What Makes a Good, Traditional Barlow?

[pertinux]

Ah, there it is! I blinked way early this morning, and this knife was gone from your earlier post, replaced by a picture o' a pair of mine.

Very nice. I believe I see a Schatt & Morgan tang, yes?

Charlie, continuing the discussion of barlow blade choices:
1) I feel silly even wondering about more, given that I've already received "as good as it gets" (my 2-blade ebony spear-main TC barlow). Still, there's evidently more goodness ahead, questionably better (heh) but good in other new ways, so...

2) Are there historical examples of two-bladed barlows with the secondary blade behind the main, nail nicks (or pulls) on opposite sides? This is not a request to see the same again, just a Wondering.

2a) I find what is evidently a majority preference for secondary-in-front, nail-access-on-same-side blades to be interesting; a back-side secondary blade seems to be a deal-breaker for many.
I prefer the secondary blade in front Visually, behind for accessing/Using, but neither so strongly that it makes or breaks a knife for me.

~ P.

 

[kamagong]

Ah, there it is! I blinked way early this morning, and this knife was gone from your earlier post, replaced by a picture o' a pair of mine.

Very nice. I believe I see a Schatt & Morgan tang, yes?

It's black magic I tell you. Actually, I thought your picture illustrated very well the question I posited. So I swapped pics. Hope you don't mind.

That jack is one of the Schatt & Morgan Heritage knives. I am very excited at the increased willingness of manufacturers these days to make some of the older designs.

- Christian

 

[pertinux]

It's black magic I tell you. Actually, I thought your picture illustrated very well the question I posited. So I swapped pics. Hope you don't mind.

No, not at all. Flattered, actually, and grateful my picture helped. I do enjoy seeing the #15s together, whether mine or others'. However, your knife did catch my attention, and I was going to ask you about it once at a proper keyboard. It's an attention-getter for all the right reasons. Thanks for the additional information.

~ P.

 

[waynorth]

~P, there are Barlows with the pen blade behind the main. Case made many that way. These are 10-Dot (1970), but they did some well before, and also after these.

What does anyone think of the Red bone?? Hmmmmm?

 

[confucius37]

I love the red bone! When you said there would be some changes to the bone covers on this round of the TC Barlows...I thought in my head...hmmm some nice red bone would be nice!

Actually I thought some nice red OR green bone would be nice

 

[ea42]

Hey Charlie, I've got an Ulster here with a sheepfoot pocket blade, been beat on pretty bad but it still walks and talks!! The blade doesn't sit too proud, could even drop it a bit more as there's plenty of room in the pocket and the nail nick sits quite high above the pen blade. Just gotta watch the spring clearance and leave a bit extra for spring backlash (the blade actually depresses the spring a bit on snapping shut, causing it to momentarily drop a bit lower than in its resting position):

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Eric

 

[waynorth]

Real nice Barlow, Eric. Doesn't look that beat up at all!
Not sure that I've ever seen a sheepfoot Ulster from that era!?!?

 

[akadave2]

~P, there are Barlows with the pen blade behind the main. Case made many that way. These are 10-Dot (1970), but they did some well before, and also after these.

What does anyone think of the Red bone?? Hmmmmm?

Very nice knives Charlie! Ill take em!!!

 

[ea42]

I've only seen two myself Charlie, it's not bad except for two pretty large cracks on the mark side cover. Here's one more shot, scanned it this time, sorry for the cat hair

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Those Case's look fantastic!

Eric

 

[bakerg2g]

Here's a Barlow that's a little different! It has two blades the same size, Trapper like! Taylor Eye Witness Sheffield England. Ebony
covers look pretty good. I like the blade combo a lot. Bolster is different as well. It also has flush joints!.... What do you guys think??

Jason

 

[waynorth]

Neat little Trapper! Nice curved pattern too!

 

[Gevonovich]

Awesome knife, Jason!! Thanks for sharing it.

Eric, are you the Ulster historian? You have the account books I see. That is a wonderful barlow and I have seen one myself but could not hook it.

Charlie, you never cease to amaze me with your beauties!

 

[ea42]

Somewhat Gevonovich, it's pretty hard finding info about that company previous to when the Baers bought it, old Dwight Divine kept his records pretty close, and once the business was sold, all the old records left in house were unfortunately dumped. This apparently happened to almost all the old knife shops, I doubt any of those old owners had the forsight to realize that their industry would sprout tens of thousands of hungry collectors. At the time the knives were considered simple tools, like a hammer or a pair of scissors. Been gleaning info here and there though, so at least I'm making some progress. Here's one that's in a little better shape, and a bit newer vintage:

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Eric

 

[ea42]

What the heck, here's one more

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Eric

 

[waynorth]

That last one looks mint, Eric! Real nice!!
That is an inspiring blade (as well as the rest of the knife), long pull, nice swedge.
The bone has nice color and texture. Anyone would be proud to tote that pocket jewel around!

 

[Ballenxj]

That last one looks mint, Eric! Real nice!!
That is an inspiring blade (as well as the rest of the knife), long pull, nice swedge.
The bone has nice color and texture. Anyone would be proud to tote that pocket jewel around!

I'm just going to agree with Charlie here since he's got it covered pretty well.
In fact, there are quite a few jewels in this thread.
-Bruce

 

[ken erickson]

When Charlie first posted pictures and specs for the Tidioute Cutlery SFO Barlows I was impressed with what I thought were "proper proportions".
Fast forward to yesterday and the Sawyer Single blade Barlow I purchased from Charlie arrived.

I think the knife qualifies as a "good, traditional Barlow" without a doubt!

Here is my mini review of the knife along with some pictures.
Over all design, A+

Fit and finish, B+ I am impressed with the fit and finish of this knife but there are a few tiny details that could make a big difference. I think perhaps GEC could do a bit better finish job on the inside backspring and the radius-ed portion of the tang that runs up to the kick. The back spring sits a tad high at half-stop and ever so slightly at open position. The bolster stamp and threading are crisp, even. Minor marks around one the most rear pin on the mark side(possibly from spinning operation).

Covers, A+ The bone covers have a very nice color with lighter underlying, almost yellow color. The saw-cut is spot on. Very nicely blended at the bolsters with a nice chamfer along the edges.

Blade grind, swedges, sharpness and finish, A- The thinness of the grind is spot on, swedges are even, the brushed finish is just a tad heavy handed.

Action, A nice smooth positive half-stop, medium pull without being a nail breaker, blade does not hit backspring, no blade wobble open or closed.

In short this is a very impressive , well thought out knife with great lines! Job well done.

 

[waynorth]

Glad you like it Ken! Thanks for the professional review! Your hand and eye on the knife carries a lot of weight.
It is gratifying that the knife gets a passing grade in your estimate.

 

[waynorth]

As near as I can figure, because a barlow was supposed to be a simple, budget knife, some companies would use flawed pieces of bone for the handles. Then they found that they had an attraction in their randomness, somewhat like stag.
GEC has no trouble selling their primitive type bone handles, so that supports the opinion. I really like the flaws. Do you??

 

[silenthunterstudios]

If the scales were uniform, I think that would be dull. Adds a little zip/flavor.