GEC #77 Medium Barlow Impressions

tmd_87 said:
Thanks for the info, can't wait to get it in hand.
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I'm uploading a video, which I'll post in here when it is finished: just shows the action a bit. I'm really impressed with this knife! My first ever GEC 77 Barlow, and it's a beauty. I'm still wavering on whether to seek a trade for ironwood. The sawcut is so nice, but I'm a sucker for wood.
 
JTB_5 said:
I'm uploading a video, which I'll post in here when it is finished: just shows the action a bit. I'm really impressed with this knife! My first ever GEC 77 Barlow, and it's a beauty. I'm still wavering on whether to seek a trade for ironwood. The sawcut is so nice, but I'm a sucker for wood.
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I currently have a copperhead sawcut that is a keeper for life and one of my favorite knives I own. I had a spear in micarta and the old style clip in Sawcut both regret selling and trading. But oh well knives happen LOL. It's one of my favorites patterns by GEC as well. They are perfect size and just are great users!
 
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tmd_87 said:
I currently have a copperhead sawcut that is a keeper for life and one of my favorite knoves I own. I had a spear in micarta and the old style clip in Sawcut both regret selling and trading. But oh well knives happen LOL. It's one of my favorites patterns by GEC as well. They are perfect size and just are great users!
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I'm still relatively new to the world of traditionals, so it is hard to say what I'll prefer or not. I have really enjoyed the recent run of 43s--I have the cocobolo and sold a Micarta--they are really good sized and slice well. I also like the 47 viper and 74 stallion single blades, which have great actions and fit perfectly in my hand. This 77 barlow is going to be hard to put down, though, just looks awesome. I'm not sure if using it will be as good as the others I mentioned, but I'm going to find out!
 
traumkommode said:
The secondary will get better snap with a good washing/oil flushing, and some use. The bolsters and pivot are really tight.
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I put some WD-40 (per GEC recommendation) in my secondary and opened and closed it some and the snap closed hasn't improved much.

Babalu32 said:
Perfect in every way :thumbsup: Like the color, glad it is not dark purple.
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I wish mine was dark purple. One of the cool things about these knives is how diverse our tastes can be.

Here are my 1 Minute Overview and Knife Talk videos on my Northfield #77 Medium Barlow in Elderberry Camel Bone

1 Minute Overview:


Knife Talk:


This one got long and rambly, as they tend to, and I talked more about the buying process and price than I meant to.
 
L.H.S said:
I put some WD-40 (per GEC recommendation) in my secondary and opened and closed it some and the snap closed hasn't improved much.
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Wash and scrub it with a dish brush and hot soapy water. Really get in everywheree hit all the positions of the blade, even do halway between half stop. Dry, then cycle the blade for a while, a good 10 minutes or so. Then lube it, then wash it, dry it, and lube it again and cycle the blade while watching a movie.
 
L.H.S said:
I put some WD-40 (per GEC recommendation) in my secondary and opened and closed it some and the snap closed hasn't improved much.



I wish mine was dark purple. One of the cool things about these knives is how diverse our tastes can be.

Here are my 1 Minute Overview and Knife Talk videos on my Northfield #77 Medium Barlow in Elderberry Camel Bone

1 Minute Overview:


Knife Talk:


This one got long and rambly, as they tend to, and I talked more about the buying process and price than I meant to.
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Great long winded review. Very evenhanded. Well done. You were totally wrong on the secondary kick though. I have two 77 spear point Barlows with the same identical secondary blade and kick. They both have outstanding walk and talk, on very strong pulls. I think what we’re seeing is just more of GEC’s new initiative to lighten their pulls a tad. They’ve gotten a lot of flack in the past about the secondary blades being too hard to open, notably on that spear point 77 run.
 
traumkommode said:
Wash and scrub it with a dish brush and hot soapy water. Really get in everywheree hit all the positions of the blade, even do halway between half stop. Dry, then cycle the blade for a while, a good 10 minutes or so. Then lube it, then wash it, dry it, and lube it again and cycle the blade while watching a movie.
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This process will almost certainly work. But you can just use the blade, too. Sometimes, out of no where, there will be a sudden change and some gunk will dislodge from the action. You'll see the action improve dramatically and often acutely. Other times, the improvement will be more gradual. The recommendation by traumkommode will speed up the process. But basically any which way, the action on these 77s gets better and better. There's nothing fundamentally wrong with the coping blades on these 77s. They will develop great walk and talk.
 
Received my sawcut today and couldn't be anymore pleased . My coping blade had zero action and had to be pushed all they way closed . I was a little disappointed because the main blade had excellent walk and talk . I washed out the joint and used wd40 to work the action and after a half hour it now has excellent snap . I'm still amazed at the difference.
 
Buzzbait said:
Great long winded review. Very evenhanded. Well done. You were totally wrong on the secondary kick though. I have two 77 spear point Barlows with the same identical secondary blade and kick. They both have outstanding walk and talk, on very strong pulls. I think what we’re seeing is just more of GEC’s new initiative to lighten their pulls a tad. They’ve gotten a lot of flack in the past about the secondary blades being too hard to open, notably on that spear point 77 run.
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Yeah that could be true! I'm hearing the pull is back to really tough on the recent #71s.

I was also told a way to make this pinchable in the comments on my video! You can push down the secondary and pinch the main blade.
 
Pàdruig said:
I love the color on your Elderberry (or non-Elderberry). It looks great!
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Thank you sir. These berries remind me of a strawberry candy I can’t quite place. A jaw breaker or something. You have an awesome set there btw.

rswanson said:
Is there a better looking fat clip blade than a recent GEC? I love the design!
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:thumbsup: It is perfect.

tmd_87 said:
Thanks for the info, can't wait to get it in hand.
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My secondary is a good 1-2 harder than the clip. Nothing to worry about with cleaning and breakin though. Enjoy!
 
Buzzbait said:
Now you've done it. It's officially Jolly Rancher Bone now.

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Lol! That's pretty close. It definitely has the candy sheen. But the white swirls... I know I ate something like when I was a kid.
 
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