A Couple Barlows

A

ATF6281914

Joined
Jan 31, 2009
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134
I found these two Barlows at a local antique store. One is a Colonial (white) and the other is an Imperial (brown) -- both made in Providence, RI. Were they good knives back in the day? Approximately how old are they? I paid $15 for both. Was that a good deal?

I see lots of life left in these beauties, but they aren't that sharp. Does anyone know the best way to sharpen old knives like these?

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Nice found you made there. Congratz. If 15 bucks are too much? I don´t know, but I would have also bought them for this prize.

Do you know which handle material the Colonial Barlow is made of? Looks like Delrin.

Kind regards
 
Nice finds....7.50 each is a deal. The imperial was made 1956-1988, Colonial probably beyond the 50's. I guess you could say they were Rough Riders of the time. Cost a few bucks at a hardware or hunting store but were very serviceable.
 
I recently gave my son a Colonial Barlow in white synthetic. It took and keep a good edge. For $7.50 you did just fine. A great little user.


jwh
 
I think you did just fine.

Nice description, Vanguard. I got my Colonial barlow at the local hardware store when I was still a boy of single digit age. It obviously did not cost much as I paid for it with money saved from mowing lawns.

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Doug Add said:
Nice description, Vanguard.
Click to expand...

Thanks. :p I remember going into the local hardware with my dad, a block down from where I lived (when everything was in walking distance) and seeing similar knives on a cardboard stand. Always wanted one. :(
 
Walking distance . . . yep.

James Hardware was two blocks from our house (just across the railroad tracks next to the grain tower where the farmers came into town with their trucks and tractors pulling wagons with grain to sell and have it loaded onto trains for the city), in the same block as the grocery store. It was and directly along my path to pick up supplies for my mom. I wonder if she ever noticed it took me over half an hour to complete a 10 minute task? I used to just stand and stare at the knife displays, until something knocked me out of my trance and reminded me I was on an errand for eggs or milk.
 
I'd say it's a good deal if you like them. I have a few Imperials and Colonials that are similar. They may not be fancy, but they sharpen up easily and the blades are so thin that they outperform a lot of other knives when it comes to slicing. They make good users. Just sharpen them the way you would with your other knives. Any method should work without much trouble.
 
I have seen a few " high end" Inperials that had bone handles that were quite nice. Enjoy them. I have a soft spot for Barlows.
 
I too am a Barlow lover and Imperial appreciator. Sharpen like any other blade and be prepared for some very sharp experiences. $15 seems like a fine deal from their looks...Herb
 
That looks like a great deal! a little time and work with some metal polish and you can clean those puppies up and get em looking really nice again!!!
 
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