Barlow vs. Sodbuster

Yes, lets talk about what blade profile is most likely to close on your hand.

Look at this Sheepfoot
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imo it is Least likely to close on your hand when pressing with the tip.. think about that and I think you will understand.. basically, to press the tip straight into a wall for example, the handle butt has to be lower than the tip. This puts pressure on the blade to Open it more, not close it

And Clip Point
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To me, the Clip Point is the Most likely to close on your hand. Think again about pushing the point straight into a wall. The butt of the handle would be horizontal, or possibly slightly Above the tip. This is VERY bad for creating pressure that Closes the blade

what kind of blade profile closed on your hand?
and sorry to hear about your injury..

next you get to buy a fixed blade.. I will vote Puukko, but I also have great respect for the Lockring on the Opinel… hint hint Opinel, Opinel..

Sooner or later you're going to have to try the knife options out in hand for yourself.
I love spending your money, be sure to post pics

Of course by now you have figured out that the Elephant in the Living room, has a big bolster: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elephant_in_the_room
The Barlow IS after all, one of the quintessential Work knives...

medicevans said:
Charlow? Oh heck yeah.
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A Sodbuster with Delrin scales, isn't going to chip or break if dropped, also the lack of bolsters are one less thing to get scratched or nicked, and not to mention cost saving. A Case Sodbuster is a nice knife to not worry about, especially the 3138 in CV. I don't see paying a whole lot for a Sodbuster, but GEC's Bullnose is very appealing.
 
After reading your post # 17, I have to agree with the guys who suggest an Opinel for a work knife (in whatever size fits your hand best). I do things with mine (# 7 & # 9) that I would never do with my micarta 71 or my micarta Queen Country Cousin. And I do things with the both of them that I would never do with my Charlow, but it's not because of the price differences - it's about safety and durability
You will most likely have all three, before all is said and done (you're interested enough in the sodbuster pattern and the Charlow to ask for opinions), but get the Opinel first, if you really need a work knife. They cut like nothing else and are the closest a traditional folding knife can get to being a fixed blade.
 
Okay, well lets see...thanks for that explanation of the blade shapes, that makes a lot of sense why I see so many guys with sheepsfoots.

Maybe irrelevant but i feel like sharing..., the injuries to my hands that have happened a long time ago when i was younger, but I do still have the scars. And, one that was bad was me using the knife the wrong way as a kid, and the other happened from a famous knife company that the lock failed on me and when right through my hand above my thumb. But since then, I do now use knives the right way, but hey, I can really see the clip point closing if you were to happen to use the point without realizing. Maybe Im wrong. I mean, I don't ever have a problem with my SAKs, it just seems like the GEC is such a stout little knife, one might forget while using it for hard work......

I hate to say this, but I am not too in love with the Opinels. And, knowing me and my obsession with knives, that may change sometime in the future, but for now I am really feeling either the Bullnose or the Barlow for my edc lately.
Okay, who am I kidding on this forum? I plan on getting both, like some of you already said, and its more a question of which to try first. but I think from what I gathered I have a better chance of scoring a barlow when the new ones come out soon, so I will be waiting for that. And for now, I will be focusing on the bullnose type knife.

So, now I am trying to decide on a GEC bullnose or a Queen County cousin in D2. And, I am also loving the green micarta, and I like the linen, so Im trying to track one down. But, thanks to that pic above, I didn't even realize that the bullnose and the barlow were such a difference in size. So, again this will be tried for my new edc knife. Right now I am loving my Vic Alox Pioneer, but Im feeling something a little different, but I like the size.

It seems that its also harder to find a GEC in green linen, as most places i am finding that have them are sold out. But, I did see a site or two that have the green linen Queen CC in D2 steel, and I like D2 a lot.

So, before I pull the trigger on this, any other suggestions or opinions? I love getting advice from you guys, and again I can't believe I didn't get into traditional slip joints really before. I have an old Barlow from some crap china company that I got when I was a kid and loved it, still have it, but its crap so I don't carry it, and won't hold an edge for more than a couple days.

Oh well, Im rambling way too much now, I am loving the bullnose knife for a slip joint edc and hopefully the Queen is a good size, but I will see when I get it I suppose.

Thanks for any and all opinions.

dave
 
I was really suprised how solid my Case Sod Busters are. They are built as strong as a non-locking folder needs to be. I really like the the blue color. Since they are so inexpensive I bought a blue regular and a yellow junior.
 
So, as everyone has said, the sodbuster would be *somewhat* stronger and better suited to hard work but....

Mary gave him a bran-new "Barlow" knife worth twelve and a half cents; and the convulsion of delight that swept his system shook him to his foundations. True, the knife would not cut anything, but it was a "sure-enough" Barlow, and there was inconceivable grandeur in that - though where the Western boys ever got the idea that such a weapon could possibly be counterfeited to its injury, is an imposing mystery and will always remain so, perhaps.
- The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

All the stores was along one street. They had white domestic awnings in front, and the country-people hitched their horses to the awning-posts. There was empty dry-goods boxes under the awnings, and loafers roosting on them all day long, whittling them with their Barlow knives; and chawing tobacco, and gaping and yawning and stretching - a mighty ornery lot.

We got an old tin lantern, and a butcher-knife without any handle, and a bran-new Barlow knife worth two bits in any store, and a lot of tallow candles, and a tin candlestick, and a gourd, and a tin cup, and a ratty old bedquilt off the bed, and a reticule with needles and pins and beeswax and buttons and thread and all such truck in it, and a hatchet and some nails, and a fishline as thick as my little finger with some monstrous hooks on it, and a roll of buckskin, and a leather dog-collar, and a horseshoe, and some vials of medicine that didn’t have no label on them; and just as we was leaving I found a tolerable good curry-comb, and Jim he found a ratty old fiddle-bow, and a wooden leg. The straps was broke off of it, but, barring that, it was a good enough leg, though it was too long for me and not long enough for Jim, and we couldn’t find the other one, though we hunted all around.

- Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

Gosh, I love me a Barlow. So (you seem to like 'em too) the thing is are you going purely for function or are other factors like history, appearance, gestalt, etc. going to be considered.

The best suggestion was to get a Case Soddie (cheaper but great) for work and a Barlow for EDC.
 
I will reiterate that Barlows were the original hard use knife.

For example, my grandpa's Kabar.
The man himself, digging it out of his pocket.
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He's 80 now, and left high school to help on the farm after his mother died when he was 13. He was apparently a very hard man when my dad was younger, but time mellowed him like it is wont to do, and he is the best grandpa a guy could ask for.

Point being, pick which one you want the most and carry it. Doubt either one will let you down.

Eta: if someone has a lead on an old kabar like that, shoot me an email.
 
The soddies and their lot are great tools and I'm sure do their job very well, but you won't fall in love with it like a TC Barlow. The TCB is a very strong knife, having a steel frame and long steel bolster, and the wood is very durable if dropped (but not as pretty as bone). Also, you have the option of two sharp blades in a very compact and pocketable carry knife. It will do 99% of any task you need it for and I don't think you'd be disappointed at all. I'd suggest the overlooked "Day's Work Barlow" with it's clip and long spey blades as it is extremely useful and they are still available. There will be a run of spear blade TCB's coming down the pike.

I own many TCB's, but no soddies at all.... Just sayin'.



 
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I've never been a huge fan of single blade folders. Between a sodbuster and a barlow, I'd pick a barlow every time.
 
medicevans said:
I will reiterate that Barlows were the original hard use knife.

For example, my grandpa's Kabar.
The man himself, digging it out of his pocket.
20140125_145547.jpg


20140125_145523.jpg


He's 80 now, and left high school to help on the farm after his mother died when he was 13. He was apparently a very hard man when my dad was younger, but time mellowed him like it is wont to do, and he is the best grandpa a guy could ask for.

Point being, pick which one you want the most and carry it. Doubt either one will let you down.

Eta: if someone has a lead on an old kabar like that, shoot me an email.
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The pics of this man and his knife need to be enshrined in the traditional knives hall of fame. That old man has lived a life most of it in an era that was tougher and far less forgiving that the next couple of generations had to deal with. And from the looks of that old barlow, it's been a companion to him for much of it. Both the man and knife are classic's!:thumbup::thumbup:
 
Oh man guys, now my head is all over the place. So, I have no choice now but to get both. I do like the look and history of the barlow, and do want an EDC knife that I can fall in love with over time. That red bone one above with the spear point is just calling my name. I like the red bone or ebony wood.

And, for a knife that I don't have to "care" about, I think I will pick up the Queen. I do still like this pattern a lot, so hey, why not both? You guys really swayed me with the history lessons on why I NEED a barlow now! and since the bullnose is also nice but a completely different type knife, I will pick it up too.

Unless I find a green micarta GEC bullnose, looks like the Queen is in stock. I love this thread.
 
Barlow eh? Good choice. Of course, there are more choices to be made with Barlow's - you need three to start with, Clip, Sheepfoot, and Spear main's. OH

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Now I'm jealous.....

So, yea, Im definitely feeling the Spear point, Long Pull, Saw cut Red bone, or Ebony handles......probably single blade.

And, for the soddy, Im thinking the GEC green micarta over the Queen if I can find one some time soon.....Hey, I said I was gonna get both.....









Side note, any difference between the GEC and the Queen? If not, i guess I will pull the trigger on a queen to satisfy my needs for now.......thanks again everyone, and those pics are just awesome.

dave
 
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d.weglarz13 said:
Oh man guys, now my head is all over the place. So, I have no choice now but to get both. I do like the look and history of the barlow, and do want an EDC knife that I can fall in love with over time. That red bone one above with the spear point is just calling my name. I like the red bone or ebony wood.

And, for a knife that I don't have to "care" about, I think I will pick up the Queen. I do still like this pattern a lot, so hey, why not both? You guys really swayed me with the history lessons on why I NEED a barlow now! and since the bullnose is also nice but a completely different type knife, I will pick it up too.

Unless I find a green micarta GEC bullnose, looks like the Queen is in stock. I love this thread.
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You've made an excellent choice. You'll not regret it. The Soddie will step up when abusive type jobs are necessary and the Barlow can handle the rest. I absolutely love my TC Barlow. I can count on one hand how many days it hasn't been in my pocket since it arrived at my Mailbox two months ago. The Barlow knife is as "classic" as it gets and examples have been found that date to the early 1600's.

My single spey blade Barlow in African Blackwood (and a 48 Trapper in Cocobolo)
 
jackknife said:
The pics of this man and his knife need to be enshrined in the traditional knives hall of fame. That old man has lived a life most of it in an era that was tougher and far less forgiving that the next couple of generations had to deal with. And from the looks of that old barlow, it's been a companion to him for much of it. Both the man and knife are classic's!:thumbup::thumbup:
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I agree, this is a fascinating example of a Barlow that's sailed around the Horn!

MedicEvans: Would you by chance be able to post more pics of this knife (especially some nice close-ups). How long did he carry it? Is this his "only EDC" since XXXX year? Awesome to see your Grandfather's Barlow!
 
If I understand correct, the queen is a bit smaller than the GEC #71 right?


......still searching for a green micarta GEC.......but open to the queen if I have to if its smaller. Thanks
 
d.weglarz13 said:
any difference between the GEC and the Queen?
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a lanyard hole, and the steel... Case CV or TruSharp (420 HC), GEC O1, Queen D2
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...er-jr-vs-GEC-Bullnose-vs-Queen-Country-Cousin

knarfeng said:
edmundo.gurza said:
Which one would you prefer to carry everyday? and why?

Any information about your preference of the steels (CV, O1, D2) would be very welcomed!
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I have all three. Of the three, the Queen gets the most use.

O1 is lovely steel, but so is the D2.
I carry the Queen because of the pointier blade shape, not because of the steel.

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I'm glad you got both. I think it's a sane way to find out what works best for you. We have different cutting tasks, wear different pants, different hands and different hearts. Knives are personal as shoes. One way to do this like what Old Hunter suggested. Buy one live with it till it croaks. Repeat. But I found that hanging out here made me envious and unsure.

The other approach is to try a bunch of knives side by each and figure out what works best for you based YOUR OWN experience.

Hard work for me means cutting wood with a lot of cutting pressure. I appreciated a larger handle with rounder edges and a stouter joint than a traditional slip joint. The Opinel and Sodbuster are the two closest to this and I carry the Opinel. But, you might not find my shoes comfortable nor my knife to be to you liking.

Good luck with your hunt. You have solid choices and I suspect you'll know fairly soon if you have a strong pref one over the other.
 
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