Barlow? Share all your Barlows here.

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67nick said:
Russell_Barlow_SmoothBone_1.jpg

I'm not sure what the age is on that tang stamp, any info would be greatly appreciated...
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Disclaimer, I am not an expert and this is just my opinion. I could also be mistaken, in any case here are my thoughts on your Russell.

I believe that is an unauthorized German clone from the 70's, probably Boker.

The middle handle pin is not centered as an original Russell would be.

And the bolsters lack the Russel mark.

The curved Russell tang stamp iirc would be from 1933 to 1941, but yours is not original.

The bone color variation is caused by soaking in oil, that is absorbed unevenly. Bad for the bone, makes it softer. More examples here http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1161990-Oiling-Slip-Joints?p=13301663#post13301663
IMG_0091.JPG


Another feature that identifies a German Boker is the shape of the tang on the pen blade.

I can't see your pen tang completely but check it against this next photo.

Left to right Boker USA with Bone covers, Boker Germany with clear red synthetic covers, Boker USA with Stag covers. Note the German Boker pen blade has a different tang profile than USA models.

IMG_8231.JPG


Another feature of Boker barlow's that you can check is that they don't use thinner blade stock for the pen blade like most other Barlows. Both the primary blade and the pen blade on the Boker barlow is the same thickness. Look closely at your knife to see if that is true, in which case I would say you definitely have a Boker knife.

Here is a long thread I wrote about identifying Russells
http://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/knife_forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=37404

That's all the bad news.
The good news is you have a well-made knife that uses good materials and you should enjoy it!
 
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Thanks for the link on the Russels, Jon. I have looked for one but no luck yet. They always go for a premium, fake or not.
 
Great info Jon, thanks! I got it for a price much less than most Russell barlows so I kinda figured there might be something awry. I love the fact that it's possibly an old Boker, being that I don't have any Boker barlows in my collection!!! Very beautiful and solid knife nonetheless..
 
Thanks for that invaluable analysis of the Russell Barlow, John!
It looks like I only have one "fake" - actually a Camillus Commemorative.
Not hard to spot!
BarlowRussells_zps0cc549f4.jpg
 
Gotta love traditionals... Always something new to learn! Anyone out there have a Boker made Russell from the 70's or before??? It would be really nice to see a comparison from the same era...
 
waynorth said:
It looks like I only have one "fake" - actually a Camillus Commemorative.
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I believe Colonial made it Charlie. Thanks for your kind words of encouragement on my analysis, but, Ive made mistakes before, get a second opinion too.

Here is a 1998 Russell Barlow Limited Edition 2 knife display set made by Colonial. There was a small single blade and a grand daddy single blade barlow in each set, choice of dyed bone or stag.
Note the Diamonds on the tang stamp.

4EAAE74C-BBD3-4E92-971E-AFACF992D4BE-1148-00000069CB3BEF33_zps0b1b7eaf.jpg


A87736DA-7E37-4FED-9E66-B67FC3356D6C-6682-000005916A71A251_zps8009b1b7.jpg
 
I stand corrected, and agree with you!
Now I remember - I used to have the grand daddy also!
They are actually nicely made knives!!
 
manufactured by Colonial during the 1980's under their private label program-These were part of the John Russell Barlow program- a number of styles were manufactured in Providence, RI the Bolster stamp in on display at the Colonial knife museum - along with a number of stamped out components
for the John Russell knives.
 
colonial knives said:
manufactured by Colonial during the 1980's under their private label program-These were part of the John Russell Barlow program- a number of styles were manufactured in Providence, RI the Bolster stamp in on display at the Colonial knife museum - along with a number of stamped out components
for the John Russell knives.
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Thanks for your confirmation that the 1998 Limited Edition 2 single blade knife set I pictured above is Colonial made, much appreciated.

unrelated, these are internet pics, not my knife:
$_57.JPG

$_57.JPG


not mine either
$_12.JPG
 
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KnifeHead said:
I posted this up in the Bose sticky a while back but since "The Barlow Thread" came alive again, I thought it appropriate to post it here too. Tony has donated this Barlow to the NKCA to be auctioned off at the Blade Show as a fund raiser for the National Knife Museum.

tbose-bonebarlow1.jpg
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Wow... a real perfections and beauty!
 
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