Canal Street English Barlow

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whetrock

Joined
Nov 13, 2010
Messages
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I've got my eye on this knife, and as soon as funds allow, am hoping to pull the trigger on one. I was curious if anybody here owned this specific model, or one similar to it. I know some will wonder why I didn't plan to obtain a GEC, Charlow, or Sawyer, or a #25 Barlow, but I have several GEC knives and am quite content with my GECs I possess at the moment. I have been pleasantly surprised with the examples of CS, I've seen in person. I've heard a couple of horror stories about their QC, and I've heard positive stuff as well. I've just got a hankering for stainless traditional folders at the moment. I'm very content with the number of carbon slipjoints I have.
 
I've had it in my cart for a couple of months....I too await experienced reviews.
 
I have one in the chestnut handle and on in the sunset bone. Both have excellent F&F. It is a bit shorter than the Charlow and maybe a little heavier. The design includes sunk joints on both blades giving it a nice pocket feel. The engraving on the bolster is a little light for my taste-I prefer Charlie's design on his barlows- with a deep wide stamping on the bolster. Also- no half stop on the CSC. I have not experienced the qc problems referenced by others. Go for it- no such thing as a bad barlow!
 
Variety is the spice of life. I know from my experience GEC, in general is your best bet as far as fit and finish is concerned in the realm of traditional pocket cutlery. I have a little GEC #25, 440C single blade that's really cool, but I wanna try CS out for myself. I think they're trying to improve fit and finish. This pattern is what jumps into my mind when I think barlow. It's just reminiscent, of the kind of Barlows I'm used to.
 
I went for the stag handled CSC Barlow that AG Russell carries, it is a terrific knife! Fit and finish are top notch and it is a really sweet carry. Stag is evenly matched, and I would post a pic except Photobucket is giving me a hard time today.

The stag version is more $, but worth it for me. I've had good luck with my Canal Streets, but they've all been SFO's which could make a difference. They've all been as good as my GEC's.
 
Looks interesting, apart from the engraved bolster. It's just not right to my eye, Barlows need to be stamped such as the Forum Knife 09, the Charlows, GEC, CASE, Böker and Russell. Kind of obligatory to the pattern.
 
I am not sure why CSC chose to use the engraving rather than stamped logo. Does the use of stainless have anything to do with it?
 
The use of Stainless wouldn't have anything to do with it. But I doubt if the knives have Stainless Steel Bolsters?
 
I love my CSC barlow...no issues with it whatsoever. Mine is white linen micarta and I plan to pick one up in the chesnut someday.
 
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I hadn't been watching their product line for a while now but just pinged them about this one.

I really like their stuff and a barlow is always good :-)
 
JustinR, that one looks good to my eye. I'm really surprised at the positive response in regard to this particular model. I figured it wasn't too terribly popular or well received in the wake of all of the other offerings by GEC. Either way this one is sorta similar to the Rough Rider Barlows I've been carrying, but much different than my #25. It'll have place in my rotation, I plan on carrying this one a great deal. I haven't decided on scales, but am showing some preference for the "Reclaimed Chesnut". Pretty plain, but still earthy.
 
All the bolsters at CS are being converted to stainless, I believe it's 18/10 grade. I don't think that steel is malleable enough to cold stamp embellished bolsters out of, at least not with your average presses and fixtures. It's HARD.

Zippofan, I'm partial to the stag as well:

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Eric
 
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I think GEC just dominates conversation and I'm not saying that is a bad thing. I am a huge fan of theirs too but Queen and CSC put out some fine products as well.

I just wish CSC would use long pulls on their knives. I think that the barlow especially would like 30% better with a long pull. I did find that some years ago CSC produced a gunstock jack with a long pull on the main. I stumbled across it on the auction site and luckily won it.

Barlow wise I would go with the Imperial Jade or Reclaimed Chesnut. I'm not impressed with their sunset bone. The chesnut is a site to behold...and cheaper than the other options.
 
I like that sunset bone!! Nice Proto, Eric!!*

*sent from my coffemaker in PEI!
 
Really nice Eric! I like the smooth bone handles too, and had my eye on the chestnut wood handles until I spotted the stag.

This should show up when my PB account rolls over for the month:

cscbarlow.jpg

Cheers,
Griff
 
That sunset looks nice ea42, very deep, and evenly dyed. I'm liking it, but will most likely go with the Chesnut. Still you bring up the point of the steel bolsters, I like that, the brass, and other metals like to show fingerprints, and are hard to polish/maintain.
 
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