barlow suggestion?

R

rev_jch

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Jul 29, 2002
Messages
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well after much looking.....I need help!!! Can you guys suggest a well made barlow, standard size, 3 3/8, that has natural handle materials, either bone, stag, or horn and either carbon steel blades, or 440c, or better?
 
Hey rev_jch!

I just posted to your msg about poor luck with Boker barlows in another thread. Buuuuuttt, since I luv the Barlow style I want to help anyone else who shows an interest.

Since almost all of the standard Barlow models are the
3 3/8" size you're looking for you shouldn't have a problem, except picking only one. Check out the Queens (I don't know if they currently offer a Barlow model), the Russells see: http://www.worldwideknives.com/Russell/Russell1.html
and, if you're willing to spend a few more bucks, the Schatt & Morgan Barlows, which are made by Queen. I get most of my Barlows off eBay, which had over 270 auctions for 'em going today.

Happy hunting.

LANNY
 
A 1st generation Bulldog Brand Barlow would be a great one to get. The ones made in the 80's are the ones to have. Any pattern made in that era is a good one. A Cripple Creek would be a good one too.
Greg
 
lanny, thanks for the hekp. Unfortunately the russell barlows that are currently offered are made by boker also!!! The knives are identical to the crummy barlows I had, even made in the same boker tree brand factory. Same stainless, thin, brushed bolsters, except for the stamp and handle material of course. I did inquire of the quality of these from some sellers. The answer most often seems to be the quality is "questioniable". I wil not be buying any of these. queen is making one, but ithe handle is delrin. Ive looked at the S & M, but I do not want to spend that kind of money rigt now.

Thanks for the info Greg!!! I have an older Russell, but it is in mint and I do not want to use it. I also have some older case barlows, but do not want to use those either.
 
rev_jch, the Queen delrin handled barlow is not the traditional slipjoint pattern. It has aluminum bolsters and and aluminum sheat covering the springs (except in a small are). F&f is quite variable, the springs on the ones I have seen are very stiff. For the poor quality it has it is a rather expensive knife.
 
Sadly I think you're out of luck, Rev...at least for a new or currently manufactured knife.

My observations:

Queen does not show a barlow in their 2004 catalog....the standard offerings were delrin anyway, now apparently discontinued for 2004.

Camillus may still make a barlow, but would be delrin handles

Henckels has offered barlows in recent years, but they are made by Boker anyway, don't know if they have the same quality issues.

Before Colonila went out of business, they had a division called Heritage....they made small runs of high quality slipjoints with natural handle materials...including barlows...I have heard that this division emerged from the bankruptcy....might be worth looking into.


Your only other shots might be to look for a Schrade Heritage series bone handle barlow, made in 1983, 84, maybe up to 86.....you see them on ebay...

I share your yearning for a good basic barlow...2 blades, sawcut bone, carbon steel....its interesting that nobody seems to make them anymore...
 
Actually, another one that comes to mind is John Primble....Bluegrass has knives made with the JP trademark in the US and overseas...I believe that I have seen some bone handled barlows.....Bluegrass is an odd outfit and its hard to get any info on their products.

The only downside is that the $$$ may be in the same league as the Schatt & Morgan...and the Schatt is a better quality knife.
 
I have a thread going in Gallery "My Barlows"
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=318418

I've picked up my last couple of Barlows off Ebay, as someone else mentioned there are quite a few of them listed there.

I still think that the J. Russell Barlows from the 1998 sets are some of the nicest I've seen. After that the Schatt & Morgan's are very nice knives. The Mayhall I won on Ebay is also very nicely done.

Happy hunting!
 
The Cripple Creek Barlows that were sold by Blackjack with the Effingham stamp would be a good user. They can be had for around 40 bucks or so on Ebay. These knives were made by Queen in the mid-90's. The pictured one is a real 1984 Cripple Creek handmade by Bob Cargill.
Greg
 
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