What Makes a Good, Traditional Barlow?

[Woodrow F Call]

Hey Dan. I have thought of that configuration, ala the Bladeforums Barlow of the similar configuration.
It usually comes to this:
It's not strictly a traditional pattern, and I can't afford to go that far out on a limb.
I am thinking of doing another Spear Barlow, with enough differences to distinguish it from the Early (PPP) ones from a year ago. To do a Wharncliffe version, I would have to know I could sell 50 of them. I'm just a blue-collar guy sticking his neck out farther than he should!! Just ask my wife!!
So you can see it is a dangerous path - for many reasons!

Spear/caplifter combo!

 

[arizonaranchman]

Spear/caplifter combo!

Actually I kinda like that idea WFC... Or a spear with coping secondary??

 

[sogflash]

If you have some warncliffe barlows made, I don't think I can resist it.

 

[Woodrow F Call]

Actually I kinda like that idea WFC... Or a spear with coping secondary??

I need a sweet looking caplifter knife. I liked the Radio Knife ok, but the clip just doesn't fit that knife. An Ebony Barlow with the Spear/Caplifter would definitely fill the void where I have not been able to obtain a Blade Forums 2011 knife.

 

[arizonaranchman]

I need a sweet looking caplifter knife. I liked the Radio Knife ok, but the clip just doesn't fit that knife. An Ebony Barlow with the Spear/Caplifter would definitely fill the void where I have not been able to obtain a Blade Forums 2011 knife.

Oh ya an Ebony Charlow with spear/caplifter would be a must-have also!

I've never cared for the Clip blade really. Spear is my favorite hands-down as far as a main blade goes. Coping is my fav as a secondary (that's why the 92 is virtually a Grail knife to me).

 

[Woodrow F Call]

Oh ya an Ebony Charlow with spear/caplifter would be a must-have also!

I've never cared for the Clip blade really. Spear is my favorite hands-down as far as a main blade goes. Coping is my fav as a secondary (that's why the 92 is virtually a Grail knife to me).

I like clips on the right knives. Some knives just look right with a spear. Dunno why.

 

[Warriorsociologist]

The Dan Burke (Queen-made) Barlow is a great knife.

 

[jon_slider]

great blade selection and I also really like the configuration with the secondary behind the primary, with the secondary nail nick on the pile side

A bone handled Boker:

 

[sitflyer]

.....

 

[waynorth]

That Yellow looks cool on that "green" stump!! Nice pic!!

 

[waynorth]

Sometimes Jigged Handles make a Good, Traditional Barlow! I did an informal count, and maybe 10% of the Barlows in my collection have jigged handles.
In this picture, you can see (from the bottom) a real nice Case Tested, a Clauss with jigged plastic (maybe Camillus), and a pocket-worn Schrade Cut Co.

If you have Jigged handled Barlows, I'd love to see them!

 

[mr_badexample]

Loving the yellow

Me too :thumbup::thumbup:

 

[Chief]

Loving the yellow

Me too :thumbup::thumbup:

Me three! Yellow with a dark patina will contrast great together.

 

[arizonaranchman]

It seems that most of the old barlows had bone handles. Or how often did wood appear on the Barlows of the 1800's and early 1900's? Which woods were used? I'm guessing Ebony?

 

[sitflyer]

.....

 

[waynorth]

It seems that most of the old barlows had bone handles. Or how often did wood appear on the Barlows of the 1800's and early 1900's? Which woods were used? I'm guessing Ebony?

On Barlows, bone and wood were both seen around the turn 1900. Quite a bit of bone before then. Most bone was sawcut after 1900 IMO. Some scratting was prevalent pre-1890s or so, rarely later.
Jigging, I'd say after WWI.
Ebony and relatives of Cocobola and rosewood were mostly used, that I have seen. Plastics, mostly after WWII to the 1990s and up to the present.

 

[arizonaranchman]

On Barlows, bone and wood were both seen around the turn 1900. Quite a bit of bone before then. Most bone was sawcut after 1900 IMO. Some scratting was prevalent pre-1890s or so, rarely later.
Jigging, I'd say after WWI.
Ebony and relatives of Cocobola and rosewood were mostly used, that I have seen. Plastics, mostly after WWII to the 1990s and up to the present.

Thanks for the info Charlie. It does seem the majority are bone. I appreciate the lesson

 

[pertinux]

...If you have Jigged handled Barlows, I'd love to see them!

I sense a clue.


(There's precedent. )

~ P.

 

[Andya27]

Me three! Yellow with a dark patina will contrast great together.

I have been saving this very knife for some sentimental, but possibly misplaced, reasons. I think it's stunning knife. And with patina, the yellow bone will look absolutely amazing. I'm thinking that this weekend I may just have to break down and start using this knife. As many in the forum have suggested, if I were to have a grandchild and pass this on, it would mean more to my grandchild if the Barlow were well used rather than if it were in mint condition.

 

[arizonaranchman]

I have been saving this very knife for some sentimental, but possibly misplaced, reasons. I think it's stunning knife. And with patina, the yellow bone will look absolutely amazing. I'm thinking that this weekend I may just have to break down and start using this knife. As many in the forum have suggested, if I were to have a grandchild and pass this on, it would mean more to my grandchild if the Barlow were well used rather than if it were in mint condition.

I absolutely agree. Use it and use it often. In 25 years when you pass it on to a grandchild it will bear with it all the memories, scars and marks of YOU and your life. This will mean something very special to them. A new, unused item will mean very little in comparison.