What Makes a Good, Traditional Barlow?

Cross Bones said:
I was given this over 20 years ago...
(--Image deleted as a kindness to bandwidth--)
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I rescued one of those from a junk-shop earlier this summer. One like that, in new condition (mine has a touch of blade wobble), with a single blade for a slimmer handle, and made right there in my home state to boot? This might just be the GEC I've been waiting for.

As a side-note, your blade looks a little funny to me -- mine's so swaybacked, it never occurred to me how little curvature it's *supposed* to have out there at the tip.
western_barlow.jpg
 
My problem is whenever I "ruminate" it's usually over some brown liquid, and then anything might make sense.

I really like philosophy!
 
puukkoman said:
I'm really looking forward to these, too. It's exciting to see GEC produce a REAL barlow, instead of that weird little stubby thing they've been making.
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As I really love my weird little stubby thing , I couldn't agree with you more. I cann't wait to see how pocket friendly these are going to be as 3.5 Is rreally pushing it for me. I find that 3 3/8 is really the sweet spot for me. And the weird little stubby things ride like they aren't even there. :)
 
It has been a delight to view the Barlow pictures and read the words said about them here.The Barlow pattern seems to have a quality about it that causes old men to smile and tell knife stories when they see one.This one serves well as a carry pocket knife plus prompts stories that begin with "I had a knife just like that when I was a kid,except mine was a Schrade,or Colonial,or Case,or Imperial,etcetera". Followed with "I cleaned squirrels and rabbits,cut hay string,whittled a bow and arrow,carved my name on a Beech tree,with it,"and such. My third grade art contest entry was a rural mailbox, post,and base whittled from a bar of Ivory soap using a Barlow.It did not win a prize but did draw a few favorable comments.
 
waynorth said:
I never forgot this post, Gev. At one time I learned a little about the Quadrivium, part of the Ancient Greek theory of education, which leads hopefully, to pure philosophy. However it was mostly lost on my hormone jumbled noggin, at the time.

But indeed contemplation of what makes the Barlow such a pleasing blend of art and function, can surely be a form of pure philosophy.
I suspect my "kids" will find me often, in future years, snoozing in the rocking chair, a Barlow or two in my lap!!:rolleyes:
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Thank you, Charlie. For reminding me to "remember myself" and the art of living.
 
Thanks ~P! You are wayyy ahead of me!
Another GEC picture:
TCparts1.jpg

I heard they might start assembly this week. They are working out the bugs before they open the flood gates.
Latest details:
1)One other color of bone (although I like this one!) . . . . .
2)Trouble with hand peening of the rivets. Looks like the rivets will be spun, like this one pictured.
Too many cracks otherwise. . . . .
3)We should see Ebony soon. . . . . .
 
waynorth said:
Thanks ~P! You are wayyy ahead of me!
Another GEC picture:
TCparts1.jpg

I heard they might start assembly this week. They are working out the bugs before they open the flood gates.
Latest details:
1)One other color of bone (although I like this one!) . . . . .
2)Trouble with hand peening of the rivets. Looks like the rivets will be spun, like this one pictured.
Too many cracks otherwise. . . . .
3)We should see Ebony soon. . . . . .
Click to expand...


SOLD! Those look amazing! Now I really cant wait to get one or two!
 
Those are fantastic! The only nit I'd pick on this is they're too smooth. Not enough saw-cut texture for me. Won't stop me from getting ebony and bone.
 
Wow, those covers look magnificent. They really remind me of CC barlows, very nice indeed.
 
waynorth said:
Hey Duncan, what are you doing hanging around here?? Shouldn't you be ironing your Kilt for the big day??;)
Hope it goes wonderfully for you and Sue!:thumbup:
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Haha... Charlie-I just saw this.... yes I was getting a few looks being on the computer ( again ) :)
 
Those pics literally took my breath away... I had no idea how nice that bone could look :thumbup: Looks like I'll have to get bone AND Ebony now :)
 
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