Charlow Barlow History

knowtracks · Mar 1, 2015

waynorth said:
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!
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.

Charlie, You sent 1 to me!

I posted it on page 290 of the "What Makes a Good, Traditional Barlow" thread. Post # 5800 if you can believe it!!

That thread just keeps going and going and go......

Dave

Campbellclanman · Mar 1, 2015

Awesome!
I have been waiting for someone to show me a photo of the Twin Bladed Copper-Head Spear Point TC Barlow - has no one got one out there to show what they look like,if you do have one to show - it would be so much appreciated! :thumbup:

pmew · Mar 1, 2015

waynorth said:
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!
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:

Great post Charlie. Thanks for everything.

Sjostygg · Mar 1, 2015

Primble thanks for that! Very cool to see.

Half/Stop · Mar 1, 2015

Campbellclanman said:
Awesome!
I have been waiting for someone to show me a photo of the Twin Bladed Copper-Head Spear Point TC Barlow - has no one got one out there to show what they look like,if you do have one to show - it would be so much appreciated! :thumbup:

Duncan +1 on that request Sir:thumbup: I am really enjoying attending TC101. It is being taught by some of the most renowned professors of the Barlow World.

Primble · Mar 1, 2015

TLARbb said:
I finally have my Barlows.

The top knife is a single blade copperhead bone

I found a picture of this single blade copperhead (57 made) in the "What makes a Good Traditional Barlow" thread.

Duncan and others - this might have to do for a while, until someone steps forward with the elusive and rare 2 bladed version, where only 5 were made.

I recall one being sold at auction about three or four months back. I bid on it, however, could not reel it in.

It may be like trying to call up the dead, since it appears Dave wants to buy one, Duncan wants to see one, and many others of us would like to see (or buy) one.

Charlie - did you keep one?

Luger1952 · Mar 2, 2015

Question regarding the GEC TC PPP 2012 Production. In particular the Ebony/Macassar production. The factory records indicate there were a TOTAL of 77 EBONY spear and spear/pen produced. Further, that there were 57 152112LP (single spear) Ebony Wood and 20 152212LP (spear/pen) Ebony Wood. I assume the 77 were composed of both Macassar and Ebony. I think Charlie is quoted as saying something to the effect on the first page of this thread that the Ebony was sort of an after thought late in production and only a few were made. He further indicated, if I am not mistaken, that the Ebony portion was composed of 21 single spear and 9 spear/pen. So are the 20 spear/pen the factory says were produced composed of 9 in Ebony and 11 in Macassar? And the 57 single spear composed of 21 in Ebony and the balance or 36 in Macassar? Maybe I am trying to "dive to deep" on these production totals but I am trying to understand the rarity of these TC Ebony versus Macassar PPP production totals and the spear versus spear/pen production break down. Any help or insight or direction regarding any of this is much appreciated! THANKS

LastRodeo · Mar 2, 2015

I thought macassar is a type of ebony.

Luger1952 · Mar 2, 2015

LastRodeo,

Yes, Macassar is a species of Ebony. For purposes of this discussion as it relates to this first TC production run I am trying to differentiate between a striped version (Macassar) and a much more dark black variety (Ebony). There was some of both in the 2012 production release I understand.
...

rma100 · Mar 2, 2015

Luger1952 said:
LastRodeo,

Yes, Macassar is a species of Ebony. For purposes of this discussion as it relates to this first TC production run I am trying to differentiate between a striped version (Macassar) and a much more dark black variety (Ebony). There was some of both in the 2012 production release I understand.
...

While I am not a TC Barlow expert, GEC generally has used two different types of "Ebony". Macassar Ebony and Gabon Ebony. Macassar can vary from jet black to a light golden brown color with black specks or striations. Gabon Ebony generally is a dark black sometimes showing a dark brown color in natural light. I have never known GEC to use both types in the same run of knives.

LastRodeo · Mar 2, 2015

Could anyone tell me which type this one is?

rma100 · Mar 2, 2015

LastRodeo said:
Could anyone tell me which type this one is?

I'm guessing that is Macassar Ebony. Just a guess.

Rusty1 · Mar 2, 2015

Luger1952 said:
LastRodeo,

Yes, Macassar is a species of Ebony. For purposes of this discussion as it relates to this first TC production run I am trying to differentiate between a striped version (Macassar) and a much more dark black variety (Ebony). There was some of both in the 2012 production release I understand.
...

Take a look at the post linked below #1282 This was the first time that Gabon Ebony was mentioned which brings it into 2013 unless anyone can find anything different.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1009441-What-Makes-a-Good-Traditional-Barlow/page65

Russell.

rma100 · Mar 2, 2015

And also, generally speaking, GEC marks the Tube Top as "Gabon Ebony". Macassar is generally marked as "Ebony" on the Tube Top. And remember, when talking all things GEC, the only thing that is carved in stone is that nothing is carved in stone!

Luger1952 · Mar 2, 2015

Russell,

Thanks for the reference "What Makes A Great Barlow" post no. 1282. However, please see post no. 252 in same thread dated 12/06/2012. It sounds like to me Charlie is saying that some Gabon Ebony was sourced at the last minute for some PPP models for the tail end production in 2012 for some (just a handful) single spear and spear/pen TCs. These are the ones I am trying to get more info/details to understand and reconcile the production factory records for the 77 produced.

rma100 · Mar 2, 2015

Luger1952 said:
Russell,

Thanks for the reference "What Makes A Great Barlow" post no. 1282. However, please see post no. 252 in same thread dated 12/06/2012. It sounds like to me Charlie is saying that some Gabon Ebony was sourced at the last minute for some PPP models for the tail end production in 2012 for some (just a handful) single spear and spear/pen TCs. These are the ones I am trying to get more info/details to understand and reconcile the production factory records for the 77 produced.

The post you referenced makes no mention of "Gabon" Ebony, only "Ebony".

Primble · Mar 2, 2015

GEC makes no mention of Ebony type in it's production numbers.

I am hearing whispers (from higher authority) that:

ALL 2012 is Macassar Ebony and ALL 2013 is Gabon Ebony, no matter if its listed as Ebony or Black Ebony.

I trust my source.

While it could be possible, I suspect you will not hear anything more definitive.

Hope this is helpful and resolves it.

Luger1952 · Mar 2, 2015

Thanks Primble and Russell! I was trying to see something that wasn't there. So I guess that settles it then. Moving on--Thanks a lot

Campbellclanman · Mar 4, 2015

Primble said:
I found a picture of this single blade copperhead (57 made) in the "What makes a Good Traditional Barlow" thread.

Duncan and others - this might have to do for a while, until someone steps forward with the elusive and rare 2 bladed version, where only 5 were made.

I recall one being sold at auction about three or four months back. I bid on it, however, could not reel it in.

It may be like trying to call up the dead, since it appears Dave wants to buy one, Duncan wants to see one, and many others of us would like to see (or buy) one.

Charlie - did you keep one?

Thank you Primble my friend, and also...thank you for you awakening this Thread, and for your hard work, its good to see this running again, and good to see Dave getting a break and coming in :thumbup:

waynorth · Mar 4, 2015

Primble said:
I found a picture of this single blade copperhead (57 made) in the "What makes a Good Traditional Barlow" thread.

Duncan and others - this might have to do for a while, until someone steps forward with the elusive and rare 2 bladed version, where only 5 were made.

I recall one being sold at auction about three or four months back. I bid on it, however, could not reel it in.

It may be like trying to call up the dead, since it appears Dave wants to buy one, Duncan wants to see one, and many others of us would like to see (or buy) one.

Charlie - did you keep one?

I did not keep one. There was some confusion about the order. I thought more were coming, so I sold all I had. Of course, when no more were produced, I was disappointed.
Wonder if I will ever see one?

But life isn't perfect, or I'd still be young and good-lookin' !