Custom Barlows

ken erickson said:
Great looking Barlows! when you think Barlow do you think spear or clip, one or two blades?

Ken,

might have to add a Barlow pattern:D
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Great question,

I have always been attracted to the two bladed barlows with a spear blade but when I think vintage I think single clip...

Sunburst
 
Elliott,
"spear-point clip" As in the Tony Bose example?
Sunburst,
I lean towards a spear also.

Also , when I think Barlow I think of the flats on the scales.

Ken

Thanks for the quick response, cool thread!
 
ken erickson said:
Elliott,
"spear-point clip" As in the Tony Bose example?
Sunburst,
I lean towards a spear also.

Also , when I think Barlow I think of the flats on the scales.

Ken

Thanks for the quick response, cool thread!
Click to expand...

Ken, this is the "clip point spear".

orig.jpg


Apologies for the slight diversion in this thread, realizing it's not a "custom" Barlow. Then again, we may be enabling a custom Erickson Barlow in the future so I think it's worth the price paid. :cool:
 
The pattern is #65 from the 1942 Russell catalog. Turns out the archivist actually refers to it as a clip point spear blade though the catalog image just says "clipped blade".
 
Here is one by Mervin Masters. Back when I got this one I asked here of the forums if anyone knew anything about him, T. Bose himself said, “I knew Mervin Masters, he was an old man I used to see at the Louisville show years ago. He always wore bib overall and would walk around the show peddleing these pocket knives he made. He made them out of files and got the bone from Tommy Shouse which is where I was getting it at the time. He died a long time ago but his knives make him live on.”

I don't have a picture handy of the knife open but the blade shape is similar to the Russell that Blues posted.


IMG_1741_2.jpg
 
It almost seems like spear point clip blade would be a contradiction in terms. I would tend to think the Catalog is more accurate description of the blade shown in your picture.

I think I need to spend more time reading the slip-joint terms tread! :)

Thanks for the response!

Ken

Do you know the length of the Mervin masters? Nice looking bone!
 
Thomason said:
It is a smidgen over 4 inches. Why are you still reading this thread, Ken? You should be out in the shop working on your new Barlow pattern. :D
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You're the man, Rob! :p :D :cool:
 
I really like this tread! Hope to see more pictures of great customs here!

I know My pattern drawer will not be complete till a Barlow is sitting in it. Just have run out of steam for the day:yawn:

Ken
 
sunburst said:
Ok,ok send me your address Gig and I'll hand deliver your new barlow to you. Please let me know what's a good time for me to stop by.
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No, no, no. That's not how it works. If you show up at my abode, you'll try some kinda eenie meenie mynie mo stuff. :D Ain't happenin'. Ship it to me. :D
 
Spear point barlows are the classic barlow. There were many more spear points made than clip points. I got this information from Pete Cohan who collected them. He had 5000 at one time. He is my go to guy when I have a question about barlows.
 
Ah it is working. My spell on the gigster is now spreading throughout the land. Send all your knives to him he just sends them to Bastidville (for safe keeping and shingle slicing.) :D.
 
On another serious note.

Thanks Tony! Another beautiful knife that you made for the NKCA means a lot to many of us.
 
Wow, those sure are some great-looking barlows. I just received a couple of production barlows in a trade, and as my introduction to the pattern (sort-of...), they've got me thinking of a custom. :o
 
ken erickson said:
It almost seems like spear point clip blade would be a contradiction in terms.
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I completely agree with this statement.
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By the way, fine looking Barlow's one and all.

Gig you sure do have one helluva fine collection started here.:)
 
I own 5 barlow pattern knives including the first knife my father gave meover 40 years ago but I have always wanted a custom barlow made to my specs. Main blade would be a razor/one hand man style and the second blade would be a spey. Bolsters would be fluted and the scales in ivory micarta. Some light file work on the spine would be nice as well. Maybe I'll find a maker one of these days to make it for me.
 
Tony Bose said:
Spear point barlows are the classic barlow. There were many more spear points made than clip points. I got this information from Pete Cohan who collected them. He had 5000 at one time. He is my go to guy when I have a question about barlows.
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According to Russell's historian, pre-1920 the spear point was the most popular blade, post 1920 the clip point.
 
I like both blades styles, but prefer the pre-1920s version. Maybe it's a reincarnation thang. :D
 
I would love to see Ken do a barlow! Love the Bose and the rest are outstanding also. Thanks everyone:thumbup::thumbup::D
 
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