Request: Small Traditional production knife recommendations...Only highest quality.

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Glenridgerich

Joined
Aug 7, 2015
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Hello fellers, I'm in search of a small single blade or 2 blade (if single spine) knife. Here's the hard part...I already have (and love) the GEC #25 and #26. These along with my Canal Street Ring Opener would be the benchmarks for how I'd measure others, and if you know these knives, then you know they are tough to beat. Anyway, where better to ask around then here on BladeForums. Thanks to everyone for your recommendations in advance.
 
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Not sure how small is "small" - you can still find some Case/Bose Coffin Jacks - they are 3 1/2" closed, 2-blades (spear and pen), 2-springs. $330-ish.
 
Have you seen the GEC 14's? Just over 3", single blade spear. About the same length as a 25, but slimmer and more narrow.
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Mark
 
The #14 is a very solid recommendation if your looking for a smaller knife. The #18 Cayote might also be to your liking. You mentioned single spring but may enjoy the 14" with two blades/springs given the oppertunity to handle one. If you were open to two Springs the #18 beagle or Case peanut might also peak your interests.

Some borrowed pics, hope this helps-

Peanut-


Beagle-


Coyote-


#14-
 
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The A.G Russell Pinched Peanut might change your mind about the single spring requirement. Expensive but you did state "Only highest quality".
 
This is a very nice lightweight knife. More of a modern looking slipjoint. The Cold Steel Lucky One. I also like Maserin's line of gentleman's knives. A couple are small.
 
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GEC 68 "white owl" pen on the secondary blade very thin and I really like that. Just a suggestion, Merry Christmas

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I don't often recommend them, because it's not a pattern I take to, but a small Texas toothpick might work for you; mini-copperheads I do carry and they are very sweet. Case has made both with pearl , abalone, and other high end materials. Tuna Balley sports some very small barlows in very expensive cover materials, and usually 154cm, IIRC.
Thanks, Neal
 
Take a look at Case's Sway Back Jacks (2 blades, 2 springs) and Gents (single blade). 3 1/4" closed length. I've got a half dozen or so and everyone of them has been excellent.
 
Added Traditional to the title. Let's keep the pocket clips, liner locks and thumb studs outta here. Thanks.
 
Glenridgerich said:
Hello fellers, I'm in search of a small single blade or 2 blade (if single spine) knife. Here's the hard part...I already have (and love) the GEC #25 and #26. These along with my Canal Street Ring Opener would be the benchmarks for how I'd measure others, and if you know these knives, then you know they are tough to beat. Anyway, where better to ask around then here on BladeForums. Thanks to everyone for your recommendations in advance.
Click to expand...

Try Moki's traditional knives. Usually on the small side and very high quality.
 
Here are some of my recommendations in the GEC line. Some folks have already suggested some of these as well. I think they'd all be great, but I've provided some comparison shots next to my grape #25 - since that's one of the models you mentioned.

From left to right in the top two photos is the #25, #83 Tascosa, #14 Boys Knife, and #18 Coyote. You can tell which of them is my favorite to EDC.

Even though I prefer straight edges and clip points over drop points, the #83 is a great small (but not too small) lean lockback that fits perfectly in my watch pocket. There may be one or two out there at a dealer, but otherwise pop up fairly often here on the exchange and on auction sites.

I think the #14 would carry perfectly too, and is very close to your #25 size. There are plenty of #14s available out there.

I feel the #18 is a little too small, but is a great knife, and I love the blade.

The last photo I included another #14 to show thickness. As previously mentioned, it is two spring though.

Hope these help at least a little.

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Still unclear what your definition of small is though?

Here's a couple to ponder, both single-spring so they're slim. Queen Cutlery Sleeveboard in Horn and GEC 33 Conductor in faux Tortoise

IMG_3186.jpg
 
I like kinda of a mid sized knife for the most part but I bought a 14 Boys Knife then lost it and bought another. I guess what I'm saying is that it's the best small knife I've ever owned and recommend it highly.
 
The German made Boker 240 is a great small knife (3⅛") if you can find an older one in good condition. It's very similar to the Case small copperhead, but usually found with rosewood covers and carbon steel.
 
What about a swayback of some sort? I know the Case one is just a hair over 3", GEC makes the 47 which is bigger but there's probably others out there that I don't know about.

The reason I suggest this one is more for the wharncliffe blade than anything else. Thats the best shape for a small blade imo, with the sheepsfoot being a close second.

I had a small toothpick and the tip was too swoopy for the kind of precision cutting that small traditionals lend themselves to.

Edit: GEC Coyote, that's the one I was blanking on. Already a recommendation for that one in this thread but it seems to fit the bill on paper at least, I've never handled one.

If it were me, I'd get the beagle though. I'm caring a two blade jack right now (Case 44) and love having two different blades (size AND shape). I'd love to have a wharnie/sheepsfoot secondary.
 
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You can't beat a GEC 33. Queens senator pattern is quite nice and so is the case eisenhower.

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Thanks for the recommendations. Thanks to Railsplitter, I discovered the AG Russell Pinched Peanut and it really appeals to me. So much so that I just splurged and ordered myself one for Christmas. I'll report back in a week or so once I receive it...I'm really looking forward to it. Thank to ya'al!
 
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