What Makes a Good, Traditional Barlow?

This is a dumb question, but does the barlow design have any inherent advantages over the regular jack?

I'm thinking primarily of jacks that have similar lines and share the same general profile.

pertinux said:
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- Christian
 
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The theory, I think, is that the long bolster reinforces the pivot, and makes it harder to wind up with a loose joint. Kids will mess up knives - I know I did - but in my so-called maturity, I can't imagine putting that kind of destructive force on a pocket knife; except maybe a in dire emergency!
I think the short answer is, there is hardly any difference.
Any #15 pattern will do!:D
 
I have been carrying my Ebony single bladed Barlow of Charlies all this week, its done some good work for me!, I am so into this knife! I love the way this fits into my coin pocket of my jeans, a little flick underneath the knife from the outside of my jeans - pops it right into my hand! a lovely slim carry.
 
Campbellclanman said:
I have been carrying my Ebony single bladed Barlow of Charlies all this week, its done some good work for me!, I am so into this knife! I love the way this fits into my coin pocket of my jeans, a little flick underneath the knife from the outside of my jeans - pops it right into my hand! a lovely slim carry.
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Glad to hear it's working for you Duncan :)
 
Jack Sir, I do believe my ebony friend is slowly filling a void that has been opened a wee while ago :), I just love the new technique I have got down-pat with flicking up my Barlow! .....darn....I just LOVE that Swedge!
 
Duncan, I keep my "boiled" Barlow (single blade) in my coin pocket, and flick it up and out with my finger - imagine that!
It is like the knife was made for the process.:rolleyes:
 
waynorth said:
Cool! It's now a single-blade drop point Barlow! Where'd you (or Bob) get those handles??
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Bob had them on hand. I have a Camillus spear point stockman, 4 line blade etch, that needs new scales badly. Remnants of the former plastic delrin handles are still on there. I was going to order a pair of scales from a supplier, but Scott Gossman has some nice red scales I might just get from him. He offered them for sale the last time I was in his shop, and I passed on them. Hope they're still there when I see him.

I really like Bob's green bone though.
 
Sitflyer, boil your barlow, it looks good. For Heaven's sake though, please stop boiling those peanuts! I can eat a whole 5 dollar bag of roasted peanuts by myself (not good for someone with diverticulitis ;) ), but please, I've had my fill of boiled peanuts! Once was one time too many. My little brothers girlfriends father pawned a whole bag off on my little brother a couple years ago, and he brought them home, the fathers cousins were in town from down south. Driving to Chincoteague VA, I saw a man selling bags upon bags of boiled peanuts from the bed of an old Ford F150. People were lined up in droves for them.
 
waynorth said:
Duncan, I keep my "boiled" Barlow (single blade) in my coin pocket, and flick it up and out with my finger - imagine that!
It is like the knife was made for the process.:rolleyes:
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Welll you've done gone and named that knife "Ol Boiley" Lol! Sounds bad but too late!
 
Duane, it really does look great. I especially like how it "antiqued" the bolster :thumbup: I've never messed with gun blue, do you just wipe on- wipe off? Do you have to mask off the wood?

Jim
 
Nice job, Duane! The bluing looks great on that knife!!
I like how it darkened the stampings as well.
Did you use a cold-blue for guns?
 
Depends on the look you are after. I don't favor such a dark blade, so after the blue has dried I lighten it with some 0000 steel wool.

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There is no need to mask the wood. A little judicious application using a cotton swab and the scales shouldn't be exposed to the cold blue.

I use Birchwood Casey Super Blue.

- Christian
 
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