I need some traditional advice (GEC Content)

BMCGear

BMCGear

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My EDC needs are switching to carrying more traditional knives. The modern stuff is cool but the traditionals just keep drawing me back in and people don't seem as terrified of a nice bone handled slip joint as they are a one hand opening modern blade.

I'm looking at two different knives. The GEC #65 and the Northwoods Madison Barlow. I like a longer handled knife and want something solid/dependable and an easy to pocket EDC knife. Does anyone have experience with these? Suggestions of other single blades that fit similar lines?
 
Others to look at that are somewhat similar in size would be the Case Back Pocket / Panama Trapper (4 5/8" closed), or Case Grand Daddy Barlow (5" closed).

I don't have any personal experience with the GEC Ben Hogan (4 1/2" closed) or the Northwoods Madison Barlow (4 1/4" closed). From looking at them, the #65 looks to be a longer slimmer knife and the Madison Barlow a shorter beefier knife.

The Northwoods and the GEC are available in 1095 carbon steel. If you want stainless, then you'd need to pick one of the Case offerings.

I have a CV-steel Case Back Pocket and it is a very nice, well-made knife with the unmistakable design elements from it being a Tony Bose design. Big knife but the single blade version is surprisingly slim and easy to carry.
 
I don't have the Northwoods but the #65 is a pretty big knife at 4 1/2" closed. I'm not sure how easy it actually is to pocket as I don't carry mine. The construction on it was great though. GEC also makes the #23 at 4 1/2" closed. Here's a comparison pic of GEC locking knives I made a while back. The top is a #23 and the 2nd one is a #65. Not pictured is a #42 Lockback which is 4 1/4" closed.


Also, it looks like GEC is gearing up to make a large #23-sized sodbuster (#21 as opposed to the #71) if that interests you.
GEDC1826.JPG


Honestly, I prefer to EDC knives smaller than 4" closed and usually with 2 blade. The #48 Jack is my favorite as its 3 7/8" closed, has a 3 1/8" blade, and a secondary 2+" pen blade and is only slightly wider than a single blade #23 or #65.
 
jc57 said:
Others to look at that are somewhat similar in size would be the Case Back Pocket / Panama Trapper (4 5/8" closed), or Case Grand Daddy Barlow (5" closed).

I don't have any personal experience with the GEC Ben Hogan (4 1/2" closed) or the Northwoods Madison Barlow (4 1/4" closed). From looking at them, the #65 looks to be a longer slimmer knife and the Madison Barlow a shorter beefier knife.

The Northwoods and the GEC are available in 1095 carbon steel. If you want stainless, then you'd need to pick one of the Case offerings.

I have a CV-steel Case Back Pocket and it is a very nice, well-made knife with the unmistakable design elements from it being a Tony Bose design. Big knife but the single blade version is surprisingly slim and easy to carry.
Click to expand...

GEC did make some #23s in 440C and some #65s in 420HC but the #65s were 2 blades (fish scaler as the secondary). :thumbup: on the Case suggestions. I'm liking the Damascus version of the Back Pocket too.
 
Here's a poor pic of my often carried Madison Barlow next to a few #53 frames. The top is a GEC #53 Cattle knife, the bottom is a Northwoods Forest Jack. These three are my main rotation. The Madison actually carries smaller than it's size implies. The slimness of the bone and single blade frame make to a great combination.

2EF8672A-1AB3-4618-A0AF-89614A6ADFBA_zps4rfamjll.jpg
 
jc57 said:
Others to look at that are somewhat similar in size would be the Case Back Pocket / Panama Trapper (4 5/8" closed), or Case Grand Daddy Barlow (5" closed).

I don't have any personal experience with the GEC Ben Hogan (4 1/2" closed) or the Northwoods Madison Barlow (4 1/4" closed). From looking at them, the #65 looks to be a longer slimmer knife and the Madison Barlow a shorter beefier knife.

The Northwoods and the GEC are available in 1095 carbon steel. If you want stainless, then you'd need to pick one of the Case offerings.

I have a CV-steel Case Back Pocket and it is a very nice, well-made knife with the unmistakable design elements from it being a Tony Bose design. Big knife but the single blade version is surprisingly slim and easy to carry.
Click to expand...

I have thought about the Back Pocket but the handle looks so large in relation to the blade. Out of the GEC's I will probably go with the Hogan if I get one. I will revisit the back pocket.

2Dead said:
I don't have the Northwoods but the #65 is a pretty big knife at 4 1/2" closed. I'm not sure how easy it actually is to pocket as I don't carry mine. The construction on it was great though. GEC also makes the #23 at 4 1/2" closed. Here's a comparison pic of GEC locking knives I made a while back. The top is a #23 and the 2nd one is a #65. Not pictured is a #42 Lockback which is 4 1/4" closed.


Also, it looks like GEC is gearing up to make a large #23-sized sodbuster (#21 as opposed to the #71) if that interests you.
GEDC1826.JPG


Honestly, I prefer to EDC knives smaller than 4" closed and usually with 2 blade. The #48 Jack is my favorite as its 3 7/8" closed, has a 3 1/8" blade, and a secondary 2+" pen blade and is only slightly wider than a single blade #23 or #65.
Click to expand...

My big mits just like a 4 inch plus handle. :)

I can't wait to see that new sod buster!
 
@2Dead that #65 is beautiful. What do they call that bone dye job?

@benchmadebear I carry my #65 often. I don't use belt sheaths or slips, so when I carry it it is either beside my phone in my front right or in my bank picket loose. It is big and you will notice it every now and then, but I've never not carried it because it was cumbersome.
 
It is a #651112LB in Cobalt Blue Camel Bone. They only made 24 of them. Here's the pile side
 
IMG_1924copy_zps0963b678.jpg


My 65 is my favorite GEC knife, mainly because it's the most perfectly made of any of the ones I own. I do love the size and feel of it in hand, though and it carries well next to my wallet, in my back pocket.
 
I can't speak to the 65 but I do own a Madison. Simply put it is one of the best knives I own. I carry it often, usually in a KSF PocketSlip. The weight, balance, and grip is perfect for me. It's one beautiful tool.

i-rB69pNL-XL.jpg
 
2Dead said:
It is a #651112LB in Cobalt Blue Camel Bone. They only made 24 of them. Here's the pile side
Click to expand...

Why oh why did you have to post that picture? I now have a new knife that I'm jonesing for, and it's about as unattainable as it gets haha.

The Madison Barlow does carry much smaller than its length implies. It's one of my favorites.
 
I frequently carry grandad barlows, two bladed grandad barlowa. Elephant/steel toe and two blades #23's.

All are fine pocket fare.

The Madison barlows and Hogans all look great to me.
 
The 65 Ben Hogan carries very well. It is slim and not heavy for it's size. Makes a comfortable, light carry. The slim blade is excellent for slicing.
 
I have both and personally I think both carry very easily in the pocket. My #42 (two-blade) in a leather pocket sleeve is my EDC slippie. These knives are right at my sweet spot for a slip joint for using.
 
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