TC Barlow...would these things bother you or am I being too picky?

Here is a pic of mine. The pins are also a bit proud, but they appear to be symmetrical and well done. I hadn't given any thought to them until I saw this thread, except that I liked the tactile feel and character that they add to the knife. I quite like the knife and I think the fit and finish is excellent for the price point. I am a bit disappointed for not having gotten the ebony, which seems a bit more refined. Perhaps next time...



 
Nice bottom view, Cisco, that's just how my antique amber looks. Kind of a custom touch, to my eye.
 
I have a single and a two blade redbone and the pins are proud too. No snags or issues. I love em!
 
Cisco Kid said:
I am a bit disappointed for not having gotten the ebony, which seems a bit more refined.
Click to expand...

I personally find the bone knives more appealing. They may not be as "refined," but they seem more like the quintessential barlow than the ebonies.

- Christian
 
I think you have a legitimate complaint. I would contact their customer service and perhaps send them your picture and ask them about it. I don't think the pins make your knife defective or anything close to that, but I think they could have done them better.

Ed J
 
I read the subsequent posts and have to wonder what the OP was thinking when he bought this knife in light of the responses he has received here.

Did he know that at $85 to $100 he would be getting a knife that wasn't up to GEC standards of usual fit and finish? Did he know that being a Barlow design automatically meant that less attention would be spent on finishing up the knife and he should adjust his own expectations to be a lesser finished knife than his other similarly priced GECs?

Personally I don't know anyone that uses a Barlow as it was originally designed or intended. I would think the closest contenders I see would be a knife from the RR group, an Opinel or a CASE soddie. Cheap, reliable, hard working, terrific amount of work for the money invested, and easy to replace if damaged or lost. A real tool for a working guy.

I think these knives at their price are no longer a simple, inexpensive working man's knife that gets little concern or care. These knives aren't used until they break or wear out, then get replaces for a few bucks. They have no appeal (other than to admire them!) to the masses of blue collar guys that use and misuse knives.

To me, and again I look at the price point, these are knives that could be used as a working knife but will never wind up there unlike the Farmhand series. This Barlow design is more of an homage to the knife itself and I seriously doubt anyone here thought of buying this for a job site, ranch, or farm EDC beater knife, where they really would take some punishment.

I like the extra groove in the scale. Looks good to me and reminds me that it didn't just come out of a CNC mill. But the pins... nope. Would have to have that attended to. If it was a $22 CASE soddie like I saw in the big blue box last week, I would be OK with it since those are purpose built knives that are priced appropriately. But at probably a bit south of $100 with shipping, I wouldn't be happy with it. I don't think that just because it is a Barlow pattern one should expect less.

After all, they don't charge less.

Robert
 
I love all these barlows. I am sad to have missed out.

By the time I pulled the darned cotton out of my head and contacted Charlie, he was down to a few single blades.

I should have jumped on one in ebony, and sawcut, but I just had a custom slipjoint come due.

I should have just grabbed one of each he had left, and sold a few other knives, that hardly get carried or used.


I keep hoping for another release in the spear, with stamped bolsters!
 
I consider a knife that cost anything less than $100 and that comes in this category of craftsmanship nothing but an excellent buy, an hours Labour these days is usually $75.00, so the OP'S comments would be valid on a custom knife, but hey...welcome to the world of knife collectors/users we all have different tastes, and I welcome that :-)
 
Good point Duncan.
Robert-too true-I won't be hacking or weeding with this.
Personally, if mine ever gets here I will moan happily for a few minutes Then get it out of the box for a look.
cheers
 
Bigfattyt said:
I love all these barlows. I am sad to have missed out.

By the time I pulled the darned cotton out of my head and contacted Charlie, he was down to a few single blades.

I should have jumped on one in ebony, and sawcut, but I just had a custom slipjoint come due.

I should have just grabbed one of each he had left, and sold a few other knives, that hardly get carried or used.


I keep hoping for another release in the spear, with stamped bolsters!
Click to expand...


You have a pm :)
 
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