Need some help

gonebad395

gonebad395

Ironworker!
Joined
May 19, 2015
Messages
3,218
Well guys I have a knife that belonged to my grandfather out to get rescaled and I don't know what way to go with it. So I'm here on the porch asking for a bit of help it's a Barlow and I'd like it to be one I can pass down to my son and him to his son. I would like it to be a show stopper so guys help me out will ya I need to find a stunning material for the scales and pins. So please just post some pictures of scales and what type they are to help me get a idea of the way I want to go it would help me decide I'm open to all kinds so let's see them.
 
If it were me and my grandfathers knife unless the covers were totally trashed, I would leave it as is and pass it down in the family showing the years of usage. For me it has more meaning in its current state. If I wanted to pass down a knife that was a stunning show stopper, I'd go with a brand new custom.
Now that said, if the covers are trashed and really need replacing, I would consider replacing them with something as close to original as possible.
That's just my opinion though. ;)
 
BigBiscuit said:
If it were me and my grandfathers knife unless the covers were totally trashed, I would leave it as is and pass it down in the family showing the years of usage. For me it has more meaning in its current state. If I wanted to pass down a knife that was a stunning show stopper, I'd go with a brand new custom.
Now that said, if the covers are trashed and really need replacing, I would consider replacing them with something as close to original as possible.
That's just my opinion though. ;)
Click to expand...

I like Bob's reply ^^ I'd keep it original if possible.

gonebad395 said:
Well guys I have a knife that belonged to my grandfather out to get rescaled and I don't know what way to go with it. So I'm here on the porch asking for a bit of help it's a Barlow and I'd like it to be one I can pass down to my son and him to his son. I would like it to be a show stopper so guys help me out will ya I need to find a stunning material for the scales and pins. So please just post some pictures of scales and what type they are to help me get a idea of the way I want to go it would help me decide I'm open to all kinds so let's see them.
Click to expand...

There are lots of examples of barlows with different cover materials in Charlie's barlow thread.

Stag would probably be my choice for a "stunning material". It was less common on old barlows but there are examples. Here's a 1922 catalog cut from HSB



Stag can be purchased in a wide range of prices but for a stunner you'll want to cherry pick a nice piece of presentation grade stag. Here's a custom. It's not a barlow but it's a nice example of stag covers.



Ebony is very traditional...


...and so are jigged bone and saw cut bone. There are sources for jigged bone covers. I don't know a source for saw cut bone covers.

 
I would love to keep the handles original but they are busted up its a single blade
 
leghog said:
What are/were the original slabs? I'd probably try to replicate those as closely as possible.
Click to expand...

Yes, me too :thumbup: How busted up are the original covers, can you post pics, kind of like wandering round in the dark without them?
 
Knife is already with glenbad got about 2 months before he starts on them and they were busted up and falling off they were a sort of saw cut plastic
 
What brand is your barlow?

It sounds like you already know what you want. There's a bladeforums dealer that sells burl blocks on the forum. According to his website (which is currently sold out), he will be adding a bunch of stuff on Tuesday.

Here's a barlow that Glen rehandled with jigged bone.


 
gonebad395 said:
Knife is already with glenbad got about 2 months before he starts on them and they were busted up and falling off they were a sort of saw cut plastic
Click to expand...

Bone, stag, or a dark wood would be very fitting. Is yours an Imperial? Whatever you choose glennbad will do a great job.
 
I struggled with the same issue with a Barlow my grandfather had given me. It was my first knife. I settled with stag and happy I did Glenn did a great job.

5PoH5tF.jpg

4V5lfLV.jpg

OnGRwry.jpg

UBY4NzL.jpg
 
I think Burl is a great idea. Some of the Burl handles Todd Davison puts on his knives, for example, are truly stunning. I've seen some really nice Burl on fountain pens too. If I were going for a stunning look I would probably put my focus on Burl but that's just me. So many variations to choose from and most of them are gorgeous.
 
How old is your son, Keith? If he's old enough, it might be fun to let him have some role or input in the re-handling decision, since eventually he'll "inherit" it.

- GT
 
To me, ebony is almost always a beautiful and warm choice without hard maintenance or a tendency for cracking like stag. Not to say that stag is a bad choice but a good wood scale is easier to keep in shape.

Connor
 
After much web searching I think I'm going to go with a maple or ironwood burl which ever is a nicer pattern we can find
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top