Charlow Barlow History

Hope you got some interesting mail to pique your interest, Rob!
Here are some pictures of the gift Barlow as discussed.
TCElephant1_zps4261cfcf.jpg

TCElephant2_zpscc4b140e.jpg

TCElephant3_zps65cbe4c1.jpg

It brings back the warm and fuzzies, having it in my hand!
I don't make a lot of money doing these, but moments like this (cliche alert!) are priceless!:)
 
Charlie..
I can very clearly see why you feel like that with that knife, but I sincerely hope that you know that theres a few knives with your connection that mean just that to me my friend.
 
Great work, Primble! Nice contributions by Jon, Dave and anyone who I have missed!
I am nearly incapable of such clerical feats, and have to admire someone who can do such things.
There is one knife missing from the lot. To celebrate the success of these Barlows, Bill assembled one in 2013 I believe, a Spear with pen behind the main, with Elephant Ivory handles as a gift to me. It is of course my most treasured "Charlow" (there, I said it!*)!:o
:D

Here are some pictures of the gift Barlow as discussed. It brings back the warm and fuzzies, having it in my hand!
I don't make a lot of money doing these, but moments like this (cliche alert!) are priceless!:)

I updated the list to reflect the gifted Elephant Ivory - a very beautiful and a very special TC Barlow, no doubt!!! :thumbup::thumbup::)

The mail is slow because of the bad weather conditions. Still bored. :D

I had three packages scheduled for delivery today. When the mail lady slid in here today, I was the recipient of one bill. :o
 
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Hey Barry, ivory grows out the front of the mouth, not the top of the noggin! :D:D:D:D:rolleyes::thumbup:
 
Good eye Phil, but didn't I have ya goin' just for a little bit? :D

 
More precise information added to the list today, including blade pulls and labels. Hoping I got the order right, as GEC did not provide that and I studied the threads and obtained info from other TC Barlow enthusiasts.

TC Barlows released since order #1 in 2012, taken and organized from GEC production totals for the years 2012-2014:

These are the orders of TC Barlows - special ordered by Charlie Campagna and produced by Great Eastern Cutlery Company.

2012 Complete List:

1st Run (Harness Maker Label), Genuine Barlow etch and PPP etch Spearpoint Blade with Long Pull, the Ebony is striped Macassar:

152112LP
Ebony Wood 57 pcs. no serial numbers
Copperhead Saw Cut Bone 57 pcs. no serial numbers
Antique Amber Saw Cut Bone 51 pcs. no serial numbers
Antique Yellow Saw Cut Bone 20 pcs. no serial numbers

1st Run (Harness Maker Label), Genuine Barlow etch and PPP etch Spearpoint Blade with Long Pull and pen blade:

152212LP
Ebony Wood 20 pcs. no serial numbers
Antique Yellow Saw Cut Bone 39 pcs. no serial numbers
Copperhead Saw Cut Bone 5 pcs. no serial numbers

2013 Complete List:

2nd Run (Apple Cider Vinegar Label) Genuine Barlow etch Spearpoint Blade with Long Pull:

#152113STL Inside Out Saw Cut Bone 14 pcs. no serial numbers
#152113STL Ebony Wood 25 pcs. no serial numbers
#152113STL Rust Red Jig Bone 23 pcs. no serial numbers

2nd Run (Apple Cider Vinegar Label) Genuine Barlow etch Spearpoint Blade with Long Pull and Pen blade:

#152213STL Ebony Wood 32 pcs. no serial numbers
#152213STL Rust Red Jig Bone 31 pcs. no serial numbers
#152213STL Saddle Brown Saw Cut Bone 1 pcs. no serial numbers
#152213 Genuine Pre-ban Elephant Ivory 1 pcs. no serial numbers (A gift to Charlie from Bill for the success of the TC Barlow SFO's)

* The Rust Red, Gabon Ebony, and Charlie's Ivory 152213 models had pile side pens.

2nd Run (Canada Whitewasher Label) Tom's Choice etch Clip Blade with Long Pull:

#151113STL Soup Bone 6 pcs. no #
#151113STL Rust Red Saw Cut Bone 49 pcs. no #
#151113STL Saddle Brown Saw Cut Bone 49 pcs. no #
#151113BE STL Black Ebony Wood 47 pcs. no #
#151113BE STL Antique Amber Saw Cut Bone 55 pcs. no #

2nd Run (Canada Whitewasher Label) Tom's Choice etch Clip Blade with Long Pull and Pen blade:

#151213BE STL Rust Red Saw Cut Bone 28 pcs. no #
#151213BE STL Saddle Brown Saw Cut Bone 28 pcs. no #
#151213BE STL Black Ebony Wood 55 pcs. no #
#151213BE STL Antique Amber Saw Cut Bone 26 pcs. no #
#151213BE STL Ebony Wood 35 pcs. no #

3rd Run (Orchardist Label) Real Sheepfoot Barlow with RamsHead etch and Long Pull:

#153113STL Smooth Ivory Bone 48 pcs. no #
#153113STL Antique Yellow Saw Cut Bone 44 pcs. no #
#153113STL Walnut Wood 45 pcs. no #
#153113STL African Blackwood 36 pcs. no #
#153113STL Saw Cut Soup Bone 25 pcs. no #

3rd Run (Orchardist Label) Real Sheepfoot Barlow with RamsHead etch, Long Pull and Pen blade:

#153213STL Smooth Ivory Bone 47 pcs. no #
#153213STL Antique Yellow Saw Cut Bone 48 pcs. no #
#153213STL Walnut Wood 52 pcs. no #
#153213STL African Blackwood 49 pcs. no #

4th Run (Speying and Chicken Feed Label) Days Work etch Spey Blade with Crescent Nick:

#154113STL African Blackwood 48 pcs. no serial numbers
#154113STL Smooth Yellow Bone 47 pcs. no serial numbers
#154113STL Saw Cut Saddle Brown Bone 49 pcs. no serial numbers
#154113STL Soup Bone 17 pcs. no serial numbers

4th Run (Speying and Chicken Feed Label) Days Work etch Spey Blade and Clip Blade with Crescent Nicks:

#151213STL Smooth Yellow Bone 50 pcs. no serial numbers
#151213STL African Blackwood 48 pcs. no serial numbers
#151213STL Soup Bone 7 pcs. no serial numbers
#151213STL Saw Cut Saddle Brown Bone 46 pcs. no serial numbers

4th Run Tom's Choice Clips with Crescent Nicks:

#151113STL Inside Out Saw Cut Bone 10 pcs. no # (Canada Whitewasher Label)
#151113STL Che Chen Rosewood 30 pcs. no # (Apple Cider Vinegar Label with Reversed Positions)
#154113STL Smooth Yellow Bone 50 pcs. no #(Canada Whitewasher Label)

2014 Complete List:

(Recycling Label) Genuine Barlow Etch Spear Blade with Crescent Nicks:

#152114 Blood Red Jig Bone 38 pcs. no #
#152114 Chestnut Jig Bone 38 pcs. no #
#152114 Gabon Ebony Wood 80 pcs. no #
#152114 American Walnut Wood 40 pcs. no #
#152114 3rd Cut Stag 18 pcs. no #

(Recycling Label) Genuine Barlow Etch Spear Blade with Crescent Nicks and pen blades:

#152214 Blood Red Jig Bone 40 pcs. no #
#152214 Chestnut Jig Bone 39 pcs. no #
#152214 Gabon Ebony Wood 20 pcs. no #

Stew's Blade etched Razor Blade with long pull and (Charlie's Hooks & Bait Label):

#15A114STL African Blackwood 34 pcs. no #
#15A114STL Rust Red Saw Cut Bone 34 pcs. no #
#15A114STL Chestnut Saw Cut Bone 34 pcs. no #

#15A114STL Oil Sucker Rod Wood 30 pcs. Serialized ( Made for GEC Event and not a Special order )
#15A114STL Oil Sucker Rod Wood 3 pcs. Non-serialized ( Made for GEC Event and not a Special order )

Stew's Blade etched Razor Blade with long pull and pen blade (Charlie's Hooks & Bait Label):

#15A214STL African Blackwood 20 pcs. no #
#15A214STL Chestnut Saw Cut Bone 17 pcs. no #
#15A214STL Rust Red Saw Cut Bone 17 pcs. no #

(Drake Oil Label) Tom's Choice II Etch Clip Blade with Crescent Nicks:

#151114STL 3rd Cut Stag 20 pcs. no #
#151114STL Walnut Wood 42 pcs. no #
#151114STL Rust Red Jig Bone 40 pcs. no #

(Drake Oil Label) Tom's Choice II Etch Clip Blade with Crescent Nicks and pen blade:

#151214STL 3rd Cut Stag 22 pcs. no #
#151214STL Rust Red Jig Bone 48 pcs. no #
#151214STL Walnut Wood 40 pcs. no #
#151214STL Dead Skunk Acrylic 7 pcs. no # (Skunk added to Drake Oil Label)


Anniversary Edition (Charlie's Soup Label with Red Sneakers):

#151114STL Red Soup Bone 155 pcs. no #
(Long pull clip blade)

#151114STL Brazilian Rosewood 11 pcs. no #
(Long pull clip blade)

#153114STL Brazilian Rosewood 6 pcs. no #
(Long pull sheep foot blade)

#152114STL Brazilian Rosewood 7 pcs. no #
(Spear blade with Crescent nail nick)

*Total TC Barlows produced to date is 2,450.

* Thanks to Jon Slider and Knowtracks for helping with the order and Nail nicks, etc.

I have checked and re-checked all of the totals many times, however, if anyone sees any errors, feel free to let me know and I will try to make any needed corrections. ;)

STL = steel frame BE = bare end
 
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...
2nd Run (Canada Whitewasher Label) Tom's Choice etch Clip Blade with Long Pull and Pen blade:

#151213BE STL Rust Red Jig Bone 28 pcs. no #
#151213BE STL Saddle Brown Saw Cut Bone 28 pcs. no #
#151213BE STL Black Ebony Wood 55 pcs. no #
#151213BE STL Antique Amber Saw Cut Bone 26 pcs. no #
#151213BE STL Ebony Wood 35 pcs. no #
Should that be Saw Cut Bone?

What do the letters behind the numbers mean? STL, BE, etc.
 
Should that be Saw Cut Bone?

What do the letters behind the numbers mean? STL, BE, etc.

Good catch Fred - they were saw-cut, I am pretty certain. We both have one to prove it too !!! :D

Some of the Rust Red saw cut bone were mis-labeled as jig bone. STL = steel frame BE = bare end

Thanks for the info Barry - I will put the codes at the bottom. ;):thumbup:

I sure wish Jon would get back here and boot me out of his thread! No such luck, as I imagine him surfing across those Pacific Blue waves while we are all snowed in! :grumpy::D
 
Have ALL the walnut wooden handles on the TCs been made from the original piece of walnut Charlie inherited from his father? THANKS
 
Have ALL the walnut wooden handles on the TCs been made from the original piece of walnut Charlie inherited from his father? THANKS

Yes! They have come from the same piece of wood - a rifle blank. Bill told me they have a bit more left. He's going to let me know how many knives it will cover.
 
Rob, there were three more Barlows we haven't accounted for!
Sorry to dredge this memory up so long after your tally.
When Bill made the Rendevous version, he asked my permission to use the TC Barlow. He made 30 serial numbered knives, AND he made 3 extras, which were not numbered!:eek:
I'm not sure where they ended up. If someone has one, maybe they can post a pic. I had one or two of them, but they have since moved on.
 
I'm glad y'all are keeping track of this. It makes my brain hurt to try to remember it all. Maybe a book with photos would be a good idea.

Charlie, when you ordered the first run of Barlows, did you ever imagine you were starting a project that would run into thousands of knives?!?! What were you thinking when you started it? A few hundred knives for friends and collectors? Or a traditional knife craze that would be international, intergenerational, and introduce hundreds of people to traditional knife collecting?!?!

Not to mention the threads on this forum. In the interest of Charlow Barlow History, what was your original plan? I know it wasn't Dead Skunk acrylic!;)
 
Well, I had produced a few runs of Harness Jacks, but they were one model/one time runs. It was a joy to revive those fine old patterns though!
In 2012, I was planning on retiring soon, which I eventually did last September.
Retirement would let me make more complex orders, but what to make?? When I started thinking about Barlows, my synapses went through an electrical storm!!
I have always loved the pattern, and had collected a few hundred of them. I figured I might get through the 5 main traditional Barlow blades - Spear, Clip, Sheepfoot, Spey and One-Armed. I never dreamed there would be thousands of them!:eek:
As you know, we are on our second time through the blades! I'm pretty sure we will go through them a third time in the coming year or three!
All the details that made Barlows popular for hundreds of years still hold today. Compact, sturdy knives; just a little bold decoration on the bolster. No pretensions! What's not to like??
:)
I owe it all to Bill of course. He loves making authentic traditional patterns! It is not just a business for him; his heart and soul are in it big time!!:thumbup:
 
Thanks Charlie! I just got a clip TC in Walnut and wondered if it was part of that piece of Walnut you got from your Father. Good to know
 
Rob, there were three more Barlows we haven't accounted for!
Sorry to dredge this memory up so long after your tally.
When Bill made the Rendevous version, he asked my permission to use the TC Barlow. He made 30 serial numbered knives, AND he made 3 extras, which were not numbered!:eek:
I'm not sure where they ended up. If someone has one, maybe they can post a pic. I had one or two of them, but they have since moved on.

Not a problem at all Charlie - corrections made. ;):)

When I started thinking about Barlows, my synapses went through an electrical storm!!

I have always loved the pattern, and had collected a few hundred of them.

As you know, we are on our second time through the blades! I'm pretty sure we will go through them a third time in the coming year or three!

Charlie - I have liked the Barlow for many years and fondly remember their popularity in the days of my boyhood. My Uncle Joe always had one on him.

BUT - I never loved them near as much as I do now, after all of the TC variations, reading almost all of the Barlow threads here, and meeting some of the great people that I have come to know thru the forums here.

You made a Barlow fanatic out of me. :o:)

It is encouraging to hear that there shall be many more. :thumbup::)
 
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