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The ? to myself was not "Why buy a Craftsman barlow?"... it was "Why not?!" :)

PocketKnifeJimmy

PocketKnifeJimmy

Joined
Aug 4, 2013
Messages
3,989
So there I was browsing an online auction site, when I ran into a listing for a Sear's Craftsman brand barlow described as being new in box (just stored for a long time). How long was that storage?... Well, the description included that within it's box was something dating it to 1955. I was born in 1965 (my being 48), and she's 10 years older than I (being 58 years old). Price was $40 plus under $3 for shipping... very reasonable for a knife this old and in it's described condition. Made by who?... I really don't know, but she is definitely USA made. Maybe Schrade, maybe Camillus, maybe Ulster... but definitely American made. But Sear's Craftsman?... What in that name could attract me?!... Well, growing up for me meant owning Sears sold products, for sure! Two or three weeks before each new school year started, it meant crunch time for my parents to buy my brother and I new school clothes.... and that meant at least some coming from Sears. Toughskin jeans were a staple during most of my elementary school years. And how about my first real firearm, my convincing my parents to buy me a .22 caliber rimfire rifle labled Sears, but made by Savage/Stevens. Or, how about my second rifle, my getting a civilian version of the M1 Carbine, labled Sears, but made by Universal Arms. Oh, and those great Sears wishbooks (catalogs) that we always had somewhere in the house... boy did they make us big eyed while browsing those pages! And today, with Sears, a company started in the late 1800's, now holding on by threads... it may yet be another great name fading into the history books. And Craftsman... just another of many Sears brands that have been powerful... Simply a name that represented solid performance, great durability, with a great Sears backed guarantee! So, the question for me was not "Why should I place an order for this knife?"... it was, "Why the heck not!!!" :)

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Many years ago when my kids were in thier bicycle years the 4 of them pitched in a got me a Sears Craftsman Electricians knife. They picked it out of an angled glass display case. It was a dual blade, one of the blades being a straight edge screwdriver complete with exagerated steel loop. It came out of the box wrapped in brown oil paper and although the knife had Craftsman on the blade stamp it was Camillus on the paper.
 
Greykilt said:
Many years ago when my kids were in thier bicycle years the 4 of them pitched in a got me a Sears Craftsman Electricians knife. They picked it out of an angled glass display case. It was a dual blade, one of the blades being a straight edge screwdriver complete with exagerated steel loop. It came out of the box wrapped in brown oil paper and although the knife had Craftsman on the blade stamp it was Camillus on the paper.
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Thanks for sharing... It jolted my memory to remember the first bicycle my parents bought me was a Sears 20"... banana seat and all! lol! ;)
 
I have a few Craftsman branded slipjoints, they're both made by Schrade. I think Camillus made some as well, so I'm not sure about yours. Try asking Bernard Levine?
 
That one was made by Ulster, which at that point was part of the same company as Schrade and Imperial.
 
Either way Jimmy, what a great looking old knife. Just imagine the history behind it. There was a time when Craftsman and Barlow both were the definitives for tools and knives respectively. I remember my grandfather would reach for his pocketknife saying "Let me get my Barlow out" It wasn't "my knife" but "my Barlow". When a name brand or style becomes the recognized term for the tool it represents thats something. My Barlow, my Zippo, my Winchester, etc
Enjoy!
 
Thanks, buddy... I think she'll fit right into my collection :) It was already fun just posting this thread up, my remembering such memories of my youth, and how Sears was a big part of my growing up. Sears, Mongomery Wards, Western Auto, and the local five and dime.... oh man, what memories! :)
 
Really nice looking Barlow. I like Craftsman branded knives myself. I have a couple myself. Seems like they can often be bought at a good price.

Jim
 
Grateful said:
Really nice looking Barlow. I like Craftsman branded knives myself. I have a couple myself. Seems like they can often be bought at a good price.

Jim
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Thank you, sir!... And yes, I agree... prices still, for the most part, seem very fair. I really don't think too many large chain stores in our history have been able to make their store brands such common household names... Craftsman, Diehard, Maytag... they were as big, if not bigger, than most names overall in their perspective line of products. I am looking forward to having this knife in my hands... My nostalgic side has lately been more and more apparent, lol! ;)
 
Great Barlow Jimmy, congrats! :thumbup:

Your memory of Sears is like mine (I'm 50). Craftsman tools, Kenmore appliances, and oh, those catalogs!
 
Question, for those that may have one of these barlows... The listing did not describe what material the handle scales are made of. Of course in 4 or 5 days I'll receive it and maybe be able to tell (not always so easy), lol! Anyhow, let's say the description is correct in dating it as a mid 1950's specimen... I don't believe Dupont had yet been in production of Delrin... so could the handle be bone? Anyhow, any input you can share will be appreciated :)

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Nice knife, pkj. The shading of the covers sure looks like bone to me. They might not be, but I bet they will be, especially that era. It's funny, interesting funny, not haha funny. Our kitchen appliances are Kenmore and are from our local Sears. However, it is all coming to an end as our local store is going out of business. Hard to see, given how much of a staple Sears used to be.

Anyway, thanks for sharing. Nice example.
 
zippofan said:
Great Barlow Jimmy, congrats! :thumbup:

Your memory of Sears is like mine (I'm 50). Craftsman tools, Kenmore appliances, and oh, those catalogs!
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Ditto here - 50 yrs old... I remember those Toughskin jeans! They were so stiff when new, you could stand them up lol. My first .22 rifle was a JC Higgins bolt action by Marlin. Sears was the go- to place when i was a kid in the 60's n 70's.

Jimmy that Barlow is totally cool! Can you post up a few more pics of it when you get time. What color are those scales? They look black.
 
Thanks again, guys! Yeah, I will take some pics when I get it and share here. Does look black in color by the photos... well, except around the edges... which seem almost brownish. I'm hoping for it having real sawcut bone, rather than delrin... but as long as it's well done, will be okay with it being delrin :) Hahaha... those toughskin jeans were pretty stiff.... and though it was almost impossible to develope a hole in their knee patches...they always seemed to wear and eventually rip around the patches borders. Those patches also looked so obvious... what a lousy gimmick they were! LOL! :)
 
My great grandmothers maiden name was Sears.That tenuous connection alone would be enough for me to want that barlow.
Any of you guys remember the scholl shoes with "big cat paw prints" and a compass in the heel? Barter Scouts as they were known in this country.
ps the two Craftsman knives i have are impeccable.
 
My great grandmothers maiden name was Sears.That tenuous connection alone would be enough for me to want that barlow.
Any of you guys remember the school shoes with "big cat paw prints" and a compass in the heel? Barter Scouts as they were known in this country.
ps the two Craftsman knives i have are impeccable.

apologies double post.
 
My great grandmothers maiden name was Sears.That tenuous connection alone would be enough for me to want that barlow.
Any of you guys remember the scholl shoes with "big cat paw prints" and a compass in the heel? Barter Scouts as they were known in this country.
ps the two Craftsman knives i have are impeccable.
 
PKJ, I would have snapped that knife up as well, I would have thought it was a Schrade built - the packaging certainly looks like Schrades as well, but I am not too sure.
Any Craftsman knife I have owned has been a extremely well built knife - your one looks to be no exception, a very neat knife-great score simply because of the build quality, the maker behind the stamp and of course the beautiful condition.
 
Thanks! :)
Truth is, this will be my oldest manufactured knife to date. I'm very big on condition, and this one surely seems to fit what I look for in a pocket knife to enter my collection. It does amaze me to see old, but new condition knives (or just about any item, really). You mentioned the box it comes in... since I have not received the knife yet, I do not know what it is made of...Plastic?.. At least that is what it appears to be made of based on the pics that were part of it's description online. Thanks for the input and comments, guys :)
 
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