The finer points of the Barlow

Shorttime

Shorttime

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Oct 16, 2011
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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 .

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 .

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 !!
It's all, and more, in the thread mentioned above, in the @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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