Saving a TC Barlow for the next generation

Andya27

Andya27

Joined
Dec 26, 2013
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I have a number of interests: traditional shaving products, fountain pens, automatic watches, fedoras and caps, and now traditional knives. But I'm not a collector - I am an enthusiast, and I use all my knives.

It seems that I have more interests than children - my wife and I have one daughter, who turned 21 at midnight this morning. And once she's done with her undergrad work, she will be going on for her PhD and intends to remain in academia as a historian. But I figure somewhere along the line, someday, she may want to marry (or not) and have a child.

And in the event that I ever have a grandchild, I've decided to hold one knife in reserve. I'll look at it from time to time, oil it, but I won't use it. And perhaps when my future grandchild is 12 or so, he or she will own this Tom's Choice Barlow.

It's a nice thought.

 
A nice thought indeed, I'm sure that will make your grandchild quite happy some day. :)
 
It would likely mean more if you carried it and used it, and he saw you carry and use it.
 
There is something about the Barlow pattern that just says "classic knife" to me. I think you made a good choice on the pattern and the knife. I hope that the knife says "grand dad" to a future child and I suspect and I hope it helps them remember you. I have a coffee mug in my cabinet that was my mother's that has her name on it and it just makes me smile eveytime i see it.
 
leghog said:
It would likely mean more if you carried it and used it, and he saw you carry and use it.
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This is an interesting take on my idea. I hadn't thought of it this way. I do have plenty of knives in that category as well, including a TC Barlow that is getting plenty of use.
 
Great idea. Some day I'll be happy to pass down my 55 to a grandkid when the time is right. But as said it will be worn and used and it'll be something that was a PART of me for many years, something they saw me carry and use, something they associate with their old grandpa. :)
 
I think you should give him one you used, for him to have, and the new unused one for him to use for his grandchild.
 
I don't think you could have picked a better knife, whats really important is the history of this knife goes to the new future owner - as in who got this pattern up and running again by having the passion to work in with a knife manufacturing company etc.
Great read!
 
jackknife said:
I'll third this motion, and call for a vote from the floor.
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I will say that I had originally planned to carry the knife. Another forum member was kind enough to give me the name of a vendor who still has them in stock.

But once the knife got here - well - I have some pretty knives, but there is something so classic about this, I just could bring myself to use it other than paper test it (surprisingly sharp for a GEC knife).

As I have this TC Barlow in daily use, I thought I'd just hold onto this other one for a while without using it. Perhaps I will put it into service. Just not sure yet.

 
Andya27 said:
And in the event that I ever have a grandchild, I've decided to hold one knife in reserve. I'll look at it from time to time, oil it, but I won't use it. And perhaps when my future grandchild is 12 or so, he or she will own this Tom's Choice Barlow.

It's a nice thought.
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It IS a nice thought. My father passed while my wife was pregnant with my son. My father set a couple of things aside for his unborn grandson. My son treasures them, though he never met his grandfather.
 
I have a case knife my grandfather used everyday, and he gave it to my father who used it every day up until about two years ago, and gave it too me. It is one of my favorite knives. If they didn't use the knife, it would not have as much personal value to me. Same with my guns my grandfather gave me as well.
 
It is a nice idea. I do like the other idea also about passing on something you used and carried.

I have many unused knives that I will pass down, but I would be most proud knowing that the knives I carried were being used long after I was gone.
 
I think saving a tcb for the next generation is a great idea!

Caleb looking at his knife. :)
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It's put away now, but I carried it every day for three months until I got my pony jack.
 
I will offer a different point of view.
There are quite a number of things you are assuming: that you will have a grandchild, that at some point of his life he will develop a passion for knives, that he will like that kind of knives...don't plan too much :-)
All considered, instead of saving a 2014 knife for him, I would focus on teaching him (and eventually other young people)the usefulness of carrying a pocket knife in the first place. Maybe, he will never like knives, and even a wonderful slipjoint wouldn't mean much to him (not more than any other inherited item or tool). I believe the real legacy is the passion for knives. Then, should the seed become a plant, you will have plenty of opportunities to either buy him a quality traditional knife (I'm positive and I believe that in 2030 there will be good production slipjoints, just like the Charlow in 2014) or give him one of your used and beloved traditional knives. :-)

Fausto
:cool:
 
I'm saving a TC Barlow each for both my children as well. I didn't know how to approach this so I combined the advice that I received.

My son has an Antique Yellow Spearpoint Barlow and my daughter has a Single Spear Rust Red Barlow that are being held for them, brand new. I own 4 other TC Barlows that I use myself, two of which are a Sheepsfoot Barlow in Antique Yellow and a Double Blade Rust Red Barlow. Eventually, all my knives will go to them if they want them…and in their loot, they will have a matching knife that their father carried.

I'm sure your daughter and the children that she may have will appreciate the gesture.

Here's some pics from back when the Sheepsfoot Barlows were brand new:


 
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I love the idea, save a knife that you do use to give to him, and save that barlow that you have there for him also. While it would be nice for him to see the knife that you use and then you pass it down. It is also nice to give him a nice knife where he could add character to himself.

Give him one with the character first and then once you see he can handle it and knows how to maintain the knife, hand him the pristine knife and tell him to write his own stories on that knife.
 
ackblade24 said:
I have a case knife my grandfather used everyday, and he gave it to my father who used it every day up until about two years ago, and gave it too me. It is one of my favorite knives. If they didn't use the knife, it would not have as much personal value to me. Same with my guns my grandfather gave me as well.
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I love these kind of stories, what a wonderful keepsake for you. Would you post some pics of it sometime? Would love to see an old well-used EDC like that!
 
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