GEC #77 Medium Barlow Impressions

[B.F.U]

Hm...

LOL. Definitely not a feature. But mine always sort of end up that way after a few sharpenings anyway.

My heavy users do also. I can keep the bevel straight on ones I'm willing to take the time to sharpen very slowly and carefully.

This TC Sheepfoot definitely shows it:

I figured as much, but I thought I'd ask. This is the first notable flaw I've had in a GEC. Anyone know what step in the process such a flaw would occur?

Probably Sharpening, but as mentioned it could be at other points.

I can think of at least three steps in the process where the blade edge is against a belt (there could be more for sure). I've been told by a few employees that straight edges are tough by hand because there's no room for error, as in - it's easy to tell when a straight edge isn't straight.

My Palo Santo TC suffers from the same issue...
View attachment 889488

I would think that'd be especially true on a slender blade like this and again especially using power sharpening on hundreds of blades.

My Elderberry #77 has the same slightly upturned edge.

Thanks for the replies and examples, fellas! I probably shouldn't have called it a "flaw" as that communicates something more negative than my opinion on the matter. I asked more out of curiosity than disappointment.

No it is a flaw. No reason to act as if it's not, it's silly to act like GECs are literally perfect as they are handmade production knives, but it's also not a huge flaw in my opinion. Takes a close look to find and won't really affect use at all.

I decided to make mine a keeper/carrier/user and dropped the kick

I think it looks better, feels better, and might even make it pinchable with patina. Plus it will extend the usable life of the blade since the tip won't become proud after a few Sharpenings. That said, the spring does sit a bit low now and I know some people really dislike that.

 

[traumkommode]

OK where do we discuss it

Sorry, that's a fair question for a gold member. I'm not sure there's a better place for it then here.

Thanks for writing in, @Peregrin - I've been schooled for today

In this case, yes, $275 is par for eBay - gotta figure they're loosing PayPal fees plus eBay's 10%, so they'll usually be higher on here. I've seen 77 Barlows go for anywhere between $120 and $300.

If it's a knife you really want, just grab it. You'll always be able to sell it later if you want the cash back. If there's a buy it now option with offers, try $250

 

[JTB_5]

Looks good Logan!

 

[JTB_5]

That looks really nice! How does it feel in hand?

 

[traumkommode]

Feels great other than the pokey tangs. But I'm going to take the sharp edge down with some 600 grit paper and round the corners so they're not quite so hot. Otherwise, it's a GEC made Barlow, and that's alright

That looks really nice! How does it feel in hand?

 

[4thpoint]

This 2014 Camel bone color is similar to some of the Elderberry ones.

 

[r8shell]

Thanks for writing in, @Peregrin - I've been schooled for today

In this case, yes, $275 is par for eBay - gotta figure they're loosing PayPal fees plus eBay's 10%, so they'll usually be higher on here. I've seen 77 Barlows go for anywhere between $120 and $300.

If it's a knife you really want, just grab it. You'll always be able to sell it later if you want the cash back. If there's a buy it now option with offers, try $250

That's a crazy thing. I bought mine, really looking forward to it being a user. But if I read that someone is selling one for $300, I think, "I can't afford to use a $300 knife!" Even if I only spent $135 for it.

I decided to make mine a keeper/carrier/user and dropped the kick

I think it looks better, feels better, and might even make it pinchable with patina. Plus it will extend the usable life of the blade since the tip won't become proud after a few Sharpenings. That said, the spring does sit a bit low now and I know some people really dislike that.

That looks great. If I can commit to mine being a user, I'll be tempted to do the same thing. I dropped the sheepfoot on my Churchill, but I wasn't concerned about resale value at all.

 

[Norcaldude]

I bought mine, really looking forward to it being a user. But if I read that someone is selling one for $300, I think, "I can't afford to use a $300 knife!" Even if I only spent $135 for it.

It's not a $300 knife. Those super high prices you see on ebay right after a popular pattern goes live is from people trying to get lucky with a high rolling collector.

Those prices are outliers, not the normal price.

 

[Buzzbait]

That's a crazy thing. I bought mine, really looking forward to it being a user. But if I read that someone is selling one for $300, I think, "I can't afford to use a $300 knife!" Even if I only spent $135 for it.

I feel ya. You don’t see many of these stags showing up in the What "Traditional Knife" are ya totin' today? thread. I’ve never been able to force myself to pocket this baby.

 

[rswanson]

It's not a $300 knife. Those super high prices you see on ebay right after a popular pattern goes live is from people trying to get lucky with a high rolling collector.

Those prices are outliers, not the normal price.

Well, they got lucky- there's already a bid for that one, and another sawcut listed that's been bid on at a price near that. I know it's free market, collectables, blah blah blah. Im trying to be a good Christian but it really irks me. Hats off to Pàdruig for selling his elderberry here, on BF for what he paid.

Anyway, I know we're supposed to be discussing the knives and not the buying process so I'll just say I can't wait for USPS to deliver mine tomorrow! After seeing a thread by @Copperberry about his 78 as a month long EDC, I'm inspired so my plan is to put it my pocket for a month straight...something I haven't done with a folder in forever. Although it's going to be hard to ignore my 78 or 43 users for that long, it should be quite the (excruciatingly) fun experience! Hmmm, maybe I'll do a thread........

 

[Pàdruig]

I feel ya. You don’t see many of these stags showing up in the What "Traditional Knife" are ya totin' today? thread. I’ve never been able to force myself to pocket this baby.

That is a stunning knife, Buzz.

 

[rswanson]

That's a crazy thing. I bought mine, really looking forward to it being a user. But if I read that someone is selling one for $300, I think, "I can't afford to use a $300 knife!" Even if I only spent $135 for it.

Haha exactly!!! But let's make this a pact.... If you have reservations about mucking up your $140(300) knife but vow to use it regardless, say Aye!

Cmon you know you'll just be staring at it on your bureau top in six months thinking, "Why isn't that thing cutting stuff?"

 

[Buzzbait]

That is a stunning knife, Buzz.

Thanks. My father-in-law and I both ordered a knife from that 77 run. I grabbed the micarta, and he went right for the stag. He left it to me, along with the rest of his collection, when he passed.

 

[Buzzbait]

Haha exactly!!! But let's make this a pact.... If you have reservations about mucking up your $140(300) knife but vow to use it regardless, say Aye!

Cmon you know you'll just be staring at it on your bureau top in six months thinking, "Why isn't that thing cutting stuff?"

Aye!!! I worked a trade today for a micarta. I’ll use it like I won it in a lottery, which I technically didn’t. But somebody else did, so close enough.

 

[rswanson]

Aye!!! I worked a trade today for a micarta. I’ll use it like I won it in a lottery, which I technically didn’t. But somebody else did, so close enough.

That's the spirit, Buzz! And the stag is phenomenal. My only unused traditional is a stag 78 that is nowhere near that pretty or valuable.

 

[tmd_87]

Aye!!! I worked a trade today for a micarta. I’ll use it like I won it in a lottery, which I technically didn’t. But somebody else did, so close enough.

Glad you got one Buzz! Using it is the only way to go!

 

[JaxBaron]

I feel ya. You don’t see many of these stags showing up in the What "Traditional Knife" are ya totin' today? thread. I’ve never been able to force myself to pocket this baby.

Beautiful knife. I would drop that bad boy right into my pocket. I think it would get better with use.

 

[Buzzbait]

Beautiful knife. I would drop that bad boy right into my pocket. I think it would get better with use.

Every now and then, life gets so bad and horrible, that I need a pick-me-up to make my outlook more bright. Something to help drag me from the bottom, and back up toward the top. During these times I often do something totally illogical and insane, like buying an incredibly nice knife. This stag is waiting for one of those times.

 

[Norcaldude]

Beautiful knife. I would drop that bad boy right into my pocket. I think it would get better with use.

Used stag is the best stag.

 

[GunGraber]

Buzzbait
I love the thickness of the slabs of stag on that one. Not too thick but not thin either. Very nice.