Queen Dan Burke small barlow

Mine showed up in the mail yesterday and first impression is that it is beautiful! This is my first Barlow so I did not really know what to expect in terms of how it feels in the hand. As others have mentioned there is a slightly sharp edge on the back stop of the blade when closed but I will smooth that out just a touch. F&F is very nice. The bone scales are perfectly finished against the bolster and around the frame. Good centering on the blades with no goofy rubbing on the liners. There is a minor gap on the back spring near the Wharnie blade but not a big deal. The main blade was also rather dull but I'm going to reprofile with my Edge Pro and add a micro bevel anyway. Pinning is all very well done. The size is perfect for every day use and rides in my watch pocket perfectly.

Here's a few pictures. Sorry for the poor photography skills! I struggled to get the lighting right to show off just how great this knife looks.

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I spent a little time during lunch doing a quick reprofile on the main blade. Brought it down to a little under 20degrees per side so I could do a microbevel on my Sharpmaker. Makes for easy touch up. I will say that it took a little work on the reprofile. That Queen D2 is tough stuff! Should hold a great edge and will now clean-cut paper and shave very easily. I did try to run it through my Sharpmaker first at 40degrees (inclusive) and it did not even come close to hitting the edge using the black marker trick.
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Nice Sharpening Job! Your pics made me want to carry mine today, but then I noticed that it needs sharpening. Guess I have some work to do tonight.

Barritt
 
Thanks! The Edge Pro is pretty easy to use once you get the hang of it. I still need to work on the wharncliffe blade this week. Brought it to work today and I have been looking around all morning looking for things to cut :)
 
WooHoo! Took a while but I've finally joined the BF Burke Barlow boys.

Arrived today and my thanks go out to Jani, Mike Latham and Vince for their help and advice on this one. Cheers fellas.

First impressions are it's a great knife, a little heavier than i expected but it feels solid and capable of anything. As others have said (and shown) the sawcut bone is beautiful and the blade selection perfect for edc. Build quality is great on this example and the fit and finish what you'd expect from Queen. The only minor gripe being the springs stand a little proud when the blades are at half stop but i can live with that. Blades are well centered and open with a reassuring snap. Pull on the main blade being about a 6, and on the magnificent wharnie, a not quite nail breaking 8. Edges are quite thick as befits a working knife and reasonably sharp but will need a little work to get them shaving. This one's a definate keeper and user :thumbup:

I took a few pics, sorry they're not great, it hasn't stopped raining here all day. Hopefully you'll get an idea of the lovely rich mellow colour of the bone.

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Finally a pic of my humble Queen collection. I'm really looking forward to adding this years forum knife into the mix :D

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Cheers

Neil
 
This truly is a great looking little barlow. I'm not at all surprised considering that Dan Burke was the driving force. Dan's work is excellent in every way.

The knife really seems to have captured the essence of all that makes the barlow the stout, workmanlike knife that has come to be cherished by generations. :thumbup:
(I'm sure I'm going to have to pick one up someday.)
 
Blues said:
This truly is a great looking little barlow. I'm not at all surprised considering that Dan Burke was the driving force. Dan's work is excellent in every way.

The knife really seems to have captured the essence of all that makes the barlow the stout, workmanlike knife that has come to be cherished by generations. :thumbup:
(I'm sure I'm going to have to pick one up someday.)
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WHAT????

Say it ain't so! With all the gorgeous knives you have, I am honestly surprised this one isn't in the collection. It certainly deserves a place.

I guess it's like a friend of mine tells me about his growing collection of pistols; "it's just a shame you can't buy them all!" :D

No kidding.

Robert
 
midnight flyer said:
WHAT????

Say it ain't so! With all the gorgeous knives you have, I am honestly surprised this one isn't in the collection. It certainly deserves a place.

I guess it's like a friend of mine tells me about his growing collection of pistols; "it's just a shame you can't buy them all!" :D

No kidding.

Robert
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Robert, all good points and I am duly chastised...;)

I guess I've been holding off so that the "Okie" designed barlow won't get into a braggin' contest with this one made by (former Texas) maker Don Morrow:

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(...but I'll see if I can rectify the situation one of these days...:p)
 
Blues said:
Robert, all good points and I am duly chastised...;)

I guess I've been holding off so that the "Okie" designed barlow won't get into a braggin' contest with this one made by (former Texas) maker Don Morrow:

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(...but I'll see if I can rectify the situation one of these days...:p)
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OK.....

Now that's just not right.

You have been sitting over there on that jewel while we go on. While I am thoroughly pleased with my DB Barlow, I wouldn't be embarrassed to have that one in my pocket, either. :rolleyes:

Seriously, that is one helluva nice knife. Beautiful, really. That would be a knife I would consider a "heritage" knife in my collection. I think I would be afraid to carry it though. I wouldn't want that one rattling around with my change. Did the maker do the scroll work on the bolsters?

Robert
 
midnight flyer said:
Did the maker do the scroll work on the bolsters?

Robert
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Thanks for the kind comments, Robert. The fit and finish on this knife by Don is exceptional and up there with anything I own.

The bolster engraving was actually done by and was the first ever by Mrs. Morrow.

The Morrow's did a heck of a job on this knife in all its aspects, from grinds to scales to file work. It's a terrific piece. I'm pleased you like it as well, Robert. :cool: :thumbup:
 
Lately I have done some major thinning of the herd, customs, production, and fixed blades. One that did not get sold was my Q-DB Barlow.

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Rob, Nice shot there!

I love this knife. It is in my front pocket today. It has quickly become my go to knife, I find that I carry it more than any other, and am bonding with it in a way, that I have not with other knives. I am being identified with it by family and friends for carrying it so often. Queen did a great job on this one.

Barritt
 
I caved. All these beautiful pictures left me very little choice. I've sold of a few knives lately and decided to pick one of these before they're gone. I hope it's as nice as you guys say. I've been doing a lot of research on available barlows and this one seems hard to beat at any price.
 
Can someone please PM me with a vendor source? I looked at my usual and it appears he is out. :( I now have to have one. You people are evil tempters of mammon!:grumpy: OK, now please send me the mammon source.:o

Remember, visitor or private message please, I believe that is the protocol here regarding vendor links.
 
cj65 said:
Can someone please PM me with a vendor source? I looked at my usual and it appears he is out. :( I now have to have one. You people are evil tempters of mammon!:grumpy: OK, now please send me the mammon source.:o

Remember, visitor or private message please, I believe that is the protocol here regarding vendor links.
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PM sent, I may have gotten the last one because the availability was "in stock" when I got mine and is "usually available in a week or call." now.
 
Well, mine came in today and I have mixed feelings. The quality is definitely acceptable but I really hate the bone. Mine is light, bright, pale orange. Nothing like most of yours pictured. It was the dullest knife I've ever purchased but I can live with that as I have DMT sharpeners to help me out.
The fit is great and I love the half stops and pull to both blades. I just really want to do something about this bone.
Does anyone have any tips to darken the bone up? I'd rather they end up totally brown than the Tennessee Volunteer orange they are now. Some areas and the edges are almost white.
I thought about trying to stain them with dark coffee or brown/orange rit dye. Please help guys.
 
Blues said:
Your best bet is to make inquiries in the "Maintenance/Embellishment/Tinkering" Forum for tips on how to accomplish this.

Otherwise, you might consider sending it back to the vendor and having him pick another one out for you if available.
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Thanks, I just did a search and it looks like leather dye might be the easiest thing to try first. I can't really send it back because it might be the last one they had and I've already tried to sharpen the blades.
I'm not to worried about it. I do like the knife and will use it if I have to spray paint the bone black. :D Just kidding but in all honestly, this orange is the worst color I could have picked and it makes me sick to my stomach to see all these pictures of deep orange, mixed with hues of brown, etc.
Oh well, I'm going to use the heck out of it. :thumbup:
 
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