Russell Barlow

A

alfbacca

Joined
Apr 12, 2007
Messages
95
So I'm looking through some threads and I see a picture of a Russell Barlow with dark bone that just catches my eye and I can't help staring. I look around the web for sites that sell this knife, and I can't find anything. Does anyone know if these knives are still around and where I can possibly get one of these Barlow's? Thanks.
 
alfbacca said:
So I'm looking through some threads and I see a picture of a Russell Barlow with dark bone that just catches my eye and I can't help staring. I look around the web for sites that sell this knife, and I can't find anything. Does anyone know if these knives are still around and where I can possibly get one of these Barlow's? Thanks.
Click to expand...

Can you link us to the thread?
 
It depends - we need to know if you were looking at one of the original Russell Barlows (which were made from about 1875-1941 in one from or another), or some more recent "repros" of them. Both are available if you look long and hard enough -- though for any of the originals in near mint condition, be prepared to part with some significant $$$.
 
morrowj_98 said:
Can you link us to the thread?
Click to expand...

It was in the thread "What traditional you carrying today" and posted by Thomason (hope it's ok to use the pic as reference, sry if it's not):
IMG_2527_2.jpg
 
That's nice. They're hard to find. I'd like one, too...one of these days. Barlow is one of my favorite styles and that one looks like the one my Dad has.
 
This is a modern Russell I gifted to my Dad last year, found it on ebay for a great price. Fit and finish is great and it has great snap, blade touched up to a very nice edge as well.

russellbarlow-1.jpg
 
A.G. Russell's "Working Man's" barlow is worth a look.
 
I believe I sent that Barlow to Thomason a year or two back as a little thank you for some of his many kindnesses.

As I recall, I had purchased it at SMKW when they were still available and at a very reasonable price.
 
I believe I sent that Barlow to Thomason a year or two back as a little thank you for some of his many kindnesses.

As I recall, I had purchased it at SMKW when they were still available and at a very reasonable price.

(Come to think of it, I sent that copperhead as well! :p)
 
Last edited:
Cool, thanks for the responses everyone. I'll have a look around; I bet I can eventually dig something up if I look hard enough. Problem is there's so many nice knives out there :)
 
I take it the original Russell Barlows were made in the U.S. I did recently see a Russell Barlow & it looked very nice of good quality. I don't recall if the company that made it was on it, but I do recall reading "Solingen, Germany" stamped at the base of one of the blades.

I wouldn't be surprised if they're made by Boker. Just getting a Boker Barlow makes sense, as they're probably cheaper, but having the Russell name could be desirable, I would guess.
 
Boker was licensed by Dexter-Russell to make the reproduction Barlows. In the past other companies (Colonial, Schrade etc.) did the same.

As suggested, if you can't find one of the Russell branded models, a Boker should do you just fine as the materials and workmanship should be essentially equivalent.
 
Yeah I'm looking at the Boker Barlows right now. I also just like the R with the arrow through it on the bolster. So far it's a toss up between a Barlow and a Canoe. I'm looking for something thin enough that I wouldn't notice in my pocket.
 
alfbacca said:
I'm looking for something thin enough that I wouldn't notice in my pocket.
Click to expand...

Well then you'd better not discuss peanuts with Thomason or Jackknife. I'm just sayin'... ;)
 
alfbacca said:
.... So far it's a toss up between a Barlow and a Canoe. I'm looking for something thin enough that I wouldn't notice in my pocket.
Click to expand...

Hmmm, then a Barlow may not be the way to go -- barlows tend to be fairly heavy, chunky knives, even if standard barlows are usually only about 3 3/8" long (canoes tend to be a bit weighty also - what with their large signature double bolsters). Even a single blade standard barlow can have some significant weight. You might want to take a look at the GEC 3" single blade easy open jacks - pretty darn nice, in good steels, decent prices without serial number, choice of sheepsfoot or spear blade. Look at the bottom of the page and on the next page here -- http://www.collectorknives.net/greateastern.html (I'm not saying these are lightweight - just relatively speaking when compared to a 2 blade standard barlow - and they're more rounded). Note: the characteristic feature of a true barlow is that its bolster is 1/3 of its total handle length.
 
Last edited:
Stumbled across this one at an online knife retailer - only $4.95, and, as they state, "These products are reasonably well made in Pakistan." The best part is, if you forget what the pattern is, it is engraved right into the bolster! :rolleyes:

SZ202980.jpg
 
Zuchus said:
Stumbled across this one at an online knife retailer - only $4.95, and, as they state, "These products are reasonably well made in Pakistan." The best part is, if you forget what the pattern is, it is engraved right into the bolster! :rolleyes:

SZ202980.jpg
Click to expand...

I've seen those, but are they like the old Imperial and Providence barlows where the bolster is a bit of sheet metal folded over the top of the scales? I got a few of those on eBay for $5 each (the old US-made originals), and they were a great example of the not-so-sterling quality of many old US products. I think some old-timers fondly recall the sturdy products of yesteryear and conventiently forget the junk on the market...

I almost bought a Russell/Boker barlow (love that arrow stamp), but since my federal workplace has a 2.5" limit I just bought a GEC instead this week. Got the GEC with the main blade a Wharncliff, which was cool and unusual for a barlow.

@alfbacca: If you want unobtrusive and like canoes, may I suggest a butterbean? It's like a mini canoe, and Rough Rider actually labels their version as "small canoe". A spear-point and a pen-blade, only as long as a peanut but with much heavier blades, and very unobtrustive in the pocket. Maybe spend $6 plus shipping on a Rough Rider version, and if you like it buy a Case and give the RR as a gift to a young acquaintance, or leave it at the bar/coffeeshop as a tip? I left a RR small canoe as a tip (plus an appropriate cash tip) for a young female bartender who mixed me a good French 75 cocktail, and highly recommend the practice.
 
Blues said:
Well then you'd better not discuss peanuts with Thomason or Jackknife. I'm just sayin'... ;)
Click to expand...

Okay, I was going to stay outa this but I heard my name mentioned.

Barlow's are a great weekend knife for the field or garden, worn in jeans or at the most Dockers. If your looking for something in the way of a dress pants knife for work, especially if there is a limit on blade size, I'd go with a peanut.

There; I've said it.

A peanut disappears in pockets till needed, has a thin stock flat ground blade that cuts like a razor, and is... well for lack of a better term...cute. Even elderly church ladies call it a pretty little knife, and it's available in a heck of a lot of materials. Both scale and blade. Last but not least, it has a needle like point. I like fine points on small knives. A peanut is not only a great little cutter for 'civilized' suroundings, but it can be a piece of pocket jewlery as well.

The only thing you have to be careful of is the after effects. The pull of the cult. They can be habit forming.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top