GEC #77 Medium Barlow Impressions

Thanks Singin50.
Has anyone else posted about strength of pull ? I have read every post and think i might be the only one to comment on this feature. Are they all very strongly sprung, like just under being a nail breaker ?
kj
 
arizonaranchman said:
How did it effect the spring when you lowered the tip that far? I don't want a sunken spring, so not sure how far you can lower it without changing the spring noticeably.
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It had no detectable effect on the spring height or tension. Of course lowering the blade tip 1/8" only meant taking off a fraction of that amount from the kick. I just took it very slow with an emery board and checked it after every couple of strokes. I probably only removed the thickness of a few sheets of paper.

Upon further reflection I don't think I will lower it further as I had originally planned. The proud tip is now safely below the edge of the handle and trying to lower it another 1/4" just seems too risky. It's not like I can re-deposit metal I've removed if I take too much off. :eek:
 
kootenay joe said:
Thanks Singin50.
Has anyone else posted about strength of pull ? I have read every post and think i might be the only one to comment on this feature. Are they all very strongly sprung, like just under being a nail breaker ?
kj
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Mine is a bit stiffer than my #92, but I'd expect that since it's a beefier knife. I can still pinch it open without using the nail nick. If a #92 is a 5 then this might be a 6 or 7.
 
kootenay joe said:
Has anyone else posted about strength of pull ? I have read every post and think i might be the only one to comment on this feature. Are they all very strongly sprung, like just under being a nail breaker ?
kj
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Joe, my sheepfoot is a little firmer than any of the several #15s I've had, so about a 6½ to 7, but very smooth and even.

77sheepfoot_zps821deb15.jpg~original
 
SCWillson said:
It had no detectable effect on the spring height or tension. Of course lowering the blade tip 1/8" only meant taking off a fraction of that amount from the kick. I just took it very slow with an emery board and checked it after every couple of strokes. I probably only removed the thickness of a few sheets of paper.

Upon further reflection I don't think I will lower it further as I had originally planned. The proud tip is now safely below the edge of the handle and trying to lower it another 1/4" just seems too risky. It's not like I can re-deposit metal I've removed if I take too much off. :eek:
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Ah great to hear. My sheepfoot is not proud at the tip, but I may lower it a very tiny bit just to lower the profile of the spine slightly. I use an emery board also - SLOWLY!

Ref the pull rating of opening my 77. It's a stout pull but not what I'd call extreme. I'd put it at maybe a 7'ish? Great walk n talk and great snap. A good half-stop also. The edge on this one is as very good. I know not all of GEC's factory edges are sharp, but this one is quite acceptable to me.

F3DABA51-E6C1-404B-9423-573D3AE42E5F_zps9gdioqoe.jpg
 
I have read a few posts that seem to indicate that the blackwood is actually dark brown? If you have a blackwood model is it really black? Pics if you have.
 
fairhaven said:
I have read a few posts that seem to indicate that the blackwood is actually dark brown? If you have a blackwood model is it really black? Pics if you have.
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In sunlight outdoors it appears very, very dark brown. In room lighting at a glance it's near-black.

The pic two posts above this one was yesterday in overcast lighting outdoors. ^^^
 
My question on strength of pull should have specified for the 77's with a Clip blade.
We all use the 1-10 numbering system a little differently. To me a "7" is a very stiff pull. There is no way mine is pinchable, but the clip blade seats deeply so there is little to pinch.
But this is not a complaint as i can open it and my thumb nail remains intact. And, once fully open it is very secure. It will not be knocked off this position by an inadvertent bump.
kj

Edit to add this picture: from the top: Menefee/# 77/J. Lloyd all with African Blackwood.
This is my first time seeing my # 77 in daylight. To my surprise it looks quite a bit darker than when viewed inside with regular household lighting.

9rjgk5.jpg


You can see how little there is to pinch and much of it is the sloping swedge, not good for gripping.

kj
 
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As Mike stated in his YouTube video, the pull is around a 7. He also said that it might feel stronger because of the long nail nick being set further back on the Clip blade. Mine is this way and I'm fine with this.
Perry
 
This run of barlows seemed rushed to me. Two of mine have scratches on the blades, hazy blackwood and the bolsters weren't polished very well on any of them.

I'm debating on sending them back in to GEC to get fixed.
 
kootenay joe said:
Thanks Singin50.
Has anyone else posted about strength of pull ? I have read every post and think i might be the only one to comment on this feature. Are they all very strongly sprung, like just under being a nail breaker ?
kj
Click to expand...

I noticed the strong pull right off when I pulled it out of the tube. A bit of Rem oil helped but it is still a fairly stout pull.
 
Thanks singin50, i was curious about the pull strength as it had received little or no mention.
A factor that has been mentioned is: Slim, and slim/slender is so fine in a pocket knife. The old Sheffield Pen knives really had this aspect mastered. And for a Jack knife, which is what this 77 Barlow is, it is remarkably slender but still feels strong, 'tuat' like a fit athlete.
kj
 
I do believe the sheepsfoot will become the most sought-after version of this knife. The pinchability makes it inherently useful, and the profile when open is quite elegant. My two sheepsfeet will see regular rotation in the pocket; the sawcut bone for everyday and the blackwood with formal attire.
 
I find the pull on the clip very similar to the #77 Forum knife and Washington's, around a 7 and definitely pinchable. Very fitting for this knife IMO.

While none of my barlows showed up 100% perfect I can definitely say I got $90 worth of knife in every case.

I also believe the sheepsfoot to be the most sought after. The reason being it is different. The clip is so very similar to the Forum knife, the #77 improved barlow and Washington to almost make it repetitive to me as I carry these 3 already in rotation in my watch pocket. The one that is going to rock my world is the next one, beware the spearpoint! :cool:
 
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