List of production traditionals with sub 2.5 inch main blades

O

Over/under

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May 30, 2013
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Looking to replace a lost GEC 09 esquire. My only requirement is that none of the blades can be longer than 2.5" in length. What are my options? So far I've come up with another GEC 09, GEC 22, or a peanut. Are there any other readily available prodcutions folders I should be considering? Does a conductor fit the bill?

Thanks,
 
The GEC #25s/#26s are also less than 2.5. The sheepsfoot main #61s are too, not sure about the other #61s. The #33 is just at 2.5 or a hair over. It should be easy to sharpen it down if its over.. Same applies to the #66s.

Edit: Measuring tip to bolster.
 
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Slipjoint knives are usually sold based on closed length. It is almost a universal rule that the main blade is approximately 1" shorter than the closed length. So if you look at those with 3.5" closed lengths and shorter, you'll be in the right area. I'd still suggest verifying each knife just in case. That covers quite a bit of territory.

The new Case Tear Drop has a bit shorter blade-to-handle ratio than some, and the main blade on it is under 2.5" if you like the jack configuration. Were you only wanting GEC models?
 
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Both of the Case mini copperheads are under 2.5 inches including the tang as is the tear drop.

Regards

Robin

 
Also, as a rule, most pen knives (blades at both ends) have shorter blades to accomodate the extra pivot.
My #61 half congress is 3.69" long closed, but the longest blade is only 2.12" from bolster to tip, when opened.

Tortoise61_zps02c3c935.jpg~original
 
Thanks for all the replys. I forgot about the new case tear drop. I really like the styling, but prefer carbon steel. I nice half congress is another good suggestion. I will look at the GEC 61 and 62s as well.
 
The main blade on my 68 is almost exactly 2.5". If you get one a hair over, you can always sharpen it down. I don't have it any more and can't check it, but I think my 66 was the same.
 
GEC makes the Northwoods Norfolk which has a nice thin wharncliffe main blade and I believe it's 2.5 inches exactly.
 
Over/under said:
Looking to replace a lost GEC 09 esquire. My only requirement is that none of the blades can be longer than 2.5" in length. What are my options? So far I've come up with another GEC 09, GEC 22, or a peanut. Are there any other readily available prodcutions folders I should be considering? Does a conductor fit the bill?

Thanks,
Click to expand...

The conductor's main blade is 2 1/4".

Without checking, I believe the Case pen knife (32087) main blade is less than 2 1/2".
 
I checked one of my 2 blade #62s and the main blade is 2 3/8" tip to bolster so it should be good to go.

bdev said:
The conductor's main blade is 2 1/4".

Without checking, I believe the Case pen knife (32087) main blade is less than 2 1/2".
Click to expand...
The sharpened portion on the conductor is about 2 1/4" but if you measure tip to bolster then it is 2 1/2" or just over. I'm guessing the OP specified 2 1/2" due to an arbitrary limit rather than his preference. When dealing with arbitrary limits, its safer to measure tip to bolster imho :)
 
SAK Cadet. This is the discontinued Cadet II which has a small blade. The current Cadet replaces the small blade with a nail file.

 
Here are a small handful of my favourites with smaller blades, you might get inspired by one...
All blades lengths include the ricasso, i.e. measured from tip to bolster.

case peanut. closed 2 13/16. blade 2 7/32.




queen peanut. closed 2 13/16. blade 2 3/16.




gec 25 barlow. closed 3. blade 2 1/8.




gec 33 conductor whittler. closed 3 5/16. blade 2 1/2. (to my mind, this offers you the smallest frame whilst remaining on the most upper end of your blade range. it's also a very beautiful and dignified looking pattern)




gec 68 white owl. closed 3 1/2. blade 2 1/2.




gec 61 half congress. closed 3 11/16. blade 2 5/32.




It's worth noting that almost all congress patterns will fit your specifications, it's the nature of the pattern to have that kind of handle to blade ratio. Being one of my favourite patterns, I have quite a few and none of them have a blade longer than 2 1/2 inches in length.

My personal recommendation would be a peanut. I carry a peanut in my uniform trousers for every shift and have never felt that I wanted for more blade. If however, you want to stay small but have more knife so to speak, the gec 25 pattern is offered in spear, clip, wharncliffe, sheepfoot and even (if you can find one!) drop point main blades.

I hope this helps the hunt,

Paul
 
GEC 57 clip point is exactly 2" blade, so approx 2 1/2" tip to bolster. A bit more hand filling, and there is also the Gepetto Whittler variation that should have the wharncliffe length close to that of the clip on my model. Plus with this knife you get choices of the multiple blades you want. Mine is in my pocket right now and has surprisingly grown on me a lot.
 
Thanks again. The pictures and suggestions are very helpful. Based on everything I've seen and read, I'm going to look for a two bladed #33.
 
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