What Makes a Good, Traditional Barlow?

Arizonaranchman, your email is down
the origin of the Charlow is strongly influenced by an NYC Barlow
http://tinyurl.com/lmd6o9p
waynorth said:
Thanks for all the opinions on the pen blade folks.

I have been aching to do this picture since the early days of the Great Barlow Project (GBP)!:D

Here are some pictures of the new TC Barlow with its nearly 100 year old progenitor*!

TCparentage1.jpg

TCparentage2.jpg

TCparentage3.jpg


Many Barlows influenced the final form, but this New York one did so the most. It is at the longer end of the standard Barlow length, at virtually 3 1/2", and has a slimmer, less chunky handle than most. The Bolster stamp aligns with the axis of the knife - that's an N for New York, not a Z for Zucchini!:D
And it just feels good, for all its wear and tear, like an NYK should!
It was a long but satisfying road I must say!




*1. ancestor 2. predecessor 3. original
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And I agree that it is the Spear Blade that would most benefit from an Easy Open notch. Really not necessary on the Sheepfoot imo

843A28A6-289D-4EB0-86A0-4C905C6F0005-10527-000007251B4EB4D3_zpsee4025e2.jpg
 
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My dream charlow would have a spearpoint blade, an easy open notch, and African Blackwood covers. :D
 
puukkoman said:
...know anybody with a Dremel? ;)
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The only GEC I would take a Dremel to would be my 2011 Traditioanl BF knife's cap lifter/screw driver. Mine doesn't work on bottles and it needs a little modification work. Too bad I don't have a dremel.
 
No need for a Dremel if you don't have one, a needle file works just fine as well...

And to stay on topic, here are some barlows :)

Barlow_28_small_zpsdf802136.jpg


Barlow_26_small_zps646d46dc.jpg
 
^ yep you do, they are a fantastic knife, the Clip point in my opinion is it's equal( which is one hang-of-a-tough thing to say as the Spear is just that good ).
 
What makes a good traditional barlow? A few months ago I would have said GEC and Charlie. Although those are who turned me on to a Barlow's. After reading this thread nearly daily and enjoying the variety of pictures, and knowledge of the Barlow's history ect. I would say The Barlow represents community, page 142 and counting is a testiment to that, My grandpa carried a Barlow is a common phase I hear and found true in my own life. Heritage, the barlows design has a long distinct heritage generations have appreciated it's simplicity and ruggedness. Form laso makes a Barlow the beauty of simplisity, the astetics of the lines, simple color the long bolster ect. Function tough, work knife, quality steel, not a frilly dainty knife. Character, the patina, the worn in partner kind of knife that is developed and appreciated over the years by self and others. Those are some of the reasons my TC barlows have quickly become my trusty companian. Thanks Charlie and GEC for opening my knife experience to appreciating all kinds of Barlows.
 
burnside said:
My dream charlow would have a spearpoint blade, an easy open notch, and African Blackwood covers. :D
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Bingo! Me too, African Blackwood is awesome - my EO #85 has it and I love the smoooooth black wood.

I second the idea on a Charlow in EO with single spear and ABW :)
 
Thanks for the info jon_slyder, sorry about the email thing, not sure what that was about. The NYK is quite obvious in the side-by-side camera shot.
 
Beautiful looking redbone spear! Makes me regret selling mine. Those redbones are keeper :thumbup:
 
arizonaranchman said:
427858DA-5370-4D72-8CFB-E201FFA0B35E-1824-00000187259B626E_zps2eacbe3c.jpg
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Great photo, beautiful knife, but, I just dont understand how you manage to keep the blade etch, mine all dissapear under the patina as soon as I use the knife... or, are you saying you carry a knife you dont use?:-)

a pic of mine in every post, I hope more people copy me, and post more pics
I picked this up on Ebay after Gene Wiseman said he was having trouble finding a Remington, so I mailed it to him yesterday. Hes the perfect candidate, as the knife needs repairs not evident from a photo..

IMG_6815.JPG
 
jon,

My #55 usually gets the most use by far, this Charlow rides in the watch pocket of my motorcycle jacket, so it's sort of the back-up to my back-up (a Pemberton), so yes the Charlow is still pristine at the moment (in it's little suede slip :) ). I've carried it at work a few times in my back pocket, but it's always been in it's slip, so is well protected.
 
I would say that the Easy Open verson of the Charlow would be a fine next edition to this saga! Peraps in all of their current blade configurations!!!
 
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