What Makes a Good, Traditional Barlow?

[lithicus]

Can you take pictures of the backspring, closed, and the inside, open blades?? I have an idea!!

Sure thing! I hope this is what you were asking for and that the pictures are of a sufficient quality Just took it with my phone and some bright additional lighting.

 

[BakeryWizard]

When I started collecting not long ago, I started with Schrade. The knife my grandfather and I used to process game was an Uncle Henry. And if anyone that I knew understood good steel, it was my grandfather. So, since I liked carbon steel and the patina it takes on, I picked up a few Old Timers. Most of mine were post-walden era, but I did nab one walden 8OT with a long matchstrike pull that I quite like.

I had been thinking about getting a Schrade Cut Co era knife for a while and finally pulled the trigger on this one. It is not in the best condition. Namely, the main blade has been crudely sharpened, has a bunch of recurve, a good amount of wobble, and virtually no snap. Probably a 2 on the pull as opposed to a 1 as it doesn't fall open. Main blade is flush in open and halfstop positions, but sunk when open. On the other hand, the bone is in great condition as is the pen blade. Probably a 7 pull on the pen; flush in open, closed, and halfstop positions. And, virtually no gaps in the backsprings. I'm very happy to own my first Schrade Cut Co! I personally think the bone is just gorgeous, which is what drew me to it in the first place.

I think I will work on the clip to remove the recurve. I'd also like to squeeze the bolster to tighten up the blade play on the clip. But, I know that this (in theory) would require sanding after peening. And, sanding these bolsters concerns me a little bit as I don't want to destroy the history of the knife. Thoughts on this?? Don't do anything to the knife at all? Tighten it up but avoid sanding and leave the pin proud?? (Apologies if these questions are off topic. If I need to take this to another thread, I can edit this out and make a new post.)

with the age and patina already on the knife, I wouldn't worry about leaving a pin exposed. Of course I don't worry about that on newer knives either, so your opinion might be different.

 

[lithicus]

BakeryWizard , I kind of felt the same way. The pin is already exposed on one side and an exposed pin wouldn't really bother me too much anyway. I think it's mostly done for aesthetical purposes anyway

 

[Fodderwing]

L lithicus That is a beautiful barlow. The bone is so rich almost caramel.

 

[lithicus]

L lithicus That is a beautiful barlow. The bone is so rich almost caramel.

Thank you very much! And I agree. Very pretty color. I like the remnants of the saw cuts as well. I did my best to capture that in the images.

I did find it a little odd it didn't have any stamp on the bolster. Most Schrade's I see have the Schrade stamping. But, even without the stamp, I couldn't resist

 

[Augie]

Here is the prototype for Charlie's next Ancient barlow, it will be a 2 blade with a broken pen. Each pen will be broken by hand at the end of production, GEC will set up a bench so the pen can be broken using as a pry bar or a screwdriver for authenticity to make sure each pen has a unique break, there will no 2 alike.

 

[mbkr]

Here is the prototype for Charlie's next Ancient barlow, it will be a 2 blade with a broken pen. Each pen will be broken by hand at the end of production, GEC will set up a bench so the pen can be broken using as a pry bar or a screwdriver for authenticity to make sure each pen has a unique break, there will no 2 alike.


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I'm in

 

[waynorth]

Sure thing! I hope this is what you were asking for and that the pictures are of a sufficient quality Just took it with my phone and some bright additional lighting.

Thanks for the effort, lithicus!! Your first pictures showed much bigger gaps, so it must have been an optical illusion! My idea doesn't apply - apologies!! Good luck with your repairs, if you do any!

 

[waynorth]

Here is the prototype for Charlie's next Ancient barlow, it will be a 2 blade with a broken pen. Each pen will be broken by hand at the end of production, GEC will set up a bench so the pen can be broken using as a pry bar or a screwdriver for authenticity to make sure each pen has a unique break, there will no 2 alike.


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I'll pass on that one, thanks!!! But your <DE> shows nice character!! Smooth the pen a little, and it's a nice antique to carry!!

 

[Augie]

I'll pass on that one, thanks!!! But your <DE> shows nice character!! Smooth the pen a little, and it's a nice antique to carry!!

That's exactly why I bought it Charlie, really solid knife with great bone, already sharpened it as is and dropped it in the pocket.

 

[waynorth]

That's exactly why I bought it Charlie, really solid knife with great bone, already sharpened it as is and dropped it in the pocket.

A Joyful Pocket knife!! Nice going, John!!!
I love a sharp Barlow in my pocket!!

 

[mobilerd]

Henckels…not the prettiest stag but has some character in my books

You have broadened my horizons! I’ve never seen Henckels pocket knives.

 

[euroken]

You have broadened my horizons! I’ve never seen Henckels pocket knives.

This was my first, but doing some search and they seem to make great slip joints! I think they are well established (or better known at least) in the kitchen knife world!

 

[lithicus]

Thanks for the effort, lithicus!! Your first pictures showed much bigger gaps, so it must have been an optical illusion! My idea doesn't apply - apologies!! Good luck with your repairs, if you do any!

No worries! I think I'm going to tighten it up and peen it but leave the pins proud. One pin is already a little proud on the one side. It won't bother me a bit I'd much rather have character and proud pins than flush pins with shiny "new" bolsters

 

[BakeryWizard]

Here is the prototype for Charlie's next Ancient barlow, it will be a 2 blade with a broken pen. Each pen will be broken by hand at the end of production, GEC will set up a bench so the pen can be broken using as a pry bar or a screwdriver for authenticity to make sure each pen has a unique break, there will no 2 alike.


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A pen blade modified into a screwdriver

 

[r8shell]

Here is the prototype for Charlie's next Ancient barlow, it will be a 2 blade with a broken pen. Each pen will be broken by hand at the end of production, GEC will set up a bench so the pen can be broken using as a pry bar or a screwdriver for authenticity to make sure each pen has a unique break, there will no 2 alike.


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Haha!

That's exactly why I bought it Charlie, really solid knife with great bone, already sharpened it as is and dropped it in the pocket.

That broken pen could be turned into a nice coping blade. The break is close enough to the tip to not lose the nail nick.

 

[Fodderwing]

 

[Truggers]

My son found this lovely old IXL for my birthday on our recent holiday in Tasmania. It’s been well used but not abused. Lovely patina to the scales and plenty of life left on the blades….still solid and snaps closed. A bit of a clean up and now good for more years of pocket time….

 

[Fodderwing]

 

[Angry Waiter]

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Love this one Dwight!