GEC #77 Medium Barlow Impressions

redbike said:
Having seen what's been posted here, I'd have been very happy to get my hands on some of that stag. On the other hand, I believe the one I received is, more or less, the variation in color that was intended. Very pleased with this one!
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WOW - that red looks like a strawberry - humm humm - beautiful !! :eek::thumbup::D
 
Primble said:
WOW - that red looks like a strawberry - humm humm - beautiful !! :eek::thumbup::D
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Yeah, that was my response when I popped the tube today - that I'd lucked out. Given that this is a mini review thread, let me add that I think the finish on the blades is spot on, that it came relatively sharp (may the GEC Saints preserve us!) and that I believe the blade profiles are perfect and I couldn't imagine a better combination in one knife. The weight in hand is a little heavier than I was expecting, but it is satisfying. Access to the two blades is not the easiest, but I think they are a good compromise given the profiles chosen. I'm certainly happy I was able to secure one :).
 
I finally got the last of my #77 Barlows in the mail yesterday, and I love them. In fact, I love all of the #77s that I have recently picked up (all but the forum knife are from Collector Knives). I purchased them with the intention of giving most as gifts, but I'm not sure which I'll be willing to give up.

Mike, thanks again for your outstanding customer service, and for putting this SFO together.

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rye_a said:
Thanks Primble. You might recognize the Forum knife (my first #77). Thanks again for that one! I'm pretty new to traditional knives, but it is safe to say that I'm addicted...
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You are welcome and I think you just might be addicted. :thumbup::D
 
The stags are gorgeous! Curious how the early reserves were the last to fill out on these. I think they are my favorite from the entire run.
 
sugarleaf said:
The stags are gorgeous! Curious how the early reserves were the last to fill out on these. I think they are my favorite from the entire run.
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I have to agree with you, almost. I think the sawcut bone ones are the winners of the batch, but the stag is a close second. I got on the early reserve for the stag but ended up getting the Blackwood because I could only afford one and I didn't want to wait for the uncertainty of the stag. Honestly though, if I had snagged one of the stags, I may have kept it given how good all the ones that have been posted look.
 
bleh said:
I have to agree with you, almost. I think the sawcut bone ones are the winners of the batch, but the stag is a close second. I got on the early reserve for the stag but ended up getting the Blackwood because I could only afford one and I didn't want to wait for the uncertainty of the stag. Honestly though, if I had snagged one of the stags, I may have kept it given how good all the ones that have been posted look.
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I think you're right Sean, it was the "uncertainty" that was the factor here, both on the stag itself and the price, both of which turned out to fantastic. The VERY nominal mark up to stag was more than worth it. They sold for the same price as the wood Washingtons (although, I know the Washingtons probably had additional production costs with the fancy bolsters and stamped end cap).
 
waynorth said:
I finally got my Marlows, and have had a chance to coon-finger and chicken eye them as well as tote the Pioneer bone one around!
These are fullsome, substantial knives, sturdy in use, filling the hand for a good grip. I have carried a wharncliffe trapper around for years, and enjoy the blade selection, which is just about identical here. You have a straight edge, and one with belly when you carry either knife, and that's a good thing.
I like that choice, and of course like the long bolster option, me being a Barlow freak!!
Nice job Mike! Great knives, useful and good looking!!

Here they are along with the Inuit "Hands-Off-My-Knife" spirit!;)

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Very nice Charlie. I totally agree. I got my Pioneer Bone Marlow and its just a nice sturdy hand filling tool with style. This 77 pattern just fills the hand perfectly without seeming too big in any way. I'm not the biggest wharncliff fan, especially as the main on a single blade, because I always like to have the option of some belly for use on food when I'm eating out or peeling an apple. But as a combo these 2 blades just make perfect sense to me. there's also a nice symmetry to them. The wharncliff is terrific for general utility - breaking down boxes, leatherwork, whittling, and as an artist who makes collages I often need a coping blade or similar type straight tip for cutting out details. This wharncliff is like a laser cutter for that.
 
Al, absolutely a gorgeous knife.

As the proud owner of a sawcut and a pioneer bone I can only say that I rue not having the cajones to order a stag :rolleyes:
 
sugarleaf said:
I think you're right Sean, it was the "uncertainty" that was the factor here, both on the stag itself and the price, both of which turned out to fantastic. The VERY nominal mark up to stag was more than worth it. They sold for the same price as the wood Washingtons (although, I know the Washingtons probably had additional production costs with the fancy bolsters and stamped end cap).
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...just want to add that I feel extremely lucky to have had the opportunity to get knives from both of these incredible SFO runs. Thank you so much Mike & Charlie for creating these treasures!
 
Wow, you guys take some nice photos. I was late to most of the #77 reservs, but was able to get on the stag and Pioneer barlows. It was a little nerve racking for me picking out the stag as I'm not good at that, but I'm happy with what I ended up getting. I like the process, I thought is was fair. I really love the stamped long bolsters on these. That really made the knife special IMO. I'll try to get a pic once I can get home and there still be sunlight...
 
sugarleaf said:
...just want to add that I feel extremely lucky to have had the opportunity to get knives from both of these incredible SFO runs. Thank you so much Mike & Charlie for creating these treasures!
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Same here, it has been a great couple of weeks, Thanks!
 
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