What is it about Barlows?

davek14 said:
Indeed.

I love Barlows myself, for the gestalt and because they really are a good working knife. So it was interesting to find all the high end ones when I started to look around for them. They are awesome as well, but not a work knife.

There are still Barlows that are great, old work knives to be found used. They are harder to find than many, but available.

Or you could get a good ol' shell handle Imperial or Colonial. They are easier to find used. They belie the the Barlow name because they are light duty but anyone old enough had one as a kid and they are wicked slicers.
Click to expand...

Hi Dave
I have been using my Charlie sheepsfoot single blade pretty much every day for over 6 months. I cut heavy 10 oz veggitan leather and I end up leaning on the blade with every cut. This knife IS a REAL work knife and I don't think it's going to change.

Best regards

Robin
 
Camillus made ones with the Camillus name and the Camco name. The Camillus was a 51 and the Camco was a 551. Classic
 
CharlowWoods2_zps20754735.jpg~original


I find that my user Charlow, a two blade saddle brown saw-cut "Days Work" is properly named and is built like a tank. ( Not pictured here )
 
Last edited:
Pipeman said:
Hi Dave
I have been using my Charlie sheepsfoot single blade pretty much every day for over 6 months. I cut heavy 10 oz veggitan leather and I end up leaning on the blade with every cut. This knife IS a REAL work knife and I don't think it's going to change.

Best regards

Robin
Click to expand...

:thumbup::thumbup:
 
Pipeman said:
Hi Dave
I have been using my Charlie sheepsfoot single blade pretty much every day for over 6 months. I cut heavy 10 oz veggitan leather and I end up leaning on the blade with every cut. This knife IS a REAL work knife and I don't think it's going to change.

Best regards

Robin
Click to expand...

Point taken. :o

I do cut into metal, scrape with the spine (or even small blade) and other stupid stuff at times.

Charlie huh? That's funny.
 
Pipeman said:
:D, I suggest buying a few Rough Riders, good knives and you won't feel too guilty about being a knife abuser:D

Best regards

Robin
Click to expand...

I have a Rough Rider Barlow, their steel gives me a rash.
images


Of the top of my head I've a Boker Barlow and an old CamCo Barlow I like. Wish I could find a Schrade Barlow at a good price. That would be grail-ish.
 
I have 4 or 5, all of different lineage and age. They are amazingly similar in size, blade shape, and weight. The only one that stands out is the DB Barlow from Queen with its D2. For what I paid for it, I would not categorize it as a really super affordable workingman's knife like a sodbuster, but it will indeed to a day's work and then several more on top of that without a blink.

The oldest is an old Keen Kutter. My Dad gave this to me a couple of years ago, and he reckoned it was from somewhere in the 20s. I have a Kabar as mentioned above, and a RR as well. All are great knives in their own way. The Keen Kutter is a bit small than the others and disappears in my pocket. The Kabar has some heft to it with its iron bolsters, and the blades are thin enough to get a really nice edge on it very easily. The RR has the best fit and finish by a long shot (even better than the Queen!) and is an excellent slicer due to its hollow grind.

I carry the Queen the most because I like the spear blade and really like the D2.

I think this pattern has been around so long because it has proven itself over and over for many decades to be so useful and hardworking by those that used to (and those that still do!) use their knives for a living.

Robert
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top