What Makes a Good, Traditional Barlow?

I currently have my nose in a book detailing the history of Sheffield in the 18th century, which as one might imagine, has lots of fascinating information about the cutlery trade. Just came across this, which I thought might be of interest.





This photo was taken between 1900 and 1919. Broadbent House is on the right, and is still there, being the oldest-surviving brick-built house in the centre of Sheffield (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Bank_House). The other buildings are no longer there unfortunately, but could this be the spot where the very first Barlow knife was made?! :eek:

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sogflash said:
Is the palo santo wood stabilized like the walnut wood?
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No it is not, sogflash.
Walnut is lighter and more porous, so accepts impregnation of stabilizing material.
Palo Santo is very dense (and stubborn!). Even years of curing will not stop it from trying to move when it is cut.
These handles have relaxed for a while, and should be OK.
The samples were done a month ago at least, and are perfect. I've been carrying it around to get some real world time on the one I have. (Bill kept the other one!) It's still beautiful. It appears to have darkened some.
 
dispatch184 said:
Wow that is some nice research Jack Black, very interesting
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Thank you. I'll go over to Sheffield and take photos! :)

Also see: http://www.sheffieldhistory.co.uk/forums/index.php/topic/395-reminiscenses-of-old-sheffield/

Mr. Thomas Scantlebury died at " The Hills," on the Grimesthorpe
road, August 14, 1821 ; his son, John Barlow Scantlebury, died April 28,
1837. Old Mrs. Scantlebury was the daughter of John Barlow, the last of
the family that had carried on the old business of manufacturers of pen
and pocket cutlery on the premises in Campo lane, just beyond Mr.
Scantlebury's, the east front of which looks down the Hartshead. They
had been there as owners and occupiers of the property ever since the
year 1679, "and I cannot tell how long previous," says Mr. Samuel
Scantlebury in the letter Mr. Leonard has just quoted. It was Obadiah
Barlow, the great-great-grandfather of Samuel Scantlebury, who had the
premises in 1679. Whether the Barlow of Neepsend, who died in 1740, was
of the same family or not is doubtful. John Barlow died in 1798, and one
of the best businesses in Sheffield died with him. The trade mark was
the simple name
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NB Campo Lane is the street shown in the photo above. The camera is pointing West.
 
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Very cool. This forum is great, feels like a free education. (Forgive all my edits still getting the hang of this)
 
Jack Black said:
I currently have my nose in a book detailing the history of Sheffield in the 18th century, which as one might imagine, has lots of fascinating information about the cutlery trade. Just came across this, which I thought might be of interest.





This photo was taken between 1900 and 1919. Broadbent House is on the right, and is still there, being the oldest-surviving brick-built house in the centre of Sheffield (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Bank_House). The other buildings are no longer there unfortunately, but could this be the spot where the very first Barlow knife was made?! :eek:

s14063.jpg
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The birthplace of the Barlow????? (awestruck - genuflects!!)
This deserves further contemplation!!:eek:
 
waynorth said:
The birthplace of the Barlow????? (awestruck - genuflects!!)
This deserves further contemplation!!:eek:
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Yes indeed my friend! :) :) :) From the two sources, it's either the corner building directly facing the camera, or a building that stood in the same spot previously :)

It may be coincidental, but the 1845 Sheffield Directory lists:

Barlow Ann, milliner and dressmaker, 41 Campo Lane
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Charlie, I can remember being at that very spot as a young boy 50 years ago, and my mother pointing out the old house :)
 
Awesome 'clipping' jack! I don't remember that building at all, although it would more than likely have been pointed out to me at some stage as a wee'un. You don't half dig up some gems my friend!
 
Thanks Paul, I've not been through Hartshead for years. Much of the area has changed, but a lot of it is also still well-preserved. I was very close to there with Duncan the other year. I can remember going into The Dove & Rainbow pub there as a 16 year old, not knowing it was a favoured watering-hole of the local constabulary back then, and nervously backing out when I saw a sea of Doctor Marten shoes! :D
 
Fascinating Jack, the book sounds like a great read, and sounds like it would possibly answer many questions and give a great insite to early Sheffield.
 
Jack Black said:
Thanks Paul, I've not been through Hartshead for years. Much of the area has changed, but a lot of it is also still well-preserved. I was very close to there with Duncan the other year. I can remember going into The Dove & Rainbow pub there as a 16 year old, not knowing it was a favoured watering-hole of the local constabulary back then, and nervously backing out when I saw a sea of Doctor Marten shoes! :D
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Ere now, thur ain't nowt wrong wi off duty coppas ;)
 
pmew said:
Ere now, thur ain't nowt wrong wi off duty coppas ;)
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I think they might have objected to the presence of me and my school mates though! Even if we were just on our way to see The Sweeney at The ABC cinema! :D :thumbup:

Edit - When I think about it, one of them ended up joining the Transport Police :)
 
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