USA Barlow question

C

copperheaded

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Dec 28, 2015
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I decided I wanted to start carrying a traditional knife, so I purchased a few Rough Rider models. My favorite by far has been the Barlow. So, my question is this: what USA made Barlow would you recommend me getting? It will be an everyday user so it will see lots of use. Not sure about the budget because I'm not sure what I should expect. Any advice on this is appreciated.
 
Queen makes a nice barlow.

The Waynorth (Charlie Capagna) special orders are quite nice but sell out pretty quickly (usually about 3 1/2" closed length and the traditional barlow size.). If you like small ones, the Waynorth Lick Creek Barlow (about 3.1" closed length) is kind of nice. I just bought a two blade Lick Creek Barlow a few days ago. These were made by Great Eastern Cutlery (GEC) and you can always depend on a quality built traditional knife.
 
I would head for an Antique Store and see what is available in them first to see if you like the Pattern . I would look for a Camillus first . They go for a ridiculously low price and they are an excellent value and Quality . Then look for Case , Schrade Walton ,Qeen , Schadt & Morgan , Robeson , Boker , IXL , Kutmaster , Russell , or what ever other brand you can find . Just so it was made in the U.S.A. , Sheffield , or Solingen Germany . Meanwhile , read what is written about and seen on these threads . Price expected to pay for a good , new U.S.A. made Barlow will go from $ 80 to $ 140 . Depends on number of blades , brands , and handle material. I myself prefer Northfield , but that is not the only good one out there . Have a nice trip fellow Hoosier .

Harry
 
There are a ton of good old USA made Barlows out there at all kinds of price points. Really good vintage Barlows can be had for a song on that large auction site and also pop up on the exchange. Imperial, Schrade, Camillus, Camco and so on. I also am very fond of the Boker Barlows 493 is a Clip and Pen 494 is a Sheepsfoot and Pen. Then you have Case, Queen, Schatt and Morgan and of course GEC's are great particularly the TC Barlow's. From $20 to $200 you can't go wrong with any I have mentioned as an EDC. Good luck.
 
Queen makes a nice barlow. Very sharp out of the box. BUT, IMHO a Rough Rider would be better for hard use EDC. I have some of both and tend to actually use the RR more than the Queen. Forgot to add that you can buy 5-6 RRs for the price of one Queen. My Queen is pretty much a "dress knife", while my RR barlows are used almost daily.

Rich
 
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Case used to make a pretty good Barlow. They discontinued the pattern a few years ago so you'd have to look for them through the secondary market.

 
copperheaded,

If you want it you can have it. It'll be a good first step. Not the finest American made Barlow, but a good honest one. If you want it pm me your address.
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I am pleased with the Queen #69 Workhorse Barlow as a plain Jane work all day user. Replaced my old long in the tooth Camco (Camillus) Barlow a week or so back. Maybe not the one you would take with you to the dance, but certainly the one to take with you in the barn.
 
Stan Rose said:
copperheaded,

If you want it you can have it. It'll be a good first step. Not the finest American made Barlow, but a good honest one. If you want it pm me your address.
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Now, you can't beat that with a stick! Go for it!
 
I'm a big fan of the Northwoods Madison Barlow (Knives Ship Free) made by GEC. Don't believe they have any left from the last run, but if you like a large traditional knife (4.25" closed) and a barlow type design (bolster) you might keep your eyes open for one. They came in both one and two blade versions. Both blades are large as opposed to the common clip and pen.
 
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Pick up a Colonial, Imperial, Or other USA made vintage piece on the Bay you can get them for under $15 all day long and the carbon steel takes a ridiculous edge easily.
 
22-rimfire said:
I'm a big fan of the Northwoods Madison Barlow (Knives Ship Free) made by GEC. Don't believe they have any left from the last run, but if you like a large traditional knife (4.25" closed) and a barlow type design (bolster) you might keep your eyes open for one. They came in both one and two blade versions. Both blades are large as opposed to the common clip and pen. I have both.
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I whole heartedly agree. They may not be in the "traditional" Barlow pattern, but they are excellent knives.

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I got this on auction, $5.02 shipped. Imperial USA. Took 30 minutes of effort to clean up and sharpen. Realistically, it will handle most EDC tasks with ease. Not the prettiest, and slight recurve from poor sharpening in the past, but it's a workhorse with lots left to give. Hard to beat at $5!

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JupiterPaladin said:
I got this on auction, $5.02 shipped. Imperial USA. Took 30 minutes of effort to clean up and sharpen. Realistically, it will handle most EDC tasks with ease. Not the prettiest, and slight recurve from poor sharpening in the past, but it's a workhorse with lots left to give. Hard to beat at $5!

IMG_20170320_220154515_zpsln1nus18.jpg
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They are great knives.
 
Stan Rose said:
I whole heartedly agree. They may not be in the "traditional" Barlow pattern, but they are excellent knives.

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Probably about as traditional as the Big Daddy Barlows which are even larger. I have a couple of the Remingtons. Yeah. I like Barlows..... a Case Barlow was the very first good knife I ever owned as a young boy. Used it for years as my only knife.
 
For EDC I'd say I prefer the Madison to the Grand dad Barlow. My examples are about5.25" closed. A little too big for day in day out pocket carry for me.

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I feel the same way. I think the Remington's are 5.5" closed. Beastly traditional knives if you carry in a pocket versus a belt pouch.

At the little knife show I attended on Friday (past), I had intended to buy or at least fondle a Queen barlow he had, but I forgot all about that. I bought three GEC knives from him that day.

Added: Canal Street Cutlery (CSC) made a nice copper head barlow for Kabar. Don't know if there are any around any more. That was a year or so ago before CSC went out of business.
 
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Stan Rose said:
copperheaded,

If you want it you can have it. It'll be a good first step. Not the finest American made Barlow, but a good honest one. If you want it pm me your address.
0b051dc382ff8a6a8ebdba2eee324968.jpg


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Click to expand...

You will never get a better deal than that . That is a Camillus !!!

Harry
 
For something fun and unique for dress up days. I like this Ka-Bar Coppersmith Barlow.

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Some vintage Imperial Barlow's.

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These are not made in the US, but I also really like these German Bull Stag Barlow's. On the low end of the pricing scale for European made knives.

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And as already been mentioned, Rough Riders are pretty spectacular in relation to their prices. Once you start on RR's, they're like candy. Five bucks here, $12 there, they just breed like bunnies. [emoji41]

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