What Makes a Good, Traditional Barlow?

[waynorth]

I am awaiting delivery of my first pre-1964 Case knife this week: a daddy barlow. Will post pics later.

I will definitely get the GEC clip blade barlow.

I've got a Mark Twain Imperial barlow and a GEC 25 ez-open right now.

Welcome to Barlow-land ddml!! Where bolsters are loooong, the way God intended!!

 

[Mink]

Thanks! I call that, "Barlow length." Heh. Those are mighty fine little pieces, indeed.


Meanwhile, back at the brewery:


More yay.

~ P.

Looking forward to these, missed out on the initial round by Waynorth/GEC. Do have one coming from the exchange though.

The spears are nice, but a clip blade is right up my alley. Now....just have to figure out how to sneak another box past the wife.

 

[akadave2]

Looking forward to these, missed out on the initial round by Waynorth/GEC. Do have one coming from the exchange though.

The spears are nice, but a clip blade is right up my alley. Now....just have to figure out how to sneak another box past the wife.

The popular excuse when I was married was..."Oh the box? Just parts" That usually enough to love her interest...but dont listen to me, Im divorced now!

 

[silenthunterstudios]

The popular excuse when I was married was..."Oh the box? Just parts" That usually enough to love her interest...but dont listen to me, Im divorced now!

What do I need gun/knife/auto part for? What do you need hundredth pair of shoes/expensive purse etc for?

As long as the lights are on, and the repo man isn't taking the car, have a good time .

 

[Mink]

The popular excuse when I was married was..."Oh the box? Just parts" That usually enough to love her interest...but dont listen to me, Im divorced now!

I typically use, "oh this? I traded for it."

 

[silenthunterstudios]

I typically use, "oh this? I traded for it."

SSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHH they'll hear you ...

 

[kamagong]

Mary gave him a brand-new "Barlow" knife worth twelve and a half cents; and the convulsion of delight that swept his system shook him to his foundations.

- Mark Twain, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

I can well imagine Tom Sawyer's enthusiasm for his new barlow knife. I received one of the TC barlows when they were available, though I've only just now been able to take decent pictures and post my thoughts on it.

What can I say that hasn't already been written before by my fellow forumites. This is a mighty fine knife. Although it is only a Tidioute, the fit is better on this piece than on the three Northfields I previously owned with a cover-to-bolster transition that is near seamless. Even more importantly, there is absolutely no blade wobble. My last GEC had to be sent back to the factory for a little tweaking, and nothing dampens excitement for a new knife like a trip to the post office and a forced separation.

No problems here. Tom Sawyer wishes he had a "Barlow" this good!

Charlie, you have the knack for bringing these old patterns back to life. First the harness jacks and now these barlows, you have a way of challenging knife companies and making them rise to the occassion. Bravo!

- Christian

 

[waynorth]

This thread should be named "Who" not "What!
I actually think someone suggested it several pages back. Thanks for the kind words Christian.
I believe I've heard 3 minor complaints vs. over 200 knives! Good track record for this batch!!
GEC mentioned that the #15 knives came through production virtually trouble free! Nice to know, IMO!

 

[pertinux]

This thread should be named "Who" not "What!
I actually think someone suggested it several pages back.

Try Post #8.

Thanks for write-up, Christian, and the stellar picture. That was worth the wait.

Charlie, in a nod to tradition and to perhaps cement the seemingly lightly-sticking "Tom Sawyer" moniker (I often refer to these as "TC barlows" myself-- power of visual suggestion, and all), how's about some "twelve and a half cents" barlows?



~ P.

 

[waynorth]

Try Post #8.

Thanks for write-up, Christian, and the stellar picture. That was worth the wait.

Charlie, in a nod to tradition and to perhaps cement the seemingly lightly-sticking "Tom Sawyer" moniker (I often refer to these as "TC barlows" myself-- power of visual suggestion, and all), how's about some "twelve and a half cents" barlows?



~ P.

An outrageous price! Why I remember when Bread was 2 loaves for a penny!!
And I walked to school and back; a trip of 14 miles!! And it was Uphill both ways!!

 

[kamagong]

Thanks ~ P.

...how's about some "twelve and a half cents" barlows?

If only...I'd sign up for an even dozen.

- Christian

 

[knarfeng]

And I walked to school and back; a trip of 14 miles!! And it was Uphill both ways!!

You, too?

You forgot "...in the snow."

 

[meako]

The popular excuse when I was married was..."Oh the box? Just parts" That usually enough to love her interest...but dont listen to me, Im divorced now!

the most successful escape route from Colditz Castle in WW2 was not through tunnels which were fraught with risk but brazenly marching out through the front door disguised as an important person.
If you are trying to hide something you vill be noticed.

 

[belerofon26]

Barlow knife by Ray Smith MS/ABS
16 cm open, 6 cm of blade, Mammouth scales.....

 

[Will Power]

Very sleek and nicely executed that Mammoth

 

[akadave2]

I can well imagine Tom Sawyer's enthusiasm for his new barlow knife. I received one of the TC barlows when they were available, though I've only just now been able to take decent pictures and post my thoughts on it.

What can I say that hasn't already been written before by my fellow forumites. This is a mighty fine knife. Although it is only a Tidioute, the fit is better on this piece than on the three Northfields I previously owned with a cover-to-bolster transition that is near seamless. Even more importantly, there is absolutely no blade wobble. My last GEC had to be sent back to the factory for a little tweaking, and nothing dampens excitement for a new knife like a trip to the post office and a forced separation.

No problems here. Tom Sawyer wishes he had a "Barlow" this good!

Charlie, you have the knack for bringing these old patterns back to life. First the harness jacks and now these barlows, you have a way of challenging knife companies and making them rise to the occassion. Bravo!

- Christian

Not to derail the thread but man the bone on that other knife is just marvelous!!!

 

[puukkoman]

Here's one of my favorites, a Sheffield barlow.
Tang stamp is:
IXL
George
Wostenholm
Sheffield
England

Sorry for the crappy cell-phone snapshot; this knife really begs for better photos. I'll make a point to take some with the nice camera. It's all steel construction, covered with some really pretty and well-aged, smooth, root beer colored bone. I'm not sure how old it is, but for its age, this one is in excellent shape. Snaps shut like a bear trap, but still has a medium to light pull. The bolsters are stamped I*XL, and the stamping is nice and deep. Just an all-around sweetheart, and a really nice example of a single blade barlow.

 

[kamagong]

Not to derail the thread but man the bone on that other knife is just marvelous!!!

I agree. The bone is Queen's goldenroot. This particular knife is another one of Charlie's SFOs. IIRC it's his HJ2.

- Christian

 

[puukkoman]

I agree. The bone is Queen's goldenroot. This particular knife is another one of Charlie's SFOs. IIRC it's his HJ2.

- Christian

Seriously? How cool is that! I was speculating as to whether that was an old Voos, or what....

 

[waynorth]

Nice to see those knives together, Christian. A couple of my proudest moments.