What Makes a Good, Traditional Barlow?

Saw a picture of some of these in the last issue of KnifeWorld, and found out they belonged to someone I knew. He made me an offer I couldn't refuse.
I am now embarking on the research, to find out more about them.
They are truly the ancestors of modern Barlows. So far, I believe none of them is from after 1900, some considerably before.

BarlowsEarly_zpsd67f87c2.jpg
 
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That is called "Scratted" bone. Scratting is an archaic form of the word Scratching. It was one of the trades in Sheffield if you can believe it!!
It was thought to have died out in the late 1800s, but I found a big old pruning knife that was likely made after 1900, with Scratted handles!
 
The one dead-center (five up from the bottom, five down from the top)-- what is it?

The stamped bolster design reminds me of that of a little one-armed bandits I used to play with (card/poker symbols). I like it.

The (G) barlows (again!) also catch my eye.

Good things those other handles are scratted, and not scatted. :eek: ;)

~ P.
 
The Arrow, Heart and q, was the mark of Matthew Oates, Stannington. That is all I know so far on that one. BTW, the q is supposed to be a Bugle.
The "G" is the mark of Joseph Gardner who apparently made these in Massachusetts from 1876 to 1883.
 
Yes those G stamped ones are particularly nice:D:D

They've all seen a lot of toil, amazing that they've survived and were not thrown out in some 'clean up' decades (century...) ago.

Does scratting have any connexion with scrimshaw? I think I've seen boat knives with that kind of work.

Very interesting.:thumbup:

Thanks, Will
 
waynorth said:
The Arrow, Heart and q, was the mark of Matthew Oates, Stannington. That is all I know so far on that one. BTW, the q is supposed to be a Bugle.
Click to expand...

Okay, now I like it even more. :thumbup:

"Bill, I'd like a bugle on my barlow."

A bugle barlow boon! (Barlow bugle boon sounds like a rare hound.)

You have to admit the alliteration is catchy.

~ P.
 
Simply spectacular, Charlie!! I must find a "G" someday. I can't wait to find out more history.
 
Awesome old Barlows Charlie! I'd love to CF and CE those things for
a while... I bet they would have some great stories. WOW!

Jason
 
Interesting pinning on the ones with four pins in the covers. Charlie, do the two pins nearest the back go through the spring? And is the one above them a cover pin?

Eric
 
I'll get back to this on Monday when I return from a little trip with my sweetie!
(Also known as the "world's greatest knife finder!")

;)
 
Charlie, I believe in Jacks post # 806, he shows us the very early barlow patterns, ,now in your latest lovely collection of the early Barlow patterns, ............ the 4th one down from the top shows an extremely similar pattern as to Jacks, is this your thoughts as well, or just my vision blurred ever so slightly by the effects of Friday night Bourbon?
Just look at the love and care that these knives have been through!...this means more to me than one could ever contemplete-I guess untill such time as to when I get to be able to take a knife there myself!

Edit:.... Charlie, I am just looking once again at those neat old knives.... what is the markings on the blades 2nd & 3rd from top as well as the 2 bottom knives?
Just one more question Charlie-Im sorry about this, the bottom Barlow, wgat is the secondry blade?, a narrow penn blade?, has this been ground down thinly-or do you think that may have been its original width?..the reason I ask is because it boasts an extremely impressive kick!

I love the grind of the Wragg :thumbup:

Thank you for showing us these examples of the past , just great.
 
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Some say a better Barlow has Redbone on it. My little spy managed to sneak out a pic of an unfinished scale! Looks promising!!
016_zps65d75394.jpg
 
Looks very promising! Can't wait, to see one in the wild ;)

But 1 or 2 additional blades would be good :)
 
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