What Makes a Good, Traditional Barlow?

https://imgur.com/a/QLByxTl

Her is my freshly and inexpertly restored by me Imperial Providence Barlow. I figured people here might like to see the before and after.

I learned a lot on restoring this knife as this is the first I have restored from the ground up. Definitely learned a lot of things not to do, like be careful with my new belt grinder. It turns out the circular quick stock removal disc sander part does in fact remove material quickly. I accidentally ended up sanding the new scales I made at an angle which did not make final fit up easy, but I didn't want to take any more off since the scales were getting rather thin.

Any constructive criticism is appreciated, or questions for that matter.

Have a great day everyone!
 
PenisMightier said:
https://imgur.com/a/QLByxTl

Her is my freshly and inexpertly restored by me Imperial Providence Barlow. I figured people here might like to see the before and after.

I learned a lot on restoring this knife as this is the first I have restored from the ground up. Definitely learned a lot of things not to do, like be careful with my new belt grinder. It turns out the circular quick stock removal disc sander part does in fact remove material quickly. I accidentally ended up sanding the new scales I made at an angle which did not make final fit up easy, but I didn't want to take any more off since the scales were getting rather thin.

Any constructive criticism is appreciated, or questions for that matter.

Have a great day everyone!
Click to expand...
Nice effort, Pen!! But you probably already have figured out that Handles that taper to thin-ness are not the most practical!! A swell in the palm makes for a handier knife!!!
 
A gift from euroken euroken !!! Thanks Ken!!! Charlie's Cosmic Cutlery!!!! 😁
(Actually Cattaraugus Cutlery Co.!!!) A real classic; I am grateful to have such a classic knife!! Full remaining blades, but nice age-patina!! Sawcut that looks dyed with Potassium Permanganate - very traditional; wonderful bolsters - what's not to love???!!!CCC 1.jpgCCC 2.jpg
 
waynorth said:
Nice effort, Pen!! But you probably already have figured out that Handles that taper to thin-ness are not the most practical!! A swell in the palm makes for a handier knife!!!
Click to expand...
Thanks, that means a lot coming from someone as esteemed as yourself!

Yeah, I am still learning how to use a tabletop belt grinder I just got, and those scales are evidence of that. I meant to leave a lot more material on and have it flatter and closer to the traditional pattern. I wanted to round the scales off to make it more comfy for the hand, but I didn't leave enough material for that.
 
waynorth said:
A gift from euroken euroken !!! Thanks Ken!!! Charlie's Cosmic Cutlery!!!! 😁
(Actually Cattaraugus Cutlery Co.!!!) A real classic; I am grateful to have such a classic knife!! Full remaining blades, but nice age-patina!! Sawcut that looks dyed with Potassium Permanganate - very traditional; wonderful bolsters - what's not to love???!!!View attachment 2391048View attachment 2391050
Click to expand...

That a beauty, congrats Charlie and hats off to Ken for such a kind gift ! 👍
 
Nice Stag Barlow, Jose!!!

Usually, when you find older ones like these below, with Stag, they have been rehandled!!
As are these; but they give renewed life and enjoyment!!ReStagged 1.jpg
The top one is from a company that made advertising knives (likely with plastic handles!), and the bottom one was made for Montgomery,Ward!! Wards were often made by Utica, but this one does not look like a Utica!!?? Any opinions???
 
waynorth said:
Nice Stag Barlow, Jose!!!

Usually, when you find older ones like these below, with Stag, they have been rehandled!!
As are these; but they give renewed life and enjoyment!!View attachment 2394969
The top one is from a company that made advertising knives (likely with plastic handles!), and the bottom one was made for Montgomery,Ward!! Wards were often made by Utica, but this one does not look like a Utica!!?? Any opinions???
Click to expand...
Montgomery Ward, now that's a name I haven't heard in a long while. Sorry I can't help with the identification though. Beautiful knives though, that stag is nice!
 
waynorth said:
Nice Stag Barlow, Jose!!!

Usually, when you find older ones like these below, with Stag, they have been rehandled!!
As are these; but they give renewed life and enjoyment!!View attachment 2394969
The top one is from a company that made advertising knives (likely with plastic handles!), and the bottom one was made for Montgomery,Ward!! Wards were often made by Utica, but this one does not look like a Utica!!?? Any opinions???
Click to expand...

Early Wards were made by Winchester Charlie, that bolster shape does look Winchester to me, here is a picture.

IMG_2786.jpeg
 
Does a 1956 to 1988 Imperial (shell construction) Barlow qualify for "a 'good' traditional Barlow"?
View attachment 2402152
I know the 1095 blades are "as good" as the more spendy Imperial-Schrade family of brands Barlows with pinned (or Swendin key) constructon of the same period.

Tang Stamp so I's not accused of fibbing about its origions and/or age. 😁👍
View attachment 2402153
If this don't meet the "good" qualifcation, let me know and I'll delete this post. 👍
 
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