Looking at traditionals for the first time - Is there a "XL" GEC 25?

Comeuppance

Comeuppance

Fixed Blade EDC Emisssary
Joined
Jan 12, 2013
Messages
4,765
I have basically had zero interest in traditional knives until I saw this picture in this thread:

Luger1952 said:
Click to expand...

And I fell in love. The blade shape, the handle, the swedge, everything. I must have one.

BUT

I want it to be at least 3.5" in blade length, ideally larger! Does such a thing exist? I've spent a solid couple hours searching through several vendors and have yet to find quite what I'm looking for.
 
That one is based off of the GEC 15 model. I have that knife in jigged bone instead of what looks like soup bone. I don't know of a bigger size, but you could always contact a custom maker (which is never really very helpful advice anyways.) Hope you find something that works for you!
 
Larger would be in the 77 frame ( 3.75" ?) . NF Sheepsfoot barlow was done last year I believe . Have to search this sites exchange as well as other secondary sites .
 
The knives you might be trying to find are pretty much sold out and will only pop up on the secondary market.

Meaning the best price and quality would be a 77 Barlow but the closed length is 3.75 as TXjohn said above

As for having a 3.5" blade length..the only knife I can think of with a sheepsfoot at that size is not GEC made, it is Queen made and is called the English jack which is more of your size wants* Closed Length 4"

If you're looking for something else with a 3.5" blade in the barlow handle/long pull sheepsfoot configuration..you're gonna have to contact a custom maker.

Here is a photo from EyeDog I found online showing the 77 no.1 (3.75" closed) and the English Jack no. 5 (4" closed)

F0F157C0-1A9A-431E-9640-35C152939AD9_zps2lajydpj.jpg
 
Last edited:
I would caution that before you order a huge traditional knife they are NATURALLY smaller knives. I came from modern knives to traditional knives in the last couple years and in modern knives I much preferred a 3.5" to 4" blade (Large Sebenza was about perfect).

Moving to traditionals I found that a sub 3" blade was suddenly ideal. The GEC #15 pattern has a 2.75" blade and is deamed perfect in size by many around here. The Grand Daddy Barlow is one of the larger traditional knives with a cutting edge typically around 3.75" and the pattern is considered almost comically (novelty) large.

Having said all of that: The GEC #25 is considered a Sleeveboard pattern meaning the handle has 2 round ends with a taper to the top and bottom of the frame.

The next steep up in Sleeveboard patterns would probably be a GEC #79 (longest blade at 2.875"). I have one of these and it is an incredibly useful pocket knife:

gec_79_062613_4_g_600__29073.1374949735.1280.1280.jpg


Then the massive GEC #36 Sunfish (3.25" Blade):
362208-tracgreen3.jpg


The Sunfish is a huge block of a knife. As you can see by the pattern it doesn't allow a very long blade per the poundage of the knife. To add a 1/4" to the Sunfish blade would move that pattern from "very large" to "need a scabbard"...
 
Well, these posters' hit the nail on the head.

Comeuppance, I recently started with pocket knives myself. Like others stated, I too feel they're meant to be sub 3 inch for blade length. Get a #25 and put in your fifth pocket or whatever, and I bet you won't see the need for a bigger knife. Once I found my perfect tactical knife, I realized I needed a utility knife that didn't "scare" people in public. I've never had a person look twice at my pocket knives. A stout pocket knife, IMO is a Northwoods with its name stamped. Northwoods is also about to release the #44 Madison Barlow and it's a larger slim blade.

Pocket knives will consume you more than tactical, soon enough. I feel like I'm sliding down a slope on a sled. Can't. Get. Enough. And. So. Many. Great. Choices.

Maybe...your comeuppance to knives is now you're here. Enjoy!
 
I agree with Macchina, Traditional pocket-knives do not lend themselves to being massive freaks :eek: They are POCKET knives not pocket battleships, to be carried in a pocket not clipped onto something. A 3.5"+ blade is veering towards folding bayonet I have to say. Cumbersome, unwieldy and defeating its purpose.

What you will find when you get to handle a few decent Traditionals like the GEC 15 in your picture, is that they compliment a Modern knife very well indeed: contrasting materials, contrasting styles, contrasting size/weight. They can and do work well in tandem. So how about re-thinking your reservations over the small size of a GEC 15?

Here's the Schatt & Morgan English Jack (brown bone knife) It really is massive and therefore very seldom carried I'm afraid , weighs down the pocket.:grumpy:

IMG_1227.jpg


Here's the Northfield 77 other people were talking about. It's bigger than the 15 and I'm delighted with its finish and presentation. I think they have offered Sheepfoot blades on this frame too.

IMG_3593.jpg


Regards, Will
 
Last edited:
MAN you guys are helpful. Thank you all so much for your input and suggestions! I think the 77 will be what I dig around for first, and I'll see if that proves to be the right size for me or not. I can see how a larger blade on a slipjoint could prove to be a bit unwieldy, but I also have generally larger hands and like to have a good amount of blade to work with regardless.

As far as keeping the scare factor down, it's already about 1/3" shorter than most of the knives I carry in blade length, and has the added two-handed-opening aspect (I do, however, have a brass screw-on thumbstud I might transfer from my Cold Steel Eland... We'll see. I don't want to mess up the form and appearance!)

I've found several 77s with wharncliffe / sheepsfoot profiles, but they're all hovering in the $125-$150 range. Is that about right for retail? What should I be expecting in the secondary market?
 
Last edited:
Check out the "Madison Barlow" at KnivesShipFree, one of our supporting dealers. I think that handle measures 4.25 inches which would put the blade length right about what you wanted.
 
I did suggest this and a new run will be out soon.
RobbW said:
Check out the "Madison Barlow" at KnivesShipFree, one of our supporting dealers. I think that handle measures 4.25 inches which would put the blade length right about what you wanted.
Click to expand...

I think if you look hard enough, you'll be able to break that $100 mark. There's several #77 variants for sale in the for sale by individuals in the traditional for sale sub-forum.
 
What about the granddads barlow? That has some decent size to it.
 
Most barlows don't have the sheepsfoot blade. I don't think that the Madison does either. If you are looking for a larger folder with a sheepsfoot blade you want to look at whats called a rope knife. Not much in the way of current production but if you look at the auction sites you will see quite a few. Some are single blade, some have a smaller can opener or cap lifter, some have a marlinspike. A lot of rope knives are 4" or better.
 
Comeuppance said:
I want it to be at least 3.5" in blade length, ideally larger! Does such a thing exist? I've spent a solid couple hours searching through several vendors and have yet to find quite what I'm looking for.
Click to expand...

You've been getting some great advice but I thought I'd toss out a bit of a dissenting opinion on the issue of size...

Yes, traditionals are predominantly smaller and it makes sense since they were designed for pocket carry and, quite often, it could be assumed that a suitable fixed blade was readily available.

IMO, the Buck 110 really paved the way for getting rid of the fixed blade as a common part of working life and after that, modern lockers could show up.

And so here we have an interesting juxtaposition... the modern fixed blade replacement (the large locking folder) and the small pocket knife (often, traditional).

Looking at it this way, it might be easier to see how and why large traditionals are less common. There are 3 common methods of carry. First is via a pocket clip (bzzt) which instantly renders the knife as modern and not traditional. The second is sheath/holster carry. The Buck 110 is really big and heavy enough to almost require sheath carry. And the third is loose, in the pocket.

So this may be something to think about.... Can you adjust to sheath/holster carry? Can you adjust to pocket carry (of a big knife)?

If you don't know, my recommendation would be to spend some money on some inexpensive big knives just to see if you can deal with the change in carry style. The Buck 110 will introduce you to holster carry and the Case (large) Sodbuster will introduce you to large knife pocket carry. Of course, you can try clipless carry with any clipped knife too (my name is Capt. Obvious).

The last point to make here is that those of us who like large traditionals are in the minority and there's just so much more variation in patterns and blade options in the smaller sizes. So, finding exactly what you are asking for may take some more work. Not saying that it's not out there, but just by its size, you're already hunting for something less common.

Not what you are looking for but gratuitous large pocket knife picture...
Untitled by Pinnah, on Flickr
 
This fun!!! As you can see comeuppance there is no easy or one answer. In fact ask 10 people here the same question and you will get 15 answers
- you will just have to buy one of everything and try them for yourself :D
You could do worse than starting with a #77 Barlow


Derek
 
Comeuppance said:
MAN you guys are helpful. Thank you all so much for your input and suggestions! I think the 77 will be what I dig around for first, and I'll see if that proves to be the right size for me or not. I can see how a larger blade on a slipjoint could prove to be a bit unwieldy, but I also have generally larger hands and like to have a good amount of blade to work with regardless.

As far as keeping the scare factor down, it's already about 1/3" shorter than most of the knives I carry in blade length, and has the added two-handed-opening aspect (I do, however, have a brass screw-on thumbstud I might transfer from my Cold Steel Eland... We'll see. I don't want to mess up the form and appearance!)

I've found several 77s with wharncliffe / sheepsfoot profiles, but they're all hovering in the $125-$150 range. Is that about right for retail? What should I be expecting in the secondary market?

(Also, if any of you guys happen to have a wharncliffe 77 you're considering selling, I'm interested.)
Click to expand...

Yes, $125+ is about right for a #77 on the secondary market:)
 
Trads are quite different than Moderns. You have to be ready to accept some "imperfections" that are just a part of what you are buying. The beauty is when you get one that is totally perfect. An immaculate handmade knife is so rewarding.
 
J_Curd said:
Trads are quite different than Moderns. You have to be ready to accept some "imperfections" that are just a part of what you are buying. The beauty is when you get one that is totally perfect. An immaculate handmade knife is so rewarding.
Click to expand...

You ain't lyin'. This is - almost - an unspoken truth, FME. I used to giggle at some of the deceptions in the traditional for sale section; but now I know why, and it will teach you what you're looking for, as far as "imperfections." With that being said, J_ was right, each piece is unique, and has its own character. It's a pocket knife, keep it in your pocket and use it; and keep your tactical knives up, razor sharp, and tip top.

I know you like Cold Steel, so I'd assume you like strong "overbuilt" knives. Go with a Northwoods that's stamped on the blade, you won't regret that purchase.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top