is in my pocket.
 
I have a White Owl with a bail and honestly, I don't mind it; swings out of the way easily when I need to access the pen blade. I really wanted one with threaded and pinched bolsters and that outweighed the fact that it also came with a bail. I also like how they added they stamped the bails with "Northfield," gives it a nice touch.
 
You see the thing is, bails could be alright on a big clunky pattern such as a Scout knife, you might need to lash it to your pack or belt. But on small knives?? Uh uh. Some might like putting it on a watch-chain but that's going to compromise the use of the knife-with you attached to it!
:eek:
They seem to get in the way (according to many here) and they could start scratching up the scales/bolster rather unpleasantly too. GEC puts them on the more elaborate pinched/lined bolstered Northfields, this seems illogical as you can't see the pinching etc with that bail obscuring the view.

Bail is for staying out of jail, not for knives:D
 
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