This hobby is addictive!!

steve-in-kville

steve-in-kville

Joined
Dec 25, 2001
Messages
1,139
As I am trying to rebuild my collection, I've become most intrigued with this Traditional sub-forum. I was not prepared for how addicting this could be!! I set out to buy a fixed blade knife and now I am fixated on folders as well.

One question: when it comes to Barlows, does anyone still make a true Barlow, or just copies of them?
 
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Also.... if you folks could be so kind as to list sources for traditional knives.... I've dealt with New Graham in the past as well as A. G. Russel. Also have been browsing Knifehq the past few days. Are there better sources, maybe retailers that sponsor us here on BFC?
 
What do you mean by "true Barlow"? What makes the current "copies" not true Barlows? Sorry, just not quite sure what you're asking.

Traditional folders are awfully addictive, they suck you in and don't let go too easily. Nice thing is that you can scratch that itch pretty easily and inexpensively, especially if you look for deals on older knives. But even some new Case knives can be had for pretty cheap.

There are some great traditional knife dealers out there, but I can never keep track of which ones we can mention and which one we can't...so just seach for GEC knives and that will be a good start.
 
If you are referring to a true Barlow being a knife with integral iron liner/bolsters and a razor blade, then I don't believe anyone makes them. 20th century Barlows are made now true to patterns like Russell type Barlows. Not sure if GEC makes one that is considered "Grand Daddy".
 
Then what is this french-sounding name that begins with a T? Isn't there one knife company that owns the rights to the barlow design?
 
steve-in-kville said:
Then what is this french-sounding name that begins with a T? Isn't there one knife company that owns the rights to the barlow design?
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The GEC Family of Brands,
Tidioute Cutlery-Traditional Pocket Knives Built for Function & Performance
Northfield UN-X-LD-The Pocket Knife of Choice for the Discriminating Collector
GEC-Traditional Pocket Knives Built with Traditional Stainless Steel
Farm & Field Tool-Tough and Rugged, Our Most Durable Pocket Knives
 
There are many patterns with a lot of history. Some new knives are based on old patterns, some are similar to old patterns but with a few changes. GEC makes nice barlows but they aren't available all the time. Essentially everything they make is a run and the popular knives sell out the whole batch very quickly. The exchange here is a good place to try.
 
steve-in-kville said:
Sorry.... won't let me. Too many years hanging out in W&C. If a mod wants to change it, please do.

My apologies for the coarseness...
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Click on "edit post" then click the "go advanced" button when the edit window opens, you should be able to change the title from there.
 
There are quite a few companies making Barlows. I think you were referring to the Tidioute Barlows, referred to as charlows. If you mean a real Barlow in that it's cheap and made for work, I'd check out rough rider. If you want the nicest and best made Barlow, check out GEC.

Also I don't have that many Barlows, so I'm not an expert.
 
Derrick from Knives Ship Free posts in this forum regulary. Members here speak highly of him and his products.
 
Welcome to the Traditional knife forum Steve. This forum is cozy and genteel in it's tone, etc (if you've been at W&C for long you'll have to adjust to it, lol), but it's a GREAT and friendly place that you'll enjoy. We're like a little family here sort of. There's TONS of knowledge here amongst the veteran collectors, so read as many posts as you can, do searches on things you are wanting to learn more about, but ask questions too if those things don't get you what you're looking for as everyone is incredibly helpful. The stickies at the top of page One of this forum will give you the rules of Traditionals. Frank once told me "think: 1950's TV" when it comes to manners and language here. I guess it's "what would Ward Cleaver say or do"? lol :)

As to Barlows? Our very own member "waynorth" (Charlie) is our expert here on that pattern. I'm a novice in comparison to a lot of these guys, but my understanding is that the Barlow pattern goes back to the early 1600's in England. As far as I know that original maker isn't in existence today. Charlie has studied and collected Barlows for decades I believe and his TC Barlow made by Great Eastern Cutlery in PA you see here is the most "true to form" of any that are currently made in regards to construction, materials used, etc. (Someone please correct me here of course if I'm incorrect in any of this!). The link below is a good start... Read that and you'll have an AA degree on the Barlow by the time you're finished. :)

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

These are the dealers we're able to discuss and mention here in the Traditional forum. They sponsor and support this forum and are a great asset as members also.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1089879-Paid-Dealer-Members-List
 
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Welcome to the traditional side of cutlery, Steve. It is a great corner of the 'net, and it is a little bit like family here. But, it is addictive, and with so many patterns, and variances of scale material, blade shapes, and makers, it can be a very expensive addiction. But not as bad as drugs or booze, and quite legal.

Getting into the barlow pattern, there is a huge wealth of them in old marques floating around flea markets, antique malls, the great bay where deals are made. There's great old names like Camillus, Schrade, Imperial, Utica, Case, and a slew of others who made the pattern. Sometimes the old ones are a better deal than the new stuff, plus you get a knife with a past. Sometimes looking at an old knife you've rescued from a flea mart, you wonder what tales the knife could tell of where it's been.

Or you can go new and instantly available with GEC, Russell's, or even the customs guys who will make you a barlow that will knock your socks off.

Carrying a traditional pocket knife is a step back n time. You won't ever be able to flip it out, there's no lock on the blade that will stand the weight of the U.S.S. Nimitz hanging on it. But you will have a knife with a choice of blades, and you will have a knife like what your great grandfathers grandfather carried back in a day when a man needed a knife for everyday living, before the invention of office cubicles.

You have a whole new universe in front of you, hope to see you around here more in the future.
 
arizonaranchman said:
(if you've been at W&C for long you'll have to adjust to it, lol)....."think: 1950's TV" when it comes to manners and language here. I guess it's "what would Ward Cleaver say or do"? lol :)
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Sorry about the original thread title. As mentioned, I've been here since 2001 I think. Was big into knives, then got washed out when the economy took a dive about 5 years ago. Starting to get back on my feet again and want to get a knife collection going. The traditional genre just strikes a cord with me, not sure why.
 
I would try to attend knife shows. You know visit those tables with the older gent with a pile of slip joints spread out and do some dealing.

The KF dealers (usually smaller ones) that have barlows like the "charlows" made by Great Eastern Cutlery (Tidioute). They have their user name in green. My most frequently dealers are KnivesShipFree for folders and I do visit that other VA dealer you mentioned that is not a member here (FYI). Made a special point of visit his store a year or so ago. Canal Street and the Kabar barlows made by Canal Street are interesting and good quality. Always fun to cruise AG Russells web site and catalogs.
 
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