What Makes a Good, Traditional Barlow?

[Tenacious D]

Not only have you brought about a knife that satisfies most, if not all, traditional knife collectors and hobbyists, but I believe that the Charlow has been the main catalyst of the shift towards traditional knives that is occurring in the knife market today.

I think this is totally true. Charlie and the TC Barlow I think has had a far reaching ripple effect that has given the interests in traditional knives and the whole industry a huge boost. I know for me, my first traditional was a TC Barlow (about 10-11 months ago). At the time I was a modern knife/edc enthusiast. I didn't know anything about Charlie or traditionals or that the TC was so revered. I just know I saw a photo somewhere of about five traditionals and the one that immediately spoke to me was the TC, so I bought one. Since that time, my entire knife and collecting interests have shifted almost entirely to traditionals. I'm just finding them to be more gratifying (and much more addicting) than moderns. For some reason you just don't get the emotional attachment, as you do from a traditional... feeling almost sterile. Charlie and his TC have been directly responsible for lots of funds in my account getting transferred over to GEC , and from what I read in this forum and many other forums like Instagram and Facebook, this change is occuring with many knife enthusiasts and collectors. Thanks for inspiring Charlie and I hope Bill over at GEC has given you some stock options!

 

[Jack Black]

Thanks, Jack. Your words mean a lot, you being one of our premier posters, and tour guides!!:thumbup:

Nice to be reminded of that UK-located Barlow with its Yorkshire accent!!

Thanks Charlie

 

[philllll]

Happy early Barlowversary Charlie!

 

[waynorth]

Fantastic, Charlie.

I love the use of the block print, all the more special because of the meaning behind it.

I'm all the more impressed, now learning that these knives survived the shenanigans of 1066.



Perhaps I should ask this privately, but is it too soon to start talking about your next endeavor, the miniaturization of each of your original TC Barlows?

~ P.

I am actually going to make Giant-sized Barlows!!

1066?????? Norman invasion?????

 

[Cassander]

I cannot help but be amazed by, and to celebrate the beginning of the TC Barlow. The first shipment was sent on December 7th, 1012.
I will let the back label say the rest!

I'm all the more impressed, now learning that these knives survived the shenanigans of 1066.

Yea - I'm pretty sure I remember reading somewhere that Godfrey had one in his pocket at the siege of Jerusalem in 1099.

And didn't Edward start the 100 years war cause he couldn't track down that sheepsfoot charlow he wanted? It does make more sense than all that hullabaloo about Aquitaine...

 

[paulhilborn]

Charlie, HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!! I'm not sure that I can add to what has been so eloquently stated already but here goes

I never thought of myself as a collector per se. I had and have some beautiful 1970 and earlier CASE red bone's that I truly treasure, along with a few other vintage collectables. But your TC Barlow's are what I have earmarked for my two boy's when my time here is done, that's how important and treasured your TC Barlow's are to me:thumbup:

I LOVE the hunt and the friendship which comes from searching, collecting and using of these great pocket knives:thumbup:

Thank you again my friend and I eagerly await the Anniversary

 

[waynorth]

Thanks for joining in everyone, both for the kind comments, and for the goofin' around!!
If it isn't fun, it isn't worth it!

Now about these historical dates . . . . not my strongest subject.
You'all have some 'splainin to do!

 

[pertinux]

Now about these historical dates . . . . not my strongest subject.
You'all have some 'splainin to do!

Charlie,

I was simply riffing on the typo in your first statement:

I cannot help but be amazed by, and to celebrate the beginning of the TC Barlow. The first shipment was sent on December 7th, 1012.

I saw that date, and thought of the Next Big Thing I could readily recall-- the Battle of Hastings, aka, the Norman Invasion of 1066.

Of course, there have been a few other events since then. Here and there.

~~~~

Again, congratulations on creating not just knives, but a phenomenon.

~ P.

 

[clutchcarter]

That's a great label Charlie! Congratulations on the upcoming anniversary. Yours is surely a name that will be written in future knife history books!

 

[Cassander]

Charlie,

I was simply riffing on the typo in your first statement:



I saw that date, and thought of the Next Big Thing I could readily recall-- the Battle of Hastings, aka, the Norman Invasion of 1066.

Of course, there have been a few other events since then. Here and there.

~~~~

Again, congratulations on creating not just knives, but a phenomenon.

~ P.

Yea, I noticed the typo too and was just tagging her joke.

 

[Cassander]

That's a great label Charlie! Congratulations on the upcoming anniversary. Yours is surely a name that will be written in future knife history books!

Exactly what I was thinking. A legacy anyone would be mighty proud of. Just goes to show how unpredictable life is and that great things often have humble beginnings.

 

[RobbW]

Charlie,

I was simply riffing on the typo in your first statement:



I saw that date, and thought of the Next Big Thing I could readily recall-- the Battle of Hastings, aka, the Norman Invasion of 1066.

Of course, there have been a few other events since then. Here and there.

~~~~

Again, congratulations on creating not just knives, but a phenomenon.

~ P.

It was a day which lived in infamy.

Charlie, I couldn't be happier that your Charlows have received such a warm welcome from those inside AND outside of the traditional-knife community. I'm also delighted to see such warm anticipation for your 2nd Anniversary release! It couldn't have happened to a nicer guy.

 

[B.F.U]

Yea - I'm pretty sure I remember reading somewhere that Godfrey had one in his pocket at the siege of Jerusalem in 1099.

And didn't Edward start the 100 years war cause he couldn't track down that sheepsfoot charlow he wanted? It does make more sense than all that hullabaloo about Aquitaine...

You guys are speaking my language now! I have a sneaking suspicion that Curtana was originally a long pull single spear Charlow in ebony

I also agree with an earlier poster (read it on my phone and forgot the post # to quote here) who said that the Charlows, and GEC as a whole, have had a huge hand in the reemergence of traditional knives in the hobby as a whole. Even just in the two years I've been on this forum I've noticed an amazing increase in the portion of traditional knives posted in the general EDC threads, as well as on other social media sites. I think much of that is due to GEC's ability to create knives of unequaled quality while fulfilling short run orders especially like Mr. Campagna's, the most famous and elusive of them all. I think that's a very positive thing, overall.

Anyway, I carried my single sheepfoot Charlow in smooth ivory bone most of today. It is a good traditional Barlow because I carry and use it for whatever I might need and it completes almost every task I ask of it with ease.

Oh, and I am brimming with excitement for the Anniversary/Christmas Charlows.

 

[Cassander]

You guys are speaking my language now! I have a sneaking suspicion that Curtana was originally a long pull single spear Charlow in ebony

I'm pretty sure you're right. There's a 16th-century illuminated manuscript depicting the coronation of Henry VIII and the Earl of Essex is clearly coon-fingering and chicken-eyeing it in the background.

 

[chisumr]

Charlie I am not much on words but want to wish you a happy anniversary on the Charlows....thanks my friend.

 

[Jack Black]

But your TC Barlow's are what I have earmarked for my two boy's when my time here is done, that's how important and treasured your TC Barlow's are to me:thumbup:

Praise doesn't come any higher than that :thumbup:

Battle of Hastings, aka, the Norman Invasion of 1066.

And we're still trying to get rid of them! :grumpy:

 

[Campbellclanman]

Here is my favorite old barlow, a 30's Remington. I just love everything about this knife. Beautiful snap, clean action, integral bolsters, and solid as a tank.

Real nice knife Esnyx - just lovely!

Beautiful Remington Evan:thumbup:

Some more solo shots...

Great Line-up Paul of Stunners!!! I cant get enough of looking at these Beautiful knives!

Fred mate-now that is a wonderful knife - just look at that near perfection!

I was lucky enough recently to have added a couple of sheepsfoot TC's to keep my sawcut sheepsfoot and scout eo company. Big thanks to Dan (Parke1) for passing on the beautiful Ivory bone one to me. Thanks Dan!!

Wow!! Charlie did something special when he decided to go ahead with these absolutely fantastic knives - The Sheepsfoot!

 

[Campbellclanman]

Its wonderful to see Joannes work on the label Charlie - hope full more in the future eh Joanne? I very much like your work!

Charlie, I cant, and I wont try to repeat the other very grateful wordings to you by my Forum friends, but I do know how they feel.

I will say though my friend - Thank YOU for bringing US these knives, I am completely and hopelessly taken over by your wonderful creations, they are the heart of my collection.

 

[Jack Black]

Taking the Charlow to the history!

 

[slide13]

Celebrating people and happenings is a human pastime. We celebrate birthdays, to revere our loved ones, and we remember our heroes, missing and present on Veterans Day/Remembrance Day. We celebrate Anniversaries to mark marriages and events.

My daughter on her second birthday:

A lino block print by my wife, made many years ago. The birthday was in 1974.

I cannot help but be amazed by, and to celebrate the beginning of the TC Barlow. The first shipment was sent on December 7th, 1012.
I will let the back label say the rest!

The parts are patiently waiting in line at Great Eastern, for other knives to go through production, and I am impatiently biting my nails, hoping the Anniversary knife will live up to our expectations!!

What makes a Good Traditional Barlow?? Innate quality, and a good history!
Thanks to all for helping to make that history!!
If only I could afford to give them out to the participants here, I would!!
Party favours*!!



*rhymes with savours (Can/UK spelling)

So nice! Thanks for bringing but this iconic pattern back in a way we've all appreciated more than we can ever say. Bummed I missed out on the pre-order for this run, sounds like a really great configuration, can't wait to see the pics!