Recommend me a Knife - 2 blade Barlow in (decent) stainless

M

mbp

Joined
Jan 26, 2015
Messages
1,478
Seeking the porch's wisdom. I've recently fallen in love with the Canal Street English Barlow, it's everything I need in a knife right now. My 1095 knives are spotting up with rust within a day of carry despite being well oiled and cared for in this summer's humidity--averaging 90% over the last few weeks here by the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland.

The 14-4CrMo on the CSC Barlow is just fantastic, love the polish and edge it takes, and it's great not to worry about rust. I have 2 but have struck out on finding more at the moment with CSC being closed. While I wait for some to turn up, who else out there makes a 2 blade Barlow in a decent stainless steel?

I've owned Queen's 69 Barlow in D2 many years ago, and liked it OK, but always wary of the fit and finish with Queen. Are they any better now? Apparently they made a small run of Schatt & Morgan branded Barlows in CPM-154 recently, but haven't been able to find any 2 blades, although I might still try one.

Any other suggestions?
 
Case made/makes Barlows in SS.

I had one in 154CM pass through my hands a few years ago.
 
Boker is currently offering a single blade Barlow made in Solingen with 440C blade steel and bog oak covers. I have another knife from that series and consider it extremely good fit and finish.
 
knarfeng said:
Boker is currently offering a single blade Barlow made in Solingen with 440C blade steel and bog oak covers. I have another knife from that series and consider it extremely good fit and finish.
Click to expand...

I am going to break down and buy one of those one of these days...
 
Thanks for the suggestions on that Boker. I'm definitely impressed, just have to decide if I want to get the 440c or spring for the Damascus... I really like that, but it's over twice the price, so taking a bit of time to think on it!
 
In my mind, THE stainless production barlow was the Queen/Dan Burke collaboration Barlow in D2. Spear main and wharncliffe secondary behind the main. They still can't me up frequently for sale and usually less than a c note.

I've owned several of the Dan Burke collaboration knives and all have been impeccable and superior to Queens main line.

I love the CSC Barlow's (and own several) but they never did one with a spear blade...which is my favorite
 
Roigh Rider makes a good 2 blade Barlow (among other patterns). They seem to have a decent heat treat on the 440A. They hold a good edge, and are easy to keep sharp, anyway. I've yet to have to do more than strop my Rough Riders, even after carving/whitling seasoned oak. They are all sharp enough to shave arm hair.
No blade play, either.
 
except that D2 isn't actually stainless. It won't form a patina, but I've several D2 blades that have dark corrosion spots. I've learned to store them with oil on the blades.
 
afishhunter said:
Roigh Rider makes a good 2 blade Barlow (among other patterns). They seem to have a decent heat treat on the 440A. They hold a good edge, and are easy to keep sharp, anyway. I've yet to have to do more than strop my Rough Riders, even after carving/whitling seasoned oak. They are all sharp enough to shave arm hair.
No blade play, either.
Click to expand...
Another surprisingly good Barlow for whittling from China is the Rite Edge 210601. Unlike Rough Rider, this is the about only pattern from this importer that is worth a second look. Sunk joints, stainless razor sharp blades, springs, liners, and solid stainless bolsters as well as tapered natural rosewood handles. No wobble (the pivot pin is quite large), no gaps, good snap. I have used one for carving, given a bunch of these as gifts, and have yet to have an issue with functionality. They went for practical not pretty, but they are good cutters. About half the price of the Rough Rider. I got one as a beater knife, but it turned out that it exceeded my expectations.
 
Last edited:
Ironbut said:
View attachment 728825
Click to expand...
Hi Ironbut, do you have a shot of your 2 blade #69 1/2 closed from the small blade side? I really like my single blade #69, and have kicked around the idea of the two blade version, but fear that the blades may stand too proud of the bolsters for me. All the shots online seem to be from the mainblade side, so a view from the other side would be helpful. Thanks!
 
View attachment 728890
Bartleby said:
Hi Ironbut, do you have a shot of your 2 blade #69 1/2 closed from the small blade side? I really like my single blade #69, and have kicked around the idea of the two blade version, but fear that the blades may stand too proud of the bolsters for me. All the shots online seem to be from the mainblade side, so a view from the other side would be helpful. Thanks!
Click to expand...

Here ya go.
 
Thanks again, sir! I have been kinda going back and forth between the Queen 69 1/2 and the 2 blade Bear and Son, which seems to have somewhat lower joints. I find that the top edge of the closed blade can be sharp and annoying when using most 2 blade jack knives for any length of time (the generic Rite Edge mentioned above is one of the few Barlows with sunk joints). I really have enjoyed the #69 in single blade version (which of course doesn't have this issue), and was thinking it would be nice to have it with two blades.
 
knarfeng said:
Boker is currently offering a single blade Barlow made in Solingen with 440C blade steel and bog oak covers. I have another knife from that series and consider it extremely good fit and finish.
Click to expand...

huelsdonk said:
I am going to break down and buy one of those one of these days...
Click to expand...

mbp said:
Thanks for the suggestions on that Boker. I'm definitely impressed, just have to decide if I want to get the 440c or spring for the Damascus... I really like that, but it's over twice the price, so taking a bit of time to think on it!
Click to expand...

I bought that Barlow at Blade Show this year, and it's a really spiffy knife. It is a bit small, smaller than a GEC 15 frame. Very slim, extremely pocketable.

The fit and finish is fantastic, really spit on. The covers are a bit rough, they feel like beach wood almost. I don't think they'll break off or anything, but they're not the smooth polished wood I'd see on a GEC or Queen. Also, as I've seen with European Barlows, the blade is angled down a slight bit more than I'd see on a Queen. Not a problem, just an idiosyncrasy.

I held the Damascus model at Blade also, Böker had one at their booth. It's nice, but not twice the price nice. I'd stick with the standard. And if you do, grab one soon. They [only] made 500 (I got 333, which is fun).

When I get home on Wednesday, I'll toss up some pictures if you're still interested.
 
Trestle Pines Grand Portage because you don't need two blades, you need a screwdriver.
Seriously, I used to use the pen blade on my SAK for opening mail as the larger blade just didn't work as well. The wharnecliff on the GP works great with pen blade jobs as well as what you'd use the larger blade for. Plus the screwdriver/caplifter in case you're in need of a screwdriver and all you have is a knife, you won't be ruining a blade.
ZeRfpSr.jpg
 
bt93 said:
Trestle Pines Grand Portage because you don't need two blades, you need a screwdriver.
Seriously, I used to use the pen blade on my SAK for opening mail as the larger blade just didn't work as well. The wharnecliff on the GP works great with pen blade jobs as well as what you'd use the larger blade for. Plus the screwdriver/caplifter in case you're in need of a screwdriver and all you have is a knife, you won't be ruining a blade.
ZeRfpSr.jpg
Click to expand...
Nice, bt! Is that one of the old growth woods? I wanted one, but kept procrastinating until they were all my favorite woods were gone.
 
I did a Google search for "Boker 440c barlow", and the first thing that came up was a two blade! Clip and pen blades, bigger bone covers, 440C, with a price tag comparable to a Case SBJ. I don't know if the dealer is BF approved or not, so PM me for the link.
 
Have to be careful about Boker.
Boker has some knives which are marked "Germany". Those are a combination of German and pieces parts from elsewhere. I am unsure of the level of fit and finish on those.

Boker also sells knives marked "Solingen". Those are entirely made in Germany. I have several and consider them to have an extremely high level of fit and finish.
 
Ironbut said:
Nice, bt! Is that one of the old growth woods? I wanted one, but kept procrastinating until they were all my favorite woods were gone.
Click to expand...
They still sell these on the website. whatever wood it's made of the knife is such I consider the handle material secondary. It's my first wood handle daily carry, I don't like wood but hey, a barlow with a screwdriver.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top