Trestle Pines Grand Portage

Yeah it's a good point. Something about 'you spoke I listened' - but there was no request for a laser to be used :

I shouldn't be too critical though- it may look good in hand.

I would be tempted by this knife with the previous stamped etch, a nice clip point rather than warncliffe, as I grew up with lots of brass and rosewood knives as a boy.

However, reflecting on why I like this knife with its brass bolster makes me think of all the Chinese made small Buck 55 variants we used to have as boys. That in turn makes me wonder about the price point of this knife - if I am buying it for that nostalgic reason. I would like to see less production problems at that price -a sloppy half stop is a big no for me.
 
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A lot of controversy in this thread. After first opening this morning, I became very excited and purchased a rosewood version of this interesting knife.
 
Here is mine in Bolivian Rosewood! Definitely some issues with this knife. I will elaborate further later.
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Yup, I was one of the requestors of a "more obnoxious" stamp ;-). Lasering it closes the door on the knife for me. Oh well, maybe the next one will be more my flavour. I stand by my positive comments about the Trestle Pines line in general. At least the owner is listening to constructive criticisms. He should be duly commended for that. ....and realizing he won't make everyone happy. If that were true, this board obviously wouldn't exist, and a lot of good people would be out of work.

Greg in West Mitten

supratentorial said:
I like a stamped bolster on a barlow. Some folks (including myself) thought the stamp could be deeper or clearer. I don't recall anyone preferring that they switch to a laser etch. Part of it was that the dealer photos were a bit blurry and the stamp was difficult to see.
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Let me first say I will be keeping and using this knife. I like the covers and brass bolsters and the main blade is ground and sharpened well. There is no blade play despite this very large gap between the scale and spring.
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Another glaring issue is the screwdriver tip is way off. My guess is instead of 90, its closer to 70 degrees from the centerline.
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And another issue! The mark side scale is not full and therefore not flush with the bolster
This may be hard to see in the photo but its sure noticable in the hand
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So my overall impression of this grand portage knife is mixed. I really like the blade configuration and brass liners and bolsters. The pulls on both blades are easy, much like on a Buck slipjoint. There really doesn't seem like much of a half stop is present, more like a hint of one. The blades are centered in the wells well. The caplifter seems a bit lazy when closing, but it might just need a flushing in the pivots. I will carry and use this knife and not feel a bit bad about it.
 
quaboag thanks for the review. I'm sorry yours came with such a large gap, mine and the others I've seen haven't had that issue. Cleaning out the joints really helped with the action on mine so I'd definitely recommend flushing them. The brass gets such a lovely patina and I bet it will look great next to your rosewood after you carry it a bit.
 
yeah the action of the blades on mine needed a thorough flushing with oil and then cleaning with soapy water then more oil. now i actually really enjoy the smooth half stop. No problems with the cap lifter. There are some hairpin gaps between liners and springs but not as large as yours. i think i can peen mine tighter but it doesnt bother me as is.
 
Mine came to the office today. Love the boxelder covers, but still trying to warm up to all the brass. As for F&F, just a 1/8" hairline between mark side bolster and liner. Blades dead center. Pull is fine and smooth at about a 6 for me with no grit. Screwdriver blade like everyone else's is a little off. And, like many others I'd prefer the bolsters to have a heavier stamp. Overall, I'd say it's a very nice knife, but I'm not sure it's worth the listed price.

 
That brass will start to patina really quickly if you let it. The more cloudy mine gets, the more I like it - the shiny brass never really grew on me.

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Yep...critical crowd, here is a side by side
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but Greg wanted to make a user, not a collector. He is guilty of following his heart on this one. Personally, if you follow his reasoning, these work. So, include me in the C.L.U.B. Ya gotta support endevours. When Charlie, Lyle, Mike or Greg do an SFO out of the ordinary, they take a chance. So, provide positive feed back...give constructive suggestions and perhaps we end up with something like this...
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...and for those who may not know...this is a Farmer's Jack w/Rooster's Comb from Lyle's personal collection...which he brought to the Rendevous...Really grand knife.
 
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That's a lovely farmer's jack. Queen has previously made farmer's jacks. They could easily make one for TP. Of course, it's not going to be anything near the beautiful custom. But it's a work of art. I think it is important to keep in mind that highly specialized patterns like farmer's jacks will have a much smaller market than a barlow.

Regarding the Trestle Pines knives... There's a difference between intended as users and being well suited as users. The original was not well designed with actual use in mind since used knives get sharpened. And the combination of a skinner blade with no curve to the spine, a forward placed nail nick and easy open notch would eventually cause problems. Eventually, you'd have an exposed tip and have to grind the spine down through the nail nick to bury the tip in the handle. That's not a design with use in mind.

I think they've headed in the right direction with this knife. The second version eliminates that problem. The overall design is fine. They are expensive knives though and folks that buy expensive knives will likely be finicky. For example, I don't like brass bolsters. But others do. I won't buy a Ka-bar coppersmith for that reason. Others love the Ka-bar coppersmith knives.

The knife is pretty close in design to the very limited GEC TC Beerlow that sold extremely quickly at a prior Rendezvous. They could also make the knife with a clip blade and with or without a caplifter. I think there's potential with this new design.
 
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Jake...I truly appreciate the insight. As a novice, I usually do not post often...but in doing so I get to learn something I had not knew or thought.
And, I recall the TCC 2009 Farmer's Jack (Queen) it was good looking pattern. Maybe Queen will consider the pattern again.
Next, Lyle was great and it was fun watching Bill (Apostle P) do the interview...Lyle was extremely personable, allowed us to hold the knife and explained its design and how it was used...one of those moments you don't often find yourself involved...really good time.
Last,as an aside, I really liked the scales/covers Gregg used for the TP, which was the initial draw for me. So, we shall see what the future brings. Thanks.
 
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