Jack Wolf Gateway Barlow

[Pt-Luso]

That purple really looks nice!! And while I love a long pull, these nail nicks look great too!

Thank you very much.

 

[Chui]

I just received a Jack Wolf Gateway Barlow purple G10 sawcut.

……..am intrigued though, given the experience you have of so many folders in your collection, you’ve said nothing about it at all………..sometimes it takes a little time of ownership and use to realise how you feel about some knives.!

 

[Pt-Luso]

……..am intrigued though, given the experience you have of so many folders in your collection, you’ve said nothing about it at all………..sometimes it takes a little time of ownership and use to realise how you feel about some knives.!

Thanks, Paul.
That's true, some knives are indeed inseparable, others I just use!!!

 

[Chui]

This is my 15th Jack Wolf folder, very nice it is too.

However, sadly, there is a fall-off in quality of fit n finish.

Sure, I know there are many folders out there that have character in this same way - given the short period of sublime excellence from start-up (5 years) am just a wee bit surprised at this.

Off centre blade and difference in milling tolerances (left to right bolsters on 2nd pic). Just hope it'll not become a trend.

 

[sf fanatic]

This is my 15th Jack Wolf folder, very nice it is too.

However, sadly, there is a fall-off in quality of fit n finish.

Sure, I know there are many folders out there that have character in this same way - given the short period of sublime excellence from start-up (5 years) am just a wee bit surprised at this.

Off centre blade and difference in milling tolerances (left to right bolsters on 2nd pic). Just hope it'll not become a trend.

View attachment 3232618

View attachment 3232617

The off center blade can be fixed. To me the second pic is a little nitpicking but if you’re not satisfied send it back or ask them to treat it as a second and ask for a replacement or refund.

 

[Chui]

Did some investigation and came up with more than I expected...

This on Instagram:


...comments that followed were - Sadly long thread of comments with Ben (owner JWK) chipping in, he doesn’t deny but rather explains (cost cutting).

Also another comment, suggesting - I lost interest in their knives when I learnt they were expecting suppliers to take losses, when they had sent a knife out with issues. I thought if they treat suppliers like that…..


Confess, am now rather disappointed given the supposed total 'genuine' thrust given in Ben's marketing, then, and now.

The world of slipjoint enthusiasts is still strongest in USA...........who is possibly attempting to kid who here

No intent of malice here, just seeking the truth.

(if inappropriate, please delete or move elsewhere)

 

[Yupyupyup]

Well... I cannot say enough about these gateway barlows. Especially for the price! I would argue it is a large step above Rough Ryder Reserve or Rosecraft. I understand Case and GEC are made in the US and likely have more hand operations per knife. And, there are times where imperfections from these hand operations make the knife more desirable / valuable. It proves it was hand made. But if I'm being honest, you don't see these features, the level of quality, fit and finish, walk and talk, in most Case knives and I would argue even some GECs. Especially at this price point... Obvious cheap labor has something to do with that.

I'd like to focus on a few bullet points:
- Traditional Design
- Fit and Finish / Walk and Talk
- Features
- Comparisons

For starters, what a traditional design! The bolsters are even the right length The shield (which does appear to be glued, not pinned, by the way) is the only detractor. Apparently, Jack Wolf knew this but decided to put the shield on the barlow anyway as they felt this gave a more "traditional pocket knife" feel or vibe to the knife. I disagree, but I digress. I feel "design" is often the critique of RRR and Rosecraft. And if Jack Wolf keeps it up with this gateway series, they will start to dominate that market in my opinion...

The bone has some beautiful figuring in it. Almost wood like on the showside, and the other side reminds me of water swirling around. I like that the shade of blue didn't come out too light or too dark. The triple threaded bolsters is perfectly executed as is the long pull which has a nice crisp edge that gives you purchase. Not that you need it because this is pinchable anyway! The swedges are on point. And while it's hard to see from the photos, there's even a slight bevel on the corners of the spine to prevent it from being too sharp. Everything about this knife is crisp. No tumble polishing here. But, attention to detail should allow it to carry well in the pocket. The thickness of the entire knife is quite slim and this is something I think many manufacturers are getting wrong today. Most of the older vintage knives I have are incredibly slim. But, many manufacturers (RRR, Rosecraft, Case) are putting out pretty thick knives. Even GEC, which I respect in the highest regard, put a catch bit on their 66 calf roper. My Schrade Cut Co 8813 has no catch bit, fit all 3 blades nicely in the well, and is thinner as a result. In particular, I feel that RRR, Rosecraft, and Case use relatively thick bone slabs. My vintage knives have very thin covers, and this Jack Wolf has the thin covers I've grown to love.

This knife has half stops, and the backspring is flush in all 3 positions. No noticeable gaps in the backspring either. Transitions from bone to bolsters is perfect, even in the corners where we sometimes see issues with other more expensive brands. Shield is fit perfectly, not a gap around it. Pins and shield also perfectly flush. Blade well centered. Sits nice and deep in the blade well. No blade wrap. No blade play. No stop pin. No blade rap. Grinds are nice and even. Sharp. Spring termination is also nice and square. Finish on bolsters and blade don't have a single bad scratch in them. Bone is polished to a mirror like finish.

The walk and talk is also very good. Probably a firm 5 or 6 pull, and absolutely buttery smooth. And this leads me into some features I wanted to discuss. There are washers in here to help with the walk and talk. I remember watching a video of Tony Bose saying he'd never make a knife without washers ever again. This also has integral stainless steel bolsters/liners... That is insane to me for a knife at this price. Massive selling point. Stainless pins and shield would've taken it over the top for a true all steel construction. But, I'm not disappointed in their use of nickel silver for the pins/shield.

I have no qualms about a knife made in China. I don't give a rats ass where it was made to be honest. What I look for is expertise, tight tolerances, and a demonstration of exceptional traditional design. So, I have purchased a couple Rough Ryder Reserves and Rosecrafts. I would argue they were, at the time, the best bang for your buck. But, my biggest qualm was non-traditional design. Even the Rosecraft Beaver Creek Barlow looked quite traditional, but something about it's proportions were ever so slightly off. RRR and Rosecraft also seem to suffer from knives being thicker than they need to be. GEC does a good job with thin knives. Jack Wolf meets that bar. One of my biggest complaints about RRR and Rosecraft was how their half stops are designed on the tang. They seem to take a regular cam tang and just cut a hollow out of it. Which does technically work. And sometimes, that action is pretty good. But, I find it often leads to a mushy halfstop. This Jack Wolf knife has nice square tang and I was SO happy to see that. The action is as crisp as GEC (or even better due to the washers).

In conclusion, this is much nicer than a RRR or a Rosecraft due to overall thinness, tang design, no stop pin, and proper traditional proportions. Much nicer than most Case knives due to not being tumble polished (the tip is actually pointy) and significantly better fit and finish. I struggle to honestly find a flaw on this knife that would place it below a GEC barlow. My nicest GEC barlow is the 14 goldenrod sawcut which is my only GEC with half stops flush in all 3 positions. And while that 14 is a fine fine knife, it doesn't have integral bolsters and the action on it is weak. My 35 cattle knife has stainless steel bolsters and liners and is one of my finest GECs from a fit and finish standpoint. But again, I'd struggle to find anything wrong with this Jack Wolf Gateway Barlow. We're starting to see some GECs with gaps between the covers and bolsters and around the shield. Not on this Jack Wolf. If you can get your hands on one, I doubt you will be disappointed. And, I hope Jack Wolf keeps this Gateway series going. Would love to see a 2 blade trapper pattern or a 3 blade stockman. Granted, I imagine those are much further down the line if they happen at all.

Wow, I just learned quite a bit about slip joints! I think I’ll get one of these.

 

[Arathol]

In order to get the look of domed pins they had to make them that way...

Or you could actually use pins to get the look of domed pins.....

 

[Mens Abdita]

Did some investigation and came up with more than I expected...

This on Instagram:
View attachment 3233888

...comments that followed were - Sadly long thread of comments with Ben (owner JWK) chipping in, he doesn’t deny but rather explains (cost cutting).

Also another comment, suggesting - I lost interest in their knives when I learnt they were expecting suppliers to take losses, when they had sent a knife out with issues. I thought if they treat suppliers like that…..


Confess, am now rather disappointed given the supposed total 'genuine' thrust given in Ben's marketing, then, and now.

The world of slipjoint enthusiasts is still strongest in USA...........who is possibly attempting to kid who here

No intent of malice here, just seeking the truth.

(if inappropriate, please delete or move elsewhere)

I just read the instagram thread you posted. Really crazy stuff! I've never heard of decorative pins, but I guess it's a thing.

 

[cbach8tw]

Did some investigation and came up with more than I expected...

This on Instagram:
View attachment 3233888

...comments that followed were - Sadly long thread of comments with Ben (owner JWK) chipping in, he doesn’t deny but rather explains (cost cutting).

Also another comment, suggesting - I lost interest in their knives when I learnt they were expecting suppliers to take losses, when they had sent a knife out with issues. I thought if they treat suppliers like that…..


Confess, am now rather disappointed given the supposed total 'genuine' thrust given in Ben's marketing, then, and now.

The world of slipjoint enthusiasts is still strongest in USA...........who is possibly attempting to kid who here

No intent of malice here, just seeking the truth.

(if inappropriate, please delete or move elsewhere)

Just a question, are we sure the pins are just domed for looks? I see the small divots where the pins would hit the frame, are the pins supposed to go through the frame? Just wanted more thoughts before I decide to NOT get one. Excuse my lack of knowledge in construction of such folders.

 

[Arathol]

Just a question, are we sure the pins are just domed for looks? I see the small divots where the pins would hit the frame, are the pins supposed to go through the frame? Just wanted more thoughts before I decide to NOT get one. Excuse my lack of knowledge in construction of such folders.

The maker seems to have said they were just for looks, so, yeah....
If you look close you can see marks from assembly on the frame around those divots.
These Jackwolf knives have been a hard no for me since day one.

 

[draggat]

Saw this on another forum



Personally, I'm not a fan of handle covers that are only glued on, but Case and Buck both sell knives with glued on handles, usually with premium prices as well. At least they don't have fake pins on those.

I find pins that imitate a pinned construction handle to be weird.

 

[Just Tom.]

Seems deceptive, but knife companies have been doing similar things for many decades. Old Timers had the Swindon key construction, and I think the Colonial Ranger series had some sort of similar thing going on. And of course the stamped-out hollow shell handles on Colonial, Imperial, Ideal, and others - which are less deceptive, I think though, because more obviously fake.

Still, whoever in China makes the RR, Marbles, Frost, etc. knives does a good job of producing an affordable product with traditional pinned construction, so the talent exists there. Why not use it, instead of doing something that will risk destroying your reputation?

Anyway, I’m glad I decided not to buy the equal-end jack.

 

[Chui]

Have been pondering this situation last few days.

Ben sold a vision of American inspired designs for traditional much-loved classic patterns and styles to be manufactured at very high quality standards. Ok, after a few stumbles early on, the guy delivered - boy, did he deliver. In fact I took a handful of these folders to a meeting with folder makers Geoff Hague and Ig (from ilknives) - both, without exception were amazed at the quality for the price, the ones at around £350.

So, at the start, Ben wouldn't divulge his OEM, but guesses were either WE or Reate.

After the initial success, but high price point, Ben likely decides to get Jack Wolf Knives out to many more punters by lowering the price for a simpler constructed folder. The first of these I recall was the Big Bro Jack in Micarta - very much admired in UK.



...at around £150 iirc. Amazing quality again.

There were some others in this series, very good too, yet in order to bring the prices down further/reach larger audience, I guess the screwed covers made way for the glued + false pins.

The last time I purchased these more economical models was the Gateway Barlow Kirinite Goddess - another excellent quality, fit n finish...




...the milling and grinding just amazing. I would be happy to say I suspect these were the OEM.



But this latest one the Blue Bone - not the same. I now feel like I've been taken for a ride........that Ben was riding a wave but actually changed manufacturer, or, the manufacturer has been pushed to the point where the original standards, quality, fit n finish have suffered.

My Blue Bone 'Stockman' was sent back to the online retailer at the weekend - not for replacement.

Yes, start expensive then go cheap - perhaps a well known business model - but, please think again Benjamin Belkin, Owner/Operator because your meddling with a lot o' guys and their passion, their hobby, their love of folders.

Jack Wolf Knives holds no patriotism in the same way, for example, Case Knives..........so you have to keep the quality high, ALL the time.

 

[Shmo723]

Wondering how fake the non domed pins are. Seems like they’re for “alignment” so maybe they lock into those dimples in the liners. Real bummer to see the corners they are cutting on these. Really wish they’d just used functional pins. Taking a thing I really liked and putting a bad taste in my mouth. If Rough Rider can do it…

 

[brownshoe]

Pins in traditional knives are to hold the knife together, not for “alignment.” You can align a glued cover w/o pins.

To me, the fake pins are deceptive not “aesthetic.” Just because Jack Wolf discloses the fake pins on their website doesn’t make it right.

Concerning disclosure, a quick check of their website shows a fixed blade disclosed as being “Construction: Glued with Alignment Pins” but this is not disclosed for a slip joint. I checked two retailers and there was no disclosure for both fixed blades and slipjoints.

Why go to the trouble of faking pinned construction?

 

[Arathol]

But this latest one the Blue Bone - not the same. I now feel like I've been taken for a ride........that Ben was riding a wave but actually changed manufacturer, or, the manufacturer has been pushed to the point where the original standards, quality, fit n finish have suffered.

When talking about his Chinese made knives some years ago, AG Russell said that many Chinese manufacturers were capable of producing a knife to whatever level of fit and finish you specified, as long as you were willing to pay for it.
Things being what they are with tariffs and whatever, this may be what you get when making a knife to this particular price point in China now.

 

[calm]

I do not have any of these, but I just think it is a way to make the knife better/classic looking, the same way as writing on the blade, shields, decorated bolsters and so on.

I remember a similar discussion on another brand, Case maybe, on whether the shields were pinned or glued.

Definitely gives the idea that the covers are pinned, which makes the knife seem more "premium" and then you realise that it is not, like a Turbo badge we used to put on cars that had no such thing, to look faster.