Bernie Garland blades?

[Everything Mac]

now I do not with to start any arguments as I understand there are quite a few fans of this chaps work ...but,

I had a look at a BG knife the other day and I am very curious as to why people are so enamoured with his work?

the handle was very pretty and the fit was good but the finish of the blade was appalling in my opinion.

andy

[Tadpole]

now I do not with to start any arguments as I understand there are quite a few fans of this chaps work ...but,

I had a look at a BG knife the other day and I am very curious as to why people are so enamoured with his work?

the handle was very pretty and the fit was good but the finish of the blade was appalling in my opinion.

andy

You say you’re not trying to start an argument, but...
Do you not think that this would this be better taken up with Him, rather than here.

[durulz]

That's a very odd way of not wanting to start an argument.

I kind of know what you mean though - sometimes you wonder if you are missing something that everyone else finds fantastic. I'm like that with the whole 'bushcraft' blade shape. I just don't get it.
But I generally keep it to myself, since it's not that important and I'm not that bothered.

Tell you what, why don't you go over to Bushcraft Living and ask that question? You'll get a more 'direct' response. Don't forget to wear your tin hat though.

[Draven]

The blades have a low grit finish (320 IIRC?) because they're intended to be used and a highly polished knife will mess up easier.

Of course it's also down to the fact that they're good users rather than just how they look If you don't like the finish of a blade it's easy to fix, HT isn't so and his HT is brilliant.

Pete

[Martyn]

The blades have a low grit finish (320 IIRC?) because they're intended to be used and a highly polished knife will mess up easier.

Of course it's also down to the fact that they're good users rather than just how they look If you don't like the finish of a blade it's easy to fix, HT isn't so and his HT is brilliant.

Pete

Hang on, are you saying that if I'm gonna drop £200 quid on a knife, I'm better picking one with a rubbish finish because it's just gonna get messed up anyway?

[sapper1]

I'm away for the weekend but I can't wait to get back and read this thread all the way through.

[Twodogs]

At the end of the day Andy if you dont like Bernie Garland knifes just dont buy one theres plenty of other makers , thats your choice .

Twodogs

[Andy2112]

I've not long got one of Bernie's knives which i intend to christen next weekend, i really like it. You won't go far wrong with one from Bernie, and yes he is a mate of mine. You pays your money, you takes your choice at the end of the day, that's up to you. His blades are users not drawer queens.

Right, this might get messy, where's me tin hat, lol.

[Paganwolf]

That's a very odd way of not wanting to start an argument..

make you right.

Tell you what, why don't you go over to Bushcraft Living and ask that question? You'll get a more 'direct' response. Don't forget to wear your tin hat though.

Ill tell you what rather than sending the moan somewhere else to escalate, Mac email or call the man himself and tell him http://www.berax.co.uk/ ,as he cant get on here to defend him self. Im sure he will take the critisism on board.

[Martyn]

I've not long got one of Bernie's knives which i intend to christen next weekend, i really like it. You won't go far wrong with one from Bernie, and yes he is a mate of mine. You pays your money, you takes your choice at the end of the day, that's up to you. His blades are users not drawer queens.

Right, this might get messy, where's me tin hat, lol.

Expensive drawer queens = no problem.
Cheap rough users = no problem.
Expensive rough users = ???????

[Martyn]

make you right.




Ill tell you what rather than sending the moan somewhere else to escalate, Mac email or call the man himself and tell him http://www.berax.co.uk/ ,as he cant get on here to defend him self. Im sure he will take the critisism on board.

He'll be able to read it though JP and as he's so often kind enough to offer his own constructive criticism of other makers, I'm sure he wont mind.

[Paganwolf]

He'll be able to read it though JP and as he's so often kind enough to offer his own constructive criticism of other makers, I'm sure he wont mind.

Im sure he wont martyn im sure he wont

[Tiley]

I recently took delivery of a Bernie knife. The blade received a customary hone because I like the look of a polished edge and it's better for carving wood (something I do too much of...).

So does it really matter? Not a jot. If you use your knife, you will eventually get the 'finish' (if that's what you want to call it) you want on it. The great things about Bernie's knives are the shape, grind depth, symmetry and attention paid to the handles in my opinion. It only takes a little effort on your part to finish it off how you want it.

When you consider that the waiting time for them is unbelievably modest and Bernie himself is extremely helpful and only wants the best for his clients, you have a series of very persuasive reasons for going down the Garland route.

Just my opinion, nothing more.

[Andy2112]

Expensive drawer queens = no problem.
Cheap rough users = no problem.
Expensive rough users = ???????

I'll not enter into a debate about the finish and quality of BG's blades Martin as i just can't be bothered mate. I like his blades and i like the man himself, that's my opinion.

It would be unfair to discuss this as he can't reply himself but i'm pretty sure he's not too fussed about what folk say about his work. lol

I did see an expensive rough user, one of RM's new woodlores with the dark wood scales ? the scales were not flush with the tang

I'll take my hat off to all the makers on here and elsewhere, the quality of work is astounding tbh, i just wish i had the skill to do it.

[tobes01]

I'm completely sold on Bernie's blades. Not just because of their quality as 'users,' but the service he provides. One of the scales on my bushcrafter shrank slightly after about a year, Bernie was only too happy to rehandle it for free and give the blade a service, no questions asked. The instructors on my last Woodlore course were all very taken with it, and they were mostly carrying Alan Wood knives.

Bernie's knives are built to be worked, I'd happily buy again from him.

[Bodge]

I have never owned a BG knife but have used a few here and there and liked them a lot. Buy one if you like them or buy someone else's if you like theirs.

I know Bernie personally and would not hesitate to purchase a knife or blade off him, not only for the quality of his work but also and more importantly imo the customer service and after care Bernie and Max offer.

I speak as I find and find Bernie a top bloke.

[Everything Mac]

I'm completely sold on Bernie's blades. Not just because of their quality as 'users,' but the service he provides. One of the scales on my bushcrafter shrank slightly after about a year, Bernie was only too happy to rehandle it for free and give the blade a service, no questions asked. The instructors on my last Woodlore course were all very taken with it, and they were mostly carrying Alan Wood knives.

Bernie's knives are built to be worked, I'd happily buy again from him.

now there is a gentleman who understood the nature of the thread and the question I posed.

have a virtual pint on me mate.


as I said in the op - I was not wanting to start any arguments. I fully understand that many one here are fans of his work and having not met the man myself I am in no position to pass judgement on him.

I was merely commenting on a blade I saw and expressed my opinion of it.


this thread is not a "if you don't like it bugger off and buy something else" thread.

it is an "express your opinion on the blades thread"

if some one wants to make it into an argument or turn it into the former statement then I will not hesitate to get the thread locked.

we are all adults - surely we can have a civilised discussion as such.

[Bodge]

now there is a gentleman who understood the nature of the thread and the question I posed.

have a virtual pint on me mate.


as I said in the op - I was not wanting to start any arguments. I fully understand that many one here are fans of his work and having not met the man myself I am in no position to pass judgement on him.

I was merely commenting on a blade I saw and expressed my opinion of it.


this thread is not a "if you don't like it bugger off and buy something else" thread.

it is an "express your opinion on the blades thread"

if some one wants to make it into an argument or turn it into the former statement then I will not hesitate to get the thread locked.

we are all adults - surely we can have a civilised discussion as such.

Just out of interest Andy, was the blade you saw as Bernie had made it or had it been used and possibly altered by the user?

I can't understand how you could say "the finish of the blade was appalling in my opinion".
If the knife in question was not altered by the current owner I would advise he/she contacted Bernie to get the finish sorted out.

[Prawnster]

I've got a Bernie Garland woodie clone that I handled myself. Bernie also supplied a few bits and pieces for it so it was like a kit.

Couldn't be happier with it. It has done everything I've asked of it very well indeed.

I've since bought other knives from well known and respected custom makers and spent a fair bit of money on them. I've not kept any of them for very long though because although they were very nice to look at they didn't compare in actual use.

There you go, that's my opinion of his work

Cheers
Sean

[Andy2112]

now there is a gentleman who understood the nature of the thread and the question I posed.

have a virtual pint on me mate.


as I said in the op - I was not wanting to start any arguments. I fully understand that many one here are fans of his work and having not met the man myself I am in no position to pass judgement on him.

I was merely commenting on a blade I saw and expressed my opinion of it.


this thread is not a "if you don't like it bugger off and buy something else" thread.

it is an "express your opinion on the blades thread"

if some one wants to make it into an argument or turn it into the former statement then I will not hesitate to get the thread locked.

we are all adults - surely we can have a civilised discussion as such.

Bit difficult with statements like "the finish of the blade was appalling in my opinion. " to have a civilised discussion

[Tiley]

this thread is not a "if you don't like it bugger off and buy something else" thread.

it is an "express your opinion on the blades thread"

we are all adults - surely we can have a civilised discussion as such.

If that's all you want, then, yes, I like my Bernie Garland blade. Both the Woodcarver and the B&T knives he made for me are excellent and lovely to use. Habit drove me to do a little work on the blade, honing and polishing it but that would have happened no matter who had made them. Would I go back to Bernie for another one? Yes.

I think, if I may venture a suggestion, your opening gambit was a little inflammatory and was destined to reap the harvest it did. Perhaps a more open approach - "What do you think of Bernie Garland's knives?" - would have elicited a more measured discussion, into which you could have put your observations about the finish on the blades at a later stage. I'm not telling you what to do, merely making an observation and offering an opinion.

[rancid badger]

I've got one of his early "bushcrafters" in 3mm and it's a beauty, always has been and it gets a fair bit of hard use too

This was it shortly after arrival

The blade is more polished now, after nearly three years use and care but otherwise, looks and performs the same.

I've also got one of his carver blanks, which is still housed in a temp handle but is a brilliant tool, which also is heavily employed.

I'm curious to hear a bit more, about what was wrong with the knife in question.
Was it a new knife?

I'm also wondering if the owner was happy with it and if not; have they contacted Bernie to sort it out?

atb

R.B.

[PeterHW]

Well if Bernie takes a higher grind line than Alan does on the Woodlore .... similar to my HillBill knife .... then I would agree with those like SF and others who use his knives that "that particular feature" is a plus ....

It is a shame though that the OP could'nt take a couple of pic's to show what he meant .... and equally it is a shame that the maker cannot get on here to defend any criticism. On that point alone I would not have "a Pop" at him or his work ....

I have'nt owned one of his knives so cannot comment .... but for my tuppence worth if the OP does'nt own one either .... then where and how did he see the blade that he can establish it was not worked on by the person who did own it? That the "roughness" is or was where? What was "rough"? And is'nt this one of those threads where you really need pictures to back up or make clear what is being said ....???

Quality control is something the guy may well be interested in ....

If the issue is the lack of a high grit or polishing finish on the blade .... meaning that there appears to be just an asthetic preference issue .... then let's be clear that that is the point. If by rough you mean the grind lines are not symetrical .... something I have had and which caused me to send another maker's knife back .... then again let's know what the "roughness" is .... something like that is much more important IMO ....

[Everything Mac]

Bit difficult with statements like "the finish of the blade was appalling in my opinion. " to have a civilised discussion

and why is that exactly?

If that's all you want, then, yes, I like my Bernie Garland blade. Both the Woodcarver and the B&T knives he made for me are excellent and lovely to use. Habit drove me to do a little work on the blade, honing and polishing it but that would have happened no matter who had made them. Would I go back to Bernie for another one? Yes.

I think, if I may venture a suggestion, your opening gambit was a little inflammatory and was destined to reap the harvest it did. Perhaps a more open approach - "What do you think of Bernie Garland's knives?" - would have elicited a more measured discussion, into which you could have put your observations about the finish on the blades at a later stage. I'm not telling you what to do, merely making an observation and offering an opinion.

having said that above - I will admit that in hindsight I perhaps should have made a less inflammatory statement.
nevertheless - I have stated my opinion - I simply want the opinion of others.

[John Fenna]

If you expect a high gloss finish/ black tactical/camo then yes the finish will disapoint.
I like none of the above and will usually patinate a carbon blade just to kill the awful shine of an over finished blade. I would not thank you for a black tactical or camo finish either...
Bernies blade finish is fine by me and I like using the B and T knife of his that I now have.

It is all down to taste realy - some people want one thing - others want another. Bernies stuff suits my needs...a good working knife that loks good without being over prettied.

[Cap'n Badger]

An' round an' round it goes....

[MartinK9]

I don't own a ****** ******* Knife, but have handled many, l met the Man and Maxine at many a Meet.

I haven't seen a bad one yet.

[Everything Mac]

Well if Bernie takes a higher grind line than Alan does on the Woodlore .... similar to my HillBill knife .... then I would agree with those like SF and others who use his knives that "that particular feature" is a plus ....

It is a shame though that the OP could'nt take a couple of pic's to show what he meant .... and equally it is a shame that the maker cannot get on here to defend any criticism. On that point alone I would not have "a Pop" at him or his work ....

I have'nt owned one of his knives so cannot comment .... but for my tuppence worth if the OP does'nt own one either .... then where and how did he see the blade that he can establish it was not worked on by the person who did own it? That the "roughness" is or was where? What was "rough"? And is'nt this one of those threads where you really need pictures to back up or make clear what is being said ....???

Quality control is something the guy may well be interested in ....

If the issue is the lack of a high grit or polishing finish on the blade .... meaning that there appears to be just an asthetic preference issue .... then let's be clear that that is the point. If by rough you mean the grind lines are not symetrical .... something I have had and which caused me to send another maker's knife back .... then again let's know what the "roughness" is .... something like that is much more important IMO ....

this thread will do nothing but waste my time and ruin my day.

it will be locked shortly.

[Silverback]

I have a 'little gutter' from Bernie that I use for paunching rabbits, it holds an edge like no other I have ever owned and I shoot A LOT of rabbits. I was given the knife to review and was that impressed with it I have never used anything else since.

http://www.berniegarlandknives.com/i...llocher-review

[Nagual]

Perhaps actually describing what you thought was wrong with the finish etc,so that people will have a better understanding on what you feel was missing from it, and perhaps a description of what you look for in a finished item? This way folks will be able to better tailor their replies to suit the tread.

Cheers,