Barlow pattern?

[MyDogsHunt]

Any US makers still make Barlow's.

I know I'm setting the bar pretty high, but I'd like to find one that's US made with carbon steel blade/blades.

Am I nutz?

Charlie

 

[Blues]

While I don't own one and don't consider it a "classic" Barlow knife in terms of the pattern used, many folks here own and like this GEC built "Northfield" and its siblings.
I "believe" it also comes in a two blade version. Our resident GEC experts should be able to provide you with all the pertinent details.

Apparently, Bear & Son also produces one in carbon steel but I'd be a bit cautious due to the poor reviews I've read concerning their quality of construction.

(Also, there are plenty of vintage Barlow knives in carbon steel available via various online vendors and auction sites in case you're ever so inclined.)

 

[mnblade]

While I don't own one and don't consider it a "classic" Barlow knife in terms of the pattern used, many folks here own and like this GEC built "Northfield" and its siblings.

It sure would be cool if GEC made a more-traditional, 3 1/2" Barlow model.

-- Mark

 

[comoha]

If you can live with D2 instead of 1095, you can try to find a Queen Dan Burke barlow. Still the best domestically made production barlow out there IMO.

 

[Mad_Maxx]

I own the one above, really nice
a bit hard (read: snappy) to open but you can get used to, with the right tecnique it's fine to open and close
it is sharp, edge is thin but to be used to work and well built, feels very strong with that long bolster

only barlow I have right now, even if it's not like "most" I see I have to say it's confortable and the drop point is very usable

oh and they made it in clip point and in 2 blades pattern, single blade is way better as it's thin and not bulky wich for me was the jack one (gave to a friend)

Maxx

 

[johnny1950]

If Your'e not looking for a lot of flash and don't mind spending less, Utica makes a nice carbon steel barlow in their Catskill series with bone handle. I bought one for my son some time ago so he'd have a classic like my father's old Camco. The knife is solid and seems well made with a well thought out spring tension.

 

[silenthunterstudios]

I have had a couple Colonials, Bokers (really nice sawcut scales), and no names stamped Barlow. Older Kabar barlows can be found pretty cheaply. The best barlows I have ever seen are the Queen Dan Burke collaborations, the large single blade barlow, and the more traditional, smaller, two blade barlow. Great knives. The small barlow and my Case peanut are battling it out for EDC.

 

[MyDogsHunt]

While I don't own one and don't consider it a "classic" Barlow knife in terms of the pattern used, many folks here own and like this GEC built "Northfield" and its siblings.
I "believe" it also comes in a two blade version. Our resident GEC experts should be able to provide you with all the pertinent details.

Apparently, Bear & Son also produces one in carbon steel but I'd be a bit cautious due to the poor reviews I've read concerning their quality of construction.

(Also, there are plenty of vintage Barlow knives in carbon steel available via various online vendors and auction sites in case you're ever so inclined.)

Yea,,, I saw those on GEC's web-site but they don't show em in their on-line store so I assumed they're all gone.
Any one know if they're still available, either from GEC or other vendors?
I definitely like GEC knives, but I'm pretty cyber-stupid so their site confuses me.
Thanks
Charlie

 

[Modoc ED]

Google "GEC Barlow". That should help you find sources for the GEC Barlow. Also, call GEC themselves at the number provided on their web site.

 

[dalee100]

Hi,

I have a GEC #25 with the clip and pen blades. Awesome little knife, beefy and strong. Mine did come with bear-trap springs, but they have mellowed quite well with use. Still snappy, yet fine to open. I will agree with Elliot, I don't really think of it as a classic Barlow either. But you will have to pry it out of my cold fingers anyway.

I really need to get a Utica made knife. I want to see and use their products. But as an aside, don't be quite so quick to pass over Boker's C75 Barlow, (I love mine), or even Case's Tru-Sharp version. If you can't find what you are looking for, those a two fine examples of classic Barlows.

Good Luck with your hunt!

Dale

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

There are still some current vintage, raindrop damascus Case Barlows out there (Thomas damascus, which is carbon). I don't have one myself, but I've heard some very good things about them.

 

[midnight flyer]

If you can live with D2 instead of 1095, you can try to find a Queen Dan Burke barlow. Still the best domestically made production barlow out there IMO.

I love mine and the D2 heat treat by Queen makes it a great choice. My only thought to make it better for me is that if it were a bit longer than its 3". The good news is that it is small enough to disappear in the pocket, and with its large bolsters it is solid enough to make it a practical work knife. This one will easily outlast me.

Great to look at, too!

Robert

 

[MyDogsHunt]

Yea,,, I've seen pix of those Dan Burke's. Nice! But a search didn't turn up anything?

I actually have an old Imperial Barlow that I've been packing around for about 30yrs.
Believe it or not, I found it and a 303Brit BSA in the trunk of a used car an old girlfriend had just bought, but that's another thread.

I've seen a few Barlow's on this site that were real beauties, and was kinda thinking about picking up a Sunday go to metting version of my old beater but they seem pretty scarce these days.
Thanks for all the leads though guys, and keep em coming.
I'm sure something will turn up.
Charlie

 

[silenthunterstudios]

I believe the Dan Burkes were discontinued, but you can still find them at different dealers, and of course, in the Exchange.

 

[Humppa]

Hi!

Not an original US-made-knife, but from Carl Schlieper "Eye Brand Knife" you can order Barlow. It´s made of carbon-steel but not made in the US.

You have to choose

Kind regards
Andi

 

[trey999]

My 4th generation Bear and Sons barlow in carbon steel is great. No problems at all, it is very well made.

 

[PocketEdge]

Also click on the "Dealers" tab at the GEC home page. You will find lots of dealers with many Barlows.

 

[MyDogsHunt]

I found one of the Dan Burk's but it must be a grandaddy Barlow at 5" closed.
Ilike the thinner single blade but it really is more of a single blade trapper than a Barlow IMO.
That and the D2 are,,,, well,,, two strikes.
The same site has an GEC barlow for about twenty bucks less.
Both are nice, but I'd lean towards the GEC at this point.

Thanks again.
Charlie

 

[Planterz]

You can also always try your luck on ebay and find a vintage Case barlow with carbon blades. One from the 1970s is probably the best bet. Just make sure it doesn't say SS or SSP on the tang (meaning it has stainless steel).

I don't think Case has any carbon steel barlows in current or recent production (except the damascus one shown above).

I have a 1960s Utica Kutmaster barlow with carbon steel blades (and bolsters, if you can believe that) with a sheepsfoot main blade that I picked up off ebay for pretty cheap.

Am I nutz?

No, I'm nutz.

 

[moonwilson]

I don't think Case has any carbon steel barlows in current or recent production (except the damascus one shown above).
---------------------------
No, I'm nutz.

Well, technically, you're a legume.
I really wish Case would make more barlows. Particularly ones with carbon blades. As long as we're dreaming, versions in stag and yellow delrin would be nice. I have a couple of recent Case barlows. They're not carbon, but they're definitely solid knives. I find Case's Tru-Sharp to be nice stuff.

They're both extremely well made, particularly the Select mother of pearl. It is a very nice pattern. If I could figure out how to get the nasty billboard off of the bone version, I'd be even happier with it. It doesn't want to come off with Simichrome like an etching would.
I also have an old 9 dot Case Daddy Barlow. It has beautiful bone, but with the iron liners, it feels about as sturdy as a wet noodle.

My recommendation for a current production, American made barlow with carbon blades would be for the GEC. They're quite nice. I have five knives on that frame, with one more on order. I don't have good pics of any of them though. My personal favorite is the single-bladed easy open with the spear blade. That little thing is as solid as they come, although I don't think it could be considered a "barlow" proper.