Era for daddy barlow?

[jackknife]

Hey guys, when exactly did the daddy barlow make it's general appearance? Would it be a historical boo-boo fpr it to be in a 1870's era setting? I'm curious.

Carl.

 

[Modoc ED]

Certainly pre-WWII Carl and I suspect prior to WWI. I've nver researched the pattern to any extent. At 5", it is too big/long for pocket carry - at least for me. You might check LVG IV or even ask in the Bernard Levine's Knife Collecting & Identification forum.

 

[silenthunterstudios]

Great question, maybe Great Eastern can tell us when they make one .

 

[NoNameNomad]

I like this question because it hints at another Tale on the way

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

This is a description of the barlow pattern (in general terms) from the (likely) most prominent Case exclusive online dealer. It suggests the design itself dates to the early 1900's, with Case producing their own version of the Grand Daddy Barlow starting sometime prior to 1940:

The Barlow (009 1/2) is a vintage-era Jack Knife design that dates back to the early 1900's. This pattern is characterized by a single oversized bolster at the pocket end. Most Barlow's will have two blades, varying in their configuration from knife to knife. The Grand Daddy Barlow(43) is a Barlow style Jack Knife that features a single Clip blade and a pocket end bolster. Case began manufacturing this pattern prior to 1940 carrying Sawcut Bone handles, bolsters and liners made of iron, and chrome vanadium blade steel. The bolsters changed to nickel silver in the 1960's, followed by the liner material becoming brass thereafter. Case discontinued this pattern in the early 1980's, then re-introduced the pattern into the standard product line in 2000 featuring stainless steel components.

Don't know how accurate this actually is. I'm seeing other links of historical info that suggest the original smaller Barlow knives came much, much earlier (17th century; by Obadiah Barlow, Sheffield, England). As to the bigger versions, no idea. Might be a good question for BRL's forum.


David

 

[waynorth]

That reference only applies to Case Barlows. There were other Barlows in other brands many years before Case put them in their lineup.
Let's talk to Bernie!!

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

Here's a curious tidbit from a antique/collector's dealer site. Not going to link it, as they're not a BF member dealer. Again, can't speak for total accuracy, but it's intriguing nevertheless:

"RARE SAMUEL BARLOW of NEEPSEND KNIFE 1780-1840

This is an early Daddy Barlow pattern made by the last of the Barlow family. This is the family that invented the original pattern. This knife still snaps great and is?very solid after all these years. I would easily?call it excellent condition.?The smooth bone handles are in great shape, no chips or cracks. Outstanding example of a very rare maker.

Samuel Barlow of Neepsend (sheffield) made knives in the 1700's but was not allowed to use the Barlow name untill the death of John Barlow Jr. in 1780.

Obadiah Barlow invented this pattern in 1667. John Barlow inherited the name in 1710 and John Barlow Jr. in 1745. Samuel Barlow used the name from 1780-1840. Knives by any of these makers are very rare."

David