Northwoods Madison Barlow

I really like the way this knife looks, especially in the sawcut bone, but this is another one that's just too big for me. Unfortunately if I bought one, it'd probably never find its way into my pocket.
 
I, too, thought the knife would be too big. But I have found it to be a great handling knife. I carried it for a full week skiing. I must say that I am very pleased with it. I don't se it leaving the pocket any time soon.
 
Same here. Wanted to like it, thought it might be on the big side, but found it was fine. Indeed, I'm loving my Madison. I compared it to a Spyderco Delica--a quintessential EDC--and found it was virtually the exact same size closed. Granted, it's a bit heavier, but size-wise it's the same and I have never felt the Delica was too big.

All that said, I do think a slightly smaller curved barlow would be well received. If there's room for BOTH 15s and 77s, maybe there's room for Madison's little brother, too.
 
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I was looking fwd to the jigged bone and called to ask them about the status over a week ago. They said they'd not heard anything from GEC in a while about it & figured it wasn't happening. No other reason/explanation was given. After the call I half expected a more formal & definitive (from KSF) update here on the subject. I think I'd prefer it to the the sawcut brown bone.
 
My experience was similar. Emails saying they expected them soon changed to unsure, then unlikely. Nothing definitive, it seems GEC just moved on to the 47 run.

Have to say that as usual the staff (Ben) at KSF were very responsive. I was dissapointed, but ended up getting one of the Cocobolo handles. Should be here this week.

O
 
Same here. 1st email was "unlikely, but possible", second email a couple weeks later was "that particular handle material will not be completed".

Too bad, that was the one I wanted most. I'm sure they will be ran again soon enough, although I'm wondering if it will be a spear blade on the next run? I seem to remember a brief comment about that last year......
 
Got my Madison Barlow yesterday. It is BIG! But I got a beautiful hunk of camel bone that I just can't stop looking at, and in some ways the blade attached to it is icing on the cake...

My first GEC northwoods too. I've had two IRJs which were nice but the fit and finish here is on another level.

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Grunch, I see what you mean! Gorgeous bone with lots of character. Nice choice.

O

Edit: Spellcheck reversal
 
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Grunch, very nice camel bone.
I just ordered #22 in the green camel bone. I had wanted the camel bone, but almost ordered a denim micarta instead, but hesitated a bit after I go the e-mail, and they had all gone "poof" by the time I got home. I've got a 63 Mako in blue (but it's green) camel bone and love the covers.
I picked up a 2 blade Madison Barlow with blue camel bone shortly after they became available. but found the knife just too large and heavy. I think this single blade version, slimmer and lighter, will hit the sweet spot for me, and am really looking forward to getting this one.
 
I have a cocobolo on its way to me now. This will be my first traditional folder. (Unless you count the Buck 303). I'm pretty excited to get it in.
 
Thinking about one of these really hard. The pics are driving me over the edge. I like everything about traditional knives except the lack of one hand opening. I think I can get over that if a model is not terribly difficult to open. So how is this particular one? I saw earlier in the thread some of them have a pretty strong spring. That doesn't scare me too bad if there is a bunch of blade to grad a hold to, but this one doesn't have much. I guess that was a very long-winded way of asking if its hard to open ;)
 
Gotcha, it just looks like there isn't much to grab onto. My fingernails aren't the strongest anymore.
 
SFW said:
I have a cocobolo on its way to me now. This will be my first traditional folder. (Unless you count the Buck 303). I'm pretty excited to get it in.
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If counting a Buck 303 is wrong, then I don't want to be right.

I'm sure you'll enjoy your Madison Barlow. Please post pics.
 
I have one, a mammoth, that I can't pinch open to save my life. But I have another, a Micarta, that I can pinch open with ease. I think it really matters how thick the covers are. I'm with you though, pinchability makes me like the knife A LOT more. When I first got the micarta, I couldn't really pinch it open. Zero-in on the very forward part of nail nick, right where the swedge ends--pinch really hard and it will open. After I did it 4 or 5 times, some muscle memory developed and I can no longer understand why I struggled at first. It seems very, very pinchable and reasonable to open now.

jstrange said:
Thinking about one of these really hard. The pics are driving me over the edge. I like everything about traditional knives except the lack of one hand opening. I think I can get over that if a model is not terribly difficult to open. So how is this particular one? I saw earlier in the thread some of them have a pretty strong spring. That doesn't scare me too bad if there is a bunch of blade to grad a hold to, but this one doesn't have much. I guess that was a very long-winded way of asking if its hard to open ;)
Click to expand...
 
Well my Cocobolo handled Madison arrived this afternoon. Initial impression echoes others in terms of build quality and overall aesthetics. Very pleased!

I'm quite surprised how thin and light this knife feels in the hand and pocket. Based on feedback that its size pushed the limits of EDC comfort zones, I was prepared for a much brawnier Barlow.

Instead, a slim, well mannered gentleman slid from its pocket sheath, nestled its curves into my hand, then slipped into my watch pocket to ride unnoticed for the rest of the afternoon.

Great design and execution Derrick and GEC.

O
 
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