What Makes a Good, Traditional Barlow?

Thanks Eric, for your cutler's experience and knowledge!!
It clarifies a lot of details about the thinking that influenced where Barlows came from!
Your info also gives us things to look for when examining old knives for authenticity!
 
It can be very instructive perusing old knife catalogs, or reprints of those catalogs.
In Robert Mayes book "Knife Album" from the early 1970s, he reprinted several interesting catalogs. This picture is from Norvell-Shapleigh's (N-S) catalog from about 1911. Empire made knives for them, branded "Empire" or "Shapleigh" at the customers choice, and N-S sold both brands.
Here is another example of the choice of blades available in the Barlow pattern.
Note these Barlows have synthetic handles, and "flat" bolsters.


BarlowsinNScat1_zpsddec893f.jpg
 
Eric,

Thanks for yet another clear explanation of features and design decisions.
ea42 said:
They didn't even do much finishing where the cover meets the bolster, usually it was quite proud and square. This was an added benefit of those long bolsters as they made it possible to feather the bolster pin without touching the covers.
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The bolded part above makes such good sense (er, "Duh?") as far as how/why these were manufactured as quick-and-dirty cheaper tools.

I, too, look forward to your pictures.

waynorth said:
Your info also gives us things to look for when examining old knives for authenticity!
Click to expand...
Including, to quote the inimitable BRL,
bernard_levine said:
Cheaply made piece of junk. ;) In other words, yes, it is a real Russell Barlow.
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":-)"

waynorth said:
Here is another example of the choice of blades available in the Barlow pattern.
Note these Barlows have synthetic handles, and "flat" bolsters.
Click to expand...

Thanks for more barlow brain food, Charlie!

-- What's the general (knowledgeable) consensus regarding one-armed/razor knives (barlow iterations included)-- truly the result of post-war one-armed-man need, or marketing ploy, or both?

-- Is the mention of "flat bolsters" supposed to be, like, subliminal and/or predictive? I'm guessing "no," but you've been known to Tease. Li'l bit.

(It's very funny to me to now read pre-Sawyer-Barlow threads and see how much you were telling us outright all along, with us remaining clueless for so long. Or maybe that was just me. Well done. ;))

~ P.
 
pertinux said:
-- What's the general (knowledgeable) consensus regarding one-armed/razor knives (barlow iterations included)-- truly the result of post-war one-armed-man need, or marketing ploy, or both?

-- Is the mention of "flat bolsters" supposed to be, like, subliminal and/or predictive? I'm guessing "no," but you've been known to Tease. Li'l bit.

(It's very funny to me to now read pre-Sawyer-Barlow threads and see how much you were telling us outright all along, with us remaining clueless for so long. Or maybe that was just me. Well done. ;))

~ P.
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Sarah, I think the one-armed-man knives created were in response to a large increase in War Amp populations, but they were not the most efficient solutions.
Some people do like them even now, though because if you practice you can indeed open them quickly with one hand, without any mechanical wizardry involved.
Press button knives were a much better tool IMO.

I have promoted "flat bolsters" to any knifemaker who will listen, but most responses are negative! A couple of custom makers are proud to make them, but it's hard to find experienced cutlers who can finish them properly, in a production scenario.
They are flat out (pun intended) hard to make well!

My subtle (so-called) pre-TC hint dropping did seem to be entertaining for many after the fact, and for some while it was going on! I'd just like to say, I did it (do it) for entertainment purposes. Not to be overly critical, but sometimes the daily traffic on BF needs a little "sparking up" and I try to do my part to keep it interesting.

There, I've confessed my ulterior motive!
 
And made it interesting you have charlie, thank you.

I just wanted you to share with me that this little Barlow is a champion of a knife, I love it!!...I find using my Diamond stone fine/extrafine only on the fine and then spending a bit of time Stropping...I dear say if you guys were to watch me stropping you would be in fits...but I think I am getting there, I find this knife beautiful to sharpen - and after stropping - one glide down the side of my arm and its bare :eek:
This is one beautiful knife, I am looking forward to the clipoint version - any single blade versions coming out Charlie?

knives012_zps3b0573b9.jpg
 
I have gotten a lot of requests for numbers. Many people have missed the Spear blade run, so we have upped the numbers for the clip. There were 218 spears made, and now there will be 335 clips.
200 will be single blades, Duncan!
 
EXCELLENT NEWS! The spear is beautiful...just beautiful..I am sure I have polished the Ebony with all the admired handling it gets lol

Today my Barlow goes with me to my friends Farm up North, along-side my GEC Lockback, ( and my beautiful ol' Electric Cut Co -Walden Jack)
Have a fantastic weekend everybody.
 
tc-barlow.jpg

I have to agree with everyone. These TC Barlow knives are simply a wonderful pocket knife. Thanks to Charlie and GEC for a great run.
 
Campbellclanman said:
And made it interesting you have charlie, thank you.

I just wanted you to share with me that this little Barlow is a champion of a knife, I love it!!...I find using my Diamond stone fine/extrafine only on the fine and then spending a bit of time Stropping...I dear say if you guys were to watch me stropping you would be in fits...but I think I am getting there, I find this knife beautiful to sharpen - and after stropping - one glide down the side of my arm and its bare :eek:
This is one beautiful knife, I am looking forward to the clipoint version - any single blade versions coming out Charlie?

knives012_zps3b0573b9.jpg
Click to expand...

thawk said:
tc-barlow.jpg

I have to agree with everyone. These TC Barlow knives are simply a wonderful pocket knife. Thanks to Charlie and GEC for a great run.
Click to expand...

These are the two I was able to pickup, and they are great. Duncan, your blade has aged nicely, what did you do to the logo? Lots of the barlows here are looking "old timey" already!

BTW, I used my two blade to slice rolls for breakfast this morning.
 
I use the knife on a daily basis, either slicing boxes open, ties, , I also use it for my food as well, anything that needs cutting-gets cut :-) The logo has just been taken over with Patina I guess, its not worn off, but this shot does make it look so.
Your right...the knives here are looking good!
 
It is great to see the Barlows being used as they should! It's a testimony to the effort that GEC has put into them.
Here is a preview of the next detail that is going to make a Good, Traditional Barlow!
Fresh from the grinder, set up to cut the swedges, is a pair of clip blades still dripping with lubricant oil.
That's a lot of blade to stuff into that slim Barlow - I hope it fits!!:eek:

TCclipblades2_zps1b3b05df.jpg
 
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waynorth said:
Fresh from the grinder, set up cut the swedges, is a pair of clip blades still dripping with lubricant oil.
That's a lot of blade to stuff into that slim Barlow - I hope it fits!!:eek:

TCclipblades2_zps1b3b05df.jpg
Click to expand...

Those are impressive, indeed.

It's wonderful to see that next run moving along at such a good clip!

~ P.
 
Great looking clip blade! It will be a lot of blade in there, for sure. I love that!....:D


Jason
 
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