GEC Pemberton: 1 blade or 2?

[RobbW]

Why would you choose one or the other as your (first?) Pemberton?

Also, is bone a thinner cover than wood?

Thanks!

 

[jackknife]

I'd go with a single blade.

I shock myself saying that, but things change, and my experience of the recent months using old school European friction folders has opened up a door I'd never experienced before. The single blade knife. Heck, I just may make a post about it. But I have went to another level, using just a single blade to get through the day, and nothing happened.

The Pembeton is a good lookingknife, and it looks better with the handle lines uncluttered by a second blade in there.

Carl.

 

[okbohn]

I almost always go for thinner. Thinner is less obstructive in my pocket.

The covers are the same. (or very nearly so)

 

[mr_badexample]

I have a single blade in acrylic and it's very slim. Fits in the watch pocket very well.

 

[arizonaranchman]

I love single-blade slippies. I only own a total of three traditional pocket knives. I don't collect them, I carry and use them (not all three together, but often I do have two of the three on my person). Now my absolute constant companion since the day it arrived nearly two months ago is my #55 Houndstooth and it's single spear blade. I've felt no need for another blade, this one does the job just fine and I love how slim a single blade folder is in my pocket. My TC Barlow is also a single spear and a wonderfully slim knife.

Now my Northfield Montana #79 is my newest folder and is my ONLY 2-blade (it's usually found in 3-blade from what I've seen here). It's also very slim due to it's single spring construction. In fact it's virtually the same thickness as my single-blade #55 because the 55 has a liner-lock. I admit I do like the small coping blade on this #79. It's main blade is of course a spear...

I've been thinking of getting a Pemberton for my 24 yr old son for all his hard work in college this year. A single-blade would probably be the one I'd choose for him for maximum ease of carry.

 

[oldrifleman]

I am going to be different (so what else is new), mine is a two bladed version (as is my backup copy). It does not seem very wide to me and I use the pen blade for at least half my tasks. Either it or one of my peanuts is in my pocket every day! I have the natural Stag slabs on mine. I really love the main blade profile on it. Steven

 

[SubSpace]

I own both single and two blade versions of the Pemberton. And even though I do like the thinness of single blade knives, the Pemberton is such a small knife that I find I prefer carrying the two blade version of this particular knife. The single blade is so small and light I am constantly checking my pocket to make sure I have not lost it. The two blade version also lets me get my thumb on the spine for any stubborn cutting.
3.5" and up, I'd say single blade.
Sub 3", the double is nice.
Just my opinion.

 

[cards94]

i'd go single blade. you wouldn't miss having that little pen blade.

 

[knifeswapper]

If you don't have an expected use for the second blade, go with one blader. GEC's pricing model really shows up in the number of blades the knife has; more-so than the actual size of the knife. Generally I like a little larger knife, but don't want to take the chance of cutting contents of a box I am opening, etc. with the long blade.

 

[fatcorgi]

I have a two-bladed version that I like very much, the fit and finish is perfect. I find that, although I usually prefer a two blade knife - one big one for food, one small one for packages is pretty typical for me on any given day. However, withe pemberton, the main blade is so small, that I find myself usign it for everything by default, the clip is nicely patinaed and grey, but the pen is still shiny. I could use the pen as a super sharp back-up in this case, however, the grind on the pen is relatively thick, at least by GEC standards, and less suitable as a razor blade. All in all, the single blade is marginally preferable, but really you can't go wrong with either.

 

[thedaver8]

i have the two-bladed version. for me, i preferred the look of their UN-X-LD versions over the Tidioute, and i believe they only have two-bladed version for the Un-X-LD and one blade for TIdioute. so that's something to consider. for me, i usually prefer one-blade folders, but i love having two on the Pemberton. because it's so small, i wanted the extra weight and width in this case. and i actually do use both blades, believe it or not.

 

[Pjake]

I have had both. A Tidioute in Black Olive Bone (single blade) and the Autumn Jigged Un-X-Ld (double blade).... I sold the Tidioute, as I MUCH prefer the two blade model. Better fit in my med to med large hand. If I want a knife as thin as the Tidioute, I might as well carry my peanut...which would be quite alright by me.

My 2 blade Pemberton is in my pocket at least 6 of the 7 days of the week...chaperoned of course by one of several others. Stout, strong, with distinction...the 2 blade Pemberton rocks! Here are the two side by side...I kept the bottom one.

Peter

 

[pertinux]

Stout, strong, with distinction...the 2 blade Pemberton rocks!

I entirely agree, so much so that, as good as the black olive bone looks, the single-blade Pemberton doesn't tempt me. The two-bladed version's dimensions and weight (and: weight and dimensional distribution) are just right. Plus... that bone.

If I want a knife as thin as the Tidioute, I might as well carry my peanut...which would be quite alright by me.

Ah, but here's where it gets fun: even the two-bladed Pemberton is itself an oonch slimmer than a standard Case Peanut:

Again with the Peanut

This is inaccurately eyeballed, but it's still a decent representation of about how much of Mr. Peanut can be seen o'er the top of the Pemberton if they're lined up correctly:

(RobbW, I know you aren't asking for a comparison with a Case Peanut, but for me this particular comparison-- the Peanut being a fairly familiar pattern-- helped me better understand the two-bladed Pemberton.)

~ P.

 

[whetrock]

It's a pretty small folder, I'd opt for the single blade model. I can't really justify pen blades, even on my longer jackknives, but like them for the sake of aesthetics. In the end you're coming out ahead either way, GEC is putting out some splendid knives right now, and I'd just say get whatever speaks to you. Or get both LOL. I just don't use the pen blades enough, but maybe I just need to explore their utility.

 

[RobbW]

Wow!! Thanks folks for all the great advice and opinions. I was absolutely persuaded by each and every post here concerning 1 vs. 2 blades. I even felt myself "ping ponging" back and forth concerning the overall merits of each choice. You all made compelling cases, I could have gone either way and I'm sure been very happy. Had I been able to handle both knives the choice would have been easy, as one would have called out to me, but on the Web choices are more remote.

I decided to look for both a 1- and a 2-blade Pemberton to see what was available. The production run was finished months ago and they are scarcer in the wild now. I knew I wanted either the Autumn Gold or Black Olive jigged bone--those were at the top of my list. The Autumn was only made with 2-blades and in the nicer and more expensive UN-X-LD version. The Black Olive was only made with 1 blade and in the more utilitarian Tidioute version. So, choosing via covers would lock me into the number of blades, detailing, and the price point.

I had almost decided to go with Black Olive to experience a small, single-bladed knife (I have 3 Case Peanuts already), but I could only find one available for sale and it was serialized and therefore commanded a price premium. I also found the 2-blade UN-X-LD Autumn Gold version for sale, and because it was unserialized it only cost $12 more than the serialized Black Olive. Only $12 extra dollars for Autumn Gold, the threaded, dimpled bolsters, the long pull, the chance to trade "down" if I decided I want a 1-blade Tidioute version instead. Everything but extreme thinness stacked up in favor of 2 blades. Plus, I could always have the pen blade removed if it really bothered me.

But now I can put evaluating aside and I know I'll love it! I normally sharpen a pen blade down to 12-13 degrees and make a scalpel out of it. If this pen blade is as thick as people say, I might leave it obtuse and use it as my poking/prodding/scraping/clean-the-battery blade. That might open new vistas to my extreme affinity for slicing with acute blades.

Thanks especially to those who gave measurements/photos in this and the other related threads. They really helped. When i saw that the 2-blade version was actually slightly thinner than the Peanut, and only barely thicker than the single-spring #33 Conductor, that made the choice easier. When I read the weight was very close to a Peanut, that clinched the deal. i guess because the Pemberton is wide (though not thick), it just looks big and heavy in pics.

Can't wait to try it out. Thank you all!! I was able to find it at a BF-supporting dealer. And thanks to the two that chimed in here. They are the first I have always gone to when looking and buying.

 

[jon_slider]

I look forward to your reaction to the two blade, I think it is the better choice. For me the Pemberton blade width means I still need a pen blade for small spaces, such as reaming a pipe.

fwiw, my Case Peanut weighs 35 grams, the single blade Pemberton is 33 grams. Meaning, a Peanut gives me 2 blades for just 6% more than the weight of a single blade Pemberton.

Since I adopted the Charlow as my food blade, I carry the Peanut for the pen blade. The single blade Pemberton has been bumped to the knife roll.

 

[JerryIsAlive]

I too am interested in the Pemberton but cant decide on the 1 or 2 blade configuration. Part of me says Id never use the secondary blade as I rarely use it on my Case SBJ but i still like the idea of having 2 blades. From the looks of it, the 2 blade set up seems like it would be tough to pull out the main blade. Anyone care to comment on the ease of opening the 2 bladed version?

 

[arizonaranchman]

I too am interested in the Pemberton but cant decide on the 1 or 2 blade configuration. Part of me says Id never use the secondary blade as I rarely use it on my Case SBJ but i still like the idea of having 2 blades. From the looks of it, the 2 blade set up seems like it would be tough to pull out the main blade. Anyone care to comment on the ease of opening the 2 bladed version?

No problem at all in reaching the long-pull of the 2-blade Pemby (hit it at a slight downward angle with your nail as you access it). I've been EDC'ing my 2-blade UN-X-LD Pemby for a few months now and LOVE IT. The pen blade opens the mail and packages, the main clip blade does the rest.

 

[JerryIsAlive]

Thanks for the reply ranchman. Knew you'd be one of the first to comment lol

Anyone have a picture of the two versions side by side to compare the thickness/thinness?

 

[arizonaranchman]

This isn't what you asked for but perhaps it will put it in perspective...

Here is my single spear #55 with Liner Lock beside my 2-blade Pemby. The 55 is a wonderfully slim knife.