Case Barlow is back

jmh33 jmh33 I finally got around to touching up the edge. Sharpened nice and easy like with my Work Sharp Precision Adjust.

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I'll have to admit that the Barlow is not the favourite among patterns for me, haven't carried one for ages now.

However, think this new CASE X-Roads interpretation is really clever. It looks like a rugged, hard wearing work-knife -what a Barlow SHOULD be. It won't weigh down your pocket like a cosh ;) Using modern material and techniques has its place: screw construction has been seen since the end of the c19th in more advanced knives, making integral bolsters is a clever and actually very authentic Traditional feature, stamping the bolster and using both lightweight highly durable synthetics speaks for long term durability. I think the knives LOOK attractive too, especially the Woodgrain and Black&Red ones and with doubtless more options on the way in time :)

The steel is the same as on the X-Roads Sodbuster I own and is pleasing, the stonewash looks right and the steel is right for the outdoors with no worries, retains very well and not a problem to sharpen either. On the Sodbuster, the walk&talk is superb and it slices admirably, so hopefully its Barlow cousin is the same.

Would dig a Sheepfoot or Spear version mind.

I'll have to keep a weather eye on the Exchange maybe :)
 
This thing is great. I weighs next to nothing. The action is fantastic. Fit and finish is perfect. Nice blade. I'm a richlite fan for sure.

I'm concerned about this steel because of a #18 with really chippy s35vn. Hopefully that was just a random problem. Its sharp and it looks great.

I know I'm in the minority, but I absolutely love this style pull. Its easy to grab.

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RickHuf said:
This thing is great. I weighs next to nothing. The action is fantastic. Fit and finish is perfect. Nice blade. I'm a richlite fan for sure.

I'm concerned about this steel because of a #18 with really chippy s35vn. Hopefully that was just a random problem. Its sharp and it looks great.

I know I'm in the minority, but I absolutely love this style pull. Its easy to grab.

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Yeah, I really like this knife, too. I've been using mine every day, and so far, no chipping. I haven't heard about any chipping on the Crossroads Sodbusters, so maybe they adjusted the heat treat after the run of 18s.
 
RickHuf said:
This thing is great. I weighs next to nothing. The action is fantastic. Fit and finish is perfect. Nice blade. I'm a richlite fan for sure.

I'm concerned about this steel because of a #18 with really chippy s35vn. Hopefully that was just a random problem. Its sharp and it looks great.

I know I'm in the minority, but I absolutely love this style pull. Its easy to grab.

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Nicely shown example, good finish. I like the Scagel style cut-out opener on single blades, think it suits them and has practical aspects but don't much like it on small bladed multis like the 18 (otherwise an impressive CASE pattern for sure) .
 
I'm struggling to love this knife. I like it. It is a great knife. It should be perfect. Light weight. Good steel. It's a barlow. But the traditionalist in me is fighting it. The nail hole doesn't bother me at all. I'm trying to get the traditionalist in me to say what it has an issue with. But it has said nothing. But I think it might be a number of things. The G10 integrated liners and bolsters is a big part of it I think. And of course the screw construction. But I think a lot of it is the price they are asking for it. I don't think this is a $99.99 knife. I think it should be at the price of the sod buster Jr's. When I can convince myself to carry it we will see how it goes. I did not buy this. Someone gifted it to me. I would not buy one. I'm glad I have it. I appreciate the gift. I just won't be buying one myself unless my thoughts change. Or the pricing does. Or more likely, both need to change.
 
Buck_Fan said:
I'm struggling to love this knife. I like it. It is a great knife. It should be perfect. Light weight. Good steel. It's a barlow. But the traditionalist in me is fighting it. The nail hole doesn't bother me at all. I'm trying to get the traditionalist in me to say what it has an issue with. But it has said nothing. But I think it might be a number of things. The G10 integrated liners and bolsters is a big part of it I think. And of course the screw construction. But I think a lot of it is the price they are asking for it. I don't think this is a $99.99 knife. I think it should be at the price of the sod buster Jr's. When I can convince myself to carry it we will see how it goes. I did not buy this. Someone gifted it to me. I would not buy one. I'm glad I have it. I appreciate the gift. I just won't be buying one myself unless my thoughts change. Or the pricing does. Or more likely, both need to change.
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That’s basically a summary of my thoughts on this new Crossroads line. I haven’t bought one and I don’t plan to at the moment, especially with the $99 price.
 
I’m glad I got a couple before my spending was forced to zero. Great knives and an important part of Case’s future. No one is lining up to be a cutler these days and same goes for assemblers. If they want to stay in business, things have to change.
 
Buck_Fan said:
I'm struggling to love this knife. I like it. It is a great knife. It should be perfect. Light weight. Good steel. It's a barlow. But the traditionalist in me is fighting it. The nail hole doesn't bother me at all. I'm trying to get the traditionalist in me to say what it has an issue with. But it has said nothing. But I think it might be a number of things. The G10 integrated liners and bolsters is a big part of it I think. And of course the screw construction. But I think a lot of it is the price they are asking for it. I don't think this is a $99.99 knife. I think it should be at the price of the sod buster Jr's. When I can convince myself to carry it we will see how it goes. I did not buy this. Someone gifted it to me. I would not buy one. I'm glad I have it. I appreciate the gift. I just won't be buying one myself unless my thoughts change. Or the pricing does. Or more likely, both need to change.
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I completely understand your feelings on this. One of my Dad's hand-me-down Barlows was probably my first knife about 70 years ago, and they're still one of my favorites. I have a bunch of Barlows, some new ones, and some 85-100 years old, and the traditional part of me says that even a few of the 85 year old ones look nicer than this new Case.

I think the whole point of Case's Crossroads line is to take time tested traditional designs, and use modern materials to make a better user. Time will tell if these things hold up, but as far as making a better user, I think the light weight, and great steel hit that mark. As for the $100 price tag....well, it is a bit much, but I've been known to blow a heck of a lot more money than that on more frivolous stuff. Besides, as soon as I saw this Barlow, I had to have it. So it's worth it to me.

I also jumped on the Lionsteel Barlows as soon as they came out, so obviously, I like the concept of using modern materials in traditional designs. Many don't see it that way, and like I said, I completely understand.

Sorry for the long winded....whatever it was, so here's another pic of the knife in question:
Image 2.jpg
 
Ironbut said:
I completely understand your feelings on this. One of my Dad's hand-me-down Barlows was probably my first knife about 70 years ago, and they're still one of my favorites. I have a bunch of Barlows, some new ones, and some 85-100 years old, and the traditional part of me says that even a few of the 85 year old ones look nicer than this new Case.

I think the whole point of Case's Crossroads line is to take time tested traditional designs, and use modern materials to make a better user. Time will tell if these things hold up, but as far as making a better user, I think the light weight, and great steel hit that mark. As for the $100 price tag....well, it is a bit much, but I've been known to blow a heck of a lot more money than that on more frivolous stuff. Besides, as soon as I saw this Barlow, I had to have it. So it's worth it to me.

I also jumped on the Lionsteel Barlows as soon as they came out, so obviously, I like the concept of using modern materials in traditional designs. Many don't see it that way, and like I said, I completely understand.

Sorry for the long winded....whatever it was, so here's another pic of the knife in question:
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I'm a fan of the LionSteel modern traditionals. Whether they are traditional enough or not, they are excellent, well-made knives. Compared to them the Case is bargain priced with the caveat that I've yet to see one of the new Case's in person.
 
Well that near 100 USD price-tag is steep really, and for me with international shipping & 27% import-tax it puts it beyond reasonable reach. Nevertheless, it's a refreshing new take on the Barlow and I think the modern aspects very well integrated.

Glad I started collecting years ago when things were not only a lot cheaper, but frankly easier :thumbsup:
 
Will Power said:
Well that near 100 USD price-tag is steep really, and for me with international shipping & 27% import-tax it puts it beyond reasonable reach. Nevertheless, it's a refreshing new take on the Barlow and I think the modern aspects very well integrated.

Glad I started collecting years ago when things were not only a lot cheaper, but frankly easier :thumbsup:
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Yeah, really!:) For me, I'd call it more like accumulating than collecting. Heck, for years, I got along just fine with a couple traditional pocket knives, a fixed blade & a Buck 110. I carried the same stockman every day for 30 years, and it never occurred to me that I needed more knives until I joined this forum.
 
Its here! Some initial thoughts:
Walk and talk is excellent. Nice firm pull, excellent snap;
Fit and finish is good. All the screws are tight;
Very handsome. I don't regret getting the woodgrain instead of the tan I originally thought of getting;
The Scagel hole makes it pinchable. I like it;
It is light as others have said;
Its a little bit thicker than my other single blade Case barlows.

Nitpicking:
The edges of the handle are sharp. I'd like a tiny bit of chamfering to smooth the transition. The center screws are pretty close to the edge, so I'm leery of trying this myself;
The center screws aren't flush. They're smooth so this really is nitpicking.
I guess I'll keep it :)
 
In my inability to leave anything alone... I have some burnt orange linen micarta that I was thinking about playing around with to make another set of covers. ..

I don't know how these are all put together. If it's glued I won't mess with it, but if it's just the screws I'm all in, lol!
 
RickHuf said:
In my inability to leave anything alone... I have some burnt orange linen micarta that I was thinking about playing around with to make another set of covers. ..

I don't know how these are all put together. If it's glued I won't mess with it, but if it's just the screws I'm all in, lol!
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Check back on Pat’s post, #313.
 
RickHuf said:
In my inability to leave anything alone... I have some burnt orange linen micarta that I was thinking about playing around with to make another set of covers. ..

I don't know how these are all put together. If it's glued I won't mess with it, but if it's just the screws I'm all in, lol!
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That should look nice. Something else I think would be good, is random pattern carbon fiber. Maybe in red or blue.
 
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