Single bladed 3" GECs

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mantzao

Joined
Jun 16, 2011
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Now that i'm starting to get into traditionals, GEC seems to be at the top of quality production traditionals.
So i've been spending some time at their website and at it's distributor's.
However, blade lengths never seem to be mentioned on any models!
I come from the "tactical" edc background so i'm used to see that all the time on online shops.
You see, i tend to only carry 3" folders so the Viper is at the top of my wishlist but what other models are single bladed with that blade length?
I can go up to 3 3⁄16" as far as EDC goes but that's pretty much it.
Can you help out?

Thanks in advance
 
The single bladed #15 patterns (boys knifes, barlows) are all around 2.75" and would be another option. Blade shapes in Sheepsfoot, Clip, Spear and Spey.
 
A good rule of thumb for traditionals (though not a solid guarantee) is that primary blade length is 1" shorter than closed length. If you need an exact blade length, try one of the larger vendors who often list that in their details.
 
As far as GEC's go, only the #23 and #65 patterns (possibly the #45 and #46 but don't have one handy) would have blades longer than your limit (roughly 3 1/2" tip to bolster). The #12 is 4" closed and has a 3" blade. The #73 and #48 are 3 3/4" and 3 7/8" closed with blades about 3 1/16" and 3 1/8" long.
 
thanks guys.
I wish the #42 was also a 3".
It's a 3,5" blade right?
the swayback style and the #42 trader are my favourites so far.
love the Northfield UN-X-LD Blood Red Jigged Bone Missouri Trader Lockback
 
Just ordered a blood red jigged bone trader myself about an hr ago. its a little longer than what you asked for but the single blade pattern should make it very pocket friendly. I also own the viper and can say very confidently that its hard not to like that pattern. The sway back was actually my least favorite of all traditional patterns...until i decided to buy one purely out of curiosity and am very glad I did. Lets face it, you're gonna end up with several hah!
 
perchjerk said:
Just ordered a blood red jigged bone trader myself about an hr ago. its a little longer than what you asked for but the single blade pattern should make it very pocket friendly. I also own the viper and can say very confidently that its hard not to like that pattern. The sway back was actually my least favorite of all traditional patterns...until i decided to buy one purely out of curiosity and am very glad I did. Lets face it, you're gonna end up with several hah!
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oh man, i hope not :)
i got to be honest though, this sudden interest in traditionals is quite refreshing!
like modern knives, do these also lock solid without bladeplay?
i'm asking because i've seen videos of people saying that some lockbacks, don't exactly know wich models, have a bit of wiggle in all directions.
 
mantzao said:
like modern knives, do these also lock solid without bladeplay?
i'm asking because i've seen videos of people saying that some lockbacks, don't exactly know wich models, have a bit of wiggle in all directions.
Click to expand...

I have not seen any of the GEC lockbacks except my own #65 Ben Hogan - it locks up solidly without bladeplay, but to be honest, I do not evaluate the lockup of a traditional the same way as I would a modern/tactical. They are not hard use - I treat EVERY traditional as though it does not have a lock.
 
liamstrain said:
I have not seen any of the GEC lockbacks except my own #65 Ben Hogan - it locks up solidly without bladeplay, but to be honest, I do not evaluate the lockup of a traditional the same way as I would a modern/tactical. They are not hard use - I treat EVERY traditional as though it does not have a lock.
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i completely understand and agree with your approach on traditionals.
thanks for that
 
Welcome to the Traditional side of things :)

Generally the vendors only list closed length (don't know why, but that's just how it is). One vendor here that I can think of does give blade length also. As a general rule the 3.5" (closed) models run around 2 3/4" blade.

Pick a model that appeals to you then one of us can give you any precise dimensions you then need.

A couple of examples:

My #48 Trapper runs 3 1/8" blades with closed length of 3 7/8"

My #15 Barlow runs 2 5/8" blade with a closed length of 3.5"
 
Blade play is one of my biggest pet peeves. GEC has not let me down in that department. But, lock backs are known to have some vertical blade play due to lock design. I hope this trader I have on order comes without horizontal blade play like the rest of my GECs but I expect it to have vertical play to some degree. It's just the nature of the beast I guess.
 
arizonaranchman said:
Welcome to the Traditional side of things :)

Generally the vendors only list closed length (don't know why, but that's just how it is). One vendor here that I can think of does give blade length also. As a general rule the 3.5" (closed) models run around 2 3/4" blade.

Pick a model that appeals to you then one of us can give you any precise dimensions you then need.

A couple of examples:

My #48 Trapper runs 3 1/8" blades with closed length of 3 7/8"

My #15 Barlow runs 2 5/8" blade with a closed length of 3.5"
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Thanks bud.
So does the #42 trader have a 3,5" blade?
 
Might look at GEC 73 pattern. Here is mine sitting in between a Queen Copperhead and GEC 42 for size comparison.

 
mantzao said:
You see, i tend to only carry 3" folders so the Viper is at the top of my wishlist but what other models are single bladed with that blade length?
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Traditional newbie here as well. Have you considered the GEC #72 pattern? I recently acquired a Cody Scout Wharncliffe lockback, with a blade length of approximately 3-1/16”.

mantzao said:
like modern knives, do these also lock solid without bladeplay?
Click to expand...

Like other GEC lockback owners have reported, my #72 also has a small amount of blade play (both side-to-side and up-and-down). This knife will never see any hard work, so that’s not an issue. But I’m still thinking about sending it back to GEC for tweaking, anyway.
 
As pointed out by knifeswapper on his website, some #72 lockbacks exhibit blade play in the locked position. I returned the #72 I had ordered due to this. However, the other two GEC models I own are very well made. Of those two knives I own, the #73 Tidioute drop point with autumn gold bone panels has about a 3.25" blade (including tang) and I think it's one of their prettiest.


EDIT: I measured my #73 to be precise. The blade length is 3 1/16".
 
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I can understand if you want to try something with nicer materials but if you just want a solid workhorse traditional with a 3 1/16" blade check out the farm and field bull nose. They are rock solid slip joints and sodbusters are quintessential traditional pattern. Also, a little cheaper if you end up not liking the traditional thing (unlikely)
 
cairndude said:
Traditional newbie here as well. Have you considered the GEC #72 pattern? I recently acquired a Cody Scout Wharncliffe lockback, with a blade length of approximately 3-1/16”.



Like other GEC lockback owners have reported, my #72 also has a small amount of blade play (both side-to-side and up-and-down). This knife will never see any hard work, so that’s not an issue. But I’m still thinking about sending it back to GEC for tweaking, anyway.
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Thanks.
Yesterday i bought a Viper in Jigged Sienna bone and i see myself browsing this sub forum :)
Actually, i really like the #72.
I really like the blade shape of it.
Not talking about the wharncliff but the "trapper" blade?
Is that how that blade shape is called?
The wider blade seems perfect.
 
Mantzao, the #72 pattern comes in both a lockback and a slipjoint version.

#72 Lockback Mini-Hunter (clip blade)
RS_MHLB_zps5f1d79cd.jpg~original


#72 Cody Scout Jack (drop point and pen blades)
Micarta72Jack_zps52f9e9c2.jpg~original


What some people erroneously call a "trapper blade" is a spey blade, shown here behind and below the master clip blade (#48).
SmoothRam48_zpsffd135ab-1_zpsd9e84726.jpg~original
 
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