Huge thanks go out to
Postlapsaria
for helping me out, and being kind enough to trade a Micarta 77 from this new run to me. The porch is truly a wonderful place.
To say that I’m chuffed would be an understatement. My previous 2-blade Micarta 77, with the spearpoint main, was sort of a grail knife for me when it first came out. At the time, it was the closest knife I’d ever seen, to my own personal idea of the perfect jack knife, and it has served me faithfully for years now.
But my preferences have changed a bit over the last couple years. Where I was once a devoted spear point lover, I’ve really come to love the clip point as of late, mainly because of the last run of pinchable clip 77 barlows. I snatched up a couple of those pinchable clips, but unfortunately, the single layer knife was a bit too thin for my very long fingers. There just wasn’t enough grip to be comfortable and secure for long days of hard work.
So when the details of this new run were announced, I was overjoyed. I could get the clip blade I loved so much, in almost exactly the same configuration as my old beloved Barlow. I didn’t have any luck on the lottery, but fortunately for me, the aftermarket trading on Bladeforums for these barlows has been downright feverish.
In a word, this new run is simply marvelous. While I might have a preference for my spear point’s canvas Micarta covers, the new linen Micarta is much nicer than I expected. Nicer looking I would say, and still plenty durable enough for a knife of this kind. I look forward to seeing how it ages over the years.
Where my spear point knife is probably a good 7 or 7.5 on the pull, this new knife’s pull is just about perfect for me. Still snappy, but much easier and safer to open. And while the secondary feels a bit sluggish right now, I’m confident that it will be just fine after I give the joint a good flush tomorrow.
Overall, I’m happy beyond reason. I prefer the brushed finish on my old knife’s bolsters, as I find that it befits Micarta better than a more polished appearance, but that is something I can easily change on my own. So here it is. Probably the closest I will ever get to my own personal idea of the perfect jack knife. Thank you so much Mike and GEC, for once again redefining my concept of the ultimate jack.
