Help me pick a knife. Queen warn, dan burke barlow, or GEC congress?

M

makey98

Joined
Jan 25, 2006
Messages
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Have another post on the general about a good carry knife for rabbit/squirrel and general carry. They convinced me to looks at slips again, which I had a case peanut, but lost about 7 different times, till the last one. :(

So I have come up with some options. I like the sheepsfoot/warn knife and think a pen blade is good for general use.
Thoughts?


QU-DB9868.jpg

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I also like the new swayback jack, so thats an option as well.
Thanks all!
 
Also, can someone explain the difference between the Tidioute, Northfield, and the UnXLd brands from this company? Quality, style, what is the difference? Thanks all.
 
I don't know what you'll pick but I really want that Barlow(B). That would be my choice.
 
I suggest the Queen too. I never liked a Sheepsfoot primary blade.

The Dan Burke Whittler is nice but a tad too small for field use.

Tidioute - 1095, satin finish blades, no swedging, plain bolsters, acrylic and bone never stag
Northfield - 1095, mirror finish, swedged blades, long pulls, pinched or filed bolsters, bone and stag
Great Eastern- same as Northfield but 440C blades and acorn shield

unXLd is usually reserved for their Northfield in premium handle materials -stag, abalone, etc

Of course all these lines were a little blurred in their earlier years.
 
GEC's 3 different brands have been explained & they're all excellent made knives. The Queen & Dan Burke have D2 blade steel, I believe. As to which one, which ever one seems the best to you. As for their quality, those you've listed are all very good. I don't think any of those are better than the others.

I think the blade shapes & what you like best is possibly the deciding factor of those.
 
I really favor the Dan Burke Barlows. Very attractive handles.
 
All good choices and a lot of good feedback. Couple of notes on the choices you have pictured. The Dan Burke Barlow is rough cut, so it is ready to go right to the field guilt free. The Burke Wharnie half whittler is Sandvik12c27, so a little more than just your typical stainless. The GEC half congress is definitely the class of the bunch and will last longer than me or you if taken care of.

Here are a couple more options that are a little smaller, but quality workhorse knives that meet your criteria. Both are 3", but built like a tank.

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Mike Latham
CollectorKnives.Net
 
It would have to be either the DB Barlow (b) or one of the NF Barlow's...the blade configuration gives you the best of both...a small fine blade and a larger wider blade for field work and every day carry.
 
I would go with a Queen Cutlery Mountain Man. D2 steel and one heck of a nice knife.I have two of them and can tell you they are a nice big strong knife that work well for just about any game dressing. The D2 steel is very stain resistant and holds an excellent edge.I know this is not the style you are looking for but I really like these knives.
MountainMan.jpg
 
I'm likin' the GEC half congress alot, especially with some variation of stag. GEC's doing some great stag these days. Next would be the Queen Half-whittler with old-school Winterbottom jigging. Just not a barlow man myself.
 
I've had my DB barlow for a few weeks now, And it's been in my pocket almost everyday since I got it!! The Bone on it looks great, and it's a cutter for sure!! Keep that D2 sharpe. I try and hit it after I use it each nite. the overall feel of the knife is real nice and it rides good to, (not to heavy). Good luck.

Jason
 
Got the CASE Chestnut Swayback in cv, everybody who knows about knives knows it's an exceptional small knife at a reasonable price.

Also have the Northfield Half Congress in Stag, really good knife with quality feel to it. Nice just to gaze at it!

When Queen knives are good, which is often enough, they are very good indeed. A Muskrat single spring I own is one of THE best made production knives. Not all Queens are equal though.....
 
Thanks for all the comments. I will have to give it some thought. I am purchasing this friday so I have some time.

knifeswapper- what is that 3" knife? GEC barlow? I haven't seen any with a sheepsfoot
 
makey, GEC do a number of blade arrangements with that 25 pattern 3". They also do a single blade version with Sheepfoot, Clip or Spear including an EZ Open model with single bolster. Another one to consider. I have a couple of these 25s and strongly recommend them to you.
 
Queen Dan Burke Small Barlow for sure.
Great knife, fgreat fit and finish, great steel.
And pocket friendly.
 
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