Dad's Christmas present arrived?

Bigfattyt · Dec 17, 2011

I made a snap/impulse purchase for my dad for Christmas. I was trying to decide what kind of a traditional knife to get him.

I tend to buy my dad knives that don't get used much. I bought him a big tactical folder which I had engraved. It does not get carried, because it is too big and scary.

I bought him a fixed blade cheap user (Condor's Hudson bay, for a cheap bigger, leave in the car knife.....I actually use mine a lot in the kitchen). It is in his safe, unused.

So I figured I would try a small traditional and see if that gets more pocket time.

I am going to try and bang out a little pocket sheath for it before I give it to him.

I ordered him a Tideoute Barlow in Bocote.

This sucker is tiny!

Pen blade

Compared to a small trapper (#73 frame pattern?).

Small and large trapper.

Showing the bolsters in comparison.

Thickness wise, not much thicker than a single blade large (#23 pattern trapper).

Two blades

three in hand

Just a couple of thoughts. I had expected the pulls on both blades to be firm. This particular one is probably about a 3 out of 10 for the main and 4 for the pen blade. Very light pulls. The fit of the bolsters is not perfect. There is a small bit of gap on what would be the pile (shield if it had one) side. not a big gap, and not very noticeable.

The blades are pretty undersprung, but this may be normal for this model. The bolsters go forward of the tang/backspring (unlike my other square end models).

I was also surprised at how light the model is. Especially for a two bladed/spring model. It is much lighter than the two bladed small trapper I have. I don't have a scale, but really much lighter.

I have one of these coming for me for Christmas, so opening and playing with this one was kind of like cheating and opening my own present.

zippofan · Dec 17, 2011

That is a beautiful knife. If my boys were to give me a GEC Barlow for Christmas I'd be thrilled! Maybe it's because the first knife I ever received from my dad was an old Imperial Barlow, but I've always been partial to that pattern even though I have just the one.

One of these days I have to clean mine up...

I hope your dad likes it!

Cheers,
Griff

jackknife · Dec 17, 2011

Dave, I just want to interject a question here. Have you ever sat down and had a talk with your dad on what he does and does not like in a knife? If you're buying him knives that don't get carried, maybe there's some reason that needs to be explored? Sometimes people can have very particular taste in things. Size, shape, type of whatever, even kind of clothing usually worn can all have an influence on what is carried.

Does your father carry a pocket knife of some sort at present? That can be a really good clue right there.

Carl.

Bigfattyt · Dec 17, 2011

jackknife said:
Dave, I just want to interject a question here. Have you ever sat down and had a talk with your dad on what he does and does not like in a knife? If you're buying him knives that don't get carried, maybe there's some reason that needs to be explored? Sometimes people can have very particular taste in things. Size, shape, type of whatever, even kind of clothing usually worn can all have an influence on what is carried.

Does your father carry a pocket knife of some sort at present? That can be a really good clue right there.

Carl.

Dave????? Dave's not here..........

I talk with my dad a lot about knives, a whole lot actually. He is kind of funny about them for some reason. He has a few great older knives that don't get carried (used to get used all the time camping).

He spends a good bit of money on his guns. Buys quality, and then has action/trigger jobs done, and gets quality glass for them. He has more than one of a particular set up and caliber so he can put one aside and shoot the next when the barrel gets warm shooting prairie dogs.

He carries knives that are not high quality, but cheap to replace if lost. He has more than one knife for each car, One for the center console, and one for the trunk or glove-box of the truck.

He has knives he carries in the same style I buy him, but they are much cheaper. Steel is questionable, tough to get an edge or keep one. Locks not too strong. etc.

He just does not regard knives the same as guns (but he already has all the gun stuff he needs, although I do occasionally buy him more......like carbide reloading dies for when he gets a new caliber).

I don't know what it is.

He has expressed an interest in some of the traditionals, so I am thinking it might get some carry time (although he might just keep it nice, and carry another blade of similar size).

He does always carry at least one knife. I am just trying to convince him that knives are every bit as worthy of quality as the guns/4 wheelers/GPS units/ and other gear he gets.

I really think his main concern is to ruin/or loose a nicer piece.

chickenplucker · Dec 17, 2011

Awesome knife and photos.

Bigfattyt · Dec 17, 2011

The camera and lighting are both poor (as is my skill with a camera).

Nothing artsy or in focus!

Knife Crazied · Dec 18, 2011

I really like that knife. I think it will make a wonderful present.

johnny twoshoes · Dec 19, 2011

BF, congrats on getting your Dad a knife, I'm sure he'll love this one. The #25 is a workhorse of a little folder, I know everyone here loves the peanut like it's going out of style, but as far as little knives go, these #25 pattern knives take a ton of abuse. I have used one for a couple years now, it's been through many a material and has yet to complain, the biggest test was cutting some PVC pipe, I still had a razor edge afterwards too. Like the peanut they do more than what you would think, and they can disappear in the pocket as well.

Great knives, those big folders are looking great, the #73 especially. :thumbup:

Bigfattyt · Dec 21, 2011

I gave it to my dad tonight. I also made him a leather slip pocket sheath for the knife, so he can carry it a bit more securely and not scratch it up with other things in his pocket.

I will have to post up some pics. I Don't think I took any of the slip sheath I made for him, but have one of a rougher one I did for me.

Here is my rough finished one. This piece of leather was a throw away (the grain side was no good!). I made a knock around my self, and have a few bigger ones that need to be glued, and stitched etc for later.

(excuse the lighting and poor pic quality.....this is a cell phone with no flash, and a flashlight!). I spent almost no time on this one. Just did a rush job. My dad's had a better piece of leather, and got a better finish. No initials etc (done with a cloths pin end).

Dad was pretty excited.