What Makes a Good, Traditional Barlow?

[waynorth]

Earlier in this thread, we talked about the different options that Cutleries offered for their Barlow knives. I believe I posted the various KeenKutters that were offered over time, featuring Spear, Clip, Sheepfoot, Spey and One-Armed blades.
Here is a group of four types on 6 knives that Schrade Cut. Co. offered. They also varied the handles, using jigged bone on some.

Interestingly, they offered the same variations on Jack knives, like the Boy's model!!
Maybe we can convince GEC to do the same. I know some don't care about spey blades, but I find them quite useful, personally.

I bumped this pic forward, as it sort of got missed. Just wondered if anyone wanted to comment on the various blades in a Barlow . . . .?

 

[sitflyer]

ΩΩΩΩΩ

 

[pertinux]

I bumped this pic forward, as it sort of got missed. Just wondered if anyone wanted to comment on the various blades in a Barlow . . . .?

Charlie, as interesting as the above picture is, I'm almost more interested in the handle profile with the blade(s) closed. Except, given that all of these examples (and perhaps your thoughts) are of a single-blade knife, this would be moot...?

Also, is there any history of barlow knives with drop point mains...?

(Sadly, not my picture! Heh.)

Two-bladed thoughts:

For me a perfect blade combo for a two blade would be a sheepsfoot main, with a largish pen secondary, or a spear main with a largish Wharncliffe secondary,ala the queen Dan Burque(?spelling) Barlow.

I like the first combination of blades for use, but am leery of the angle of a closed sheepsfoot when using the secondary pen.

One of my favorite blade combinations, as found in the existing Weird Little Stubby Things®, is a sleek wharncliffe (almost lambsfoot) main with a clip secondary. The main blade is way useful, yet closes up trim to feel good in-hand.

Middle knife:

3rd down on left

4th down on left, note especially its slimmer profile as compared to that of the #26 wharncliffe to its right. The #26's blade is a "stronger" design (proportionally), but is more obtrusive when closed.

~ P.

 

[kamagong]

A couple of my proudest moments.

Rightfully so. In terms of build quality, those are two of my finest.

I bumped this pic forward, as it sort of got missed. Just wondered if anyone wanted to comment on the various blades in a Barlow . . . .?

Interesting lineup. While I enjoy variety, to me a barlow is spearpoint blade with sawcut handles.

I'd love to see GEC offer up some different options, but I hope they continue to make the spearpoints available. They're instant classics like the #73s.

- Christian

 

[pertinux]

Interesting lineup. While I enjoy variety, to me a barlow is spearpoint blade with sawcut handles.

I'd love to see GEC offer up some different options, but I hope they continue to make the spearpoints available. They're instant classics like the #73s.

Well, there is that.

Agreed!

~ P.

 

[Will Power]

Fine example Christian, I have that very knife: the bone and blade the epitome of the Barlow, to my mind.

However, the other recent examples Charlie bumped are interesting too. The Spey is an oddball, er....but I really like the Sheepfoot or Lambfoot route. Got a 50s Queen Cutlery with Sheepfoot master and Pen minor. Interestingly, this is a Copperhead Barlow, naturally has hidden tangs, a curious bonus.

Regards, Will

 

[Bobby Branton]

I bumped this pic forward, as it sort of got missed. Just wondered if anyone wanted to comment on the various blades in a Barlow . . . .?

Charlie, I can look at this pic all day. I love the clip point and sheep's foot blades.

 

[akadave2]

I liked Charlies Barlows so much I bought 5! Cant say Ive ever done that before with a pattern...and the clip point models havent even been seen yet!!!

 

[waynorth]

Here's that comparison you asked for Sarah. The closed knives are in the same order as the ones in the blade-open pic. I put two TCs alongside also.

I've never seen a drop-point nor a Wharncliffe blade in an antique Barlow, just in modern renditions. I will leave those choices to others, to design/commission/build.

 

[confucius37]

The fourth one, with the clip and secondary blade is my favorite. I think the clip blade has particularly nice proportions on that one.

 

[Gevonovich]

I love the spey blade and the gentle sloping grind on the clip blade. The second through fifth bone is just mesmerizing!!

 

[sitflyer]

;;;;;

 

[pertinux]

Here's that comparison you asked for Sarah.

Thanks so much, Charlie! Very helpful.

I put two TCs alongside also.

And don't they shine....

I've never seen a drop-point nor a Wharncliffe blade in an antique Barlow, just in modern renditions. I will leave those choices to others, to design/commission/build.

Understood, and understandable.


The spear blades are present and accounted for, and when it comes to clip blades we know we have this to look forward to:

This leaves questions of spey and sheepsfoot blades, at least as based on the picture presented:

Going solely by the closed-blade profile, I prefer the spey blade rendition, especially with the blade above (a drop point without the point!)-- a rather unique piece, to my eyes.

However, I certainly see the appeal of the sheepsfoot, especially once open.

~ P.

 

[waynorth]

It's the nature of a sheepfoot to stand proud when closed. The TC is slim, and exacerbates the problem, but I think with a little tweaking, it can be improved from the Schrade example in my picture.
One thing that would be tough, would be to put a pen in front of the Spey, especially if the Spey had a long pull, and sat as low as this one.

 

[pertinux]

One thing that would be tough, would be to put a pen in front of the Spey, especially if the Spey had a long pull, and sat as low as this one.

Oooh, good point.


Unless it was a looooooooooong pull.


O-tay, so that probably wouldn't look the best.


In which you continue to confirm just how well-thought out your knives are, and why it's good that you are the one thinking about them!

~ P.

 

[waynorth]

Thanks for the feedback, and the sense of humor everyone!! Every time I read these last few posts, I find an interesting, if sometimes odd, turn of phrase!






And it is nice to know I am not the only one who has read Winnie the Pooh many times!
Being a Grandpa, reminds you of being a Pa sometimes!

 

[silenthunterstudios]

I believe Christian stated that a barlow should have a spear point blade and saw cut handles. The barlow, for me anyway, is the Boker barlow with sawcut delrin scales, I believe I had one with bone scales. These TC barlows have eclipsed that knife for me. I've been carrying mine nonstop. My complaint of the long pull, well, I got the knack of it (part Polish and all I guess ), and now am can openz!

Charlie, I think I should just add you to my paycheck deductions for these barlows. Get it direct debited out of my biweekly pay and make it easier on all involved.

 

[silenthunterstudios]

Looking for some good pics of my Remington barlow, it's top, had it rehandled, and the nubbin of a pen blade removed by Bob Picklesimer. Big gaps in the handle job, but I still like it. Nice desk knife. The bottom is a Camillus daddy barlow 9, I was going to send it to Bob for new springs, but Carl said the pull was perfect. I like it a little higher on the scale, but it is still a useable knife.

While I'm looking, here's one of the Dan Burke Queen collaborations, with a canoe tossed in (maybe it's a sign I need to get one of the 16s for my sisters)...

An old Kabar barlow I had, another one I wish I would've kept.

 

[silenthunterstudios]

New scales on the Remington barlow

 

[waynorth]

Cool! It's now a single-blade drop point Barlow! Where'd you (or Bob) get those handles??