:thumbdn:
Well, I really hate to say this, but after looking over five of the Boker made russell barlows, I have to say the quality is awful. Now for a 24 dollar knife, you cannot expect a whole lot. But considering I could have bought a chinese SJ with better quality for less money, it is very dissappointing.
Now the blades were carbon steel (big "+"). The handles were a very nice mottled brown. Unfortunately this is where the good points end.
Two of the knives had cracks in the bone. Hairlines are normal, but cracks that are bigger, and longer, can give way later, are not something to be desired in a good quality SJ.
Also, on the handles, there were spaces (gaps) between the bolsters and handles on almost all of them that were about a 1/32", and a little less (on one knife there was one flush bolster that looked really good).
The "kick" underneath the large spear blade tang. It was not quit long enough to keep the blade edge from touching the inside liners when the blade was closed (damaging the blade edge upon opening and closing). Both of the large and small blades, rubbed the right sides of the liners on both blades. It was this way on all five knives (due to this all the blades had bad scratches on the right side).
Overall, it was disappointing. "Fit and finish" was very poor. I was told by the smoky (rep.) that they were "made" to do this (they had been instructed to say this). Rub the sides. I did tell them that boker made these, and they told me Russell did. Of ource anyone who knows Russell, knows that Russell has not made any barlows in many, many years.
The past ones (what there are of them) have either been made by colonial, schrade, or Camillus (since the early 70's).
These are made by Boker, hence the "Solingen Germany" stamp on the back of the master blade. Boker, like Camillus, does much of Germany's "jobbing" for other companies, there, and here in the states. I have also been told by a very reliable source that Boker made these.
I know from what I was told my smoky, that the person I talked to was "instructed" to give me the answer I received. Not to seem rude at all, but I personally, believe, it does not pay to tell a person a lie, when they know better. Ive been making and collecting knives for over 25 years, and I have yet to know any maker, or manufacturer, that would make a knife to be "defective" by intention.
Boker's quality has slipped in the last 15 (+) years, or so. But then they have also had some winners. Sometimes you have to just look over the line for yourself and see. There are good and bad.
It's hard to believe, they would have doen this on purpose. Especially, one that the blades would rub side of the liners really badly (causing bad scratches). It just comes down to a "poor" quality knife.
Personally, I would stay Away from these. Everyone who knows me, knows that I really like Boker products, but these are not worth the money. If you want a cheap knife, buy a 6 dollar chinese SJ, it would be money better spent (and many know how I feel about those).
Well, I really hate to say this, but after looking over five of the Boker made russell barlows, I have to say the quality is awful. Now for a 24 dollar knife, you cannot expect a whole lot. But considering I could have bought a chinese SJ with better quality for less money, it is very dissappointing.
Now the blades were carbon steel (big "+"). The handles were a very nice mottled brown. Unfortunately this is where the good points end.
Two of the knives had cracks in the bone. Hairlines are normal, but cracks that are bigger, and longer, can give way later, are not something to be desired in a good quality SJ.
Also, on the handles, there were spaces (gaps) between the bolsters and handles on almost all of them that were about a 1/32", and a little less (on one knife there was one flush bolster that looked really good).
The "kick" underneath the large spear blade tang. It was not quit long enough to keep the blade edge from touching the inside liners when the blade was closed (damaging the blade edge upon opening and closing). Both of the large and small blades, rubbed the right sides of the liners on both blades. It was this way on all five knives (due to this all the blades had bad scratches on the right side).
Overall, it was disappointing. "Fit and finish" was very poor. I was told by the smoky (rep.) that they were "made" to do this (they had been instructed to say this). Rub the sides. I did tell them that boker made these, and they told me Russell did. Of ource anyone who knows Russell, knows that Russell has not made any barlows in many, many years.
The past ones (what there are of them) have either been made by colonial, schrade, or Camillus (since the early 70's).
These are made by Boker, hence the "Solingen Germany" stamp on the back of the master blade. Boker, like Camillus, does much of Germany's "jobbing" for other companies, there, and here in the states. I have also been told by a very reliable source that Boker made these.
I know from what I was told my smoky, that the person I talked to was "instructed" to give me the answer I received. Not to seem rude at all, but I personally, believe, it does not pay to tell a person a lie, when they know better. Ive been making and collecting knives for over 25 years, and I have yet to know any maker, or manufacturer, that would make a knife to be "defective" by intention.
Boker's quality has slipped in the last 15 (+) years, or so. But then they have also had some winners. Sometimes you have to just look over the line for yourself and see. There are good and bad.
It's hard to believe, they would have doen this on purpose. Especially, one that the blades would rub side of the liners really badly (causing bad scratches). It just comes down to a "poor" quality knife.
Personally, I would stay Away from these. Everyone who knows me, knows that I really like Boker products, but these are not worth the money. If you want a cheap knife, buy a 6 dollar chinese SJ, it would be money better spent (and many know how I feel about those).
