My first RUSSELL Barlow!

Markesharp said:
Okay....The tang on your main was stamped square at the factory as was the pen. The tang on the blade is now rounded off due to wear. Oil was the prevention and not the cure and at this stage you can do one of two things IF you want to keep it
1) Carry it , use it, or hold on to it for it's pedigree as Russell Barlows are rare.

2) Send it out for an overhaul. The tangs and springs need to be hammered and profiled, if there is enough material there and the pivot pin needs replacing.

I would opt for #1.
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Thank you so much for you help. I had feared that was the case. I believe your suggestion to carry it as-is will be my choice. A friend who tinkers with knives offered to mess with it but I think I would prefer to keep it unopened if possible. It has lost it's snap but isn't dangerous for carry or use yet. The blades stay closed and stay open unless pushed. I appreciate your advice :) Thank u
 
arizonaranchman said:
These pics have gotten me into a Barlow mood...

This guy just dropped into my pocket :)
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Love it! Is that a "Charlow"?
 
Here are some Keen Kutters that I am working on for myself.

The top one is pre-1940 and it has rounded tangs (factory made). The bottom is circa 1922 with square tangs for the half stop.
Yours should have square tangs. I hope this helps you.
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sandmountainslim said:
Thank you so much for you help. I had feared that was the case. I believe your suggestion to carry it as-is will be my choice. A friend who tinkers with knives offered to mess with it but I think I would prefer to keep it unopened if possible. It has lost it's snap but isn't dangerous for carry or use yet. The blades stay closed and stay open unless pushed. I appreciate your advice :) Thank u
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You are most welcome. If it were mine I would put a .007" shim between the main blade and inside liner and squeeze it with a vise with wood on each side. The pivot pin will then be exposed to peen and file down. This requires no tear down, but you must know how to file only the pin and not the bolster.
 
Been carrying the Russell since sunday and I'm loving it even if the snap is gone. It stays closed in the pocket and open when cutting which is all I can ask for a well used antique.
I have been comparing it to the Schrade 206 that I already owned and you can definately see where the Schrade knife was heavily inspired by the old Russell.
 
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Been carrying the Russell since sunday and I'm loving it even if the snap is gone. It stays closed in the pocket and open when cutting which is all I can ask for a well used antique.
I have been comparing it to the Schrade 206 that I already owned and you can definately see where the Schrade knife was heavily inspired by the old Russell.
 
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Try Breakfree CLP on the joints. Recommended by another forum member. Let it soak into the joints and polish with a nice cotton or microfiber rag. If there is gunk between the spring and liners you can push it out with some feeler gages.
 
Congrats on your Russell barlow - a definite keeper from the days when real knives were being made.
Do any of the old guys on the board remember the "Barlow Bearcats"? Criteria for membership
was that you had to own a genuine Russell barlow - still have two of mine. Of course the "Barlow
Bearcats" were a zillion years ago when dinosaurs still walked among us :-) - that's about my time!
Rich S
 
Rich S said:
Congrats on your Russell barlow - a definite keeper from the days when real knives were being made.
Do any of the old guys on the board remember the "Barlow Bearcats"? Criteria for membership
was that you had to own a genuine Russell barlow - still have two of mine. Of course the "Barlow
Bearcats" were a zillion years ago when dinosaurs still walked among us :-) - that's about my time!
Rich S
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LOL Rich. I guess I am too young but I would like to see a picture of your Russell Barlows.
 
Picked up a German made current production Russell to go with my vintage one.
I believe these are currently built by Boker under license from Russell.

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