Trestle Pines Grand Portage

[supratentorial]

Is it just me that a wharncliffe in this design looks weird? Finger down a blackboard weird.

It's not traditional for a barlow but neither is GEC's use of Wharncliffe blades on many patterns. A cap lifter is also not traditional. Functionally/practically I don't think there's anything wrong with a Wharncliffe on a barlow. You would need to point out any design flaws to me. I don't see any.

I like everything about this knife except the tree on the bolster. I dont know if it's just the pictures but I doubt it because it's looked the same in every one I've seen. I dont get how this would look good to anyone but thats really just my opinion and I know what that's worth lol . Seriously though other than that tree I'd buy one in a minute.

Over on his blog, Greg (who owns the Trestle Pines brand) said of the tree, "The pine tree on the bolster is designed to give a ‘worn’ look to the bolster."

The stamp could be deeper and clearer. It's interesting that the the bolster was intended to look worn. I think most of the wear on the bolsters of old knives is from "cleaning" or a modification rather than actual wear from use.

Pricewise (original retail), the knife is in the same ballpark as the GEC 15 barlow. It's more expensive than the GEC 15 radio knives, beer scouts and boys knives. So it has some tough competition.

Here is the GEC "beerlow" from the rendezvous (knife on the right). It has a sheepfoot instead of a Wharncliffe and a steel bolster instead of brass but its a similar knife. And it sold quick.

Trestle pines for comparison

...

 

[supratentorial]

I almost forgot.... the Bladeforums 2009 forum knife has a Wharncliffe (secondary) blade and it was designed by members of this forum. They are uncommon on a barlow (like cap lifters) but unconventional blade and handle marriages are becoming more common recently. I think the real question is how well it competes with GEC's offerings. If it's a success, I see no reason why they couldn't run other variations... perhaps with a clip blade, cap lifter, and steel bolster. I look forward to feedback and photos from those of you who buy the knives.

My Bladeforums 2009 Barlow:

Ed J

 

[t.willy]

Now that's a knife I'd buy all day long. I really like the bolster on this one. Also isnt that the same blade configuration as the first run of the Northfield Medium Barlow's??

 

[supratentorial]

Now that's a knife I'd buy all day long. I really like the bolster on this one. Also isnt that the same blade configuration as the first run of the Northfield Medium Barlow's??

Oh yeah, you're right. I didn't think of that one but it's another example.

 

[jrawk]

wow the Circassian Walnut is stunning next to the brass bolster. hope there are more of those on the way

 

[Rockon75]

I almost forgot.... the Bladeforums 2009 forum knife has a Wharncliffe (secondary) blade and it was designed by members of this forum. They are uncommon on a barlow (like cap lifters) but unconventional blade and handle marriages are becoming more common recently. I think the real question is how well it competes with GEC's offerings. If it's a success, I see no reason why they couldn't run other variations... perhaps with a clip blade, cap lifter, and steel bolster. I look forward to feedback and photos from those of you who buy the knives.

The first run of Collector Knive's SFO, called the Northfield Barlow (made just after the 2014 forum knife), has this same configuration. A main clip and a main wharnie both with a long bolster.

 

[Cannonball970]

Does anyone know if the wood is stabilized? I just got one (pics coming soon) and I'm weirded out by how the wood feels more...woody? than I'm used to.

 

[Cannonball970]

 

[supratentorial]

Your photo is better than the dealer photos. Could you take a photo of the blades open?

 

[blademan 13]

I believe most burls are indeed stabilized. Not 100% sure on yours, is it buckeye?

 

[texmex03]

That burl looks really good. A lot better than previous photos I have seen.

 

[Cannonball970]

This one is boxelder burl. It is ridiculously unphotogenic indoors, I guess the fluorescent lighting makes it look super yellow and gross on camera when in reality it looks quite nice. It's dark outside so here's a pic of it with the blade out I took indoors:

And here's one I took outside earlier for the beverages thread:

It really is quite handsome, it just doesn't look good on camera inside.

 

[draggat]

This one is boxelder burl. It is ridiculously unphotogenic indoors, I guess the fluorescent lighting makes it look super yellow and gross on camera when in reality it looks quite nice. It's dark outside so here's a pic of it with the blade out I took indoors:

I can't help but notice that the blade has an ever so slight belly. Maybe a trick on my eyes?

 

[supratentorial]

Thank you for the additional photos. It's a nice looking knife.

 

[Dadpool]

Thanks for the photos, Cannonball970! :thumbup:

How's the fit and finish, if you don't mind my asking?

 

[Cannonball970]

I can't help but notice that the blade has an ever so slight belly. Maybe a trick on my eyes?

Hmm, now that you mention it it does have a bit of a curve near the tip. It's not as bad as the picture makes it look but the last ~1/2 inch of the blade does curve up ever so slightly. The full on belly look is just because of the poor lighting. I'm super tempted to have this one reground into a spear...

 

[Cannonball970]

Thanks for the photos, Cannonball970! :thumbup:

How's the fit and finish, if you don't mind my asking?

I would compare it to a decent example from Queen (present-day). The blade is centered and there is no rub on it or the caplifter. The backspring is flush in the open and closed position - the half stop is more of a pseudo, rolling half stop so not flush. Walk & talk is good, I'd rank the pull at about a 6.5/7 and the blade is pinchable. You can see the tiniest gap on the caplifter side when you hold it up to the light, but otherwise no visible gaps. Three of the pins are flush and smooth with the cover and one is intentionally sunk, similar to most of my GECs. I do have a gripe about the covers - they tried to keep an edge/flat area instead of rounding them over and there is a spot that dips down a bit near the bolster and it looks odd (see pic). I do wish that more manufacturers would take the time and effort to get that seamless look where the bolsters attach to the liners - GEC is only brand I've tried that does this well. Finally, there is also the issue of the blade edge curving up slightly at the tip, but that is something that will go away with sharpening.

There is definitely room for improvement but this is a good effort overall. It was the same price range as my Northwoods EDB and I think this is slightly better made. I'm not exceptionally picky though (and frankly I was desperate for a beerlow and am a sucker for purdy wood) so take everything with a grain of salt.

Sorry for the crappy lighting.

 

[Dadpool]

There is definitely room for improvement but this is a good effort overall. It was the same price range as my Northwoods EDB and I think this is slightly better made. I'm not exceptionally picky though (and frankly I was desperate for a beerlow and am a sucker for purdy wood) so take everything with a grain of salt.

Thank you very much! I appreciate your feedback. :thumbup:

Things looked a bit rough in some of the dealer photos, and I couldn't tell how much of that was lighting/angle/so-so photo and how much might be actual issues (for one's personal value of "issue," of course!).

 

[Cannonball970]

Happy to help. I'll keep posting pics when I carry it so hopefully that will give a better idea of what it actually looks like. I wish the dealer pics were better - for the dealer's sake if nothing else!

 

[Dadpool]

Some new wood options are up. The darker, warmer woods seem like a good match for the natural warmth of the brass elements.

I'm staying on the fence, but I look forward to more photos as others acquire theirs!