Lets talk GEC!

The nail nicks (should be long-pulls on Northfields) are in the swedge and likely to be hard to open and impossible to pinch open. I wish they'd only run the swedge back to the flat part of the spine and long-pull from there....
 
Bladenoobie1 said:
That aside how much can you expect something like this to cost? Given that I never see any TC barlows for sale anywhere I don't really know what to expect if I go on reserve.
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GEC's pricing formula for knives is mostly based on degree of finish and number of blades (as those two factors generally reflect the time that goes into completing each knife.) A 2-blade knife with Northfield level of finish might sit around $90-100, with a $30-40 premium added for stag.
 
I thought the f crossing the middle of the N was a little busy and recommended / requested an N where the crossbar *was* the f (at a slant, if that makes sense). But I think this one pictured will look nicer on the finished product.

Couldn't do the long pulls with the nice swedging that I was looking for; and honestly not a big fan of the long pull on most patterns - although it does fit some. If you do swedges, you have to put the pull in them or move it way back - and nobody wants a nailbreaker because of the pull location. I specifically requested a deep nick so we don't have any issues.

The schedule currently puts them around the end of October, but that could move a little. Since it is my SFO, GEC does not set the price. I don't have the final costing yet, but expect them to be lower than the #78 pricing.

We were talking about a barlow on the #78 frame for some time and I wanted the setup that they had on those Queen Burke barlows that every body seemed to love. This one came along and seemed a nice fit. Might do more with the pattern over time, like some single blades - but no plans yet.

Here is a comparison picture. For some reason, in my pocket and hand, a 3 5/8 - 3 3/4" knife just feels better than a 3 1/2". But you get up over 4" and it doesn't lay flat and just seems bulky.

IMG_5214.jpg
 
Good info, Mike. Thanks for sharing. If you don't mind my asking, how many of each handle did you order?
 
Thanks for the information, Mike.

The bolster logo is reminiscent of this old NYK (a favorite):

waynorth said:
[This] is a righteous Barlow. It is not too broad in the beam, is beautifully fitted, and I really like the signature design on the bolster. Some of them have too much information, or don't catch your eye like an abstract design will catch it. [This one] is from New York Knife.

CharliesBarlow.jpg


They were masters at putting a pleasant knife in a person's hand. Well made and perfectly functional, NYKs are a joy to carry and use. Unless you know better, you might mistake the N in the signature for a Z, but either way it is a great graphic.
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~ P.
 
I personally like them and look forward to seeing the finished product. Thanks for letting us know an estimated time frame Mike.
 
Thank you for the information. Will they be all steel?

Hoping for one with a single blade in the future, and waiting for GEC to make barlows that aren't SFO's. I'm aware of the #25 barlows they made, but I'm thinking about something bigger. Wouldn't mind a new run of #25 barlows though.

That UN-X-LD bolster is sweet!
255111-BARLOW-BURNT-STAG2-2.png
 
Cory Hess said:
Good info, Mike. Thanks for sharing. If you don't mind my asking, how many of each handle did you order?
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Without going into too much detail, approximately 50 each.

sogflash said:
Thank you for the information. Will they be all steel?
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No, steel doesn't lend itself to the bolster treatment...

Modoc ED said:
Why the Wharnclife and not a sheepsfoot or spear blade Mike? Just askin.
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When slinging more money around than is actually in the bank, you have to make a pretty sure bet. And I feel the clip is a little more widely appreciated. But rest assured if this run goes well, I plan on some single blades and some spear and sheepsfoot models. Not a drawn out production, but a run of some variants in batches I can afford.

I can't get my family to agree on what they want for supper, much less a forum to agree on their perfect barlow. But I will do my best to store and pay attention to your comments going forward. I think between these and the TC barlows, we can cover most bases over the next couple years. Maybe then a grandaddy will come along.
 
I would like to get a GEC knife, but I'm still waiting for one I really know I'll like and carry. The closest model for me to get is probably a White Owl in 440C. But even that I'm not sure. I do know I want one in 440C. I suppose I'm an odd one out on this forum, because I don't prefer straight carbon steel for pocketknives. I like it for larger, harder-use fixed-blade knives, but not folders.

I wish GEC had more offerings in 440C. They seem hard to locate online...at least for me, and certainly compared to their carbon steel offerings. I'm not really planning on collecting GEC knives, but simply find one I would like and hopefully use for many years. Also, one that wouldn't be a nail-breaker.

It's hard for me to define what would be the 'ideal' GEC pocketknife. But maybe a 2-blade knife around the 3.5" closed range (this could vary), with maybe a good clip blade and a sheepsfoot, fairly thin blade profiles. Could also be just a sheepsfoot. Maybe micarta scales, and in 440C, of course. The wait continues...

Jim
 
knifeswapper said:
When slinging more money around than is actually in the bank, you have to make a pretty sure bet. And I feel the clip is a little more widely appreciated. But rest assured if this run goes well, I plan on some single blades and some spear and sheepsfoot models. Not a drawn out production, but a run of some variants in batches I can afford.
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This sounds like a great idea. I really look forward to seeing where this goes.
 
James Y said:
I would like to get a GEC knife, but I'm still waiting for one I really know I'll like and carry. The closest model for me to get is probably a White Owl in 440C. But even that I'm not sure. I do know I want one in 440C. I suppose I'm an odd one out on this forum, because I don't prefer straight carbon steel for pocketknives. I like it for larger, harder-use fixed-blade knives, but not folders.

I wish GEC had more offerings in 440C. They seem hard to locate online...at least for me, and certainly compared to their carbon steel offerings. I'm not really planning on collecting GEC knives, but simply find one I would like and hopefully use for many years. Also, one that wouldn't be a nail-breaker.

It's hard for me to define what would be the 'ideal' GEC pocketknife. But maybe a 2-blade knife around the 3.5" closed range (this could vary), with maybe a good clip blade and a sheepsfoot, fairly thin blade profiles. Could also be just a sheepsfoot. Maybe micarta scales, and in 440C, of course. The wait continues...

Jim
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Apparently San Diegans think alike. You have described a GEC knife I'd very much like to see.
 
IMG_0774-1.jpg


I'm very keen on GEC's stainless too, but so little of it is available it seems:grumpy:

I have this White Owl, which I treasure, a Stag Conductor and a 2 blade 73 and that's it more's the pity. Would really like a 73 single blade, more Owls, 85, 15, 55,25. Quite a few eh? I rather wonder if the alleged lack of interest in stainless is actually that GEC itself doesn't favour stainless blades very much?:confused:

Anyway, the squirrel/acorn etch is tasteful, the shield very nice and having Cyclop's Works on the tang is premier league cool:D
 
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