What Makes a Good, Traditional Barlow?

[silenthunterstudios]

I won a contest some years ago on here for a painting of a Russell Barlow. I will be posting it tonight, but wanted to know who I got it from, it is signed Octavio. It's in action, peeling an apple .

 

[waynorth]

Wow! That Blackwood figuring is something else, P&G!!

It's nice to find a rare piece of wood!

Nice collection!!

There are some very old Barlows with wood handles, everyone.

When my guests go home in a few days, maybe I can post a bit of Historical info!!

 

[jon_slider]

There are some very old Barlows with wood handles, everyone.

I love getting schooled! Any Walnuts? I did spot some Bokers in Oak recently.

about the Xmas Suprise

There are very few barlows I could find online, that have two full sized blades. The following images are from this great thread:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/475810-Barlow-Share-all-your-Barlows-here

For Xmas, I predict a Trapper Charlow in Stag, with Clip and Spey blades.

I was looking for evidence to sway Barlie to the idea that a Wharnie Barlow does have precedent. (even though I don't like wharncliffe blades myself, nor spey blades either.. helps keep my knife wants in check..)

I found this queen dan burke spear with wharncliffe secondary (not full size)

and then just about the time I was ready to give up, I found these. Clip paired with a Wharnie like point

and this

But my vote would be for Sheepfoot and Spear blades, as previously blasphemed

the plot thickens
http://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/knife_forum/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=2822&start=120

Barlows with 2 large blades are hot stuff, IMO!
Ever since I saw an old sheffield one belonging to Tony Bose a couple years ago, with trapper blades in it, I've been looking for one!
I suggested it for the Bladeforums 2009 knife, and it got adopted, and is beautiful! Queen even put it in their own production. And now Case is on the bandwagon!

 

[kamagong]

I won a contest some years ago on here for a painting of a Russell Barlow. I will be posting it tonight, but wanted to know who I got it from, it is signed Octavio. It's in action, peeling an apple .

I think I remember that painting. It's from a giveaway by augustus88.

- Christian

 

[SHEBOP]

This thread just keeps getting gooder and gooder!!!

 

[silenthunterstudios]

Well I need to post that painting........

And my Charlow with its new apple cider vinegar patina! I tried it with my Camillus peanut, GEC 73 and Heritage jack also. The Charlow looks the best though. I need to do both bolsters too. One half of a bolster got a patina.

 

[jon_slider]

My RamsHorn Charlow is a Real Pocket Santoku!

hello steak patina

baaa bye the RealRamsHorn etch

Thanks Charlie, you really channelled a beauty with this blade profile.
Ive also been eating a lot more french bread, salami, manchego, olives, and tomatoes, and steak since I met you. Thanks for bringing me to the picnic table. I need more dessert soon. Whats this I hear about you and strawberries?

 

[quilltipper]

What makes a good traditional Barlow? I have no idea or at least I didn’t have until I started reading this thread. I just knew that some of them increased my blood pressure and some did not. I didn’t grow up around Barlow knives and never approached them as a collector or a scholar, I just love to carry them, look at them, and whittle with them. I first discovered Barlows in the early ‘70’s and then as now almost all my acquisitions have been both haphazard and serendipitous. In ’82 I bought a Case Barlow for my first son the morning after his birth, again, unplanned (the knife, not the son). I tried to buy some flowers and a card to take to my wife at the hospital, but the cashier at the drug store wouldn’t cash my check, “not with a signature like that,” she said (no one before or since has ever said anything about my signature). So I went to the next store (their sign outside read, “If we don’t have it, you don’t need it”) and not only got the flowers but saw the Barlow knife. He still has it. In ’87 we named our third son Barlow. He carried a Schrade 206 Barlow for about ten years till he was 16 and it fell apart in his hands one day. He carries a Henckels stag handle now. I have three main fears, whether sleeping or waking: running out of food, running out of books, and running out of Barlow knives. I’m not a connoisseur of any of them. For the last few years, after doing a little arithmetic, I have been gifting Barlow knives more than getting them, but when I saw the African Blackwood handle and the blade pattern of Charlie’s latest iteration and that it was available (I missed the first two), I figured, “better be safe than sorry” and I ordered one. Below are a few of its new compadres. And talk about serendipitous, Barlow’s birthday is just a few days away (the son, not the knife). Besides, I’m getting too old to be taking chances with the blood pressure. My boys and I have our own tradition and it just got a little richer. Thanks Charlie.

 

[cards94]

My RamsHorn Charlow is a Real Pocket Santoku!

hello steak patina

baaa bye the RealRamsHorn etch

Thanks Charlie, you really channelled a beauty with this blade profile.
Ive also been eating a lot more french bread, salami, manchego, olives, and tomatoes, and steak since I met you. Thanks for bringing me to the picnic table. I need more dessert soon. Whats this I hear about you and strawberries?

that's what i'm talking about. nice barlow and love the blade. they call it a rams horn?

 

[jon_slider]

> they call it a rams horn?

not really, sorry to fool you, poetic license on my part. The official name is Sheepfoot, but when I look at the etch, I see a Ram, so I made a little inside joke. welcome to the club ... btw heres an inside tip, The Walnut is really special, did you read how Charlies dad used to own a couple of rifle stocks, from which the knife handles were made? That makes the Walnut already an antique in its own right. Go for it...

> My boys and I have our own tradition and it just got a little richer. Thanks Charlie.

Fantastic story, thanks for sharing it. Very nice array of Barlows youve got there. The Henckels and the Boker appear to be made with the exact same handle pin configuration. Your photo also illustrates how the Schrade 206s are the same as the Russells. And I take it that beautiful Red Bone is the Case that started it all. Great picture story.

a picture in every post

 

[jmac30]

Can't decide for today! Thanks again Charlie for getting these together!

 

[Jack Black]

Loving my Spear & Pen

 

[Old Hunter]

Been seeing such nice Barlow's on this thread - thought it was time to post one from the other end of the spectrum. This is a shell-handled Colonial Barlow "advertiser" with a twist - locking electricians blade in lieu of the pen. OH

 

[Jack Black]

That's a very interesting knife OH :thumbup:

 

[wlfryjr]

What makes a good traditional Barlow? I have no idea or at least I didn’t have until I started reading this thread. I just knew that some of them increased my blood pressure and some did not. I didn’t grow up around Barlow knives and never approached them as a collector or a scholar, I just love to carry them, look at them, and whittle with them. I first discovered Barlows in the early ‘70’s and then as now almost all my acquisitions have been both haphazard and serendipitous. In ’82 I bought a Case Barlow for my first son the morning after his birth, again, unplanned (the knife, not the son). I tried to buy some flowers and a card to take to my wife at the hospital, but the cashier at the drug store wouldn’t cash my check, “not with a signature like that,” she said (no one before or since has ever said anything about my signature). So I went to the next store (their sign outside read, “If we don’t have it, you don’t need it&#8221 and not only got the flowers but saw the Barlow knife. He still has it. In ’87 we named our third son Barlow. He carried a Schrade 206 Barlow for about ten years till he was 16 and it fell apart in his hands one day. He carries a Henckels stag handle now. And talk about serendipitous, Barlow’s birthday is just a few days away (the son, not the knife). Besides, I’m getting too old to be taking chances with the blood pressure. My boys and I have our own tradition and it just got a little richer. Thanks Charlie.

Great story and happy birthday Barlow,your parents gave you a sturdy name.

 

[Jack Black]

Great story and happy birthday Barlow,your parents gave you a sturdy name.

+1. Cheers Lyle, I missed that the first time around :thumbup:

 

[waynorth]

In ’87 we named our third son Barlow.

Great collection, Quill!
And you have answered the original question! YOU make a good, traditional Barlow!!

Can't decide for today! Thanks again Charlie for getting these together!

A pretty dilemma, jmac!!

My RamsHorn Charlow is a Real Pocket Santoku!

hello steak patina

The patina looks great, Jon!!

Thanks Charlie, you really channelled a beauty with this blade profile.
Ive also been eating a lot more french bread, salami, manchego, olives, and tomatoes, and steak since I met you. Thanks for bringing me to the picnic table. I need more dessert soon. Whats this I hear about you and strawberries?

I like your taste in food, Jon, and in knives!!

Great story and happy birthday Barlow,your parents gave you a sturdy name.

Yes, Happy Birthday, Barlow!!
You have a great name!!

 

[Rsmith_77]

this is my only barlow
but you know what? For the $12 i payed for it i can hardly complain

no gaps, well centered, easy/smooth pull...and matchstrike nail nicks
Heck, i even think the bone handles are pretty sweet.

its a shame, i cant struggle finding buck/case/gec knives as well put together as this little rough rider
3 3/8" and the swell on the end fits my hand perfectly! The only complaint i have is, given a choice i would like a better steel (440A) and i wish it was american made. But i just dont know that i could find an american made knife near as good at 4-5X the price. That makes me both sad and makes me snicker a little at the same time. What are you going to do...

 

[jon_slider]

Great pics!
One of the things that makes a good traditional Barlow is the steel.

The ability to cut, hold an edge, and the ability to be sharpened, by hand.

I agree the Rough Riders have great fit and finish. Natural handle materials, classic patterns, and ridiculous low prices. And they come with a very toothy hard edge that definitely saws very well.

I own a couple RR, gave away a few, then started hoping they will make some with Carbon steel. Meanwhile I've been buying GEC
Like you, Rough Rider got me here. A few GECs later I would say:
A traditional Barlow, is Not Stainless! But any Barlow is better than none.

 

[Jack Black]