Queen #69 Workhorse Barlow vs Camco 551

B

Bartleby

Joined
Oct 28, 2005
Messages
1,909
I was in a local brick and mortar store and saw they were carrying a few of the Queen Workhorse series in jigged black delrin or brown delrin. I had a chance to get a quick look at the #69 Barlow, and it struck me that it was about in the same league as my old used and abused but beloved dirty jobs knife, a Camco 551 from the 80's. I am considering retiring my old Camco and purchasing one of the Queens or going on-line to find a minty Camco 551 for about the same price.

I am wondering if the Queen 69 is really in the same league as the old Camco (it is replacing a knife that has stood up pretty well to 30 years of use). I like that the blade pivot pin stands proud, which should allow me to peen it when if needed (I did this twice to the old Camco over the years). I also like the Delrin handles (I have other knives with fancy handles).

Anyone had much experience with the Queen #69 Workhorse Barlow as users? How do they compare to the oldschool Camcos? Thanks!
 
Having researched the prices of NOS Camco Barlows, I am leaning toward the Queen Workhorse. Has anyone had any issues with them?
 
none, i did a giveaway with one ages ago, a fine knife as a workhorse but not a collector's piece. They are rough and ready, made to be used.
 
I'm going to throw a line since you're not getting much response. I don't have much experience with the workhorse barlow. I've handled a couple, but prefer the bone and D2 of a regular Queen over the delrin and 1095 of the workhorse. However, my kids each have a workhorse trapper that Ken Daniels gave them when we visited the Queen factory this last summer. I can't speak to the whole line, but these two knives have stood up fantastically. I've really been impressed with the F&F of these knives. In many ways they're put together better than my Queens and Schatt & Morgans. Heck, they're put together better than any GEC I've had. The blades are centered, each has a small gap at the pivot end between the mark side liner and the spring but other than that they're gap free, the walk and talk is great, no blade play, etc. etc. This is after several months of my kids carrying them and tossing them around. Queen gets their hardening done by Peters Heat Treating, so it's pretty much the same as GEC's 1095 and pretty similar to Schrade's 1095 if you're familiar with either of those. The delrin covers are exactly what you'd expect from delrin. After being used and abused by a 9 year old and a 7 year old for the last 7 months you wouldn't be able to tell that they aren't factory fresh. I haven't yet had to tighten up the joints, but like you said it would be a simple matter the way these are constructed.

All in all, if you're looking for a knife to take a beating and just keep going I don't think you could do much better than the workhorse series. If your barlow turns out anything like the trappers my kids have I don't think you'll be disappointed and I think you could conceivably carry one of these knives for at least 30 years with no problems. If I could change one thing about them I'd make the delrin a brighter color. I don't like when delrin is done to try to look like bone, it's a fine material in it's own right so why not display it proudly, and in my mind the name workhorse suggests that it's meant to be used in situations where being able to spot it easily would be beneficial. For my kids the largest threat to these knives is loss when we're trekking through the woods, a nice bright orange delrin would minimize that risk.
 
Agree with Cory.

I have direct experience of the Workhorse Barlow though and I can strongly commend it. No gaps, no play, centred, good W&T. Nice Sheepfoot model, a blade I find surprisingly versatile. The delrin is delrin, matte tough jigged, in no way an aesthetic draw but workmanlike and grippy. I have to say this 39 USD knife is vastly superior to a Schatt I got this year which was more like 90 USD yet miserable: poor W&T, significant gaps, play, very off centre, the dye ran from the bone when I handled it poured off when washing. To cap it all, the blade is thin tinny stainless that almost flexes and has a horrid orange peel polish and large etch.

No, the Workhorse Barlow is a good proper knife.

IMG_3374.jpg
 
Thanks gents. My old Camco was black saw cut Delrin, which turned into smooth black over time. It was intentionally not a show piece either (that would have been stepping up to the Camillus branded knife), but I never blinked once using it to cut what ever needed cutting.

Will, is the bolster on your sheepfoot version steel or nickel silver? It sure looks like they are steel, which would be my preference. That and Cory's testimony on the Ultimate Field Test (at least if his testers are anything like I was at that age) just about have me sold. Many thanks!
 
No, it's NS which goes with the brass liners, but it too is durable so no worries if you need to tighten up the pin, whack!
 
Will Power said:
No, it's NS which goes with the brass liners, but it too is durable so no worries if you need to tighten up the pin, whack!
Click to expand...

Thanks! I took took the plunge and got one. It reminds me of being a youngster and getting that Camco new! It does need a bit of sharpening, and then some yard work....
 
Will, I have to say that your post has been running through my head for the last day. We have a thread about "good, traditional barlows" that has over 15,000 posts and your post captures the spirit of the traditional barlow more than all those posts put together. A barlow is supposed to be an affordable workhorse of a knife that can withstand 30 years of hard use like Bartleby's Camco has. A barlow is not an expensive piece of jewelry that is best kept in a safe so as to keep it preserved. In my mind, this workhorse is 20x the barlow as those that get an 800 page thread and fetch $400 on the secondary market.

It seems to me that the hipster trend has hit the slipjoint market in a way such that knives that are designed to reproduce the look of historic knives, while completely missing the point, are much more popular than their authentic counterparts. It's a sad day when a hard-use barlow gets overlooked by those that claim to care about the history of american cutlery in favor of the latest marketing trend. For today, I tip my hat to a couple of men who know that the value of a knife has nothing to do with the price it fetches on auction sites.
 
Cory Hess said:
Will, I have to say that your post has been running through my head for the last day. We have a thread about "good, traditional barlows" that has over 15,000 posts and your post captures the spirit of the traditional barlow more than all those posts put together. A barlow is supposed to be an affordable workhorse of a knife that can withstand 30 years of hard use like Bartleby's Camco has. A barlow is not an expensive piece of jewelry that is best kept in a safe so as to keep it preserved. In my mind, this workhorse is 20x the barlow as those that get an 800 page thread and fetch $400 on the secondary market.

It seems to me that the hipster trend has hit the slipjoint market in a way such that knives that are designed to reproduce the look of historic knives, while completely missing the point, are much more popular than their authentic counterparts. It's a sad day when a hard-use barlow gets overlooked by those that claim to care about the history of american cutlery in favor of the latest marketing trend. For today, I tip my hat to a couple of men who know that the value of a knife has nothing to do with the price it fetches on auction sites.
Click to expand...

Thanks y'all. Will, I think that part of what drives the aspect of spending more in collecting the higher end versions of these tools is a desire to feel a connection with our industrial roots by possessing a tangible object that represents our desire for that connection to be strong. In my case here, I am connecting with the personal memories associated with an object that I used for a long period of time that always served me well as a tool. I think that for some folks there is a connection to supporting the knife makers they favor financially by spending more on fancier materials or embellishments. Makers naturally prefer to make more money on each sale, and support that end of the market. This has been true since the old Sheffield cutlers made embellished items for the American market. It is really nice that Queen and a few other companies offer a choice that is not outsourced as a working tool, but it is very hard to compete for the mid level user market with the outsourced stuff being so cheap.

Btw, If I recall correctly my old Camco cost $15.50 back in the early 80's when I bought it new, but it may have been old stock, so the current retail price for the Queen is pretty much in line with what I paid, adjusting for inflation.
 
Last edited:
Cory Thanks for your words. Nobody in my family was interested in pocket-knives but from around 7 onwards I was obsessed with having one, then several... With money I saved I bought small cheap knives and an early one was a rather crude Barlow made in Sheffield. But, it was obviously true to its origins and was a tough albeit rather austere and basically finished knife. So it is indeed rather ironic that the once Proletarian Barlow has become the Prince of Collectors and commanding prices accordingly...Bartleby I agree that finding an inexpensive well put together US made knife is quite challenging, but satisfying when it materialises. I'm fond of various Sodbusters, Queen's Country Cousin offers very good value and D2 steel. GEC's 71 is dearer but very well finished indeed. These knives correspond to the Workhorse Barlow too, easy to get and a satisfying user in the real sense of the word.

Thanks, Will
 
Will Power said:
Cory Thanks for your words. Nobody in my family was interested in pocket-knives but from around 7 onwards I was obsessed with having one, then several... With money I saved I bought small cheap knives and an early one was a rather crude Barlow made in Sheffield. But, it was obviously true to its origins and was a tough albeit rather austere and basically finished knife. So it is indeed rather ironic that the once Proletarian Barlow has become the Prince of Collectors and commanding prices accordingly...Bartleby I agree that finding an inexpensive well put together US made knife is quite challenging, but satisfying when it materialises. I'm fond of various Sodbusters, Queen's Country Cousin offers very good value and D2 steel. GEC's 71 is dearer but very well finished indeed. These knives correspond to the Workhorse Barlow too, easy to get and a satisfying user in the real sense of the word.

Thanks, Will
Click to expand...

I think that your statement "easy to get and a satisfying user in the real sense of the word" well defines exactly what a Barlow really should be. Well stated! And thanks much for your kind input.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top