The finer points of the Barlow

Shorttime

Shorttime

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Recently (this morning), a thread appeared over in General, asking about Barlows. I posted what turned out to be a pair of bare head jack-pattern knives, the Kershaw Culpepper

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and my own Camillus Electrician.

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So, I'm here for some education. I understood that Barlow Knives are a specific brand, but I was under the impression that a Barlow-pattern knife can have a variety of blade shapes and lock types (or no lock type), like A. G. Russell's Medium Lockback offering.

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I seem to have been mistaken, so I'm here to get educated.

Is there such a thing as a "Barlow-pattern" knife? I guess there is, since I own one. So then, what makes a "Barlow-pattern" knife? Is it the extended bolster and the overall handle shape, or is there something I'm missing?

Thanks in advance, fellas.
 
Your expertise is needed, waynorth waynorth .

I believe the Barlow pattern is a one or two blade barehead jack knife with a bolster that is approximately 1/3 the length of the handle.
As far as I know, there isn't a "Barlow" brand. Several manufacturers, but not all of them, have stamped or engraved "Barlow" on the bolster.
 
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afishhunter said:
Your expertise is needed, waynorth waynorth .

I believe the Barlow pattern is a one or two blade barehead jack knife with a bolster that is approximately 1/3 the length of the handle.
As far as I know, there isn't a "Barlow" brand. Several manufacturers, but not all of them, have stamped or engraved "Barlow" on the bolster.
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You've got it right, afishhunter afishhunter !!
It's all, and more, in the thread mentioned above, in the jmgruber jmgruber post above !!
The "traditional Barlow" thread is long, over 24,000 posts, but a great read in my opinion!!
You'll surely know what a barlow is, if you read it!! :)
 
Long bolstered bareheaded jack. Origin of the name is disputed. Some say origin is from cutler in Sheffield, some say different.

What makes a good Barlow depends on when you grew up and what was commonly sold as a Barlow then. I associate it with a less finished 2 bladed, bareheaded jackknife with sawcut bone/delrin handles and stamped bolster. To each his own.
 
Shorttime said:
All right, continuing with the education, what makes a knife barehead, instead of... what? covered head...?

Is there an FAQ I should be reading?
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Maybe this would be helpful: https://agrussell.com/encyclopedia
I found "barehead" and "Barlow" as consecutive entries in the "B" section; what could be better than that for your first two "lessons"? ;):thumbsup::thumbsup:

- GT
 
Doing more &oogling, and I'm thinking an English jacks are more boy's knife with end caps...couldn't find any long bolster with end cap pictures 😆
 
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