TC Barlows...Clip point with and without pen?

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Gary W. Graley

Gary W. Graley

“Imagination is more important than knowledge"
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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Well, I traveled to GEC for their open house not long ago, met some wonderful folks there! My mission, and I did choose to accept it (mission impossible cliché ;) ) was to find a two bladed #79 Montana Workhorse, score! and a Clip point TC Barlow, a swing and a miss, BUT I did meet up with Waynorth and from his generous hands picked up a spearpoint TC Barlow with the 3P's on the one side, VERY nice.

NOW, on the forums this morning, been watching the forsale section like a hawk, missed a couple already, I saw a single bladed TC Clip point and also one with clip point and pen blade. Initially I went for the clip point single, but went back and changed it to the clip point and pen, question is, how'd I do? For those of you with both, give me the pro's and con's on the them. Photos are as always, much welcome ;)

I guess I'll see in a couple weeks or so once funds get there and knife gets sent, but the waiting is killer, ain't it the truth!
G2
 
Gary I have a 2 blade clip (had it that day if you recall) in ebony that I carry often. It's a great edc knife for me because I usually cut food and open boxes, mail, etc. Having two blades make this easy for me. Occasionally I will carry a single clip TC or baoys knife. It's so slim and light I usually don't notice it in my pocket. I typically have another smaller knife in my change pocket to accompany it. So for me it's both. I can't settle on just one. BTW nice score.
 
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Can't go wrong with a TC Barlow, one vs two blades is just personal preference. I prefer the single blade for it's slimness, not surprising as most of my slipjoints are single blade. The sawcut bone is classic. Here's a pic to help hold you over :)

tomschoicetrio.jpg
 
when they first started making the barlows back in the day, were they made with one or two blades?
 
Gary, I have the single clip even though I prefer two-blade knives. There just isn't enough difference to me between a pointy clip and a pen. I waited for the sheepfoot two-blade to come out, so that I had a straight edge and a bellied edge. Now if they had done the clip with a smaller sheepfoot or coping, then I would have been all over it, but I realize that won't happen because it isn't traditional.
 
I've had both, and while I really like the 2 blade clip point charlows, I prefer the clip point in the single blade. I'm able to easily pinch open the single blade clip point which is something I cannot do with the others. It is also noticeably thinner and disappears in my pocket.

For a 2 blade jack, I prefer the spearpoint with secondary blade over the clip point version. When using the small blade, the closed main clip blade is more noticeable in your grip than the spearpoint main blade (although the closed clip point doesn't really get in the way of the function of the knife or with my grip on it). I think I find the 2 blade spearpoint more aesthetically pleasing than the 2 blade clip point, but I can never make up my mind. I like all of the charlows a lot, so it is hard for me to decide which one I prefer over others.

For myself, it came down to owning just one clip and one spearpoint. I went with the single blade clip point and the 2 blade spearpoint. I still regret letting go of the 2 blade clip however. You can't go wrong with any of the charlows.

*After writing my response above, I am now starting to miss owning the 2 blade clip! :(
 
Gary, I've shown this many times here because if there's a knife (for me) that may be the "end all" in regards to buying more knives (sacrilegious I know) well this was it for me :)

I received my 2 blade Clip in Gabon ebony the day of my birthday 3.23.13 and it has been with me everyday since :thumbup:

I'm not a single blade guy I guess---I have very few. I love a blade for food and one for other duties and this is the knife for me. Not saying I don't carry another knife with it but this one is always carried :o

Pictures you say huh :p

p6120001.jpg


z5c5.jpg


p60700072.jpg


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p4220003e.jpg


Paul
 
csisland said:
when they first started making the barlows back in the day, were they made with one or two blades?
Click to expand...

Two-blades go back a long way, csisland. At least 150 years!

Gary, I feel a lot of loyalty to "olde Boily" (note the "e"), which is a single blade spear.
It's slim in the pocket, and does everything I need.
But I am going to try a two-blade Sheepfoot for a while, so I am in the boat with you - we'll see how it goes!

Paul, I hope you don't mind me using your wonderful pictures for my desktop??
 
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Gee Gary. Just take a look at this thread that I'm sure you must have seen. It's got more pictures in it and answers your questions thoroughly.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1009441-What-Makes-a-Good-Traditional-Barlow

That said; here are a couple/three pictures of the ones I have.

Two TC Barlows with a Boys Knife - all clip points
dxm1.jpg


A TC Barlow with clip point
d73z.jpg


When I first got these knives, I carried the knife in the second picture every day for about two weeks. I used it for my mundane, every day tasks, but not for anything heavy. My experience is that they are stout little knives and perform well. It's certainly worth having one in your collection along with any other Barlow knves you may already have.

If you check into that link I posted, you'll see many different uses that the guys have put these knives through.

Good luck with your knife - enjoy.
 
Very interesting thread. I find myself enjoying the single blade and double blade Barlows equally for different reasons. The odd thing is, the clip point models are my least favorite but appear to be the hardest to obtain.
 
Thanks all and Ed yep seen the thread just posing the question plus gives some new folks a chance to see a few more/maybe new photos too ;)
G2

Edited too add John, Paul & Ed LOVE the photos !!!
 
Chief said:
Can't go wrong with a TC Barlow, one vs two blades is just personal preference. I prefer the single blade for it's slimness, not surprising as most of my slipjoints are single blade. The sawcut bone is classic. Here's a pic to help hold you over :)

tomschoicetrio.jpg
Click to expand...

I have the knife in the center, and it is great! It is slim and very easy to carry. You can also pinch open the blade, which is something that I prefer. I am working on the patina for the 1095!
 
I also scored a TC barlow off that thread and went with the single spear blade in ebony, but had a hard time picking between the two blade and single.... I have 4 of the #15 boys knives in single blade, 3 spear and 1 clip but do not have a 2 blade boys knife or charlow. These things are extremely difficult to come by and I wanted to buy all four, but figured I would leave a few for the rest of ya...;) Great grab Gary! By the way, drooling over that brown sawcut bone charlow of yours is what tipped me over the edge.. :thumbup:
 
Thanks guys, I have a shadow Barlow by Imperial ;) well it's a plastic scaled with clip and pen blade. Both blades were not ground down very thin, guess they figured I might need to chop bolts with it, the clip is a bit better, the pen barely shows any grind down at all, it's thick.

But, I like the looks and the pen on the TC Barlow looks to be slim enough to the handle so it doesn't intrude much when using the clip blade.

I'll see in a while, it'll take a bit of time before it reaches me, so post away, one shot that would be handy would be one resting on top of the other to see how much thicker the two bladed version is??

G2
 
Chief said:
Can't go wrong with a TC Barlow, one vs two blades is just personal preference. I prefer the single blade for it's slimness, not surprising as most of my slipjoints are single blade. The sawcut bone is classic. Here's a pic to help hold you over :)

tomschoicetrio.jpg
Click to expand...
Hey there John -how are things my friend?
Great shot of those beautiful knives! I too prefer the single blade.
 
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