What is the use of this GEC blade style?

Kershaws

Kershaws

Joined
Aug 3, 2013
Messages
592
I'm looking to purchase my first traditional, looking for a single blade, and I ran into this GEC, It looks neat but i'm wondering what the blades shape is for? Tried searching it online but found no answers.
 
The pronged end allows you to open it one handed by catching it on a pants seam or something like that.
 
That allowed one hand opening for many veterans who were missing limbs, but still needed to use a pocket knife.
 
That style of blade is called a "razor". It's also known as a "one-armed bandit" since it can be opened with one hand as Slide13 described.
 
That is a very old blade style; here is a current Case Barlow with their take on the RAZ blade. It looks like the GEC style has a deeper notch, might make it easier to hook/hold along the edge of a pocket. OH

Case_62005_RAZ_SS_-_2007.jpg
 
Old Hunter said:
It looks like the GEC style has a deeper notch, might make it easier to hook/hold along the edge of a pocket.
Click to expand...
Interesting that you say that. After reading this thread last night I dug out my Crandall (made by Case) and noticed the same thing. I tried hooking the Crandall to the seam on the leg of my jeans and was able to open it but not nearly as easy as the GEC.

i-PkHXSq4-XL.jpg


i-3xMQDtg-XL.jpg
 
I understand the historical motivation behind the blade shape, but what is the current fascination with them? Something different? Opening it one handed seems like a good way to tear up a pair of pants.

- Christian
 
kamagong said:
I understand the historical motivation behind the blade shape, but what is the current fascination with them? Something different? Opening it one handed seems like a good way to tear up a pair of pants.
Click to expand...

As with everything, it's just personal taste. Especially in a forum about traditional knives, we tend to love the historical connection with knives. I don't own a One-arm, but I love the way they look. Plus, I do love the one-handed function of the knife. :)
 
The answer to that question is the reason GEC exists, Canal Street exists, that many Case patterns exist yet - they market the old styles to those of us here on the Traditional Forum, and others like us, who are still lovers of the old ways, who like the tradition of owning and using things whose time has past for most people, but still have value to us. OH
 
I have recently fallen in love with slipjoints and was wondering the same thing, so thank you to Kershaws for asking the question and thank you to all of you who answered.
 
As a one-arm using disabled Vet I have an interest in this subject.

So far in research I have read it appears around 60,000 surgeries, or 3/4 of all surgeries performed during the Civil War, were amputations. Granted that is for both upper & lower extremities, but that is still quite a few soldiers coming back with missing upper extremities. I've yet to find anything to better explain the reason for the blade design. I agree with jackknife's reasoning that a small fixed blade would work better. That said, knife-nuts have been around for as long as knives. I can fully picture some old soldier, missing an arm, going "I want a pocketknife I can open 1-handed to carry in my suit pocket for church socials & such". Quite a few prominent & high ranking soldiers returned missing limbs. I could also see a cutlery company presenting them with a folder to open 1-handed for the publicity.

Some links on Civil War amputations - nothing gory

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/exhibition/lifeandlimb/maimedmen.html
http://civilwarrx.blogspot.com/2011/08/amputation-in-civil-war.html
 
So how do one armed people open the secondary blade? Seems silly to include a pen blade that they cannot open.
 
joeymoey said:
So how do one armed people open the secondary blade? Seems silly to include a pen blade that they cannot open.
Click to expand...

I believe that the standard secondary blade on this style of knife came later & had nothing to do with being opened 1-handed. Think along the lines of someone in marketing going "Hmmm we have consumers saying they like that 1-arm Razor Jack but wish it had a pointy secondary blade".

P.S. It is possible to open traditional pocketknives one-handed. I've been doing it for a few years. Not fast, looks awkward, but it works.
 
There's been a lot of enthusiasm for this pattern it seems. Something out of the ordinary but rooted in genuine history. But I have to ask owners, don't your pockets get ripped and snagged carrying such a knife? Or even minor injuries.....?
 
willgoy - yes :)

Definitely want a pocketslip for this blade style. I'm still getting the edge on my 1-Arm Razor Jack in Ebony sharpened up. After that I'm contemplating getting a new set of work glove. Then the debate will be to use the new left glove or my old right glove to make some pocket slips.
 
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