Barlows

K

kniferazor

Joined
Apr 14, 2006
Messages
4
Hello. I'm a newbie to the forum here, but I've been a knife lover for quite a while, and have read every magazine dealing with knives that I could find. I recently went to a knife store with the intentions of finding a nice slipjoint to carry as an edc. I already have have several patterns; trapper, stockman, gunstock, whittler, congress, etc. As I was browsing the selection I happened upon a couple of barlows. I don't have a barlow because every one I've seen has been cheaply made and not a quality product. Both of these were from Case, with one being in a tin with a nice little suede pocket sheath. It was this one I bought. It has a nice solid feel to it and both blades have the "walk and talk" to show great quality. The fit of everything was done very well, and both blades came razor sharp. I am really impressed with this knife and plan on picking up some more from this series of Case knives. I also really like the barlow style and would like to get a few more in different brands. Any suggestions? I would also like to get the large barlow...grandaddy barlow? Any help, info, or suggestions is appreciated.
 
Wlecome to bladeforums!

For brands other than Case, the German made stuff from Boker tends to be very good quality.
 
Welcome! I like your choice of EDC! It's hard to beat a nice slipjoint. I like Case knives, but tend to prefer the older ones, or, Queen/Schatt&Morgan products. You can get a better variety of steels, and more hand fitting for a good price.
 
I've bought a couple Russell Green River Works barlows, and they were both well done. They are made by Boker, and so are probably indistinguishable from the Boker barlows.
 
I bought a beautiful stag handled set of Russell barlows made in the U.S.A, by Schrade I believe. The workmanship is outstanding.
 
I think people are talking about this set.

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I've never carried the Grand Daddy, it's just too big. The smaller one has seen a lot of pocket time.
 
Thats the set and I've never seen one that doesn't have superb stag. The Grand Daddy would need a belt sheath.
 
mrd74 said:
Thats the set and I've never seen one that doesn't have superb stag. The Grand Daddy would need a belt sheath.
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Believe it or not, those were made by Colonial Knife Company.
 
If thats the case it's a shame Colonial doesn't make more knives of this calibre. Does anyone know what kind of steel the blades are made of, mine came with Spyderco sharp edges but I have kept them mint in their presentation case so don't know how good the steel is? I'm not even sure whether they are stainless or carbon steel, but I suspect carbon steel.
 
Colonial also made a user version of the smaller barlow in stainless steel with wood handles in its "Old Cutler" line. It looks like they used the tooling left over from the Russell contract. I have carried one on and off for several years and it is an extremely sharp, robust, yet plain utility knife (which is what the barlow design was really all about). The wooden handles started out pretty rough, but years of pocket carry and linseed oil have caused them to be smooth and shiny. I don't know if they are still being made, but it has long been my favorite of this type.
 
I really don't know who made the Russell 1998 set, but they did a great job on both knives.

Colonial Knife Company has a Barlow in their "Rancher" series but not in their "Old Cutler" line. If they did make the Russell knives and if the quality is the same with the wood handles, that would make a nice little user.

http://www.colonialknifecompany.com/P_rancher.htm
 
I just sent an email to Dexter Russell about this set of barlows for any info they can give about them. I will post whatever reply I get if any in this thread. I have my doubts about Colonial being contracted to make these as their quality seems to be above anything that I've seen come out of Colonials factory.
 
mrd74 said:
I just sent an email to Dexter Russell about this set of barlows for any info they can give about them. I will post whatever reply I get if any in this thread. I have my doubts about Colonial being contracted to make these as their quality seems to be above anything that I've seen come out of Colonials factory.
Click to expand...

Well, I would never have thought so either at first, but I saw a bunch of knives that came out of the Colonial factory and there were a bunch of these barlows, some partially unfinished. I believe that Steve Paolantonio, president of Colonial, may have verified that Colonial made these knives in a thread on the Schrade forum, but I am not sure.

Anyway, several years ago, before they went into bankruptcy, Colonial had a line of knives called "Heritage" I think...they were the basic Colonial patterns (using the Old Cutler tooling) but well made and finished with high polished blades and with handles of various colors of genuine bone, also genuine stag, and mother of pearl...all very nicely done. I saw them at Stoddard's, a knife shop in Boston...and a Colonial employee set up with tables full of them at one of our knife shows (maybe in about 1995 or 96).....so Colonial clearly did have the capacity to produce a higher grade of knife.
 
Here is a page from the Colonial website.....

http://www.colonialknifecompany.com/history.htm

Near the bottom it mentions the Russell Barlow reproductions, among some other quality knives.

I believe that Schrade made the reproductions from 1974, IIRC..... and the ones from 1998 are the ones referenced by the Colonial website. I also think Steve Paolantonio did mention it in the Schrade forum, as well.
I have a couple of the ones released in 1998, and agree that they are very nicely done, with excellent stag, partially sunken pivot joint, and well executed fit and finish.

Bill
 
The one that I use is just like the Rancher that PhilL posted the link to, but mine is etched "Old Cutler" on the blade. Probably changed the name in the past several years, as they did the bankruptcy comeback. Not as pretty as the German imports, or the commemoratives but a solid little user. I wonder what the current Rancher series is like in terms of fit and finish...
 
Welcome to the Barlow brotherhood. I collect Barlows so I understand your attraction to this simple, clean design that's also very strong for its size. I've collected many brands, but don't regularly carry a Barlow because most of 'em are just a tad too heavy for my carrying taste. The lightest I've found, and some of the nicest, are the Queens. If you want real high quality go for the Schatt & Morgan brand made by Queen. Excellent.

The Boker company makes a bunch and they come with carbon steel if you're a fan of that. Other than that just lookin' for what you like will be fun and it's hard to lose with a Barlow, unless you're paying under 5 bucks!!!

Have fun with your search,

LANNY :cool:
 
I just posted a Schrade barlow on the Schrade thread, for anyone interested.
 
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