My first real traditional purchase. A TC Barlow!

T

Techno

Joined
Jul 30, 2013
Messages
1,864
I have been seeing these barlows around here for quite a while and have always thought they looked great even though I wasn't a fan of traditionals. Things changed when I started looking for a traditional to get my brother for his birthday. I started learning what traditionals are all about and wanted to get one for myself. I decided on the TC Barlow in Ebony or African Blackwood. Well I searched and searched for a TC Barlow in the blade configuration I wanted but came up empty every time. I almost gave it up but decided to search one more time and this is when I came across one in Chen Chen Rosewood with a single clip point blade. I ordered it right away and have been excitedly waiting for it to come in ever since. Well today it finally came in and I am more than impressed.

A few questions:
How does Chen Chen Rosewood age?
Will it easily crack if I drop it?
How will the wood react to water?
Anything else I need to know about this knife?
Does anyone have anymore of these that I can buy from them in preferably Ebony or Blackwood? Lol :)
 
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I have the same knife, but will defer to others more experienced with Chen Chen Rosewood to answer your questions. I do hope you enjoy yours as much as I do mine though.

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Ya got good taste Techno!
I would think the wood is stabilized. It would have to be a really odd hit to crack the wood from just dropping it. More likely just a dent or scratch. You will have more problems with the carbon steel blade and bolsters with moisture than the wood covers.

Dave
 
Welcome and congrats on your first traditional pocket knife. The Barlow is a true classic. No experience with the wood you have (mine is in blackwood), but I sincerely doubt they'd use a wood that's fragile or problematic. Others will chime in on this, but that's my thought - GEC wouldn't bother using it if it's not up to the task, nor would Charlie choose it to be used.

Enjoy your Barlow and stick around!
 
That's a great choice for your first traditional, should take care of most of you're needs...........Wants, now that's another matter!
 
You were lucky to get one, Techno!
Few were made, and they sold out quickly. Good choice, a very nice, durable knife. Keep it oiled, and sharp, and it will serve well.
 
There's still one available. Grail. Knife. Slipping. Through. My. Fingers. :(

Now that I've whined a little, congratulations to those you grabbed one, daily pictures in the what knife are you totin' thread are mandatory. :D ;)
 
Thanks for all of the replys! I think I'm gonna get some mineral oil as I plan to use it for food prep. I look forward to watching the blade patina with use. I just hope that I didn't start an addiction :)
 
Techno, you picked a great knife as your first traditional. Many here who are GEC fans find the Charlow to be the ideal knife for them. If yours looks anything like the one Old & In the Way posted, it's a gorgeous handle material. I'd say get it out there and use it, unless you intended it for a display piece, which is cool and if so it's a fine choice.

If it were me I'd use the heck out of and let it develop its own unique character.
 
I'm definitely going to be using it although the thought of collecting this model has crossed my mind. There limited availability would probably make that pretty difficult though. Are they making any more of this model?
 
GEC is a fairly interesting company, in that they rarely repeat themselves (so far). Essentially every knife is a "special order" or limited run. The TC Barlow is in fact literally a special factory order, commissioned by Charlie Campagna, who posts here as "Waynorth". I don't know what / if he has up his sleeve next, but you can send him an e-mail to see.

The #15 pattern is one of GEC's more popular (with good reason) and is available in several variants, but the TC Barlow itself is acquired through Charlie himself.
 
That's really interesting. He sure came up with a nice knife design. I'll have to shoot him an email and see. Thanks for the info.
 
Charlie is like a force of nature. He's a treasure to the community and we are lucky to have him driving/guiding knife pattern development through his special orders at GEC.
 
jc57 said:
Charlie is like a force of nature. He's a treasure to the community and we are lucky to have him driving/guiding knife pattern development through his special orders at GEC.
Click to expand...

Now DON'T let all this go to your head Charlie! ;)

Dave
 
Techno said:
I'm definitely going to be using it although the thought of collecting this model has crossed my mind. There limited availability would probably make that pretty difficult though. Are they making any more of this model?
Click to expand...

Read the thread: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1009441-What-Makes-a-Good-Traditional-Barlow It'll answer all your questions! :thumbup:

jc57 said:
Charlie is like a force of nature. He's a treasure to the community and we are lucky to have him driving/guiding knife pattern development through his special orders at GEC.
Click to expand...

:D :thumbup:
 
You could not have chosen better
The SFO's TC Barlows are extremely well made, small numbered knives, all thanks to Charlie-who has already posted in your Thread ( Waynorth ).
Most definitely one of my favourite knives I own!
 
You made a great choice and you got real lucky finding one of those available. I own two Barlows and couldn't be happier.
 
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