GEC #77 Medium Barlow Impressions

[slide13]

Thanks! Was pretty happy to have landed this one... I surveyed them all and put them in order like a football draft. This one was number two on my list. I got real lucky because my pick didn't come up until quite a ways down the list and I was absolutely shocked that it was still available when I was green lighted. Whoever got "Red F" scored pick of the litter in my estimation. No surprise that it went first. But I feel VERY lucky that I got the second one on my list, being that at least a dozen, if not two dozen selected before me.

I did the exact same thing! As soon as the pics went up I started making my list, and the one you got was number 1 or 2 on my list. I think I was last in line but quite shockingly my #3 pick was still there when my turn came up and it will be arriving today.

 

[Todd Isa 53]

Wow! I've never been an Abalone guy, but those photos are sure making me warm up to it. Just gorgeous Todd!!

Thanks... It is growing on me quick!

That's it I'm getting an abalone, I can't stand it anymore!!!

Beautiful knife Todd, thanks for sharing!

My Pleasure. Always glad to drag another fellow knife collector into the depths of buying yet another blade.

Great shots. The abalone is mesmerizing. I'd be in for a single blade version with abalone covers.:thumbup:

Thanks. A single blade sheep foot and wow I would pass out! Agreed.

WOW!! Great photos! Great knife!

Thank you... I add some filters and highlights, but the knife does all the real heavy lifting.


Does it look like that in person, or is the photo more saturated?

Has some filters, but it looks pretty amazing on its own.
raw pic

 

[Brisket]

When I got in last night my box was there and my initial impression is very good. Walk & talk and fit & finish are all excellent.

 

[draggat]

just oil the joints with mineral oil and work the blades open and closed wiping away the gunk. keep oiling till it comes out clear. I've gotten knives that I thought were defective to spring to life.

I've had several GEC's do this to me.... the worst offender was a single blade #15 that wouldn't close unless I pushed it all the way down with my finger, but after a good mineral oil soak and open/close session, it snaps like a gator!

 

[bleh]

I've had several GEC's do this to me.... the worst offender was a single blade #15 that wouldn't close unless I pushed it all the way down with my finger, but after a good mineral oil soak and open/close session, it snaps like a gator!

Same here. My #77 was pretty good out of the tube, but my forum knife was gritty and TIGHT. After a good oil flush, I can pinch it open! my #15 was much improved as well.

 

[slide13]

Mine arrived this morning and it's a very nice knife. Both blades centered, backsprings flush open and closed, pulls are smooth and easy at about a 5. Really like how the blades sit and the quality of the stag is very nice. Overall a fantastic knife!

 

[silenthunterstudios]

Got the email, my sawcut is on it's way!

 

[Kirkwood]

I love it!

I managed to snap this pic right as the rain droplets were coming. You can see one near the plunge line on the Wharnie!

 

[Primble]

When I got in last night my box was there and my initial impression is very good. Walk & talk and fit & finish are all excellent.

Beautiful pair of knives Brisket. :thumbup:

Mine arrived this morning and it's a very nice knife. Both blades centered, backsprings flush open and closed, pulls are smooth and easy at about a 5. Really like how the blades sit and the quality of the stag is very nice. Overall a fantastic knife!

Very nice stag on that edition.

I love it!

I managed to snap this pic right as the rain droplets were coming. You can see one near the plunge line on the Wharnie!

Ohhh No !!! That knife has carbon steel blades !!

I had the same problem yesterday, when trying to photograph my old Primble Barlow - looks like the rain drizzle headed east.

 

[redbike]

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!

IMG_436999268 by redbike2013, on Flickr

IMG_436999242 by redbike2013, on Flickr

 

[Tenacious D]

I did the exact same thing! As soon as the pics went up I started making my list, and the one you got was number 1 or 2 on my list. I think I was last in line but quite shockingly my #3 pick was still there when my turn came up and it will be arriving today.

Nice one Slide! Are you sure about that? You couldn't have possibly been the last in line with that one.

 

[waynorth]

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!

 

[slide13]

Nice one Slide! Are you sure about that? You couldn't have possibly been the last in line with that one.

Thanks! And yeah, I was shocked, but I was told I was to be the last one to get the email as I grabbed the last slot after the knives went public (and it was at the very end of the email window). I'm sure there were lots of people who weren't able to sit watching their email like I was so they got the email before me but hadn't had a chance to make their selection yet. Still, I was watching knives disappear as the day went on and thought sure this one would be long gone and I couldn't believe my luck when it was still there. Not sure how it got overlooked for so long but I sure love it!

 

[blademan 13]

While I certainly like the blade selection on this version, I just can't help feeling that the wharnie somehow looks strange on a barlow? Does anyone have any examples of vintage production?

 

[Tenacious D]

While I certainly like the blade selection on this version, I just can't help feeling that the wharnie somehow looks strange on a barlow? Does anyone have any examples of vintage production?

Not vintage, but didn't the Forum knife from 09 have a wharnie and clip?

 

[Tenacious D]

Thanks! And yeah, I was shocked, but I was told I was to be the last one to get the email as I grabbed the last slot after the knives went public (and it was at the very end of the email window). I'm sure there were lots of people who weren't able to sit watching their email like I was so they got the email before me but hadn't had a chance to make their selection yet. Still, I was watching knives disappear as the day went on and thought sure this one would be long gone and I couldn't believe my luck when it was still there. Not sure how it got overlooked for so long but I sure love it!

Yeah, I was a way down the list too, and I think you're right, not everyone who was greenlighted to make a pick before me actually made their pick. But still, I would say at least 15-18 people did actually make their pick before me. Just varying tastes in stag I guess.

 

[slide13]

While I certainly like the blade selection on this version, I just can't help feeling that the wharnie somehow looks strange on a barlow? Does anyone have any examples of vintage production?

I had the same initial reaction. I've never seen a barlow with a wharncliffe blade before, but not to say there aren't vintage examples out there.

I don't see any reason these have to be based on vintage knives though. I don't know that there was ever a wharncliffe blade used as the secondary on a trapper but that pattern has become incredibly popular recently. Sometimes it's fun to have knives that pay tribute to vintage models and other times it's nice to make some changes to what was done in the past. I think we have some great tribute knives in the TC Barlows and the Washington Jacks, both of which seem to stay very true to their inspiration.

I look at these as riffs on the traditional barlow with a blade selection that is in keeping with current popular preferences. The wharncliffe and clip combo is a really nice and practical pairing, probably more so than the standard clip and pen combo for many people.

 

[RobbW]

While I certainly like the blade selection on this version, I just can't help feeling that the wharnie somehow looks strange on a barlow? Does anyone have any examples of vintage production?

Charlie had a hand in guiding that '09 BFC barlow. I have one and it's a great knife! Charlie doesn't do anything that isn't based in actual traditionals (that's why he won't produce a "Beerlow"). I remember him saying that back in the day, most barlows were inexpensive and had a secondary pen, but having a secondary wharnecliffe would give you bragging rights. So they did exist, but were not as common.

 

[Primble]

I had the same initial reaction. I've never seen a barlow with a wharncliffe blade before, but not to say there aren't vintage examples out there.

I don't see any reason these have to be based on vintage knives though. I don't know that there was ever a wharncliffe blade used as the secondary on a trapper but that pattern has become incredibly popular recently. Sometimes it's fun to have knives that pay tribute to vintage models and other times it's nice to make some changes to what was done in the past. I think we have some great tribute knives in the TC Barlows and the Washington Jacks, both of which seem to stay very true to their inspiration.

I look at these as riffs on the traditional barlow with a blade selection that is in keeping with current popular preferences. The wharncliffe and clip combo is a really nice and practical pairing, probably more so than the standard clip and pen combo for many people.

I like the way you are thinking here. I bought one of these just because I am a Barlow lover, however, I was a little reluctant because of the wharncliffe blade, worried that it did not somehow measure up to historical Barlow design.

I had recently learned that the bottle opener blade on the Barlow was frowned on by a few of the other members.

I received an email by a very well thought of member concerning this knife and we chatted back and forth about it. This member is a lover and owner of old knives - you hardly ever see him post anything other than an old knife. I have a great amount of respect for his opinion. I mentioned the blade design to him and wondered if it might be met with resistance. This was his reply: I will not call his name. " That knife is just one good looking piece. I look forward to hearing how it works out! I don't know of any older barlows with a wharncliffe either but that does not sway my opinion of this one. It just looks like the perfect user with good looks."

Some of my own feelings: I am a traditional person, love mostly old knives, old antiques, well done arts and crafts, and am pretty conservative. I do think that the traditional knife companies should try to mimmick the older patterns faithfully - however - a little different twist with useful and well thought out new blade additions is welcomed by me, as long it is every now and then and more of an exception than the rule. I think the knife makers of today can and should occasionally add a bit of their own flair to be remembered for something other than faithful re-productions.

 

[Cassander]

" That knife is just one good looking piece. I look forward to hearing how it works out! I don't know of any older barlows with a wharncliffe either but that does not sway my opinion of this one. It just looks like the perfect user with good looks."

I think the knife makers of today can and should occasionally add a bit of their own flair to be remembered for something other than faithful re-productions. Just some of my feelings.

Nailed it on all counts.