Original purpose of the Barlow

[will62]

What was the original purpose or idea behind the design of the barlow?

 

[kidwholaughs]

"Laurence A. Johnson wrote in June 1959 in the article "The Barlow Knife" that the first Barlow knife was most likely made by Obadiah Barlow in Sheffield, England, in 1670. John Barlow, Obadiah's grandson, later joined the family business in 1745 and began exporting the knives to American colonies."

This was mostly a response to pocket knives that did hold up to hard work at the time.

God Bless

 

[navihawk]

Intergal liners and bolsters with the bolster being long made for a strong knife. I had a Samual Barlow knife and it was as tight as the day it was made. The stag or bone was warped a bit and petrified. but it was solid.

 

[sunnyd]

Its hard to beat a Barlow pattern for strength and ease of pocket carry. :thumbup:

 

[thawk]

They look cool too. Built like a fireplug.

 

[synghyn]

That was an interesting historical answer, Kidwholaughs, very cool thanks!

I on the other hand was gonna say they were designed to cut stuff. Now I'm gonna go get some more coffee.

Syn

 

[markksr]

Some light reading... History of Barlow Knives and The Barlow Knife


And just for fun... The song "Barlow Knife" from the Traditional Old-time (Oldtimey) Music, Tune & Songbook

I been livin' here all my life, All I got is a Barlow Knife; Buck horn handle and a barlow blade, Best dang knife that ever was made.

 

[Will Power]

It's a compact pattern (Grandaddy notwithstanding)yet stout and strong capable of tough work.The extended bolster means it can be banged,pried etc quite roughly I suppose.
I saw one recently with a concealed backspring,don't know what the purpose of that is.

 

[knarfeng]

"Laurence A. Johnson wrote in June 1959 in the article "The Barlow Knife" that the first Barlow knife was most likely made by Obadiah Barlow in Sheffield, England, in 1670. John Barlow, Obadiah's grandson, later joined the family business in 1745 and began exporting the knives to American colonies."

This was mostly a response to pocket knives that did hold up to hard work at the time.

God Bless

At that time, knife frames were hand forged and the bolsters were part of the frame. That means that the extended bolsters meant a larger (and stronger) frame. Since the Barlows were sold as a work knife, this was a plus.

 

[Foilist]

"Laurence A. Johnson wrote in June 1959 in the article "The Barlow Knife" that the first Barlow knife was most likely made by Obadiah Barlow in Sheffield, England, in 1670. John Barlow, Obadiah's grandson, later joined the family business in 1745 and began exporting the knives to American colonies."

This was mostly a response to pocket knives that did hold up to hard work at the time.

God Bless

I imagine it was sort of like the Buck 110 of its day; a decent but affordable, working man's knife.

 

[kidwholaughs]

From what I hear, the originals were single blade with iron bolsters. If the bolsters and liners were indeed one piece, it would certainly be a very strong knife.

God Bless