An old friend given new life, my Colonial barlow returns

Doug Add

Doug Add

Joined
Jan 9, 2012
Messages
3,331
This Colonial barlow was the first pocket knife i bought with my own money back when my age was still in single digits. I saved money from mowing lawns and delivering newspapers so I could have my own pocket knife just like my grandad did.

Earlier this year when one of the clip-on scales came loose I decided to have it rescaled. I know, the work would cost way more than the knife was worth, but I have a history with this one, and wanted to keep it as a user. The more pictures I saw here, the more I liked the look of yeller knives. So, I sent it away to be rescaled in smooth marigold bone. While it was at the bone doctor, I asked if he could reprofile the pen blade to something in the wharncliffe style. He replied that would be no problem.

So, today's mail brought a package containing my old friend in it's new configuration. I am quite pleased with the result!

Here is how it looked before the work:

ColonialBarlow.jpg


Now it looks like this:

Colonialmarigoldbarlowa.jpg


Colonialmarigoldbarlowb.jpg


Atop one of my favorite perches for taking pictures (a bluebird house):

Colonialmarigoldbarlowc.jpg


Colonialmarigoldbarlowd.jpg


The bone scales make the knife about 1/16" wider, now measuring 0.625" wide, giving it a good solid feel in the hand for working:

Colonialmarigoldbarlowe.jpg
 
Looks like he did an amazing job. I'd be proud to own such fine work.
Who did the work, by the way? I'd definitely look into having a few worn out ones rescaled.
 
Looks great! I have one just like yours, but in much worse condition, with pitted blades. It was another one of my Papaws, and looks like he may have kept it underwater. lol
 
Very nice! A shadow Barlow! I like the mod to the pen blade too.
 
Yes, the yellow bone handles look great. The wharnie secondary will work fine, for sure. It´s a great piece of craftmanship.

Kind regards
andi
 
Very sweet mod. Is that Culpepper Marigold?

Glenn
 
That Culpepper could dress up a pile of dog poo...:D

I had always not given much thought to doing mods on those shell handle knives. I never really considered it a good use of resources.

After seeing yours though, I may have to rethink that.

Thanks for sharing.

Glenn
 
Thanks. Yeah, it is definitely not a good use of resources.

However, due to the history of this particular knife, its association with my childhood and my grandfather who got me interested in pocket knives, I decided to do it. Heart over head, you know!
 
I totally agree. I did not mean to sound snarky, cause I could definitely see myself doing one of those. I didn't mean to sound like it was a waste.

Glenn
 
glennbad said:
I totally agree. I did not mean to sound snarky, cause I could definitely see myself doing one of those. I didn't mean to sound like it was a waste.

Glenn
Click to expand...

You did not sound that way at all Glenn. I totally agree with your assessment. I would never have put this kind of money in such a cheap knife if it did not: 1) have decent steel blades, and 2) have significant sentimental value.

In no way did I think you were making a snarky comment. Just stating the facts that I think we all agree on!
 
Fine looking knife. I love seeing Barlows of nearly any kind. It's a really nifty pattern that IMO doesn't get near the press it deserves. That shade of yellow is very becoming and looks grand as far as i'm concerned. I know that a number of people object to restoring an old knife, I however have no quarrels with doing so as long as the knife retains a bit of its original character.
 
Wow, Doug-- that was a big step to take with a knife that means so much to you.

I'm glad you're pleased with the results. Whew!

(I think it's great that you've made it a true user again. :thumbup:)

~ P.
 
Thank you all for your kind comments. I really wish you could see it in person. There is depth and variation in the bone composition that just does not show up in a photograph. The more I handle this knife, and admire its beauty, the more impressed I am by the improvement this marigold bone made to an ordinary cheap knife.

As mentioned it is wider now. At just 1/16" thinner than my 4 layer Victorinox knives, it is a bit thicker than I like to pocket carry. But in jeans or cargo shorts that will not be noticed. This one is definitely back among the regular users!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top