First traditional (unless you count SAK) -- Ray Smith coffin barlow

Bladenoobie1

Bladenoobie1

Joined
Jul 20, 2012
Messages
1,261
I've received my first custom barlow and slipjoint as of today. Its a bit late and the poor lighting outside won't let me get good pictures, but I'll post the ones provide by Ray in the meantime. Overall fit and finish is good. The swedge is perfectly center as well as the blade. There are several flaws but nothing of major significance. Overall, I like the knife and for its cost I think it's of great value. If you are searching for a reasonably priced barlow and a new slipjoint to carry I would recommend Raymond Smith (RLS). My only real complaint is that the edge was a bit too obtuse for my liking around 40-50 degrees inclusive. Not the best slicer. I put a 36 degrees mirror edge and now it slices through cardboard and even whittles well.

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The scale material is westinghouse ivory micarta that I purchased off this forum several months ago.

Thanks,
BN
 
Bladenoobie1 said:
I've received my first custom barlow and slipjoint as of today. Its a bit late and the poor lighting outside won't let me get good pictures, but I'll post the ones provide by Ray in the meantime. Overall fit and finish is good. The swedge is perfectly center as well as the blade. There are several flaws but nothing of major significance. Overall, I like the knife and for its cost I think it's of great value. If you are searching for a reasonably priced barlow and a new slipjoint to carry I would recommend Raymond Smith (RLS). My only real complaint is that the edge was a bit too obtuse for my liking around 40-50 degrees inclusive. Not the best slicer. I put a 36 degrees mirror edge and now it slices through cardboard and even whittles well.

IM0000011_zps432c47a4.jpeg

IM0000061_zps820a89eb.jpeg

IM0000141_zpsb51f72fe.jpeg


The scale material is westinghouse ivory micarta that I purchased off this forum several months ago.

Thanks,
BN
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Very very nice!!! I love the "Coffin" shaped handle:thumbup:
 
Nice! Amazing that it's your first slip joint, nothing like diving in head first...I love it!
 
Thanks guys. Its a nice piece. I'm contemplating whether I should bring it with me to college or not when I move out in the fall.
 
Very nice. I really like the coffin handle. I can picture that in African Blackwood.

First I've heard of his name. I'm definitely interested in finding out more.
 
paulhilborn said:
Oh, I'd take that knife to Hell and back and never give it a second thought:thumbup:;)
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My reason for considering it is that it's small with a 2 5/8 blade and a 2-2.5 inch cutting edge. The carry rules for a knife on campus though require the blade to be a fixed length of 2.5 inches and less. I'm not sure if this knife will be acceptable b/c its fixed length is marginally over 2.5 inches.
 
Bladenoobie1,
CONGRATULATIONS on Your First Custom Traditional Folder.
I think it is an REALLY GREAT LOOKING KNIFE.
I would like to see photos in the daylight, I bet the micarta looks TERRIFIC in person.
 
WOW!!

That's one of the coolest barlows I've seen, and very unique as well.

Don't think I've ever seen a coffin barlow.

Nice choice!!
 
How often do you guys sharpen your slipjoints? The new edge I put on it is clean and it cuts well, but the heel still has a bit of the orginal bevel. I didn't want to remove too much steel so I left it as is. I'll figure that over the coarse of 3-4 sharpening sessions that last bit of the original bevel will disappear. In my past experience, I have a tendency to over sharpen things and I definitely don't want to do it to my brand new slip joint LOL. Anyhow I have some night pics, but its a good indicator of the color of the micarta.
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hunterjrg said:
I would not bring it with you. It will disappear.
Great knife.
Click to expand...

I agree, DO NOT TAKE IT TO COLLEGE, IT WILL BE GONE FOREVER.
You can carry it when You come home during breaks, and long in to the future after You graduate.
GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR FUTURE.

And it really is a GREAT KNIFE.
 
Bladenoobie,
Unless You're going to work at a butcher shop, don't wreak a nice knife by sharpening it over and over.
 
I dunno, I'm careful with my stuff and I never lost or had any knives stolen from me in college (including some pretty nice ones like this Barlow.) It's your call; IMHO it'd be a shame to have it cached away at home when it could be in your pocket for the next 4 years.
I love the micarta color and the unique coffin handle shape! What steel does the maker use?
 
sonnemann said:
i dunno, i'm careful with my stuff and i never lost or had any knives stolen from me in college (including some pretty nice ones like this barlow.) it's your call; imho it'd be a shame to have it cached away at home when it could be in your pocket for the next 4 years.
I love the micarta color and the unique coffin handle shape! What steel does the maker use?
Click to expand...
ats-34
 
That is certainly one of the more unique Barlows I have ever seen. Well done! :thumbup:
 
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