Barlow pocketablility.

V

Voltron

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Dec 13, 2008
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I have been reading up on Barlows lately. A classic American pattern (althought not created here), I have always wanted one, but for some reason have always gotten sidetracked by other patterns. One reason I guess why I have never gotten one is because they seem a bit big. Their wide and boxy handles (some are rounded) seem kind've hefty in the pocket. However, as I have been reading up on them, I have learned that other then their toughness and durability, one of the things that made them so popular was their pocketability.
Really?
Are there any Barlow owners out there who can verify this? Are they really that comfortable, despite their size?
 
I find them pocketable. I carry a barlow knife frequently. They are usually about 3 1/2" long, and I carry knives an inch longer in my jeans pocket just fine. They don't seem that beefy to me. Maybe in dress pants they are more so, I guess it depends on your pocket. I find them very comfortable to carry and use. I recommend them highly, it is a great classic pattern.
 
I hardly even know mine is there.

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My Barlows feel fine in the pocket. They are fairly short so it works well.
 
Great pattern, hard working knife. I carry mine in a belt pouch but it carries well in the pocket too.

Regards

Robin
 
I've never actually carried a Barlow before. I have a few old ones but never carried any of them.
When one of by forum knives arrives it will find a place in my pocket for sure. I'll let you know then. ;)
 
I don't carry mine if I'm wearing jeans without a coin pocket. It's small enough that I sometimes have trouble digging it out of all the other stuff in my front pockets. Unless you're used to carrying a peanut I can't imagine it being so big that it's uncomfortable. I like that the handle is bigger and more rounded at the end as it gives a better grip.

Here's a couple of pics with a large soddie and a whittler for size comparison. The sodbuster is 4 1/2" closed and the whittler is 3 1/2". The soddie is as big as I will carry in pocket and it's too heavy for slacks. The barlow is a great all around knife because it's big enough to be useful but not so big that I would consider it bulky.

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I think what you're referring to is that Barlows, for their length (Typically 3 3/8" to 3.5" or so) are heavy for their size. However, I think their more "filling" handles are what makes them such a good working knife. They certainly fit in a front pants pocket easily, they're just maybe a little heavier than a similar sized slippie.

If you want something smaller, check out GEC's Barlows. Theirs is 3" long, but still comfortable in the hand, even for large hands (I wear XXL gloves & my size 13 wedding ring's snug for reference).

The Barlow's not going to be as "pocket friendly" as a Peanut, Eisenhower, or maybe even a Canoe, because it's usually thicker (If it has 2 blades), but I think it's more heavier duty, too.
 
Hi,

I have two that I carry regularly, a Boker Grand Canyon and a GEC Northfield #25. The Boker is a very traditional Barlow, about 3 1/2" long and pretty flat in profile. It carries very easy and is un-noticeable in my pocket. The GEC is only 3" closed and rounded in profile. But despite it's smaller size, you still feel like you could carve 6" steel I-beams out of raw plate.:D

dalee
 
I think I might look into getting a Rough Rider Barlow to test the waters. They can be had for less then $10 and are supposed to be great F&F wise, as well as have decent edge retention, and they are supposedly built just as good as the Case or older Schrade Barlows. I'll try one of those out, which'll be good because if I don't like it, or it breaks, or I lose it, it won't really bother me.
 
Voltron said:
I think I might look into getting a Rough Rider Barlow to test the waters. They can be had for less then $10 and are supposed to be great F&F wise, as well as have decent edge retention, and they are supposedly built just as good as the Case or older Schrade Barlows. I'll try one of those out, which'll be good because if I don't like it, or it breaks, or I lose it, it won't really bother me.
Click to expand...

I carry a RR sawcut bone Barlow ...even in dress pants and it's fine. You'll also find RR has quite a variety of them.
 
Ahh, a RR Barlow owner. How are the quality of those bad boys? Are they built to last? As affordable as they are, I am worried about.... well, you know the old saying, you get what you pay for.
 
I don't carry one but have handled many of them and few are larger then say a Swiss Army Soldier knife which seem to be widely carried so I'd say they're easy in the pocket.:)
 
I won't comment on certain import Barlows, for the sake of calm and decorum!:rolleyes:

I have carried old U.S. made barlows on and off for 50 years, and find them very satisfying for every day use. I'd rather find a good used one from the 1950s-1960s or earlier, and feel I am paying tribute to America.
A Robeson single blade from this time period is a nice, rounded semi-sunk joint knife, that is every bit as nice a carry as anything you can name. And there are many more that fall in that category.

Here is a picture of some older Robesons, with a newer Repro at the bottom. You can see the tang hides nicely. Robeson was always concerned with pocket ease.
BarlowRobeys.jpg


Here is a picture of an old one opened, compared to a Case. The Case is a great sturdy knife, and affords good grip and strength.
But if you want smoothness in the pocket, and don't pry (shudder:eek:) with your knife, smoother style is very rewarding. Just let me say that prying with ANY folder is a fool's game!
Barlowcomparo.jpg


There are many that are equally good, I only chose Robeson as my best example. My philosophy is have patience, and search for the best one, and spend your money responsibly. It is your dollar that runs the world!!
 
Voltron said:
Ahh, a RR Barlow owner. How are the quality of those bad boys? Are they built to last? As affordable as they are, I am worried about.... well, you know the old saying, you get what you pay for.
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure they would last a long time under normal use. The SS is just as good as most of the higher priced knives. They are built for use and don't have the "finess" of the more expensive pocket knives. But they do have brass liners and nickel bolsters.
and cheap enough to throw in the snow to take a quick picture...:)

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waynorth said:
I won't comment on certain import Barlows, for the sake of calm and decorum!:rolleyes:
Click to expand...

I would like to extend my personal gratitude for NOT commenting on an issue that has NOTHING to do with this thread. Point of origin has NOTHING to do with "pocketability".

All the caterwalling about honorable people, etc. has been hammered to pieces.

That being said, I have had a few Barlows over the years and traded them all off or given them away. None really hit the sweet spot.

THEN.... out of the blue...

I spied the Queen D2 Barlow with an "almost" spey main blade and a little wharnie second blade. My, my. I had not seen that combo before.

Check it out on the upper most left hand side of this page:

http://www.collectorknives.net/queen-knives.html

It is beautiful in person, and is one fine knife to use. Carries well, too. If you like the feel of a Barlow, this one has to be on your wish list.

Robert
 
I have a yellow Rough Rider. In size, it's comparable to a 84mm Victorinox two layer knife such as my small Tinker and Sportsman. The Vics weigh about 2 oz each, while the RR Barlow weighs about 2.75 oz.

RR also has a smaller single bladed Barlow a bit larger than a Peanut.
 
The GEC Barlow at 3" is quite pocketable. The rounded shape makes it easy on your pants too.
 
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