What Makes a Good, Traditional Barlow?

Old knives are attractive for their history. But sometimes even newer knives can have a story to tell. I love my walnut spear Barlow. It is the finest production knife I've ever seen. One of those lucky draws when you unexpectedly receive a seemingly flawless knife. But I really enjoy it for the connection to the designer and the history of the wood that became Barlow handles.

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I have the same in the clip version, Scott. These are far away some of the very best, if not the best production SFOs ever built by any company, at any point in modern history! The attention to detail is phenomenal! I feel very blessed to have been given one of these, thank you again, Philll!
Perry
 
Dr. Scott said:
Old knives are attractive for their history. But sometimes even newer knives can have a story to tell. I love my walnut spear Barlow. It is the finest production knife I've ever seen. One of those lucky draws when you unexpectedly receive a seemingly flawless knife. But I really enjoy it for the connection to the designer and the history of the wood that became Barlow handles.

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I agree, Scott. I am fortunate enough to own one of Charlie's walnut Charlows and have resolved never to sell or trade it. It's just a really special knife.
 
"S" for Sean!! Nice to have one of those!!
I like big, simple Monograms on Barlows!!
Nice example Dr. Scott!!

Here's an interesting TC!!

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The Palo Santo sample finally arrived. It has a 2013 blade, but of course it was made a week or two ago.
The wood is eerie!!:eek:
It has chatoyance (I love that word - I hope it is spelled correctly), and as you rotate the knife, the feature lines appear and disappear!!!:eek::confused:
I swear there is another planet inside that knife:rolleyes:!! I can't wait to see more. I scanned it on different backgrounds to see if I could bring out the colors - sort of a subtle rainbow - but you must have it in hand to appreciate it! Pretty amazing!

They have been delayed a little. We thought first of Feb, but now it will be closer to the first of March!!
GEC is very busy - a hive of activity!
 
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Charlie, she's a beauty! I can see the chatoyancy from here. I can't believe someone finally used that word in here!:D it is a great word indeed. Lots of depth in the color!
Perry
 
I had to break out the dictionary, but now I have a new word in my vocabulary. I actually have an African Blackwood Stew's Blade TC Barlow that has that chatoyance, or cat's/tiger's eye effect. I just never knew what to call it.

Charlie, is there a scent to the wood? Is it fragrant? I've read about Palo Santo being burned as incense or the fragrance when the wood is carved. But it may be stabilized to the point where you don't get any of that.

I love the four dots on the end of that knife.

Beautiful, Charlie. It will be well worth the wait! :D
 
Markesharp said:
You're okay Perry, I knew what you meant about certain woods. I call Box Elder "Gofer Wood".....throw it in your wood burner and "Gofer More" it burns that fast. :D Thanks Duncan! :thumbup::)
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That's some wood Mark,nice job.

"Beechwood fires are bright and clear
If the logs are kept a year,
Chestnut's only good they say,
If for logs 'tis laid away.
Make a fire of Elder tree,
Death within your house will be;
But ash new or ash old,
Is fit for a queen with crown of gold

Birch and fir logs burn too fast
Blaze up bright and do not last,
it is by the Irish said
Hawthorn bakes the sweetest bread.
Elm wood burns like churchyard mould,
E'en the very flames are cold
But ash green or ash brown
Is fit for a queen with golden crown

Poplar gives a bitter smoke,
Fills your eyes and makes you choke,
Apple wood will scent your room
Pear wood smells like flowers in bloom
Oaken logs, if dry and old
keep away the winter's cold
But ash wet or ash dry
a king shall warm his slippers by.

Author Notes
The firewood poem was written by Celia Congreve, is believed to be first published in THE TIMES newspaper on March 2nd 1930"

Happy Anniversary Sarah.
 
After seeing those pics, I'm really regretting not signing up for the reserve on the new Palo Santo TC. I typically don't like light wood like that for some reason, but that one almost looks more like agate or mammoth bark. Awesome!
 
Dr. Scott said:
I had to break out the dictionary, but now I have a new word in my vocabulary. I actually have an African Blackwood Stew's Blade TC Barlow that has that chatoyance, or cat's/tiger's eye effect. I just never knew what to call it.

Charlie, is there a scent to the wood? Is it fragrant? I've read about Palo Santo being burned as incense or the fragrance when the wood is carved. But it may be stabilized to the point where you don't get any of that.

I love the four dots on the end of that knife.

Beautiful, Charlie. It will be well worth the wait! :D
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The four dots are, of course, pin knots, Scott. The wood is not stabilized! It is just natural wood. The density and natural oils make it shine up real nice.

The scent, if any, is masked by the oil they wipe all over the knife. Apparently it smells like incense when you cut and sand it.
 
Wow that's great looking Charlie. Can't wait to see more.
GEC has probably seen a significant boost in business considering explosion of popularity/exposure on social media. As it appears more folks seem to be crossing over from the modern knife scene.
 
Charlie the blade and the label on my Brazilian Rosewood say 2013 even though it was made in 2014.

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I like the Incense Wood...err...Palo Santo Wood :D
 
Markesharp said:
Charlie the blade and the label on my Brazilian Rosewood say 2013 even though it was made in 2014.

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I like the Incense Wood...err...Palo Santo Wood :D
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That's obviously a flawed knife Markesharp, you do NOT and I repeat you do NOT want it. Sell it to me ASAP :)
 
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