- Joined
- Jul 10, 2013
- Messages
- 1,123
Wednesday the 10th will be my 49th birthday, so I decided to get a little something for myself. Recently I've been looking at the Canal Street Cutlery Two Blade English Barlow in Reclaimed Chestnut. I haven't had the pleasure of checking out a CSC knife but I'd heard enough good things I thought I'd take the plunge. Besides, I like the idea of the reclaimed chestnut covers. It's kind of like having a piece of history.
Today it arrived. It came in a beautiful textured box with a label harkening back to the early 20th century. CSC definitely has style. Inside was the black jewelers pouch with gold embroidery and the story of the reclaimed chestnut used for the covers. Also included of course was warranty paperwork and description of the knife.
My initial impression was that it was a beautiful knife with a lot of heft. This is a very solid knife. However, I was mildly disappointed that CSC has moved their logo from the bolster to a brass coin in the cover. The pictures I'd seen before purchase didn't have the coin. Also the serial number 183 (apparently all CSC knives are serialized) was in a different spot than I expected. I was thinking it would be on the edge of the bolster or rotated 90 degrees and placed near the seam near the cover. It's not a deal breaker, but I just prefer embellishment on the bolster of a Barlow.
Looking over the knife, I noticed the covers were a little scorched from what I assumed being left on the wheel a little too long during finishing. I prefer it not be that way, but it does add some character.
No gaps or light. This is a tightly built knife.
The 14-4CRMO blades are dead center, however if you look closely, you can see a slight curvature near the tip of the main blade. And, there is a faint scuff just NW of the nail nick that I have no explanation for as nothing rubs. I actually couldn't see it until I started taking pictures of it outside and it caught the light just right.
I'd rate the pull at around 6-7 for both blades neither of which have half stops. Both blades are sharp out of the box, but not shaving sharp. They'll both see some strop time first to see if that can be rectified and stone time if not. Walk and talk are excellent on both blades and there is no play at all. Additionally, the spines of both blades end very close to the bolster when closed minimizing sharp corners. So it's comfortable in the hand while closed as well.
All in all, I think this is a wonderful little Barlow that is solid, hefty, and well put together. Sure it has some faults, but most knives do if you look hard enough. I think fit and finish are good and better than a couple of my GEC's. I especially like how it feels in the hand both open and closed. There are no sharp corners. My grandfather would have cherished a knife like this.
Today it arrived. It came in a beautiful textured box with a label harkening back to the early 20th century. CSC definitely has style. Inside was the black jewelers pouch with gold embroidery and the story of the reclaimed chestnut used for the covers. Also included of course was warranty paperwork and description of the knife.
My initial impression was that it was a beautiful knife with a lot of heft. This is a very solid knife. However, I was mildly disappointed that CSC has moved their logo from the bolster to a brass coin in the cover. The pictures I'd seen before purchase didn't have the coin. Also the serial number 183 (apparently all CSC knives are serialized) was in a different spot than I expected. I was thinking it would be on the edge of the bolster or rotated 90 degrees and placed near the seam near the cover. It's not a deal breaker, but I just prefer embellishment on the bolster of a Barlow.
Looking over the knife, I noticed the covers were a little scorched from what I assumed being left on the wheel a little too long during finishing. I prefer it not be that way, but it does add some character.
No gaps or light. This is a tightly built knife.
The 14-4CRMO blades are dead center, however if you look closely, you can see a slight curvature near the tip of the main blade. And, there is a faint scuff just NW of the nail nick that I have no explanation for as nothing rubs. I actually couldn't see it until I started taking pictures of it outside and it caught the light just right.
I'd rate the pull at around 6-7 for both blades neither of which have half stops. Both blades are sharp out of the box, but not shaving sharp. They'll both see some strop time first to see if that can be rectified and stone time if not. Walk and talk are excellent on both blades and there is no play at all. Additionally, the spines of both blades end very close to the bolster when closed minimizing sharp corners. So it's comfortable in the hand while closed as well.
All in all, I think this is a wonderful little Barlow that is solid, hefty, and well put together. Sure it has some faults, but most knives do if you look hard enough. I think fit and finish are good and better than a couple of my GEC's. I especially like how it feels in the hand both open and closed. There are no sharp corners. My grandfather would have cherished a knife like this.
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Solid knife and will be a great workhorse.
and a happy birthday early my friend:thumbup:
