Page 1 of 1
[ISO] GEC 15A (one arm) boys knives and TC barlows
Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2025 5:02 pm
by nizhoni
Hello, I've taken a liking to the shape of the GEC 15 one arm blade and now I am cursed to try and collect them all.
Looking for any condition or cover.
Re: [ISO] GEC 15A (one arm) boys knives and TC barlows
Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2025 11:12 pm
by Stakeknife
Can you post a pic of an example? I have a couple of 15’s.
Re: [ISO] GEC 15A (one arm) boys knives and TC barlows
Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2025 11:55 pm
by nizhoni
Stakeknife wrote: ↑Mon Nov 24, 2025 11:12 pm
Can you post a pic of an example? I have a couple of 15’s.
Here’s what I have so far. The two blades are my favorite. I love the absurdity of having a blade made to be opened easily with one hard and sticking a pen blade in there. I wonder how someone with one arm would open it!
Re: [ISO] GEC 15A (one arm) boys knives and TC barlows
Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2025 12:17 am
by bestgear
nizhoni wrote: ↑Mon Nov 24, 2025 11:55 pmI wonder how someone with one arm would open it!
The pattern originated after the Civil War to give an option to soldiers who'd lost an arm/hand in battle. The cutout in the end of the blade allowed the tip to be snagged on a belt loop or pocket edge to open the blade.
The 3rd digit of the pattern number from GEC is an “A” which designates the main blade as one arm.
Re: [ISO] GEC 15A (one arm) boys knives and TC barlows
Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2025 12:33 am
by Stakeknife
Well that’s a new one for me, very interesting, I have seen them before but didn’t know about the one arm thing. Thanks
Re: [ISO] GEC 15A (one arm) boys knives and TC barlows
Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2025 1:02 am
by QTCut5
nizhoni wrote: ↑Mon Nov 24, 2025 11:55 pm
I love the absurdity of having a blade made to be opened easily with one hard and
sticking a pen blade in there. I wonder how someone with one arm would open it!
bestgear wrote: ↑Tue Nov 25, 2025 12:17 am
nizhoni wrote: ↑Mon Nov 24, 2025 11:55 pmI wonder how someone with one arm would open it!
The pattern originated after the Civil War to give an option to soldiers who'd lost an arm/hand in battle. The cutout in the end of the blade allowed the tip to be snagged on a belt loop or pocket edge to open the blade.
The 3rd digit of the pattern number from GEC is an “A” which designates the main blade as one arm.
Tom, I think nizhoni was referring to the secondary pen blade, not the main blade, and the absurdity of putting it on a knife that was clearly designed for "one hand opening". It's a really good question and something I had never thought about before:
How would a one arm person open the pen blade?
Re: [ISO] GEC 15A (one arm) boys knives and TC barlows
Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2025 1:24 am
by bestgear
Roger that Q, thanks for setting me straight
