All About Pocket Knives

I'm still a newcomer to GEC but I can't see the differences between a 49 and a 94 pattern. And why are some 86 patterns barlows and some not? Do the numbers actually indicate size? I don't think so because a 99 is shorter than a 93 or a 72. The 22 Magnum is the shortest pattern I have but looks longer than a 19 in the pics. Can someone interpret?

I have not followed GEC for several years but when I did follow them, I seem to remember that the pattern numbers were based on the shape of the handle and sometimes whether the knife had half stops.

The 86 pattern that you mentioned has the same size and shape handle whether it’s a Barlow or not. The 53 and 54 patterns are the same size and shape but one of them has half stops and the other one doesn’t.

RedRaiderRick wrote: ↑Fri Apr 11, 2025 4:35 amCan someone interpret?

this might help answer your questions: https://greateasterncutlery.net/blog/patterns/

bestgear wrote: ↑Fri Apr 11, 2025 10:44 am

RedRaiderRick wrote: ↑Fri Apr 11, 2025 4:35 amCan someone interpret?

this might help answer your questions: https://greateasterncutlery.net/blog/patterns/

Thanks guys, I see the 86 looks the same size shape whether a barlow or not.
Great resource Tom! I'm gonna hang on to that one. Even after reviewing that, I still can't see the difference between a 49 and a 94. Same length, both 1095 carbon, shield, handles...
After looking at a handful of pics I bet some didn't sell all that well. Surprised to see that a 19 is larger than a 22. I really like the shape of the 22 gunstock but not so much the larger 76 which I look at and think, "have you actually seen the stock of a rifle before you made that?"

When GEC makes a new frame (or handle shape), they assign a pattern number prefix to that frame. All variants built on that frame have the same pattern number prefix regardless of number of blades, shield types, etc. The only exception is that they will assign a different pattern number prefix to the same frame with the addition or subtraction of half stops.

The handle shapes on the 49 and 94 curve in opposite directions. The 49 has more of a “swayback” curve.

RedRaiderRick wrote: ↑Fri Apr 11, 2025 12:13 pm…..I still can't see the difference between a 49 and a 94. Same length, both 1095 carbon, shield, handles...

give them a call and talk to Joan Mae, she’ll set you straight or get you the answer to your question(s).

Happened to notice the 22 and 44s are both gunstocks which seems appropriate. I would like to pick up a 63 and 64 sometime. There is a 63 listed on ebay now for $400. Don't know if I can do that.

RedRaiderRick wrote: ↑Sun Aug 24, 2025 1:30 pm Happened to notice the 22 and 44s are both gunstocks which seems appropriate. I would like to pick up a 63 and 64 sometime. There is a 63 listed on ebay now for $400. Don't know if I can do that.

dont encourage them, its why we are in this high priced mess