recommend inexpensive Barlow knife?

N

novaburst

Joined
Sep 19, 2013
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16
I'm wanting a Barlow that won't break the bank but will still hold up in day to day tasks.
Is there anything out there around 10 dollars that would be adequate?

Thank you!
 
I'm not sure if you can get a Barlow for $10. from any store,but maybe at a yard sale or flea market
 
jkulysses said:
You can get a rough rider for that price.
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I think you're right I looked & found one for four ninety nine. plus shipping of course

My opinion ,though is to buy U.S.A products ,else we'll never pay back our debt. I might be wrong about that,too.
 
Three for under 30 bucks delivered. Very decent knives, worth much more than the cost.

Regards

Robin
 
Ah yes, I've heard of Rough Rider.
VCM3 - What are some USA companies that would be good to check out? I've just started my interest in this, so I'm out of the loop.
 
There are no current USA-made Barlows that you can find for $10, unless you find something used at a flea market. Go with the RR if you want something in that price range.
 
The RR brand is owned by an American company Who pays wages, and also wholesales to American companys and individuals who all contribute to the US economy.

Regards

Robin
 
Start with a RR and then begin saving for a USA made knife. I'm sure you are aware of the TC Barlows. For vintage barlows I have some Queen made barlows that are every bit as nice as the GEC.
 
LastRodeo said:
Start with a RR and then begin saving for a USA made knife. I'm sure you are aware of the TC Barlows. For vintage barlows I have some Queen made barlows that are every bit as nice as the GEC.
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I like that idea. Yes, I've been drooling over the TC Barlows.
 
Nothing wrong with RR Barlows at all, they offer a good choice of handles, this one White Bone that had scrim added to it.

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GEC's TC Barlows are the benchmark at the moment but cost quite a bit. CASE did offer Barlows but not at the moment I think. Same with Queen Cutlery. Böker Germany make a decent one in carbon that's not too expensive either.
 
nova, I'm in love with all kinds of knives. But looking back at purchases,and after getting into custom handmade knives,as nice as Case,Queen & GEC are I've never enjoyed carrying any,as much as a hand made slipjoint. Your budget is in the way of exploring some great stuff available these days,but that's OK. Especially today,for one reason or another.
Please email me with your address at vmazzpaint@optonline.net I have something for you :thumbup:
 
I feel your pain. The classic American work knife is pretty pricey new sometimes these days.

Rough Rider Barlows are decent, well made knives. Not in love with the steel (it's "OK").

Boker used to make a nice carbon steel Barlow which I loved for $25-$30. I think it's discontinued. The Magnum Boker Barlow is stainless and discontinued, although they are still around. $15-$20 No experience with them.

Utica Kutmaster still makes their Barlows. A quick search showed them for $30-$40. Heard they're not bad at all. Think they're carbon on the main blade anyway.

Best bet is used. If you like doing such things at all start checking flea markets, estate sales, etc., etc.. Barlows are more rare (dang the luck) but you can get knives which, although cosmetically not always optimal, are really good knives.

One which is not uncommon at all is the shell handle Imperial Barlows. Thin, nice steel slicers.....shell handles which will collapse under back pocket carry. Still likes them precious.




Any quest for the grail is about the quest, not the prize.
 
It's really a shame that it's so hard to find a good production barlow. The $10 limit aside, there's really nothing out there that's appealing to me for a reasonable price. The Charlows are nice, but good luck finding one for a decent price. Canal Street has one that I would definitely go for, but I have grown apart from carrying stainless. If they did that knife in 1095 I'd be all over it. Rough Riders are OK for testing out a pattern, but I don't get any pleasure out of owning or using them. They have the soul of a modern flipper, which is to say none. I have found that I can pick up a used Schrade in decent shape for about the same price as the Rough Rider equivalent. I end up with a used knife, but it's a knife that's much more to my liking. I don't know if you'd find a Schrade barlow in that price range, as they seem less common than the jacks and stockmen, but if you put some time and effort in you might just happen across one. Just make sure it has the U.S.A. stamp on it. Taylor bought the Schrade name and is making cheap knockoffs that are replicas of the old Schrades. Although Rough Riders aren't my thing, I can respect that they're filling a void in the knife market. Buying the name of a once great company and sullying it in such a way, well that is another thing altogether.
 
Cory Hess said:
I have found that I can pick up a used Schrade in decent shape for about the same price as the Rough Rider equivalent. I end up with a used knife, but it's a knife that's much more to my liking. I don't know if you'd find a Schrade barlow in that price range, as they seem less common than the jacks and stockmen
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You Betcha.
 
I've seen good prices on Queen made Robeson barlows at knife shows. D2 or 1095, same basic design as the Queen Burke small barlow, except not as nice and no wharncliff. That was show prices, could be more or less. Seems like an overlooked knife to me.
 
You should be able to get an older Imperial Barlow in the secondary market (eBay) for $10 or less. I'd look for one with a USA tang stamp (not Ireland) to increase the odds of getting a nice knife.

Other brands to search for are Camillus, Ulster, and Sabre. Some of the Ulster Barlow knives were marketed under the Old Timer brand too, and you might be able to get a nicely used example for a reasonable price.
 
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