2022 Lick Creek Barlow #14 thread

[Elgatodeacero]

a properly made slip joint should have no perceptible blade play in normal use (putting knife in vise and wiggling blade with super he-man muscles is not normal use) and the pull should be a 6.

these standards are straight out of the U.S. Bureau of Slipjoint Fabrications Standards Manual 2022 ed., so any differing opinions are likely Russian Spetsnaz disinformation or possibly even misinformation.

surprisingly, older versions of this manual indicated off centered blades were not a defect if the prior two standards were satisfied and the blade did not touch the liners, it is strange that this note has been omitted from the 2022 edition.

 

[Jiki]

Lol what's a 6?

 

[Jerbhola89]

I'm not upset by the little Fit n Finish issues on GEC knives, they don't bother me at all.

The gaps don’t bother me; but it’s so satisfying when you can look down the back of a GEC and it’s just perfectly smooth and even - which most of my GEC’s are but the last 2/3 have had gaps I can see through (this 14 and the 49). Side note: Both of these also have blade play and weren’t centered. Not ideal, but it doesn’t bother me to the point that I would not want to keep them. Still satisfied with both purchases.

As interesting as the Wormy Chestnut covers are on the Lick Creek, I think the Goldenrod Sawcut might be my favorite from this run. It’s just a classic little Barlow.

The depth/texture of the sawcut is great, and I like the color.

My goldenrod sawcut arrived today, and I'm pretty happy with it.

Mine also has the lighter brown/orange coloring - I love it! (I’ve see a few that are quite dark so I think we got good ones).

Those of you with poor pulls—any improvement after flushing?

I flushed mine twice and it’s tough to tell if the pull is stronger than before (mine is more like a 4 so it’s actually my preference for this size knife ). What is did do was smooth out the action and make it superbly satisfyingly snappy! This is likely my wife’s least favorite knife because I am constantly opening and closing it. It not only walks the walk…. But it talks the talk!

Blade play directly affects function. Pull strength does not affect function unless it is zero.

While I haven’t decided if I’m going to send this back (and the 49) for the blade play, they are such small knives, thus very light users, that they don’t seem to affect the function for me. > 3” I think would be my cut off for no longer accepting any type of play.



While I don’t recommend touching rusted nails (or even keeping them around; this was in a trash pile at work), I couldn’t help but love the colors!

[Edit: My etch was also not great, as you can see in this one, but that wouldn’t even be on my “wish list“ as all of my knifes are users and that etch is already faded/patina’d.]

 

[tmd_87]

I received my little standard run TC today. The blade is pretty far off center and the pull is fairly weak to my personal standards. The knife showed up right before lunch so I thought I would check to see if it does what it’s suppose to…and it does! They did a fantastic job on the covers and the darn thing cuts great for a tiny knife.
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yea, mine is off center like that too.

 

[N.E.Tim]

Quite wormy indeed.

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Looks Historical to me, You got a good one.

 

[Chief]

2018 GEC single clip 14 backsprings are slightly proud when the blade is resting at half stop. 2022 single clip 14s fixed that issue but whatever GEC changed (probably slightly shortened the distance from the blade pivot hole to the flat side of the blade) made the pull weaker. Even lubed and worked it's weaker than I prefer. From the halfstop to full open it's a 2-3 on my non-scientific scale. Does it hold the blade open? Yes. Does it feel locked open securely? Not really. Otherwise the fit and finish is excellent, happy at the near absence of bug holes in the nicely matched covers on my example. Brushed bolsters look excellent. Brass pins look good against the chestnut. Lick Creek etch is nice as is the long pull clip blade. Don't overpay, due to the weak pull we are already seeing a high turnover rate. NFS, please don't ask.

 

[Viper84]

Those of you with poor pulls—any improvement after flushing?

Only a very minor improvement. It went from a 2 to a 2.5, but I think it's OK for a small knife like this.

 

[JohnDF]

My fear about weak pulls is that some day they will lose all their 'snap'.

 

[LastRodeo]

My fear about weak pulls is that some day they will lose all their 'snap'.

Judging by how difficult it is to soften a pull, I can’t imagine that becoming in issue during my lifetime.

 

[JohnDF]

Judging by how difficult it is to soften a pull, I can’t imagine that becoming in issue during my lifetime.

You're right, it may not be a valid fear, but it is a fear I have none-the-less.

 

[mrknife]

imagine opening and closing the knife over a million times? that might temper the spring some more

 

[btb01]

I’ve never really liked the 1-10 scale for pull strength because it’s so subjective, but having seen the number 2 thrown out there , I thought I’d clarify my own “light pull” comments.

Yes, this run has a lighter pull than previous #14 runs. I wouldn’t say the difference is significant; previous #14’s weren’t exactly nail-breakers. I can see where the pull on these might be “lighter than preferred” for some, but I don’t think it’s a flaw.

I grabbed a couple SAKs for comparison — those are generally considered to be a reliable 5 by most people — and I would say the pull on these is only a touch lighter. I’d call it maybe a 4 or 4.5, certainly not a 2. That’s just my opinion, of course… which is the flaw in the subjective pull scale.

I also grabbed an #18 Coyote to compare (made in 2016), and the pulls are nearly identical. And the new #14 pull is definitely not as light/weak/disappointing/sad as the #35 Beer & Sausage.

Just my 2¢.

 

[btb01]

Quite wormy indeed.

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I think you’ll win for wormiest. I was going to ask JohnDF if that was the liner I could see through a small hole along the edge of his, but I don’t think there’s any need to ask for confirmation on yours! Seriously, lots of cool character in those covers!

 

[Viper84]

I’ve never really liked the 1-10 scale for pull strength because it’s so subjective, but having seen the number 2 thrown out there , I thought I’d clarify my own “light pull” comments.

Yes, this run has a lighter pull than previous #14 runs. I wouldn’t say the difference is significant; previous #14’s weren’t exactly nail-breakers. I can see where the pull on these might be “lighter than preferred” for some, but I don’t think it’s a flaw.

I grabbed a couple SAKs for comparison — those are generally considered to be a reliable 5 by most people — and I would say the pull on these is only a touch lighter. I’d call it maybe a 4 or 4.5, certainly not a 2. That’s just my opinion, of course… which is the flaw in the subjective pull scale.

I also grabbed an #18 Coyote to compare (made in 2016), and the pulls are nearly identical. And the new #14 pull is definitely not as light/weak/disappointing/sad as the #35 Beer & Sausage.

Just my 2¢.

Also, some people just have stronger thumbs. Don't forget thumb day at the gym!

 

[mrknife]

Also, some people just have stronger thumbs. Don't forget thumb day at the gym!

never skip thumb day

 

[wlfryjr]

I've been busy planting vegetables and am just catching up with this thread. I really appreciate the kind comments and picture show, as these knives mean a lot to me .
Looking at all the pictures is like getting the family albums out and gazing at the photos .

My consolation #15
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Anyone who has an Old Barn Chestnut and one of the Wormy Chestnuts—please post a comparison shot. I’d love to see how they compare.

As promised, a picture of the pile side...
Please ignore the bolster gap and concentrate on everything else that's perfect about the knife.
I absolutely love all the character in the wood, it has a great "old world' charm to it. Perfect watch pocket size too.

Thank you wlfryjr

Feeling very blessed to have one of yours. -Pete
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Dear Lyle, now that I’ve read the story on the COA and the label on the back of the knife tube, I really have an appreciation for the complete package here.

I can imagine old dirt roads with old wood fences and post, eating an apple while walking along Lick Creek. Cooling off in the creek after a long days work building and mending fences. Weekend summer naps under a shaded tree while waiting for the fish to bite. Telling story’s about about our Papaw and the neighbors settling disputes the old fashioned way by sending a few gun shots over each other’s head rather than getting police and courts involved. Then the very next day Mamaw asking us to go borrow some sugar from the same neighbors like nothing ever happened. Finding old civil war relics while working the fields and while out gathering firewood. There’s a lot of old history near Lick Creek and now I have some of that here in my hand. I can’t believe this old chestnut wood is over a 125 years old and now part of cutlery history. The folks over at GEC did a fine job on this historical piece of cutlery.

Thank you for sharing another piece of your families story and the special thought and care you’ve put in this special package Lyle. I’m glad to hear you know the where abouts of that very Colt 32-20… I’m sure one of these barlows would go nicely with it.

Stay tough n cool - Ralph
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Pete and John , those are some real characters you got , right off Lick Creek. I have some cousins like them.

Ralph, you should be writing the stories.

 

[Jerbhola89]

imagine opening and closing the knife over a million times? that might temper the spring some more

I think I am already around 500,000; still good!

I’ve never really liked the 1-10 scale for pull strength because it’s so subjective…

…. And the new #14 pull is definitely not as light/weak/disappointing/sad as the #35 Beer & Sausage.

Quite subjective; and to that point my sample size doesn’t really give me enough to probably have an appropriate “scale” anyway.

I think I could ‘spydie-flick’ my B&S

 

[Will Power]

I wasn't able to take up the offer on the LC Barlows due to current circumstances, import-tax, long delays etc. Had it been another Farmer's Jack then I'd sell off everything

Looking at the pictures it presents as a very attractive small knife, the etching, particularly the satin finish and the no two the same aspect to the Worm Chestnut scales Lot of views about the pull not surprisingly as it's really subjective. Generally, I prefer a stouter pull BUT on smaller patterns it's perhaps not so desirable, small knives with heavy pulls can be challenging and you can end up dropping them These are hardly mainstay work-knives so I think the pull is a less important consideration, they certainly look like gems though.

Thanks, Will.

 

[Jiki]

never skip thumb day

I never skip thumb day.

 

[JohnDF]

Pete and John , those are some real characters you got , right off Lick Creek. I have some cousins like them.

Thank you, Lyle.
The Old post Wood really made some fantastic handles.