What Makes a Good, Traditional Barlow?

Well, I have to admit I have succumbed to temporary insanity, and paid some high prices for knives I "needed" to complete a collection!
Next thing you know, maybe after some years, it was a bargain!!

I once bought a Marbles D'all De Weese (sp?) for $10, sold it a few years later for $970, and found out that $970 was about half price!!

Kinda like the stock market! If I do it on purpose I make pennies; by accident, I make hundreds!!
 
I gently recommend that we turn aside from discussion of prices paid and/or what value point each of us might place on these priceless knives....

IMG_2285.jpg~original






Failing that?

Hey, look!

Charlie.jpg~original





(I understand marveling and even rejoicing in the current barlows' recognized value, but do not want anyone to feel/be put on the spot here as a seller or buyer elsewhere. If I'm the only one the course of discussion is making uncomfortable, I apologize for interrupting.)

~ P.
 
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Here's one I regretfully sold a few years back, a victim of financial necessity. All I have left is this lousy photo, but interestingly, it had the original price tag with the Keen Kutter logo on the other side.

 
The $3.00 Barlow! Imagine that!!

Ummm . . . . .thanks for getting us back on track, Sarah!


Actually Barry, that's me!! You should SEE my evil twin!!


:D:D
 
KBA said:
A wise man, who takes outstanding photos on here, once said, "Sometimes you have to pay a little more for those special ones."

That one is certainly special.

Thieves that Charlow is a beauty.
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Brett - I said a little more - not double and I am not so sure how wise I might be, when it comes to knife buying!!! :D

Campbellclanman said:
I am going to put it out there - I think that knife is worth the money - the buyer ( was there one? ) will have a fantastic knife that will last several of our life-times, and in time to come-he/ she will get their money back plus some if the knife is looked after - if investing for return of money - but I can think of quicker ways :D, but as a user? - a knife is what the buyer decides its worth on the day I guess, and when you think that the knife could be passed from generation to generation - thats not a lot of money to go a long long way.
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Could not agree more Duncan! :thumbup:;)

I think some of the members that arrived to the party on time and got the Charlows they wanted, when they wanted, and at the introductory price, might be the ones that might be surprised here.

I did not arrive on time, but, fell in love with "the breed", shortly after I arrived here. It is not easy to find the ones you missed and I don't think even Charlie realizes (yet) what a three headed monster he has created. When one considers that relatively few are actually made of each run - the fact that they will not be repeated, and the ones that get heavily used will not retain any value, or lost, the prices will go through the roof, eventually. I predict that you have not seen anything - yet!

I have tried and tried to get just a handful of the special ones I missed and it is frustrating, to say the least! So far and after bugging way too many members to sell me theirs - I have found three. The PPP from Duane, a Gabon Ebony Spearpoint with pen behind the main, off the exchange last night, and the Antique Yellow saw-cut - from Paul. The rest of mine came from dealers. I have made some generous offers and got turned down repeatedly, then would find that I missed out on that exact same model being sold for twenty dollars under retail on the exchange, and a few times only missed out by a few minutes! :eek::o

Putting my interests in my signature line did no good at all. I agree with Pertinux that dollar figures are something we should not continue to discuss, but, I wanted to contribute my trials and tribulations on the subject and I will refrain hereafter. I would hope that some might understand why more money is being offered than maybe should be.

I have discussed this subject with Duncan before and I believe that we agree that the Charlow is not only one of the very best production knives being offered today, but, also stands to become one of the most valuable! - and mine are already very valuable to me! ;)

Barry - I promise I paid more than three dollars for your Keen Kutter! :D:D
 
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You all have such awesome barlows. Having seen Charlie's smooth yellow bone in person just rekindled my need to find one.

Anyway, i think a nice dark patina from eating apples dor lunch during a hard day of working outside makes for a pretty traditional barlow:

uploadfromtaptalk1408235253783.jpg

Sorry for the terrible and tiny picture, my good phone kicked the bucket
 
Primble said:
Brett - I said a little more - not double and I am not so sure how wise I might be, when it comes to knife buying!!! :D



Could not agree more Duncan! :thumbup:;)

I think some of the members that arrived to the party on time and got the Charlows they wanted, when they wanted, and at the introductory price, might be the ones that might be surprised here.

I did not arrive on time, but, fell in love with "the breed", shortly after I arrived here. It is not easy to find the ones you missed and I don't think even Charlie realizes (yet) what a three headed monster he has created. When one considers that relatively few are actually made of each run - the fact that they will not be repeated, and the ones that get heavily used will not retain any value, or lost, the prices will go through the roof, eventually. I predict that you have not seen anything - yet!

I have tried and tried to get just a handful of the special ones I missed and it is frustrating, to say the least! So far and after bugging way too many members to sell me theirs - I have found three. The PPP from Duane, a Gabon Ebony Spearpoint with pen behind the main, off the exchange last night, and the Antique Yellow saw-cut - from Paul. The rest of mine came from dealers. I have made some generous offers and got turned down repeatedly, then would find that I missed out on that exact same model being sold for twenty dollars under retail on the exchange, and a few times only missed out by a few minutes! :eek::o

Putting my interests in my signature line did no good at all. I agree with Pertinux that dollar figures are something we should not continue to discuss, but, I wanted to contribute my trials and tribulations on the subject and I will refrain hereafter. I would hope that some might understand why more money is being offered than maybe should be.

I have discussed this subject with Duncan before and I believe that we agree that the Charlow is not only one of the very best production knives being offered today, but, also stands to become one of the most valuable! - and mine are already very valuable to me! ;)

Barry - I promise I paid more than three dollars for your Keen Kutter! :D:D
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Primble I could not agree more, I have collected since I was a teenager, and now about to turn 40 I have what to a lot is a large collection, but being in Australia the TC barlow is a rare animal and I was very late to the party. I look forward to adding as many as I can to my collection, and that warm and satisfied feeling you get with a new find.
 
Primble said:
Could not agree more Duncan! :thumbup:;)

I have discussed this subject with Duncan before and I believe that we agree that the Charlow is not only one of the very best production knives being offered today, but, also stands to become one of the most valuable! - and mine are already very valuable to me! ;)

Barry - I promise I paid more than three dollars for your Keen Kutter! :D:D
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Thank you Primble, my TC's are very valuable to me as well- the value for money is way in our favour with these knives- the quality is right up there.

Sarah - lovely knives - your TC collection is booming! - and with good choice I might add!


I find myself here in New Zealand having to pay probably much more than the average U.S knifo, by the time I pay for shipping, currency conversion rate - it adds up to a lot!

There are Collectors in several different countries - and its us folk way out here who have to pay a lot more for our passion of knives - but thats reality - those of us far far away have to pay a lot more for a knife compared, but to me...if I like the knife I will buy it - I dont take too much notice of market value - I value the knife my way when I eye it - and the reason why these knives are so popular is that the Quality, the passion behind their becoming, but also what comes into it is the value for such quality! Price has to come into discussion at times - especially when comparing Quality to price, cant this be a part of discussion?


ThievesLikeUs said:
I paid the $230 and don't regret it one bit :D
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Well done Thieves, I would have too, thats one reeeeaal nice knife!
 
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So;

Charlie, when are we looking at some Grandfather barlows?
or did i just miss them?

just curious if they were ever considered
 
Rsmith_77 said:
So;

Charlie, when are we looking at some Grandfather barlows?
or did i just miss them?

just curious if they were ever considered
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I think about them quite frequently. Maybe after I get through my list of standard Barlows . . . . .
I like the Grandads/Daddies almost as much as the regulars!

arizonaranchman said:
C8782F90-37AA-445D-8D31-BDDC082A6BB6_zpspp2cfvox.jpg


THIS is my Grail Barlow... Gabon Ebony :)
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If I was only allowed one knife, it might be my Grail too!
 
My dream knife; the Jumbo TC Barlow or Jumbarlow! 3 3/4-3 7/8 inches closed. :eek: :eek: :eek:



:cool: :thumbup: :D

I'd like to see this knife offered in single spear/clip/sheepfoot blade only with long pulls and swedges.


But then again, it's hard to improve on perfection.
 
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waynorth said:
I think about them quite frequently. Maybe after I get through my list of standard Barlows . . . . .
I like the Grandads/Daddies almost as much as the regulars!
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:thumbup:
outstanding!

can anyone else envision a grandaddy barlow in dead skunk acrylic?
maybe i am just weird :D
 
I would love to see one in African Blackwood or black peach seed, a matchstick long pull on a sheepsfoot or spear blade, and a classic looking etch in either the standard or grandaddy size.... Just a thought.
 
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