Recommending a Barlow

W

Wunderbar

Joined
May 2, 2003
Messages
3,582
Can anyone recommend a good American made single blade Barlow? I'd prefer a stainless clip point but I'll consider other versions. I saw one at a hardware store for $2 when I was a lad and I've wanted one ever since. Thanks.
 
You could give a Rough Rider a shot. For $8, it's supposed to be decent. Real bone, good F&F, and stainless.
 
Wunderbar said:
Can anyone recommend a good American made single blade Barlow? I'd prefer a stainless clip point but I'll consider other versions. I saw one at a hardware store for $2 when I was a lad and I've wanted one ever since. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Case makes a nice Grandaddy Barlow in stainless. It is a little long, but most single blade models are.
 
Gentlemen, fwiw, the original poster stated that he was looking for an "American Made" Barlow knife.

Is it too much to ask that we respect the original poster's request by staying on topic rather than just looking for an excuse to post what we happen to own?

(This is not to denigrate the quality of any other knives made outside the U.S. It is an appeal to respect the original poster's question just as you would like yours to be as well.)
 
Case has just released a nice single-blade barlow in natural bone, with "standard" markings. That would be my recommendation. It's a variation on the traditional Barlow pattern, but a nice one. GEC is also making some nice Barlows these days (although Tony Bose argues that they're not strictly Barlows, as the bolster isn't a full 1/3 of the handle length.) The GEC barlows are beautifully made, but the backsprings are pretty serious. They are just now shipping single-blade easy-opens on their barlow pattern- but they have short bolsters, so they're technically "jacks".

I hope nobody minds my posting this, it's the new Case barlow:

http://www.casexx.com/DisplayDetailPage.asp?ProductCode=10494
 
Blues said:
Gentlemen, fwiw, the original poster stated that he was looking for an "American Made" Barlow knife.
yours to be as well.)
Click to expand...

Whoops. Sorry. Didn't see that part of the message. Just noticed "recommending a barlow" and jumped the gun.

I believe Case is still producing barlows with stag handles. Besides that, I haven't really seen too much lately.
 
The companies that made those old $2 barlows are mostly out of business - Imperial-Schrade, Camillus, etc. But they are common on eBay and you should have no trouble finding one just like those you remember.

Here are three Barlows I can think of off-hand that are still Made in the USA.

Queen:
http://www.cumberlandknifeworks.com...facturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=28

Case:
http://www.casexx.com/DisplayPatternPageFH.asp?PatternAutoID=3

Bear and Sons make a few too, but the ones I've seen are carbon steel.
 
YayILikePie said:
Whoops. Sorry. Didn't see that part of the message. Just noticed "recommending a barlow" and jumped the gun.

I believe Case is still producing barlows with stag handles. Besides that, I haven't really seen too much lately.
Click to expand...

Same here, jumped the gun on this one. Sorry
 
Schatt&Morgan may have done something in one of their yearly series,bound to be stainless too.

Single blade is a harder option though. Böker does a Grandaddy Russell but although based on a American pattern it's still German made(I believe)and carbon. They do a very decent Barlow nevertherless.
 
moonwilson said:
Case has just released a nice single-blade barlow in natural bone, with "standard" markings. That would be my recommendation. It's a variation on the traditional Barlow pattern, but a nice one. GEC is also making some nice Barlows these days (although Tony Bose argues that they're not strictly Barlows, as the bolster isn't a full 1/3 of the handle length.) The GEC barlows are beautifully made, but the backsprings are pretty serious. They are just now shipping single-blade easy-opens on their barlow pattern- but they have short bolsters, so they're technically "jacks".

I hope nobody minds my posting this, it's the new Case barlow:

http://www.casexx.com/DisplayDetailPage.asp?ProductCode=10494
Click to expand...

Tony needs to have a word with Case; cause that ain't even close....
 
American - Single Blade - Barlow - SS - Clip

Might be hard to match up on all points; but I did notice that the 2004 NKCA Youth knife on the NKCA Knives page may meet most of the criteria.

If any of the first 3 requirements listed are flexible you might mention it so we would know to discuss other options.
 
Keep an eye on ebay for Russel barlow and what you are looking for will show up sooner than later. There are two sizes I got a small for under $30 last year. You want one with 6 feathers on the arrow, ignore the 3 feather ones.
 
Wunderbar,How are you ?
If you've been wanting a Barlow for as long as you say,since a "lad",perhaps a custom made one ?,with say like CPM 154 SS .... In the end,it would be heirloom quality. From a U.S maker,of course,just something to throw out there
-Vince
 
Wunderbar said:
Can anyone recommend a good American made single blade Barlow? I'd prefer a stainless clip point but I'll consider other versions. I saw one at a hardware store for $2 when I was a lad and I've wanted one ever since. Thanks.
Click to expand...

There are some nice 2-blade Case ss Barlows (and a nice big one-blader) here.
 
VCM3 said:
If you've been wanting a Barlow for as long as you say,since a "lad",perhaps a custom made one ?,with say like CPM 154 SS .... -Vince
Click to expand...

Hi Vince. I'm doing fine. That would be a nice one to have. I'll have to check with Charles Marlow. He lives close to me and if I remember correctly, he does do custom slip joints.

Thanks for your suggestions everyone. I recently saw an WWII M2 Paratrooper knife that spurred my interest. The M2 has been just to hard to find but I remember seeing a few U.S.A. made Barlows around and since they look alot alike the M2, I decided to hunt for one.
Has to be made the the U.S. but I'm flexible on the blade steel and shape. :thumbup:
 
db said:
Keep an eye on ebay for Russel barlow and what you are looking for will show up sooner than later. There are two sizes I got a small for under $30 last year. You want one with 6 feathers on the arrow, ignore the 3 feather ones.
Click to expand...

That's good to know, what's the difference?
 
jacknife said:
+1 Might be a nice knife, but to me it doesn't look like a Barlow should.
Click to expand...

I agree, but I want one anyhow.

My issue with "traditional" barlows is they are either too small or too large. My hands don't like a 3" handle and 5" is just too big for my pockets.

I also don't really like clip blades, especially the exagerated versions you find on a barlow and I prefer single-blade knives, so the new Case (Standard Brand) works just fine for me.

As for the OP, how about one of the new GECs?
 
db said:
Keep an eye on ebay for Russel barlow and what you are looking for will show up sooner than later. There are two sizes I got a small for under $30 last year. You want one with 6 feathers on the arrow, ignore the 3 feather ones.
Click to expand...

I thought those were made in Germany, or is that what the feather thing is about?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top