Looking for Barlow Suggestions

C

cluckey

Joined
Sep 30, 2007
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39
Hello all,

I believe this is my first post in the traditional area, though I've long enjoyed the slippie porn (that sounds especially dirty) that abounds here. I very much love the few slipjoints I have, mostly SAKs and a case medium stockman, but I have recently fallen in love with the idea of a barlow. What I am looking for is this, a well built barlow with a clip point primary blade and stag or dark colored jigged bone handles (actually now that I think of it brown micarta could also be cool) and a lanyard hole. A swedge would be a real bonus. As for steel, I suppose something carbon is the traditional choice, but I'm not too particular as long as I don't have too bad of a time sharpening it. It will be a user. In terms of size, 3 1/2" - 3 3/4" closed would be ideal.

By the way, I'm poor and cannot afford a custom. Does a production knife fitting this discription even exist? In any case there is a barlow of some discription in my future, I can see it. And for the fun of it, post some of your favorite barlows and maybe my tastes will change.

Thanks all,

Bradd.

P.S. If my discription of my fantasy knife is a little hazy I'm sorry. I've been through the terminology thread and realize that describing a slipjoint is like ordering coffee at starbucks (grande half caff double dirty soy chai please) . I appologize and am happy to elaborate where I have been insufficiently descriptive.
 
I've got a Case Barlow spear point and it's all you could want in a Barlow in my opinion, but it doesn't have some of the things you seek. I doubt you'd find anything better though unless it's a custom.

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Boker Tree Brand is pretty nice for the price, which is easy on the wallet. They have a couple of Barlows, I think.
 
I agree with jacknife above, look around and you can usually pick up a case for a good price. great knife.
 
I have had great success with my Boker purchases. One of my favorites knives is the faux tortoise shell Barlow from them. Carbon blades in a classic package. I like Cases also but I don't have one of their Barlows. If they make a yellow handle, CV Barlow, I'd get on in a heartbeat. Anyway, Barlows can be hard to find. I see Russell Barlows for sale at auction, I see a nice one with stag but a spear main blade. I've heard that Boker makes these - I do not know for sure. I may have to try one out. I have been burned by one of the former great German knife brands, Eye Brand. I will never buy from them again. Awesome blade, horrible fit and finish especially on a $50 knife - totally unacceptable.
 
I have a Russell Barlow and it is a favorite although I think it will be gifted to my Dad on Father's Day as the first knife he ever gave me was a Barlow. The Russell's are spear point but the fit and finish is great and the stag is very nice on mine. Also the Russell's use carbon steal which is a big plus for me...and can be found for around $30.

russellbarlowsmall.jpg


I would also add that you should not discount the cheapie "$10 buck" knives either, I own a couple of the Rough Rider and they are very nice as well. Up higher in the price range you can find the Bear and Sons as well as the Case for around $60. You can also go up to the Robeson which is about the last price step before custom.
 
Case also makes a "tested red bone" Barlow in 154n cm. The scales, obviously, are red though. It's really a good looking knife though, and worth taking a look at. It goes for arround $100.00.
 
I'd been looking at the Bokers, and the Russels, I'm worried A case would be too 'fancy' for me to feel good using (although a yellow handled cv barlow would be a must have for me) After looking around a bit too, I found that tourtise shell one mentioned above and loved how it looked. One of the reasons I hesitated on the Boker was that it seemed too inexpensive. As long as their fit and finish is good though they look very close to what I am looking for. And I may be able to get more than one when the time comes to purchase.

What are your experiences with the Boker and the Russel brands?

Thank you all for the replies,
Bradd
 
Ive only had one Barlow , a Case. It was a good rope cutter.
 
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cluckey said:
One of the reasons I hesitated on the Boker was that it seemed too inexpensive. As long as their fit and finish is good though they look very close to what I am looking for. And I may be able to get more than one when the time comes to purchase.

What are your experiences with the Boker and the Russel brands?

Thank you all for the replies,
Bradd
Click to expand...

The Bokers (and Boker made Russell's) are very well made for not much money.

Good carbon steel, excellent fit and finish, good blade geometry with a sharp edge out of the box.

I just sent one recently to Texas. Perhaps its new owner will chime in with his take.
 
Thanks Blues, (and everyone else) for what its worth, the saddlehorn in your avatar makes me want to cry. In a good way.

Bradd.
 
cluckey said:
Thanks Blues, (and everyone else) for what its worth, the saddlehorn in your avatar makes me want to cry. In a good way.

Bradd.
Click to expand...

Bradd, I'm sure Kerry appreciates your kind words. :thumbup:

The pattern is called "Lanny's Clip", which was created by Tony Bose. It's not really a saddlehorn but there is a bit of a similarity. It's more of an offshoot of a "curved regular jack" or "clasp knife". (But whatever it is, it's a heck of a nice pattern and I thank you again for the kind words. :cool:)
 
I am a new owner of one of the Russell Barlows that found its way to Texas from Blues and figured I would chime in. ;) I was so taken with the bone Russell I received that I immediately bought another in stag, like the one Absintheur posted except mine is the clip point. The bone has the saw cut look to it with a hint of green, very nicely done. My guess is the that the stag is European stag as opposed to the India Sambar but that is fine. The fit and finish was first rate on both the bone and stag varieties.

I didn't know for sure until I read this thread but I guessed correctly that Russells were made by Boker. I own one of the AG Russell Barlows, knew it was made for AG by Boker, and the two seemed very similar. (in case anyone is confused, the Russell Barlows are made by Boker using the name of the old John Russell cutlery company. The AG Russell Barlows are made by Boker for AG. Two different Russells, same pattern and maker, understand?:D)

cluckey, there is no swedge or thong hole but I think you would be pleased with these Boker made Barlows.
A quick shot of new Barlows.
 
Nice image, Rob. That stag version will make a nice companion to the bone handled spearpoint.
 
Cluckey,

try Ebay...

I purchased a Western Barlow, that meets all of your criteria (with the exception of the lanyard hole) for just about $15 (almost $20 with shipping)
 
Uh oh, Those Russels look great Thomason, It looks like I'll need multiple barlows. This knife thing will never end will it? Blues, sorry for miscalling your clasp knife... more evidence its like starbucks.

again, thanks all, and I'm always open to new opinions, so keep them coming.

Cheers,
Bradd.
 
cluckey said:
Blues, sorry for miscalling your clasp knife... more evidence its like starbucks.
Click to expand...

Not a thing to be sorry for. You need a scorecard to get half of 'em right.

I don't know what I'd do without Levine's Guide (4th edition). :thumbup:
 
Some of the earlier Bulldog brand barlows are as nice as they come with great steel and price to boot.

Sunburst
 
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