How Do Charlows and the Northfield 77 Barlows Compare?

TurkishChubs said:
Its one thing to say that you feel they are the same knife or say you don't like it compared to other knives, but to say he is riding his coattails, his knife had no soul and its an unoriginal rip-off ?? Ouch, that is really harsh and not cool.

That being said we should problem get back on the topic before a mod comes.
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You are right, that was too much, and I apologize for going over the top.

Mike, I am sorry for coming off as a jerk. I did not mean for this to sound like a personal attack. I think you are an excellent knife dealer, and do have your customers' interests at heart. I just think you had a great thing going with the first run of 77 barlows. They had the right amount of innovation to make them feel completely different from the TCs.

I am very passionate about knives, to the point where I have decided to pursue a career in making them. I know how much work goes into coming up with a design for a knife, and then properly executing that vision. From my perspective, I just felt like a few of the 77s from this past run were too close to TCs for my own personal preference.

Sorry for derailing the thread, everyone.
 
I think it worth noting that the TCs will only be found replicating older 'traditional' patterns (by admission of the man requesting the SFO) . There is nothing wrong with that; however, it does lend itself to a more stagnant knife market.
The NFs were a bit more experimental, but only because we, the market, asked for it. Many posts can be found around this board making comments like "I love the TC, just wish I could get one a little larger" or "love the TC, just wish I could try a different handle material" or "love the TC, just wish I could find it with a different blade configuration."
To me the great thing about the NF is that it is expanding what the Barlow is allowed to be. After all, enough of the traditional knife community asked for it.
We're just lucky that someone was willing to make a gamble to see if we would really support it.
It turns out the market is, not only big enough for both, but is still thirsting for more.
It looks like the answer is buy both (if you can find any) and make the comparison yourself - that's what most of the rest of us are doing.
If it turns out that you are 'put off' by one or the other, you will have no problem re-selling it later.

I will say that I have noted that the slightly larger size of the 77 makes for a slightly larger backspring, giving the knives a slightly heavier pull and a stronger snap. In all other aspects of Fit & Finish I find the knives to be equal.
 
One of the neat things about the 77 is being a Northfield allows for more cover options. Since GEC doesn't use premium materials on the Tidoute line we get no stag, primitive bone or ivory from the factory on the 15's.

Mike has made up many SFO knives with GEC (and others) before and during my time here. I view him as an asset to the community and value his fine contributions. the 77 and the EO 85's are personal favorites.

Evan nice of you to apologize. I made my comment because in my eyes you made a name for yourself here by copying, rather successfully, the GEC 15 frame.
 
The 15's are awesome...there's no two ways about it. Now, I don't know if I want them because they are beautiful pieces, or because we all want them. The 77 for me, is everything that the Charlow is, but in a more convenient size. Traditional or not, copy-cat or not...I will keep trying to get my hands on future runs of the 77's, so I hope Mike doesn't become discouraged, (as a matter of fact, throw in a caplifter for good measure :D ).

It's dark out, so I don't have new pictures, but this thread needs pictures to liven the mood...


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Room for all at the table.

I am one who likes larger knives.

I only own the TC thanks to a giveaway.

I would love a 77.

I carry and use two grandad barlows, and frankly want to see a gec version!
 
I am glad that everyone can express how they feel, and not be completely beat up about it. God bless our patient Mods!
I have a few of Mike's Northfields, and I am using one of them. It has a wharncliffe blade, which I won't put in my TCs, but which I greatly admire ever since I bought my first whittler with one.
Mike is an astute marketer, and provider of knives. I'll admit I was a little worried (needlessly) when his Sheepfoot came out ahead of mine.
I'm definitely over it now!
Each of these knives has its place in the great Scheme of things.
I am grateful to my staunch supporters, and will continue on the path I have set for myself and for the knives GEC has graciously agreed to make for us!

I couldn't possibly fairly compare the two versions!! I am way too prejudiced!!:D
 
I much prefer Charlies TC barlows for a couple of reasons, first and formost the all steel construction. IMO you just can't get a knife that ages sooo beautifully in NS, these knives just glow when you use them. The second thing that makes them different is the way Charlie developed the knife right here on Blade Forums, Our opinions counted in the design. This sweet knife has spent every day in my pocket since it arrived.

Best regards

Robin

 
Ok...color me late to the party...this thread has fascinated me to no end. I don't want to get off topic but I want more information, as Paul Harvey would say, "The rest of the story."

I had no idea that the TC creator was a BF member and it appears that the maker of the #77 is likewise.

I've poked around a bit in the archives but is there a written history on these knives and their makers? Can someone point me in the right direction?

All I can say is 'way to go' to both of these knives and knife makers.
 
EyeDog said:
Ok...color me late to the party...this thread has fascinated me to no end. I don't want to get off topic but I want more information, as Paul Harvey would say, "The rest of the story."

I had no idea that the TC creator was a BF member and it appears that the maker of the #77 is likewise.

I've poked around a bit in the archives but is there a written history on these knives and their makers? Can someone point me in the right direction?

All I can say is 'way to go' to both of these knives and knife makers.
Click to expand...

Here you go.

Have fun reading.

Best regards

Robin

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...es-a-Good-Traditional-Barlow?highlight=Barlow
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...rlow-History?highlight=history+of+the+Charlow
 
EDIT: Well, in the time it took me to look up all those threads I was beat to the punch not once, but twice. Oh well. :o

Eyedog,

The creative minds behind both lines of knives are well known and respected members of these forums. They have both used these forums to mine for input into their designs. Thus, luckily for us, we have a bit of a record on both of these lines of knives.


Starting with the TC Barlows:
Here is the thread that started it all. Charlie not so innocently opens with a question. What makes a good traditional barlow? And the rest, as they say, is history.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1009441-What-Makes-a-Good-Traditional-Barlow

Here is a nice history of the TC Barlow line put together by one of our members:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1156593-Charlow-Barlow-History?highlight=charlow+barlow

Here are two threads in which Mike asked for input before introducing his line of Northfield Barlows:

He started by asking for preferred handle materials:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1235442-What-is-your-favorite-slab-for-a-barlow

And followed up by asking what type of pull we preferred:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1237665-What-is-your-favorite-pull-on-a-barlow

Finally, Mike asks for our opinions once we have the knives in hand:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1231878-GEC-77-Medium-Barlow-Impressions

I'm not sure if this is exactly what you were looking for, but these five threads will go a long way in revealing to you how the knives came to be and the minds of the men behind the knives. I hope that helps.
 
Cory Hess said:
EDIT: Well, in the time it took me to look up all those threads I was beat to the punch not once, but twice. Oh well. :o

Eyedog,

The creative minds behind both lines of knives are well known and respected members of these forums. They have both used these forums to mine for input into their designs. Thus, luckily for us, we have a bit of a record on both of these lines of knives.


Starting with the TC Barlows:
Here is the thread that started it all. Charlie not so innocently opens with a question. What makes a good traditional barlow? And the rest, as they say, is history.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1009441-What-Makes-a-Good-Traditional-Barlow

Here is a nice history of the TC Barlow line put together by one of our members:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1156593-Charlow-Barlow-History?highlight=charlow+barlow

Here are two threads in which Mike asked for input before introducing his line of Northfield Barlows:

He started by asking for preferred handle materials:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1235442-What-is-your-favorite-slab-for-a-barlow

And followed up by asking what type of pull we preferred:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1237665-What-is-your-favorite-pull-on-a-barlow

Finally, Mike asks for our opinions once we have the knives in hand:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1231878-GEC-77-Medium-Barlow-Impressions

I'm not sure if this is exactly what you were looking for, but these five threads will go a long way in revealing to you how the knives came to be and the minds of the men behind the knives. I hope that helps.
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That's what I was looking for. Again, thanks for the links that you've all provided. I've marked them all and will sit back with a cup of coffee and enjoy them. What delight BF is.

Mike
 
I like the 77 Barlows a bit more than the 15 Barlows because they fit my hand better. Both are excellent examples of the cutler's art. :thumbup::thumbup:


Am I the only one who finds it enigmatic that the staunchest Charlow supporter is also a desecrator of Charlows ? :confused:
 
I'll add that I've been patiently waiting for something, anything to come from GEC as a single bladed #77....!:)

Sam
 
esnyx said:
You are right, that was too much, and I apologize for going over the top.

Mike, I am sorry for coming off as a jerk. I did not mean for this to sound like a personal attack. I think you are an excellent knife dealer, and do have your customers' interests at heart. I just think you had a great thing going with the first run of 77 barlows. They had the right amount of innovation to make them feel completely different from the TCs.
spective, I just felt like a few of the 77s from this past run were too close to TCs for my own personal preference.

Sorry for derailing the thread, everyone.
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deskil said:
I like the 77 Barlows a bit more than the 15 Barlows because they fit my hand better. Both are excellent examples of the cutler's art. :thumbup::thumbup:


Am I the only one who finds it enigmatic that the staunchest Charlow supporter is also a desecrator of Charlows ? :confused:
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I was not going to comment on this thread because it is somewhat controversial to begin with. I want to convey that Evan is not a desecrator of Charlows, however, might be fairly seen as the supreme "customer" of Crown Lifters. ;):D:D:D Evan is a passionate collector of TC Barlows. He is also a good guy and has shared his knowledge and passion with all of us. He has also apologized to everyone for "going over the top."

Well - he has modified a very few TC Barlows to Beerlows, to be fair. :D

I admire Charlie and Mike's efforts to bring us some very desirable knives. The TC Barlow and Northfield are different enough to both belong, in my opinion. Apparently, GEC feels the same way. ;)

Can we move on without any digs at our honorable members, please !? :)

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Charlie and Mike, THANK YOU for TWO terrific knives!!! I enjoy and use both:thumbup:
 
esnyx said:
In terms of build quality, both knives are superb, but I do much prefer the steel frames on the TCs for their added stability and traditional look. For the aesthetics, I also lean towards the TC for a variety of reasons.

Here is what I find to be the BIGGEST difference between the two:

The TC is an original design with Charlie's heart and soul poured into it, and I find that to be clearer with each run he puts out. The 77 barlow lacks that soul, and (to me) just feels like an unoriginal rip-off of an extremely popular, and market tested design. When I unwrapped the sawcut sheepsfoot 77 I ordered, I was overwhelmed with that feeling, and it just ruined the knife for me. The next day it moved on to someone else.

I think I remember finding a little piece of cloth tucked in with the knife... Looked to me like it was a piece of Charlie's coattail...
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Yes, very honorable post here! From an Honorable Member!
 
I love my Charlows. There really isn't anything left to say about them that hasn't been said in the 400+ page "Good, Traditional Barlow" thread. The 77s don't quite "do it" for me, though. The proportions just seem a bit off, I can't really put my finger on it exactly. I bought a few, and will keep most of them in my collection for completeness sake, but to me they just don't have the same soul as the 15s. They are Northfields and supposed to be better finished than the Tidioute line, but I don't see it. The nickel bolsters came pre-scuffed from the factory and I imagine they would just get worse with use. The blades have the same belt finish as the Tidioutes, not the more premium polished finish like like other Northfields. Granted, they really didn't come at a premium price, but I don't think they do the premium NF name justice.

IMO the 77 frame would have been better suited for another TC barlow, but I believe Charlie has exclusive rights to that design so it would have had to have been Charlie's SFO, or at least given Charlie's blessing ahead of time, hence why Mike went with the NF line.
 
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