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The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
Queen Dan Burke small barlow
- Thread starter comoha
- Start date
- Joined
- Oct 16, 2010
- Messages
- 5,902
I don't think we know enough to make assumptions. They may have been bought as cosmetic seconds or looked at and determined that I was just too picky (I am, but am in good company)
Wish I had a 100 more of them!
I think they think you're too picky.
In my eyes, I can see that the tool marks are "defects." As I intimated before, for some reason they seem to add character, for me. Maybe I'm being naive. I have sent a lot of knives back lately, but I looked this one over very carefully and the grind marks fit right in with the knife, IMO. I am beginning to see how personal it is. I can't send this one back. On a side note, I have a couple of Busse's that have similar peculiarities in manufacture and I have come to the same conclusion. If these knives are still around 100 years from now on "future antiques roadshow," all the little imperfections will surely be seen as endearing marks of human touch.
pete
- Joined
- Mar 2, 2008
- Messages
- 1,692
Wow, this thread just keeps coming back. Lets just all agree when we get a good one its great but when its not good its either us being picky or it really sucks.
LONG LIVE THE DAN BURKE SMALL BARLOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LONG LIVE THE DAN BURKE SMALL BARLOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- Joined
- Jan 12, 2007
- Messages
- 4,186
Mine really sucked but it's still my favorite traditional. That's pretty impressive IMHO.
- Joined
- Mar 26, 2004
- Messages
- 24,614
I just received my Dan Burke barlow from AGR, and I'm sad to say that it'll be going back for a refund.
It's a beautiful knife. I love the long bolster, and the bone on mine is very pretty. Not nearly as dark as some examples shown here, but has streaks of dark within the orange, which fades to a lighter orange around the edges. I'd take pictures, but for the life of me I can't find my camera (and my cell phone camera can't capture the color properly).
The reason I'm having to return the knife is because of the pulls. I'm not exactly certain how to rate the pulls on the 1-10 scale that people here use. But if the pull on a V'nox Soldier/Pioneer is a 5, then the pull on the main blade of my Burke is a 2.5 or 3. Rather weak. When closed, the blade is easily compressed into the handle and the edge can hit the backspring. When open it doesn't seem like it "locks" into place, but rather it's merely held there by the spring's pressure (if that makes any sense).
The pull on the wharncliffe however is more like a 7 or 8. Very stiff. I realize that part of this is because the blade is short and there's little leverage, but it's very difficult to open. If the springs were reversed, I would expect that the pull on the main would be around a 6, and the wharncliffe would be around a 3.5-4. That I could probably live with, but I'd rather both be around 5.
The reason it's going back for a refund rather than an exchange is the ergonomics of the knife, or rather the lack of them. Now, I realize that the barlow is a working knife, made for honest, hard use, and that comfort isn't really a consideration with this style, but as a user, this knife is just plain uncomfortable to hold. The problem lies in the sharpness of the bit of the tang that sticks out. It digs right into my finger when I hold it, with either blade open. It seems like it'd probably shred my pocket and gouge my cell phone, not to mention scratch up my hand.
Bummer, because it's such a pretty knife to look at. But I'm done buying knives simply to look at, and if I'm not going to carry and use it, there's no reason for me to own it.
It's a beautiful knife. I love the long bolster, and the bone on mine is very pretty. Not nearly as dark as some examples shown here, but has streaks of dark within the orange, which fades to a lighter orange around the edges. I'd take pictures, but for the life of me I can't find my camera (and my cell phone camera can't capture the color properly).
The reason I'm having to return the knife is because of the pulls. I'm not exactly certain how to rate the pulls on the 1-10 scale that people here use. But if the pull on a V'nox Soldier/Pioneer is a 5, then the pull on the main blade of my Burke is a 2.5 or 3. Rather weak. When closed, the blade is easily compressed into the handle and the edge can hit the backspring. When open it doesn't seem like it "locks" into place, but rather it's merely held there by the spring's pressure (if that makes any sense).
The pull on the wharncliffe however is more like a 7 or 8. Very stiff. I realize that part of this is because the blade is short and there's little leverage, but it's very difficult to open. If the springs were reversed, I would expect that the pull on the main would be around a 6, and the wharncliffe would be around a 3.5-4. That I could probably live with, but I'd rather both be around 5.
The reason it's going back for a refund rather than an exchange is the ergonomics of the knife, or rather the lack of them. Now, I realize that the barlow is a working knife, made for honest, hard use, and that comfort isn't really a consideration with this style, but as a user, this knife is just plain uncomfortable to hold. The problem lies in the sharpness of the bit of the tang that sticks out. It digs right into my finger when I hold it, with either blade open. It seems like it'd probably shred my pocket and gouge my cell phone, not to mention scratch up my hand.
Bummer, because it's such a pretty knife to look at. But I'm done buying knives simply to look at, and if I'm not going to carry and use it, there's no reason for me to own it.
- Joined
- Nov 28, 2009
- Messages
- 756
looks like i'm a year late but does anyone know where i can get a QDB small barlow my dad gave me a boker barlow when i was 8 i'm addicted to the pattern and this seems to be the best semi production piece produced hope i'll find one...
Will Power
Gold Member
- Joined
- Jan 18, 2007
- Messages
- 33,363
Can't help but do take a look at GEC's version, bit smaller but high quality finish and many handle choices.
- Joined
- May 31, 2011
- Messages
- 406
To you guys that have these did yours come sharp to?
My queen stockman came outlandishly dull out of the box.
My queen stockman came outlandishly dull out of the box.
- Joined
- Jul 30, 2006
- Messages
- 43,126
Queen is known for its fabulous butterknife edges. I have a half dozen or so Queens. Haven't received a sharp one yet.
- Joined
- Jul 13, 2006
- Messages
- 1,086
But the fun is in the sharpening 
Spent a happy few hours putting edges on a Copperhead, a Straight JAck and a Country Cousin last week. Once they sharp they stay that way for a bit
I do wish they'd remake this QDB one though, I really do. I got the large one, but my order for the little one went wrong. And, by the time I'd figured out what had happened there were none to be found on all this Earth. They'd sell out in seconds, so I wonder what's holding them back
Spent a happy few hours putting edges on a Copperhead, a Straight JAck and a Country Cousin last week. Once they sharp they stay that way for a bit I do wish they'd remake this QDB one though, I really do. I got the large one, but my order for the little one went wrong. And, by the time I'd figured out what had happened there were none to be found on all this Earth. They'd sell out in seconds, so I wonder what's holding them back
- Joined
- Nov 28, 2009
- Messages
- 756