Large Barker Hokkaido

[BenR.T.]

Just got this in the mail toady. : )
I am pretty much speechless. This is by far the cleanest folder I have had the pleasure of handling, let alone owning. The lockup, the hand rubbed finish, THAT GRIND, all just top shelf. John is doing some amazing work, if you ever get the chance to pick up one of his blades, I would do it in a heartbeat!!

This is the first time I have taken pictures of another makers work. I am no pro photographer (barely an amateur!!), but I am pleased with how the pics came out.

 

[Kohai999]

Ever held a Tom Mayo knife, or a J.W. Smith or an R.J. Martin?

What is the blade length on this thing? What is the handle length?

Two things stand out, the counter sunk stop pin, which should have been flush imo, and the rear spacer, those lines between handle slabs and spacer should be invisible.

It looks like a stubby amalgam of J.W. Smith and Bob Lum designs....this is written without hate, but an honest bewilderment about "the love".

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

 

[Bigfattyt]

Great looking folder. Tactical looking folders are either hit or miss for my tastes. This one is a hit for me.

 

[BenR.T.]

Ever held a Tom Mayo knife, or a J.W. Smith or an R.J. Martin?

What is the blade length on this thing? What is the handle length?

Two things stand out, the counter sunk stop pin, which should have been flush imo, and the rear spacer, those lines between handle slabs and spacer should be invisible.

It looks like a stubby amalgam of J.W. Smith and Bob Lum designs....this is written without hate, but an honest bewilderment about "the love".

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

Thanks for your "thoughtful" opinion Steven. I have not had the pleasure of handling Tom's, R.J.'s or J.W.'s knives, I am sure they are impressive as well. I don't think anyone would dispute the legendary quality of those makers, I certainly wasn't. I am simply sharing a very nice knife from an equally nice maker.

 

[RyanW]

Great Photos Ben.... Glad you have a knife you like and appreciate!

 

[Buffalohump]

Looks like a laser sharp tanto that! Some influence from Jeremy Horton possibly in that polished front edge. Your pics are pretty great for an 'amateur'. Enjoy that bad boy.

 

[J. Doyle]

First thing Ben- I'm certainly no pro photographer for sure, but your pictures look GREAT to me.

The style and blade shape are certainly not my cup of tea, though the grinds look complicated and well done at that.

Never held one of his knives but fit and finish and overall workmanship look really good to me.

I agree with Steven about the stop pin. Personally, I'd like to see it flush with the handle, or not see it at all.

The lines in the backspacer... I'd have to know more to say why are they visible. I'm guessing a combination of two different materials along with slight radii on all edges to knock the sharp corners off is why they're visible. I don't know that for sure.

At any rate, looks like the backspacer fits well and seeing the lines doesn't bother me.

Always nice for makers and collectors when the new owner is happy with their knife.

 

[jball1125]

Great looking knife.

HGH!

 

[Lorien]

nice score Ben, and a few excellent photographs. I like the 'on the bench' look you got going on there.
Don't see many Barker knives around these parts which is a shame, (gotta go to the green place to see his work usually) I think he's one of the better designer/makers in his field these days.

 

[jball1125]

Ever held a Tom Mayo knife, or a J.W. Smith or an R.J. Martin?

What is the blade length on this thing? What is the handle length?

Two things stand out, the counter sunk stop pin, which should have been flush imo, and the rear spacer, those lines between handle slabs and spacer should be invisible.

It looks like a stubby amalgam of J.W. Smith and Bob Lum designs....this is written without hate, but an honest bewilderment about "the love".

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

Im sorry but I dont see the importance here, I have held a few of the knives you mention here and fail to see your point. In fact, some felt no where as good as some less expensive and easier to find knives.

Can you truly say you are bewildered about the way someone feels for a knife without ever having handled it yourself?

Just because you write it is written without "hate" doesnt mean it will stop it from being interpreted that way. The meaning in your words are not only negative but with little justification. Perhaps if you had held the knife yourself you would be qualified to comment on it.

Im not here for a conflict but some of your comment seems 100% out of place. Carry one.

 

[Kohai999]

Im sorry but I dont see the importance here, I have held a few of the knives you mention here and fail to see your point. In fact, some felt no where as good as some less expensive and easier to find knives.

"I am pretty much speechless. This is by far the cleanest folder I have had the pleasure of handling, let alone owning. The lockup, the hand rubbed finish, THAT GRIND, all just top shelf. John is doing some amazing work, if you ever get the chance to pick up one of his blades, I would do it in a heartbeat!!"

Bolded part should explain why I posted the way that I did. Tom, John and R.J. make some of the cleanest folders that I have ever held. The OP did not mention comfort.

Carry one.

Maybe, I'll try to handle one first.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

 

[evanPGH]

Love the knife, I'm a tanto lover and this one is good. The only thing I personally don't like is the swedge. I feel that it would be a much cleaner profile without it.

Very nice score indeed. Now carry it, use it and let it get dirty.

 

[RyanW]

Just tell STeven to STfu....

Everyone is killing your Buzz Ben, glad you like your knife. Personally the grind on the top of the blade is not my thing but you didn't ask my opinion!

 

[Kohai999]

Just tell STeven to STfu....

Everyone is killing your Buzz Ben, glad you like your knife. Personally the grind on the top of the blade is not my thing but you didn't ask my opinion!

That works so well for you, Ryan.

If Ben was not a knifemaker, I would have in fact, STFU'd...but he is...and as such, his comments carry greater weight than Joe Schmoe.

I am providing a delicate counterpoint.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

 

[RyanW]

haha Thanks STeven!

 

[jball1125]

Just tell STeven to STfu....

Everyone is killing your Buzz Ben, glad you like your knife. Personally the grind on the top of the blade is not my thing but you didn't ask my opinion!

I'll keep that in mind Ryan.

Seriously though. The criticism about the stop pin is fair, just the whole thing came off a bit condescending. Maybe it's just me, didn't seem to bother Ben much.

The backspacer issue though might be dependent on material. Almost looks like zirconium, if it is that might be the reason why he wasn't able to have a seem less transition, who knows it might just be the pic angle.

Besides that everything on the knife looks outstanding, despite the opinions on blade grind or what not the finish looks flawless, the work to get that type of finish on those grinds I'm sure was tons of fun.

 

[BenR.T.]

Like I said, it is the cleanest folder "I" have ever handled. Maybe I don't get out much.

Steven, have you ever had the chance to handle one of John's knives? It may not be to your liking, but I think you would agree about the fit and finish; personal preferences (like the recessed stop pin and chamfered backspacer) aside.

I am quite certain I would equally enjoy a Mayo or Martin, both of which are very different in design and style.

To answer your question, the blade length is 3 15/16", and the OAL 8 15/16". The backspacer is Ti, chamfered on the edges and has a nice satin finish to match the stop pin and blade finishes.

jball1125, If I let it bother me every time Steven said something abrasive in one of my threads, I wouldn't be posting here. :foot:

 

[Kohai999]

Like I said, it is the cleanest folder "I" have ever handled. Maybe I don't get out much.

Steven, have you ever had the chance to handle one of John's knives? It may not be to your liking, but I think you would agree about the fit and finish; personal preferences (like the recessed stop pin and chamfered backspacer) aside.

I am quite certain I would equally enjoy a Mayo or Martin, both of which are very different in design and style.

I have not, Ben. I'll be looking to at Blade if the knives are to be located. I am certain that you would enjoy the makers knives that I mentioned.

I'd be happy to send some to you for inspection and use if you would like, there is a retired EDC model from each maker in my collection that have served well, and scratches from carry are not a concern to me. Handle and use them and send them back when you are finished.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

 

[RyanW]

Very cool offer! STeven is really a softie when you give in to his beatings!

 

[Kohai999]

Very cool offer! STeven is really a softie when you give in to his beatings!

I'm a softie for knife people, beatings or no, and nobody should have to "give in"......I just have a different perspective.

We talked about this at G5, Ryan.

You could spend the rest of your life focusing on one aspect of knives only....and you still wouldn't know poop. There is just too much there to consider and take in.

One maker could focus on one steel, in one style and still only scratch the surface of understanding what he is doing.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson