What Makes a Good, Traditional Barlow?

Primble said:
NYKC Hammer Brand:

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Ulster Barlow:

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Russell Barlow:

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John Primble Barlow:

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A gift from Paul. :)
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I had to pop this fine collection up to the next page so no-one would miss it!! A very fine group!! Thanks for showing us, Rob!!
 
waynorth said:
Thanks for the before picture, Rob! It is nice to see the story behind your "Primblization" efforts!:)

Also, here is an answer to the Original Post!
Gifted Old Barlows Make Good Traditional Barlows!
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Especially when they come with nice silver coins with my birth year on them!
Thanks for the thoughtful gifts, Mark!!
Including the MSA!
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So that's what makes a good Barlow (I should have known). :D Super thoughtful gifts from Mark. I remember thinking that is the most perfect old knife when I saw that MSA Marbles in another thread, but from 1909, Amazing. The other's ain't too bad either.

Speaking of amazing, Primble, your Barlows are just that. Thanks for sharing them.
 
5K Qs said:
What a bevy of beauteous barlows, Primble!!:thumbup::eek::thumbup:

- GT
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waynorth said:
Beauties, Primble!!!
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pmew said:
A stunning collection of seniors there, and as usual - superb photos Rob.
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jrtodd46 said:
Awesome knives, must feel good when you come across them.
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dave308ek said:
Speaking of amazing, Primble, your Barlows are just that. Thanks for sharing them.
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Many thanks for the nice comments on my old Barlows. I do feel very lucky when I find an old one in nice condition. :thumbup::)
 
Jack Black said:
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Hmmm....:)
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A very good looking knife....
...but to my eye, the long pull should be, well, longer. It looks to be just half the length of the blade. Maybe it's just the photo angle.

Paul

Edited to add: a sheepsfoot is certainly right for this pattern though. The wharncliffe never looked right to my eye.
 
I know what you mean Paul...and I'm definitely with you on that Wharnie blade, a Sheepsfoot looks a lot better :thumbup:
 
Having just browsed through the #77 thread I have changed my mind. Those 77 sheepfoot blades look nicely proportioned. Great job Mike.
 
I'm really liking the looks of these John Primble Barlows. Any idea who actually manufactured them though? I can't even figure out exactly which blade steel is used as some dealers list it as 1095 and others 440c. I did send Blue Grass Cutlery an email inquiring as I was told they own the Primble name but have not heard anything back yet. The jigged blue bone sure looks nice though.

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Okay for anybody that is interested here is a section of the email I just recieved back from Blue Grass Cutlery. "Dear Jake: Thank you for responding with the information needed. The John Primbles in which you are referring to are manufactured by our employees at Blue Grass Cutlery, Inc. in Manchester, Ohio. Proud to say Made in the USA. We started production on the John Primbles just this past fall of 2014, we also manufacture the John Primble whittler." In a separate email Christine with BGC stated they are using 1095 blade steel too. I have one on order and will post my opinion when it arrives. :)
 
jkulysses said:
Okay for anybody that is interested here is a section of the email I just recieved back from Blue Grass Cutlery. "Dear Jake: Thank you for responding with the information needed. The John Primbles in which you are referring to are manufactured by our employees at Blue Grass Cutlery, Inc. in Manchester, Ohio. Proud to say Made in the USA. We started production on the John Primbles just this past fall of 2014, we also manufacture the John Primble whittler." In a separate email Christine with BGC stated they are using 1095 blade steel too. I have one on order and will post my opinion when it arrives. :)
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Did you ask or did they offer information as to where the remainder of the John Primble, Manchester, Ohio's are currently being made? :confused::)
 
Primble said:
Did you ask or did they offer information as to where the remainder of the John Primble, Manchester, Ohio's are currently being made? :confused::)
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I did not as today has really been my first time looking into the name & brand. I did not know that Blue Grass even had the capabilities to manufacturer. I just assumed they were like North woods or any of the various other knife brands where somebody owns the name but has the knives made by various other manufacturers. Guess I have lots more reading to do! :)
 
jkulysses said:
I did not as today has really been my first time looking into the name & brand. I did not know that Blue Grass even had the capabilities to manufacturer. I just assumed they were like North woods or any of the various other knife brands where somebody owns the name but has the knives made by various other manufacturers. Guess I have lots more reading to do! :)
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Jake,

Not so much reading to do as comparing. What I would suggest to you if you are interested in the John Primble knives is to find a nice used one that was made for the Belknap Hardware Company, while it was in business. Only the very best names in the cutlery business made the knives for the old John Primble brand, such as Schrade, New York Knife Company, Boker, etc. The old knives earned quite a nice reputation in the old days and are well respected in this part of the country. The knives made by/for Bluegrass Cutlery have not enjoyed the same success. :o;)

The tang stamps with Maysville (which is just across the Ohio River from Manchester ;) ) and Manchester tang stamps are knives made after the Belknap Company was bankrupt and the trademark John Primble was sold to the highest bidder. While Bluegrass does state that a few of their Primble knives are made somewhere in the USA, the waters are very muddy. Maybe something to do with the close proximity to the river. There is speculation that most are made overseas and some are parts from overseas, which are assembled somewhere in the USA.

A picture of the small shop that houses S&D Enterprises:

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A clip from the S&D Enterprises page, where 3 divisions of business are located. ;)
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This is a page from the Bluegrass Cutlery website. (I believe the quality of the website provides another clue):
http://www.bluegrasscutlery.com/JP300020.html

Hope this helps. :)
 
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Primble said:
The tang stamps with Maysville (which is just across the Ohio River from Manchester ;) ) and Manchester tang stamps are knives made after the Belknap Company was bankrupt and the trademark John Primble was sold to the highest bidder. While Bluegrass does state that a few of their Primble knives are made somewhere in the USA, the waters are very muddy. Maybe something to do with the close proximity to the river.
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Muddy waters for sure, Primble. And oh man, that website... what a blast from the past!
 
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