TC Barlows?

[richstag]

But I don't want to pay so much on the secondary market for one of the most thought out modern day renditions.

Hi Duncan

Is this a trick question?

As stated - supply and demand - BECAUSE the quality of the knife is outstanding, Charlie made his SFO's in lost Traditional styles come alive again with a combination of great knowledge, great passion and working with one of the best in the business - Bill @ GEC.
The price for the quality received is almost insane - these are VERY good knives- the balance for value for money is way out of kilter.
Adding also that aesthetically they are beautiful.

I would just like to add that people seem to be REALLY hung up on the price of a knife- as Christian said- you get that- limited numbers- great product- this is everyday stuff here people- it happens with good Wine- the Share Market, Cars, models etc etc etc..... C'mon guys really? - it's not that bigger deal and it's not something new.

 

[Primble]

Thank you Primble- I have since edited adding Gripe!

My comment stands Duncan.

 

[richstag]

Primble, the lighting and contrast of your photos are making these look FAR too shiny and beautiful. Please reshoot in harsh muted lighting and lower contrast. You are killing my wallet

Those are beauties

Agreed Thieves.

 

[Pokerface]

I think many would agree that Hoarding and Flipping ing is not in the spirit with which they were made.

Agreed!

Barlows used to be cheap, hard-working knives. Not so much now. I have a handful of TC Barlows that I cherish and USE. Only two Barlows are safe queens and those are being held for my two children (6 and 3, so these will be held for a loooong time). I've had TC Barlows that I've let go, whether it was because these were single-bladed or because I traded for other knives that I "needed". I've never made more than $10 on a Barlow after shipping and paypal fees, all for the sake of preserving the spirit in which they were made.

The prices out there are just ridiculous and to say that this is due to the fact that these are superb knives is undermining the GEC brand. I know that I have a small collection compared to many of the more fortunates here on the forum, but of the 20 or so GEC's that have passed through my hands, all have been excellent quality knives, save for 2 that have had the blade hit the back spring, one of these was a TC Barlow.

GEC makes fine quality pieces, the TC Barlow is ONE of these. Supply and demand does crazy things though…the prices are way over Northfields, Primitive Bones, Natural Stags, and other SFO's.

 

[Cory Hess]

The price for the quality received is almost insane - these are VERY good knives- the balance for value for money is way out of kilter.
Adding also that aesthetically they are beautiful.

I would just like to add that people seem to be REALLY hung up on the price of a knife- as Christian said- you get that- limited numbers- great product- this is everyday stuff here people- it happens with good Wine- the Share Market, Cars, models etc etc etc..... C'mon guys really? - it's not that bigger deal and it's not something new.

I think that the confusion comes in from the fact that they're not that different from something that costs significantly less. I just picked up a #15 one arm boys knife in ebony for $45, the same charlow would probably go for 4x that much or more and the only difference I see is the bolster. It would be like putting different bumpers on a Honda Civic and saying that it's now worth $72,000. You can say that the fit and finish is much better, and that's all well and good. That's why he's asking. If he's never had one, he would have no way of knowing that by looking at a picture. No reason to beat the guy up over it. Even Charlie was surprised to hear how much they're going for. I would say that price is a great thing to get hung up on if you're looking to buy a product. If you were at the Honda dealership and they showed you a $72,000 Civic you'd probably get hung up on it too.

 

[Pokerface]

Even Charlie was surprised to hear how much they're going for. I would say that price is a great thing to get hung up on if you're looking to buy a product. If you were at the Honda dealership and they showed you a $72,000 Civic you'd probably get hung up on it too.

Excellent analogy.

 

[richstag]

You could really hate the secondary market sometimes. Honestly sometimes it makes me sick. But try to remember the company you carry here is the type to put a TC Barlow in your pocket just out of the kindness of their hearts. There are some manufacturers that I swear are set up for a secondary, third and etc market. By the time they hit ebay it seems its the third market. For example if you know the in's and outs you can buy direct at a LOW price, but some may not know so they get it from the dealers (secondary), then the dealers sell out to individuals and they put them up on ebay marked up again (third) Disclaimer, NOT GEC or SIMILAR.

I just get in at the beginning if possible and if I miss out, no worries. If I wan't it bad enough, I cough up the cash and never look back

Agreed!

Barlows used to be cheap, hard-working knives. Not so much now. I have a handful of TC Barlows that I cherish and USE. Only two Barlows are safe queens and those are being held for my two children (6 and 3, so these will be held for a loooong time). I've had TC Barlows that I've let go, whether it was because these were single-bladed or because I traded for other knives that I "needed". I've never made more than $10 on a Barlow after shipping and paypal fees, all for the sake of preserving the spirit in which they were made.

The prices out there are just ridiculous and to say that this is due to the fact that these are superb knives is undermining the GEC brand. I know that I have a small collection compared to many of the more fortunates here on the forum, but of the 20 or so GEC's that have passed through my hands, all have been excellent quality knives, save for 2 that have had the blade hit the back spring, one of these was a TC Barlow.

GEC makes fine quality pieces, the TC Barlow is ONE of these. Supply and demand does crazy things though…the prices are way over Northfields, Primitive Bones, Natural Stags, and SFO's.

 

[meako]

Hoarding is probably OK but not with intent to Flip

 

[JustinR]

The prices on the auction are pretty high but if you are quick enough you can frequently find them for sale in our own for sale forum at or sometimes below initial purchase price.

I have had six charlows pass through my hands and have kept two of them. If I can ever find a long pull spear with the pen behind the main in sawcut red bone that will make three I will keep.


I even had a third cut stag charlow come into my posession. Could not bring myself to use it so I had to pass it on.

 

[Bigfattyt]

Great knives. They just look perfect.

I have passed many opportunities to buy direct at regular orices. The initial long pull Spears were released about the time I had just laid out money for a J. Oeser custom. I have freed up money from other areas of my knife collection, but never seem to have the timing correct. I'm OK with that, though, because I have several Northfield and Schrade (GEC's). I sure do love looking at them. I'm Sure I'll have one sometime (hopefully I can find a long pull in ebony or African Blackwood and long pull, when I have the cash. But with two growing boys, it honestly may not happen. I've freed up cash by selling a handful of Busse Knives twice, and the money was mysteriously taken by grown up things like unexpected tax debt!

One tip is to trio the forum exchange here. I have seen many, and I mean many many many pop up here for basically normal prices. You want insane mark up look at Busse, or other limited production mid/tech makers with a large following and limited production numbers.

 

[Primble]

I have worked diligently to get the seventeen I now have. Some of the members here have given me great help. I have not bought any that exceeded original price by more than ten dollars.
Hang around the right places and keep your ear to the ground and avoid the auctions on these, unless it is just one you cannot live without.

 

[KBA]

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1156593-Charlow-Barlow-History


It was the history of traditional knives that first attracted me to them. It was the barlow that first caught my interest. I personally would have loved if my grandfather had carried a Russell Barlow and it was handed down to me. The Charlow is, in my opinion, today's barlow.

As mentioned above, it has been reported as an excellent user, it also is a wonderful barlow to preserve/collect. However, for me, it is the next fundamental barlow that will be included in the history of the knife. I believe in 50 years it will hold historical relevance to traditional collectors and traditional users.

Hope this helped a bit.

 

[richstag]

Please don't compare a Barlow to a Honda Civic again :concern:

While I get what you are saying the boys knife doesn't have near the character as the TC Barlow. And I am talking just from pictures. Never owned one.

I think that the confusion comes in from the fact that they're not that different from something that costs significantly less. I just picked up a #15 one arm boys knife in ebony for $45, the same charlow would probably go for 4x that much or more and the only difference I see is the bolster. It would be like putting different bumpers on a Honda Civic and saying that it's now worth $72,000. You can say that the fit and finish is much better, and that's all well and good. That's why he's asking. If he's never had one, he would have no way of knowing that by looking at a picture. No reason to beat the guy up over it. Even Charlie was surprised to hear how much they're going for. I would say that price is a great thing to get hung up on if you're looking to buy a product. If you were at the Honda dealership and they showed you a $72,000 Civic you'd probably get hung up on it too.

 

[Campbellclanman]

These ARE SFO's!!!

And what we want to happen in the ideal World isn't what happens in the real world.

A knife is worth what one wants to pay- if the prices get so high that they stop selling( in the secondary market) the market will set its own limit as to what they are worth and they won't be able to sell until the price goes down.

If you stamp your feet about the secondary price of knives - you are completely wasting your time- I really want a 1969 427 Shelby Cobra- but I am not screaming because the car was a limited edition - only so many hundred were made and that now they are worth over 6 figure $. Demand set the price- that's it- end of story.

These knives are Fantastic. Charlie made them with the intention of them being available to the lucky few hundred people or so- if there were thousands of these made - Their popularity would be a completely different thing altogether. Charlie did not make a contract to the new owner that they can't be passed on or at what price they must be sold at - and neither did any other manufacturer if a item that is now so collectible.
C'mon guys - is it really that hard to work out? Please don't get me wrong - I want what you want- but it's called reality.

 

[esnyx]

That and the fact that Esnyx buys up about 90% of them on the Exchange forum and re-handles them for re-sale.

John, I like how you know this for a fact...

I have never rescaled a Charlow, and the only one I have ever modified is the only TC beerlow in existence, which I made only after I received permission from Charlie to do it. Not only do I not modify them, I have never listed any of my Charlows for sale. Anywhere. Ever...

In other words, I highly treasure these beautiful knives, and have gone through great efforts to find and preserve a wide variety of them. Not to hoard and flip, but to preserve them in as good of condition as I can for future generations to enjoy (my kids).

Don't believe me? Here's a pic of my collection of pristine Charlows from a month ago

These are all extremely beautifully crafted & designed knives made with users and collectors in mind, hence the limited runs and no repetition of blade patterns.

 

[Primble]

Primble, the lighting and contrast of your photos are making these look FAR too shiny and beautiful. Please reshoot in harsh muted lighting and lower contrast. You are killing my wallet

Those are beauties

Charlie told me - USE PRETTY LIGHT !!! He is the boss! Just kidding - of course - the Charlows don't need help to sell.

Please don't compare a Barlow to a Honda Civic again :concern:

While I get what you are saying the boys knife doesn't have near the character as the TC Barlow. And I am talking just from pictures. Never owned one.

I was thinking that the enhanced Honda would make it an Acura - a much higher priced car - would it not??

 

[Pokerface]

Alright everyone…be forewarned. If I ever put my Barlows on the exchange, these will go for $200

I joke! I joke!

Brett's got the right idea…this thread needs pictures (although my pics aren't that good…yet!)

 

[Pokerface]

I was thinking that the enhanced Honda would make it an Acura - a much higher priced car - would it not??

Northfield Barlow?

 

[Campbellclanman]

I think that the confusion comes in from the fact that they're not that different from something that costs significantly less. I just picked up a #15 one arm boys knife in ebony for $45, the same charlow would probably go for 4x that much or more and the only difference I see is the bolster. It would be like putting different bumpers on a Honda Civic and saying that it's now worth $72,000. You can say that the fit and finish is much better, and that's all well and good. That's why he's asking. If he's never had one, he would have no way of knowing that by looking at a picture. No reason to beat the guy up over it. Even Charlie was surprised to hear how much they're going for. I would say that price is a great thing to get hung up on if you're looking to buy a product. If you were at the Honda dealership and they showed you a $72,000 Civic you'd probably get hung up on it too.

Not so.
I would simply walk away and accept the fact that they were at that price.

There are plenty of 15's for sale if the buyer doesn't like what's happening with the TC's.
People are so into these because of the man behind them.

Charlie had no idea and also has no control over the price that these knives will command.
The market will simply settle down and sort itself out - why is it that I have to pay many many hundreds and it could easily go over a thousand if I want to buy a early Mint SCHRADE Walden or Robeson etc- I don't hear anyone complaining about that? Yet it's the exact same principle.

 

[richstag]

Primble, if there were ever pics to sell that knife it would be the grouping you posted. Bravo.

Yeah, Acura is a little better. Still, Lets try something with a little more American Heritage. Google a 1967 base corvette, see how much a nice one will fetch. Then google 1967 Chevrolet Corvette L88 Coupe. More like this I think