Where's the Bail ???????????

[Modoc ED]

I've noticed over the last decade or so that fewer and fewer traditional knives are being produced with a bail. Of course a bail is not suitable on all knives but I think a bail on a 3" GEC Jack or 3" GEC Easy Open would be not only attractive but useful too (watch fob attachment, etc.). I'd even like to see a bail put on a Trapper and perhaps even on a Stockman. I don't have an illustration or picture handy but I have seen a Trapper here and there with a bail.

Sometimes, I help out a local rancher (for something to do not pay) when I am on his ranch shooting squirrels and have wished on more than one occasion that I had a bail on a trapper I use whenever I drop it while cutting alfphalfa bale string/wire.

I've even gone so far as to drill a hole in the rear bolster of a knife in order to attach a lanyard to it. As a matter of fact, I'm considering drilling a hole in the rear bolster of my GEC NF #23 Single Blade Trapper so as to be able to attach a lanyard to it when on the ranchers property.

I have a couple of old bails that came off junk knives and I may experiment with installing a bail instead of just drilling a hole in it.

Anyway, what do you guys think. Anyone got a picture of a Trapper or Stockman with a bail?

EDIT: Here's an example of what I'm talking -- errrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr typing -- about. A case 2-Blade Congress with a bail.

I think the bail looks very nice on the knife and serves a useful purpose if used as a working knife.

 

[cnas122]

bails get in the way. I'll take a lanyard hole

 

[dalee100]

Hi,

I personally don't care for bails, not because they can get caught under your blade when closing. But because they can make an otherwise sleek and slim knife look awkward and bulky. And because for me when I use it, the bail often folds up against the back spring and causes the knife to be uncomfortable to use. Until you readjust your grip to move it away.

Though there are some patterns that do need them and just don't seem comlete without one. The traditional scout pattern is one. My old Camillus TL-29 is another. It would look down right silly to me without the bail.

dalee

 

[Will Power]

I tend to agree with dalee on this one, they mar appearance.

I'm not sure if I would go drilling that GEC...it might wreck the structural integrity....

 

[runninmike]

I like the bale on the military "demo" knife and the scout knives are classic with their bales, and the small ring on the SAK's is a good one too. I do not care for them on stockman's and similar "drop in" pocket types so much, but I can like a lanyard hole and have some. I like having a lot of diversity. The lanyards of both types are especially nice when hiking for me-it helps to keep the larger type from falling down into my pocket and laying sideways making it feel like a small board is rubbing against my leg. I use a military type cord for my folding hunters and kind of tuck the excess cord into my watch pocket which holds the knife vertical in the main pocket below making it comfy to carry... I don't really care to put a scabbard on my belt much anymore.

 

[joe-bob]

I've even gone so far as to drill a hole in the rear bolster of a knife in order to attach a lanyard to it. As a matter of fact, I'm considering drilling a hole in the rear bolster of my GEC NF #23 Single Blade Trapper so as to be able to attach a lanyard to it when on the ranchers property.

Instead of drilling all the way through, why not just drill and tap it for fine machine screws?

 

[nphelps4130]

I am with you on the bails Modoc. I wish there were more slipjoints with bails or lanyard holes. Queen Mountain Man has a lanyard hole, and the occasional Case has a bail. I don't think I have ever seen a trapper with a bail, but I did see a Case Small Stockman Mother's Day with a bail.
http://casexx.com/DisplayDetailPage.asp?ProductCode=8784
Case also currently has the abalone Peanut with scissors and the small stag pen knife with Scissors, with bails. I think Case should really consider bails on some of the yellow and G-10 series.

I actually sent an email to GEC recently asking if they had considered adding a bail to the #25s and Chris (Christine) replied that she would recommend it and see if it would be possible. It would be great to see a run or 2 with bails.

I have learned from custom makers that there really is not room on a small knife for a lanyard hole.

I have a prized Case yellow pen knife with bail and would love to have more. I have contacted some custom makers and I am on some lists now for customs with lanyard holes or bails...

 

[Modoc ED]

I'm not sure if I would go drilling that GEC...it might wreck the structural integrity....

Naaaaaw. Just locate the rear bolster/end cap pin/pins and drill between them or to the outside of them near the back spring. Won't hurt a thing. I've done it to several knives during my time.

Like I said, I like bails but I like through and through lanyard holes too. I'd like to at least see lanyard holes on large knives. That GEC # 23 Single Blade Trapper is a perfect candidate for a lanyard hole from the factory.

As for drilling a hole in the pictured knife, it doesn't particularly bother me. Remember my "Will a GEC Whittler Rust in the Rain" thread/project? Hmmmm, I just might contact GEC to see if they will drill a hole in it or perhaps put a bail on it.

 

[navihawk]

Did someone say bails? Ed, I would like to see more new knives with bails. Some of them can get fancy. back in the day they were held on your belt with a clip, just like the scouts.I think easy openers are lost without bails The little guys I have posted make for great zipper pulls.

 

[Absintheur]

On smaller pocket knives I'll pass on a bail or lanyard hole but I do like them on larger knives. Often the knife in my back pocket will have a lanyard to make it easy to grab and pull out. Those paracord lanyards also mean I have and emergency supply of small rope on hand at all times, enough to handle quite a few small chores especially when you gut it for the inner 7 strands.

 

[jackknife]

I miss the bails as well. It seemed to me that when I was a kid, there was plenty of two blade jacks with a bail for watch fob attachment, or lanyard, or even keyring. I know some folks complain about the bail getting in the way of the blade, but I don't remember that happening with our scout knives, or TL-29's.

I think the smaller knives should have a bail. A peanut with a nice braided lanyard would be nice. Sodbusters should have a lanyard hole.

I do like a lanyard hole if there is no bail. I lost a knife overboard because it didn't have a lanyard. I don't like giving up a knife to Davy Jones. Let him buy his own knife!

 

[jacknife]

I like bails and lanyard holes but seldom use them.

I like my Vic Soldier for EDC because its very comfortable to hold, but if there was a chance of losing my knife like out in the woods, camping etc. I'd swap it out for a Wenger with the bail or a Pioneer. I wish my Buck 110 had a lanyard hole.

I like having the option.