I have a #16 Canoe and a #68 Pony Jack... Should I get the #68 White Owl?

Macchina

Macchina

Joined
Apr 7, 2006
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If you have read any of my posts on this site lately, you'll know that I have been moved to Europe for work for a few months and therefore severed from my knife collection (I brought an Opinel and a SAK Electritian Plus).

The use of the two slipjoints has brought me back to this subforum and given me a knackering for GECs as of late.
I can keep an eye on the For Sale area at weird hours and I recently picked up a GEC Canoe in Ebony and just yesterday a GEC Pony Jack in Ebony. The only Ebony knife I've ever owned is my Grandfather's decades-old Buck 112: it has held up better than the brass has! I will not be able to see or try out these knives for another month or so... A 3-day mail delivery wait will never seem quite so long again!

I really like 3.5" knives and that is the reason for going after the Canoe and the Pony Jack. Having said that, the White Owl seems to be the apex of small-slim knives like this. I also have a Wharncliffe #15 Boy's Knife, so I have that base covered too. The Canoe I have waiting for me mimics the White Owl in blade and size, but with a twist on style. The Pony Jack I just got is on the same frame (#68) as the White Owl, but with 2 springs and blades on the same side.

Have I bought knives too similar to the White Owl to get one now? Would this set not be complete without a White Owl in Ebony? Would the White Owl push the other two out of my pocket completely when I get back to America?

Canoe:
162212-canoe-ebonywood1.jpg


Pony Jack:
682213-stl-ebony-wood.jpg


White Owl:
682211-ebony-spear2.jpg
 
Before you buy a white owl, check out the 57 Half Whittler pattern. 3.5" with a wharncliffe main and a pen secondary.
 
I would also go for a 57 Half Whit or the 66 Calf Roper Slim over the 68 White Owl. I like the White Owl and have one but it rarely gets carried anymore. I just like the frame shape and little bit stiffer springs on my Half Whit and 66 Slim. Actually I think I bought my Half Whit from bdev lol.

IMG_20140605_140947326_zpswdw485wd.jpg
 
Are you more in the market for a single spring like the 16, or a double spring jack like the 68?

I agree the 66 is a great pattern, slim or jack. The 15 is the same length, but gives you options for a single blade, two, a punch or screwdriver/bottle opener.
 
bdev said:
Before you buy a white owl, check out the 57 Half Whittler pattern. 3.5" with a wharncliffe main and a pen secondary.
Click to expand...

Not just yet... But don't worry: I'll get that one on my tour of every single GEC. I like it, but it's not doing to the same for me that these spear-bladed equal end knives are.
 
RobbW said:
Are you more in the market for a single spring like the 16, or a double spring jack like the 68?

I agree the 66 is a great pattern, slim or jack. The 15 is the same length, but gives you options for a single blade, two, a punch or screwdriver/bottle opener.
Click to expand...

I have a 15 (2-blade EO with Sheepsfoot main) waiting for me at home. I am in the market for a single spring 2-blade (I think). I don't mind lighter springs at all.
 
I have neither a pony or a canoe. I had a couple of 15s but neither of them really took. I have a white owl in cocobolo which was my first GEC and I took the bail off of it because it annoyed me so much. I like it much better like this:



If you're into single springs then go for it. Although, the 33 has the same length blade in a smaller, more elegant package in my opinion.





Paul
 
Great pictures Paul, thanks a lot. The conductor never called out to me like the White Owl does. I like what you did with the bail!

I was thinking about getting the spear (to match the two other spears) but they did a really good job with that clip blade. You may have just changed my mind...
 
If you like the Canoe, you'll probably like the owl. Great knives.... I like the Canoe a touvh better because the blade is pinchable.
 
Woodrow, that is a good point. Do you have both and find you carry the Canoe more?
 
The single spring White Owl is most definitely a major keeper in my relatively small collection of users. Great knife!

IMG_0406_zps33295395.jpg
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Peter
 
I have the white owl and the canoe. Both great knives. The white owl speaks to me a little more than the other knives mentioned above. I really like the look of it and the spear or clip blades are very versatile. Just a nice slim knife....very pocketable, and very useful...nice looking knife also.
 
Macchina said:
Woodrow, that is a good point. Do you have both and find you carry the Canoe more?
Click to expand...

I've had both. I liked both. I enjoyed using the Canoe more, but the Owl was in Stag, had a bail, and had a lanyard with a bead I made from the antlers of my first deer. The Canoe was buffalo horn. The Owl had a little more mojo to me because of that. If the buffalo horn was from a bison.... maybe that would have tipped the scales. I sold both, but plan on buying another canoe....

I actually just ordered a Case Canoe in CV and will probably obtain a GEC and Queen model.
 
Function-wise, if you like the Pony you'll probably like the White Owl too. They're about the same size but the White Owl is more slender. I also think the pen blade is easier to open when it's on the opposite end, instead of flat against the main blade.

Here's mine (I think, I'm at work right now and can't check):
682211-bal-autumn-gold-fixed1.jpg
 
What kind of a question is this??? Of COURSE you need one, not only a fine pocket-knife but the others need company too:D

I'm a big fan of the Owl, but like Paul I'm less than keen on bails, they foul up with stuff in the pocket and do a number on the bolster. I only have Clip bladed ones and I'm excitedly awaiting the arrival of a Rust Red Tidioute from the Exchange. Anyway, here's a few shots to concentrate your mind:

IMG_1002.jpg


IMG_0931.jpg


Light Tan Bone for the stainless fans from the Cyclop's Works

IMG_0774-1.jpg


Acid Camo ;)

IMG_0427.jpg


A few weeks ago I was very lucky to see one of these close up and in the wild, European Eagle Owl, (bubo bubo) on top of an electrical line. They're MASSIVE, you wouldn't want to go arguing with this type of Owl :D You may see them in Italy perhaps? Regards, Will

Eagle_Owl.jpg
 
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