Charlow Barlow History

[jon_slider]

Here is an original true prototype model 152112

The first one finished, Bill sent it to confirm details. On subsequent batches of Bone, the sawcut is slightly deeper. I think the first "copperheads" were the only ones (like this one) with the more shallow sawcut.

A real, no BS prototype!!

Here is a 152212 posted on 4/20/14

Some info on tang stamps and etches
the first run of Charlows were all Spear point blades, and were made in 2012. Their primary blade pile side tang stamp is 152X12, where 15 is the model, 2 is the spear blade code, X will be the number of blades, and 12 is the year of production.

On single blades, on the pile side tang above the numbers is stamped GEC TIW (Titusville Iron Works). On 2 blade models the GEC TIW is absent on the Primary blade, and appears instead on the pen blade as Great Eastern Cutlery TIW. All 2012 spears are etched PPP on the pile side primary, there are no PPP etches after 2012.

See the above photos from sitflyer for the TIW stamp on the pen blade of his two blade 152212 model. I believe only 9 two blade Ebony handled models were made that year. And see waynorth's photo above for the location of the TIW stamp on the primary blade pile side of a single blade 152112.

Next I would like to mention the Walnut covers, sourced from a 1950's gunstock Charlie inherited from his father. I believe it was first used on the Sheepfoot model. I don't recall walnut being used on the 2014 spey series nor the clip blade series that have crescent nicks, please correct me if mistaken.

The Walnut reappeared on the 2014 Spear blades with crescent nicks. Also, Ebony was absent on the spey series, African Blackwood was used instead. In the Spear series that followed, Gabon ebony reappears, and blackwood is absent.

I believe jigged bone makes its first appearance on a Charlow in the 2014 crescent nicked spear series. imo, it is one of the most beautiful bone treatments to date. Also unique to this series is the appearance of third cut stag, sometimes referred to as marrow stag.

This is African Blackwood

Some jig bone and some Walnuts a 152114 and a 153113

Here is one of the limited run of I believe only 19 marrow stag spears, all single blades

4/25/14 This is a 2013 Walnut Sheepfoot stamped 153113

model 152214

 

[arizonaranchman]

Great info/history on the Charlow you've done here, thanks Jonathan. The variations over time and different combinations of covers, blades and configurations... What's next is always the question!

 

[jon_slider]

Im looking for a link to where Charlie mentions how many 3rd cut marrow stag knifes were produced. If anyone can find it, please share.

Here is a bit more about them.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...-What-Makes-a-Good-Traditional-Barlow/page201

Oh yeah, pictures!
Third Cut Stag. Possibly the first actual reference to it on a production knife.
The actual material has poked its head up in past years, which is where I got the idea. A knife I have from over a century ago, and a middle-aged Boker Barlow that Jon_Slider has shared with us.
Bill at Great Eastern at first refused outright, "Probably be too ugly" he said!
"I might do it for $500 per knife!! I have to think of my reputation!!"
But being a frugal fellow, he kept his off-cuts in a box in a dusty corner of the factory, so when I asked to see them, he obliged. When I got excited, he was taken aback! "I'll make a few", he said. I mentally fist-pumped around the room!! O.K. I said calmly. Ahem. . . excuse me a second . . . . . ..Bargargalowwww!!!

Where was I?? Oh yeah, pics - here they are;

Not what you think of as Stag. What do you think? - tell me!!

 

[philllll]

Jon, in the Oregon knife show thread, jkulysses mentions that Charlie told him there were only 18 made.

My dad also got a couple great ones and I have to say I'm very jealous of the Charlow he picked up! My dad not only is new to Charlies knives but these are also his first GEC knives in general and he is already hooked and talking about wanting more. I somehow managed to not get any pictures of his blood red bone harness jack he bought today but I did get some pictures of the 3rd cut stag he picked up. The funny thing is Charlie actually thought this particular knife was ugly but my dad and me both thought it was the best looking one he had! It looks even better in person but here are a few pictures of it. I believe Charlie said there were only 18 of these made. Not bad for my dads first ever TC Barlow!

 

[paulhilborn]

I see the one I was so fortunate to receive second down from the top prior to the blade being etched:thumbup:

Jon and I just conversed via email as I was curious to the total numbers out there. I vaguely remember a limited run but could not recall the total

I do believe you received the first released into the wild didn't you Philllll?

Paul

 

[philllll]

I sure did, Paul. Charlie wrote it on the tube, so it must be true!

 

[jon_slider]

Jon, in the Oregon knife show thread, jkulysses mentions that Charlie told him there were only 18 made.

Thanks! For future reference here is the link to that post http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1171019-Oregon-Knife-Show!!?p=13418895#post13418895

While talking about low production runs, here are some additional quantities, anyone feel free to correct me if mistaken.
First run 2012 Macassar Ebony 2 blade Spears, 9 produced. Macassar Ebony Single Spears, 21 produced.

Second run 2013 Gabon Ebony 2 blade Spears with pile side pen, about 50 produced, also 50 for redbone 2 blade spears with pen behind. These are currently in my custody:

2013 Gabon Ebony Single Spears, 9 produced. Here is mine, the first barlow I ever owned. Im late to the party, but catching up

 

[philllll]

Haven't seen Jon around for awhile so I thought I'd pick up on this thread...

The newest run of Charlows, "Stew's Blade":

Stew loved to fish! He retired on the Moira river, with a dock out at the end of his back yard. He was often out before most people were up in the morning!

Here's the man himself, self-effacing, but a force to be reckoned with!

OK, trumpet fanfare please!! I finally get to announce the coming of the fifth and final knife in the premier long-pull series!! We have had the Spear, Clip, Sheepfoot and Spey.

Hopefully, these will make Good, Traditional Barlows!!
They will have deeply Sawcut bone handles, for one handed grip, and a hooked blade for one handed opening!!

This run will be dedicated to my Father-in-Law (RIP), who gave up an arm, among other parts of his health, in WWII, so we and much of the world could grow up relatively free,
and who produced a wonderful woman for me to spend my life with!!

 

[philllll]

And another run of the good ol' Tom's Choice:

Speaking of the other story, I could see Bill shaking his head, over the telephone, when I asked for these changes to the Tom's Choice label! Then a sort of resigned, "well, we'll see what we can do . . . ."

I don't know - - maybe the shoes clashed with Bill's bowtie?!?!




They did good though!

There is a celebration of the Drake oil well, the world's first successful commercial well, in August, hence the bucket!!

I meant to post the Back Label for Tom's Choice II sooner, but here it is:

I used to write these "rants" as I call them, at the last minute, because an incipient deadline frees my persistent writer's block. But since Sarah (Pertinux) has helped me with some editing, I no longer fear Foot-in-Mouth disease as much, so GEC is no longer sticking them on on the way to the post office!!
Thanks Sarah!!:thumbup:

 

[philllll]

Primble took an excellent picture (as always) of his new Charlows:

the new stablemates:

Barry took a great one, too:

 

[philllll]

Lots of great Third Cuts this time around:

 

[philllll]

And Charlie breaks out about half of his stash to show off!

Here's about half of them, Primble. I will do something better in the future, when I have more time. I have to keep one of every variation for reference.
There have been a couple of odd ones that have gotten away!
Like one with different scales on each side!

Same group a little closer up:

 

[philllll]

And a surprise limited run, with oil sucker rod wood covers!

From GEC:

This years Annual Rendezvous Knife! These are TC Barlows handled in genuine Oil Well Sucker Rod from the Oil Creek Valley, "The Valley that Changed the World."

Only 30 of these have been made and will be available for purchase at the rendezvous, limited to 1 per person with only 10 being sold each day.

 

[philllll]

JustinR's elusive Beerlow:

 

[philllll]

A little Barlow wisdom from Charlie on 7/19/2014:

A little history helps to understand the call of the Barlow. Although they originated in England, they are deeply embedded in Americana.
For generations, young boys growing into men coveted these strongly-built simple tools. They are mentioned in several stories and songs that cover early America. The long bolster stiffened the joint, and also gave a place for a signature, without having to add a shield, and the subsequent bragging rights that came with owning a genuine Russell, or Case . . . .or today, a TC!!
If you don't like apple pie, you may not like Barlows!!
You better like your Mom either way!!


It should be noted that the Barlow has an intrinsic attraction that is not restricted to Americana. These attractions are mentioned in posts prior to this one. Ask the people in Turkey, Singapore, New Zealand, Germany, Sweden, Israel, Argentina - - the list goes on!!

Perhaps it cannot be fully explained. The entire world is divided into two classes, those who love Barlows, and those who don't!!
The same goes for Cilantro - yuckkk!

 

[Primble]

And Charlie breaks out about half of his stash to show off!

He just had to be nudged a bit Philllll. I guess it not really showing off if someone asks you to show and tell. Now I wish he would just show us the other half!

Thanks for adding to the thread. I spoke with Jon the other day and he pointed me to this thread, which I had not seen. He seems to be doing well and maybe he is just taking a short break from the forums. I bought an old Barlow (not a Charlow) from him and am looking forward to seeing it.

I read the whole thread, from the beginning page to the end, tonight. Very interesting reading. I would give a pretty penny if I had known about the Charlows sooner and made it to the beginning of the party. My wallet probably thanks me that I did not.

Hope everyone had a great weekend,
Primble

P.S. - I felt honored to see one of my photos and some of my own Charlows pictured in the Charlow Barlow History Book!!!

 

[philllll]

Thanks for the response, Primble. I just heard from Jon as well, he says he is just lurking right now.

I agree about being late to the party. There are so many awesome variations that I missed out on! I'm working on finding as many as I can, though! (If only I could find a way to get one of them Oil Suckers!!! :grumpy

Charlie's Barlow is my favorite traditional knife, hands down. It seems that every run is special in its own way and you can tell he puts a lot of thought into each one.

 

[Primble]

Charlie's Barlow is my favorite traditional knife, hands down. It seems that every run is special in its own way and you can tell he puts a lot of thought into each one.

Agreed - my favorite too! :thumbup:

 

[philllll]

How could you not love them?????

 

[philllll]

More history!

Here are the cover options that were offered with this run:

Stew's Blade
Rust Red Sawcut Bone
Chestnut Sawcut Bone
African Blackwood


Tom's Choice II
Rust Red Jigged Bone
Walnut Wood
3rd Cut Stag


Really difficult choices... I got one of each!