What Makes a Good, Traditional Barlow?

Id also like to add, I'm starting to go through the "Earl sees the world" thread. If anyone gets him and wants me to get his picture in front of Kabar or at the Case museum, or any other old knife factory, if it hasnt been done yet, get a hold of me. I'll gladly help out!
 
That's awesome Evan. I hope we see some more JBF Champlin branded knives in the future utilizing the old rosewood.
 
Dr. Scott said:
The Days Work TC Barlow refers to Charlie's (Waynorth's) Special Factory Order of TC Barlows with spey blades or spey-clip two blade combinations. I believe that was in the Fall of 2013, maybe December. A search through this thread will take you to the appropriate pages.

The etch on the spey blade read, "Days Work."

If your question is about spey bladed Barlows in general, that is a much bigger subject!
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Thank you for the info! I just purchased one and it will be my first traditional in many years.. not to mention my first Tom's Choice!
 
Dr. Scott said:
Jack, thank you for this lesson in Barlow history. The education available in this forum is one of the big attractions here.



You have surely discovered a shrine that shall now be a revered stop on any pilgrimage to Sheffield. But I am unclear... Do we know who can really lay claim to the original Barlow? Obadiah? Samuel? Someone else?
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Thanks Scott :thumbup:

The Company of Cutlers in Sheffield was established in 1624 and records several Barlows in its earliest records. Obadiah Barlow was apprenticed in 1654, becoming a Freeman in 1667. Obadiah had died by 1713, but he was succeeded by his son and grandson, both called John. The ‘BARLOW’ trademark was granted to the younger John Barlow, when he became a Freeman in 1745. The family clearly established a good reputation for themselves as cutlers, but the earliest long-bolstered Barlow knives I have seen date from around 1770 (others may know of earlier ones). While the Neepsend Barlows were granted a mark (as seen on the advert above) in 1725, the word ‘BARLOW’ was not added until 1799 (the year John Barlow died). Drawings exist of early Barlows with the ‘BARLOW’ mark, which do not have the Z and falchion of Samuel Barlow, and which in any case pre-date his adoption of the ‘BARLOW’ name on his knives. I’m writing this at 3.00am, so I hope it makes sense when I hypothesise that the long-bolstered Barlow knife that we know and love was made by the Campo Lane Barlows descended from Obadiah, and quite probably by John Barlow.

But maybe it was old Obadiah! :D

Invoice said:
That would be my pleasure.:)
Some day... I hope.
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:thumbup:

singin50 said:
Yes, thank you Jack for the wonderful history, right down your street!
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esnyx said:
Thanks for the history lesson, Jack! Really interesting stuff there!
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paulhilborn said:
Jack, again you bless us with fantastic history:thumbup:
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Old & In The Way said:
Jack - very, very interesting. Thanks for posting the information and photo. :thumbup:
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Thanks guys, I hope that I will eventually be able to get to sleep with all this Barlowness going round in my head! :eek: ;)
 
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Jack,

That's fascinating - thank you for researching and sharing this info. I find the Barlow to be the most interesting of all traditional knife patterns.

One of my absolute favs is this single spey Barlow in African Blackwood.
23B4B7BA-82DC-42AE-82BC-324D692E2B64_zpsaadaoerr.jpg
 
esnyx said:
Thanks for the history lesson, Jack! Really interesting stuff there!

I think Obediah's Barlow would be a great name for an old style TC! What say you, Charlie??

Speaking of traditional barlows, here is one that I finished up today:

57294BBC-E42C-4C26-BD80-81F19591C38C_zpsd7bennxh.jpg

1D7708CA-8899-450B-AD3E-68B00827FA08_zpsivhe2tux.jpg

5E3492D4-BD7B-40E8-ABA3-A8FB38662684_zpsh1c5hkps.jpg

66709928-A7D9-4E1B-81C2-7CC82068C391_zpsuezoa3ko.jpg


This was a collaborative effort from several of out forumites! Barry designed the etch, Mike from JBF Champlin supplied the Old Cattaraugus Rosewood scales that he and Derrick salvaged from the old factory in Little Valley, NY, and I put it all together. This one has brass pins and liners with nickel silver stepped bolsters. I hope I did this historic rosewood justice!
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Just had to bring this Beauty over to the next page!! :thumbup: Man! What a looker!:cool:So clean. You did the rosewood proud Evan!
Thank You for the history Jack!:thumbup::thumbup:


Dave
 
Fascinating research, Jack! :thumbup::thumbup:
It's only fitting that today you're carrying a "great-great-…-great grandson" of those original Barlow knives. ;):cool:

- GT
 
What Makes a Good, Traditional Barlow?

One that is gifted to you as a "Pick-Me-Up"

IMG_1347_zpsek6izqmt.jpg
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Thank you so much 556Hunter!
 
esnyx said:
Thanks for the history lesson, Jack! Really interesting stuff there!

I think Obediah's Barlow would be a great name for an old style TC! What say you, Charlie??

Speaking of traditional barlows, here is one that I finished up today:

57294BBC-E42C-4C26-BD80-81F19591C38C_zpsd7bennxh.jpg

1D7708CA-8899-450B-AD3E-68B00827FA08_zpsivhe2tux.jpg

5E3492D4-BD7B-40E8-ABA3-A8FB38662684_zpsh1c5hkps.jpg

66709928-A7D9-4E1B-81C2-7CC82068C391_zpsuezoa3ko.jpg


This was a collaborative effort from several of out forumites! Barry designed the etch, Mike from JBF Champlin supplied the Old Cattaraugus Rosewood scales that he and Derrick salvaged from the old factory in Little Valley, NY, and I put it all together. This one has brass pins and liners with nickel silver stepped bolsters. I hope I did this historic rosewood justice!
Click to expand...

...I wish this was our 2015 Trad Forum knife...just incredible work , Evan. :thumbup:
 
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