Decent Barlow

T

thesouthernguitarist

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Aug 19, 2010
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320
For some reason, I have been wanting a Barlow knife lately. I guess because they have so much history behind them. But when I started looking for them, I couldn't find any decent USA manufacturers who are producing them. I sent Case an email, asking them why don't they make many Barlows, and that many people would enjoy it if they began to make standard production Barlows. Anway, should I just buy a old Barlow of an auction site, buy a chinese RR, or is there a company that i've overlooked? Excluding GEC, they make great knives, but there products are a little steep for me.
 
Schatt & Morgan has some, but they are pretty much in the same price range as GEC.

GEC does make some for Bulldog that you can get in the $60 range.
 
try to get a sawcut handled or EDC gec, you can stay in the 60ish range
edc's can go low as 50-55 too and work well

I have this one I managed to get for like around the 60 range, really well made and sturdy, not a "small" knife even if it's exactly 3" and the price is right IMO, not expensive for what you get

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You may still find Queen's small Dan Burke Barlow's. However they're bit more expensive these days... Its my avatar knife :D
 
Case does make a granddaddy barlow - pattern 6143 SS; and a single blade standard barlow with nice stag - 51009 1/2 SS. Neither of these is on the cheap end though.
 
I've spent some time on that big auction site lusting over Boker's carbon steel barlows. Be sure you're getting a German-made Boker, not something from China or Argentina. They run less than $40. Good stuff.

-- Mark
 
I don't know if you're looking for a solid knife to use or something fancier. If its the first you want, I don't see why a Utica wouldn't fit the bill. They are U.S.A. made, have carbon blades, jigged bone handles, and despite a comment I've read on another site complaining of the springs not being strong enough, I found they're plenty strong as long as you are using the knife right and not as an awl. Good luck whatever you decide.
 
Good friend just got a Stag handled GEC Barlow that he loves. I highly recommend their knives.
 
I would definitely recommend a Boker or a Russell that was made by them. I've thought about picking up one of the new Utica Kutmaster knives but haven't gotten around to it yet. There haven't been many reviews about them that I recall. This review is the only one I remember seeing here. There was also a recent thread where someone said they bought one, so hopefully we will get some more info in the near future.

If you do decide to buy a Utica, be sure to let us know what you think of it.
 
I can't recommend a Boker 493 enough. Mine is the top one, my Papaw's the other. He gave it to me 30 or so years ago. I've seen them on an auction site.

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there s a big auction where you might get a USA Schrade barlow.
cheers
 
I've handled several of the new Uticas/Kutmasters and I feel they are excellent knives for the price not quite the quality of a Case or GEC but pretty decent also for a bit more you could splurge on a GEC #25.
 
the only barlow i own is one from gec. it's a bit small(3"), but the stag scales make the knife comfy with the extra thickness. for it's size it has some nice heft and built like a tank. but other than that i would recommend a boker tree brand barlow, since it has good carbon steel blades and they're usually at a good price.
 
I've got a couple of Bokers that I really like, a 492 and a 493. Both fine Barlows for the money. I also have, thanks to Jason Baker, a 2009 forum Barlow that is just a magnificant knife. Case has some pretty nice ones as well. The Barlow pattern is still made by several companies and for good reason; it's a great size for the pocket with enough blade to do most any job. - Ed J
 
I have a Rough Rider barlow and it's awesome.
F&f is perfect, no gaps anywhere. Walk and talk is great, backsprings are level in open and closed positions, I can't find a flaw anywhere on the knife, and it takes and holds a wicked edge.

I say buy the RR, and if you like the pattern throw down the extra cash for a more spendy one.
The worst that can happen is that you waste $10 in the extremely unlikely even that you don't like the barlow pattern.
 
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