GEC White Owl vs. Boy's Knife?

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I'm intrigued by the GEC Huckleberry Boy's Knife. I like the two blade model, and was wondering if anyone who owned both it and the 68 White Owl might give their thoughts on how they compare in the hand and pocket. I like the White Owl for its pocketability and slimness due to the single spring. Is the Boy's Knife much thicker? Does the all steel construction make it noticeably heavier?
Love the look of it. Just don't know if it would kick the Owl out of my pocket.
Thank you!
 
One thing I like about the two bladed Huckleberry Boy's knife is that each blade has it's own liners (unlike the White Owl). I like both knives, but would prefer the white owl if it were set up like a jack knife with two springs and it's own liners. It might not be as thin in that case, but I have seen a few old timey jack knives with double springs that were much more slim than the GEC #66's frame (so I think a jack could be made near as slim as the white owl).

In any case, both knives look like great folders. I haven't experienced either so I can't be much help in the way of any comparisons. I can understand your concern about the thickness of the boy's knife, and I can tell you that based on my new double bladed TC barlow (same frame as the Boy's knife), the thickness has not been an issue for me in any way.

If you wear khakis or dress pants more than often, the thicker frame might then become somewhat of an issue. If you wear hiking pants and jeans, then it shouldn't be a problem at all. The single blade is noticeably slimmer than the double blade, and would be a better candidate for dress pants or skinny jeans.
 
What burnside said! Both blades (main and pen) are about the same size, so it really comes down to thin frame versus thicker. I carried my WO almost every day for six months, but I suspect in the long run I will end out carrying the Boy's Knife more as the thicker frame feels better in my paws.
 
I have a white owl, but not a 2-blade boys knife. Based on my single blade and the two-blade barlow I do have, I think it would be fine. I do have a personal issue with the pen blade being in front of the main, but that's just because I'm peculiar I guess and getting to the main blade nick is tough for me on my barlow. But I digress somewhat. I will say that a two blade boys knife will be noticeably heavier than a white owl, but it should not be objectionable. At least based on my barlow.

You will like the boys knife. I'm tickled green with mine.

Ed J
 
burnside said:
I have seen a few old timey jack knives with double springs that were much more slim than the GEC #66's frame (so I think a jack could be made near as slim as the white owl).
Click to expand...

I have too, In fact, I have an old Imperial jack which is the same length as the White Owl. It has two springs, with a liner between the blades, and is 1/8" thinner than the White Owl.
 
I have both knives and Burnside and TLARbb pretty much hit it. And I happen to be carrying my WO today. The White Owl is the better knife for slacks. The length is pretty much the same but the WO is lighter. Now comparing the 1 blade version of either the boy's knife or barlow with the White Owl, that's harder. I have the single blade Barlow in ebony and it's very slim and pocketable.
 
Thanks for the replies. I actually prefer a jack pattern for use, but the single spring for carry. I love my 85 bullet jack but it's a little heavier than I like for pocket carry.
I do love the old time look of the Boy's Knife, though. I have a vintage Case 087 Jack that is actually about the same thickness as my single spring White Owl. It's a mint Case XX though, so it does not get carried so much as admired.
 
Funny you should ask, I've purchased only two Great Eastern knives, the Boys Knife and the White Owl, each with two blades.

The White Owl version has the pinched bolsters and bail. It's a very slender knife, perfect for pocket carry, and with the bail is something I might actually consider carrying. The springs are rather gentle, but still confident.

The Boys Knife is much heavier and not slender at all. Not to big for a pocket, but I'd certainly notice the weight. There's no bail or lanyard hole to prevent loss. The springs are very firm, but not too difficult for an adult to open easily.

In short, I'd describe the White Owl as an everyday pocket knife, and the Boys Knife as more of a work knife or chore knife.
 
Thank you all for sharing your views on those blades. I am having the same thought. Tough I fear I will end up getting both. ;)
 
Steeltoe said:
Thank you all for sharing your views on those blades. I am having the same thought. Tough I fear I may likely end up getting both, and be so glad I did. ;)
Click to expand...

Fixed that for you. ;)

I've had my two-blade Boys Knife and White Owl in hand and in pocket trying to answer the OP's question, but find I really can't add to what's been said above. The difference between "thicker" and "too thick," "heavier" and "too heavy" is so subjective.

The Boys Knife feels-- is-- more substantial; the White Owl has (to me) unparalleled elegance and usefulness. The latter is definitely a "lighter" knife in all ways. It can (almost) disappear in-pocket; the Boys Knife can't, and won't. It sure is a great little handful, though!

Some comparative pictures:

Main blades
IMG_5533.jpg


Pen blades
IMG_5534.jpg


Pen blades, full profile
IMG_5537.jpg


Width
IMG_5541.jpg


Width of main blades
IMG_5545.jpg



Hope this helps. :)

~ P.
 
Thank you, Pertinux. Those pics are exactly what I needed. Especially the thickness. That, more than any other factor, is important to me for pocketability, and it is the one dimension most websites leave off!
I most likely will end up getting the Boy's Knife, just because I am so fond of the "regular" jack pattern.
But I think the White Owl will continue to be my Mon - Fri pocket knife.
 
SubSpace said:
Thank you, Pertinux. Those pics are exactly what I needed. Especially the thickness. That, more than any other factor, is important to me for pocketability, and it is the one dimension most websites leave off!
I most likely will end up getting the Boy's Knife, just because I am so fond of the "regular" jack pattern.
But I think the White Owl will continue to be my Mon - Fri pocket knife.
Click to expand...

Sounds good, and glad I could help. :)

~ P.
 
I do like the equal end frame of the White owl...but I prefer jackknives so that's why my Boys' knife is on its way to my hands :)

Fausto
:cool:
 
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