Smaller Knife: #06 Pemberton vs #25 Barlow

Hawk45

Hawk45

Joined
Jan 28, 2005
Messages
2,154
After getting my #73/74 I think I want to go smaller next. I was looking at the #15, but not sure it's going to be much of a difference from the #73/74. I was thinking of going single blade on this one too so was wondering which of these two smaller knives do you like the best and can still do it's fair share of edc duties?

Cheers,
Hawk
 
I cannot speak to the #25 - I only have a Pemberton. I love it. Use it regularly as my only EDC and it handles anything I throw at it. Of course my normal EDC tasks aren't as demanding as some might face, but I've always found it up to the task. I can accomplish 95% of what I want to do with the Pemberton. I have a two bladed version I purchased on the exchange here and love both the clip and pen. I use both blades equally. Doubt you could go wrong with either.
 
To me, the 25 and 06 are about equal. It all depends on which blade type you prefer. The 06 only comes in a clip (we're talking main blade here).
You can get a clip, spear or sheepfoot on a 25.
I had two 06's but sold them because they didn't get much pocket time. I had more than a few 25's but the only one I've kept is a Bulldog Brand (made by GEC) easy open sheepfoot. It's an excellent EDC knife.
I'd choose a Barlow over a Pemberton and it would be a single blade version.


 
I have a 2-blade #6 Pemberton and love it. Great little knife. But it's SMALL, so if that fits your requirements then it's a great EDC.
 
I like the look of the 25's and the Pembertons, but am not sure I wouldn't find them too small. I have a 66 which I like the size of.
 
Own a single blade ebony Pemberton in 1095 and a chestnut jigged bone #25 in 440C. Was actually noticing the other day that blade length looks almost identical between the two. The Pemberton is slimmer and around 2/8th of an inch shorter. I like both, but find myself carrying the Pemberton more.
 
Been a fan of the Pemberton pretty much from day one. It is in my watch pocket almost every day. Small, but built like a mini tank, it handles everything I throw at it. I usually pair it up with a jack or stockman.

Here,paired up with my Böker...

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and here when it was new....and solo

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Either way, you'r going to get a VERY capable knife. Let us know where you land.

Peter
 
I will speak a bit out of the choir if you don't mind :-)
I used to have a #25 (my first GEC), and I've handled a #06: both are nice knives, but their ergo's are not the best. Personally, I think they're a bit too chubby for their length, and that's why, if I had to suggest a small GEC knife (I assume you want to stick with GEC), I would pick a Northwoods Norfolk.

Fausto
:cool:
 
quattromori said:
I will speak a bit out of the choir if you don't mind :-)
I used to have a #25 (my first GEC), and I've handled a #06: both are nice knives, but their ergo's are not the best. Personally, I think they're a bit too chubby for their length, and that's why, if I had to suggest a small GEC knife (I assume you want to stick with GEC), I would pick a Northwoods Norfolk.

Fausto
:cool:
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interesting, I have a Pemberton 2 blade, and it is in many respects a superlative knife - GEC's fit and finish was completely perfect, but I find that I carry it less than my others, and I think the problem may lie with the ergonomics, it is difficult to get the blade near the tang near the thing you are cutting, as the handle is quite wide. in comparison, I imagine a peanut, with its slimmer frame, does not have this problem.
 
I have 06's and 25's. The 06 will be the smallest feeling knife in your pocket, whereas the 25 is definitely on the fatter side. Both will carry well in the watch pocket, but the 25 is a bit beefier.
 
fatcorgi said:
interesting, I have a Pemberton 2 blade, and it is in many respects a superlative knife - GEC's fit and finish was completely perfect, but I find that I carry it less than my others, and I think the problem may lie with the ergonomics, it is difficult to get the blade near the tang near the thing you are cutting, as the handle is quite wide. in comparison, I imagine a peanut, with its slimmer frame, does not have this problem.
Click to expand...

It's a very personal thought, but I have come to the conclusion that ergonomics are more important on smaller knives, rather than on knives that can be held with a full (4 finger) grip.
Obviously, we all have different hands (not just in size), so generalizing is, as always, never fair...
With small knives, that need a 2 finger grip (eventually a 2,5 finger grip, meaning the third finger is in contact with the handle, although it doesn't contribute much to the grip), I have found out that slender frames work much better. In terms of ergonomics, my old GEC 25 could never beat my Case Peanut or SBJ, and that's why I suggested the slender frame of the GEC/Northwoods Norfolk, or, perhaps, the upcoming #9.

Fausto
:cool:
 
bdev said:
To me, the 25 and 06 are about equal. It all depends on which blade type you prefer. The 06 only comes in a clip (we're talking main blade here).
You can get a clip, spear or sheepfoot on a 25.
I had two 06's but sold them because they didn't get much pocket time. I had more than a few 25's but the only one I've kept is a Bulldog Brand (made by GEC) easy open sheepfoot. It's an excellent EDC knife.
I'd choose a Barlow over a Pemberton and it would be a single blade version.


Click to expand...

I love this one. I've been hunting and buying the 25 easy opens for a while...I've got 4 or 5 now. I saw one like this on a site that didn't ship to Canada, and was bummed. I like this dyed bone a lot. Nice knife!
 
I agree that the ergonomics will differ greatly depending on you own hand dimensions. My fingers are slender but long, so thick knife handles don't bother me, and I can get a pretty good 3 finger grip on either the 06 or 25. I would imagine it will be tough to decide which will work better for someone without the knifes in hand.

Personally, I prefer both the GEC knives to a peanut pattern (although the one I have is an Ulster, so it may or may not compare exactly to a Case peanut). Build quality and blade geometry are more to my liking, compared to the peanut I have, as well as compared to the other pattern Case knives that I have.

I do think the Pemberton carries much better in lightweight dress pants pockets. It is lighter than the 25, and as you can see from the pictures below it is much smaller than the 25, and really disappears in the pocket. I am more likely to carry the 25 when I am wearing Dockers or blue jeans. Both are nice knives that I enjoy owning.













The below pictures compare the Pemberton to my Ulster peanut. The peanut is 1/8 inch longer than the Pemberton:



 
If you are willing to wait a few weeks you should look into the upcoming Esquire. Even longer and the Magnum could be an option too.
The Esquire will be a little less than 1/8" longer than the pemberton and 1/8" shorter than the 25 but has two blades on a single spring. I think it will be the perfect size for me and I'm very excited for it. Love the spear/coping combo on it too. Also, it's coming in a huge range of cover options.
http://greateasterncutlery.net/blog/gallery/09-esquire-set-up-knife/
 
TheBead said:
I do think the Pemberton carries much better in lightweight dress pants pockets. It is lighter than the 25, and as you can see from the pictures below it is much smaller than the 25
Click to expand...

great photos and comparison views including the thickness. If you get a chance to post the weight of your 2 blade Pemby and 2 blade 25, that would be useful too imo. fwiw, my single blade Pemby weighs 33 grams, my 2 blade peanut weighs 35 grams.

justsomedude said:
If you are willing to wait a few weeks you should look into the upcoming Esquire.
Click to expand...

I agree the Esquire looks very promising and look forward to a post mentioning how much it weighs :-). I really like the single spring and the coping and spear blades.
 
I have preordered one in LVS abalone and will potentially pick up ivory and/or wood examples as well. I'll be happy to weigh them for you and post some comparison pics. Although I've never had a pemberton and sold my 25.
For what it's worth I found the 25 to be too in-between. Not small enough to be a "small" knife but not large enough to be more useful than one.
I actually think the TC barlows are a nice smaller "medium" knife and would take one over a 25 any day.
Ymmv
 
Thanks to Jon Slider, I am the proud new owner of my first Pemberton. Thanks Jon!!
This thing is SMALL, but has a big blade packed in there and is surprisingly effective at EDC tasks for it's size. I have big hands but not giant hands, more long fingers and I can get a solid 3 finger grip. It's super light and thin and will disappear into a pocket (good thing). Despite its diminutive size, it's build just like any other GEC.. a tank. Nice strong pull and lockup. Can't wait to carry it for a few weeks (or longer) and see how she does. It's a great secondary blade at least for the times you need to do a task and don't need a 3"+ blade.

Here are a few (bad) picks I snapped comparing it to my 74 Ranch Hand and mini-griptillian:

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Traditional forum, traditional knives only please.
 
jon_slider said:
great photos and comparison views including the thickness. If you get a chance to post the weight of your 2 blade Pemby and 2 blade 25, that would be useful too imo. fwiw, my single blade Pemby weighs 33 grams, my 2 blade peanut weighs 35 grams.
Click to expand...

Thanks, Jon. Here is the weight info:

2 Blade 25: 71 grams (2.5 oz.)
2 Blade Pemberton: 47 grams (1.65 oz.)
2 Blade Ulster Peanut: 35 grams (1.2 oz.)
 
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