Barlow id

[Kevin McGovern]

Can anyone tell me about this knife? I found it in my mother in law's possessions. It is stamped "Jowika Republic of Ireland" on the ricasso. I want to clean it up and surprise my wife with it. Curious on age, and what if anything I should do to clean it up. thanks in advance

 

[TsarBomba]

Jowika was a brand of low-cost clamped-bolster Barlow with "sawcut" Delrin handles and what should be carbon steel blades. While I'm not sure, I do suspect they shared facilities (and ownership?) with Imperial when Imperial was cranking out lightweight Irish Barlows under the "Stag" and "Imperial" names, so you probably have a direct sibling of those. I'd guesstimate that knife to be from the 1970s or 1980s -- I believe Imperial closed up their works in Ireland soon afterwards. There are spots of information around the web about Imperial's days in Ireland, but the knives themselves are similar to (although I believe the blades and springs are thinner than) the American versions that pop up all over "the bay" and other similar sites every few days.

 

[jkulysses]

I personally wouldn't do anything to clean that up unless there is red rust on the blade. If that is just carbon spots and patina I'd just oil it up and give it to her.

 

[Corwyn_bv]

While I'm not sure, I do suspect they shared facilities (and ownership?) with Imperial when Imperial was cranking out lightweight Irish Barlows under the "Stag" and "Imperial" names, so you probably have a direct sibling of those.

Quite sure you're right... it looks like a carbon copy of my Imperial Barlow...

 

[Kevin McGovern]

I thought the pink inlay in the Barlow logo on the bolster was a bit of an odd choice.

 

[HST]

Maybe that pink was a different color before it turned pink. It would seem odd to do only one side unless she did it.

That's a cool find and item to give your wife. Well done. I think it looks fine, besides maybe some clean up and oil. That's her mother's patina, leave it alone, or that's how I'd approach.

 

[Kevin McGovern]

The pink is too even for her to have done it. It looks perfect and it doesn't fill the entire engraving, like it would if she painted then wiped off the surface.