What Makes a Good, Traditional Barlow?

Primble · Apr 10, 2015

A TC of Many Colors - Antique Amber 3rd Cut Stag TC Barlow Clip:

Dr. Scott · Apr 10, 2015

That almost looks like walnut, Primble. Have you dabbed a little potassium permanganate on it? I don't recall seeing any that dark.

willydigger · Apr 10, 2015

Primble said:
A TC of Many Colors - Antique Amber 3rd Cut Stag TC Barlow Clip:

It's posts like this that remind me I will never have them all! DAMN YOU!

Primble · Apr 10, 2015

Dr. Scott said:
That almost looks like walnut, Primble. Have you dabbed a little potassium permanganate on it? I don't recall seeing any that dark.

Yes Scott - you nailed it.

willydigger said:
It's posts like this that remind me I will never have them all! DAMN YOU!

and a clip too Fred !!

This is the original color (a bit too white and blotchy for my taste):

First try (a couple months ago) with the Potassium Permanganate (did not take the PP evenly and I was not real fond of the results):

I decide to try to improve the results this morning. I rubbed the scales with alcohol and removed some of the color. I got it to a pretty nice color.

Then, everything went south when I went a bit too far and tried different things, which made it worse.

I decided to take 800 grit sandpaper and sanded the stag until it was light colored again. I then rubbed it with Acetone.

Still not liking it, I decided to go with another coat of the Potassium Permanganate and to my surprise, the sanding or Acetone, probably both, caused the stag to take the PP very nice and even. I applied a second coat and liked the rich dark honey color that resulted. The pile side is just a shade or two darker than the mark side now, as it is more porous.

paulhilborn · Apr 10, 2015

EXCELLENT JOB Primble...I like that alot:thumbup:

dave308ek · Apr 10, 2015

Another great Primblization.

Your skills with knife doctoring is almost as good as your photography. :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

thales2015 · Apr 10, 2015

Very nice results Primble! I have tried this process myself and it can certainly be a challenge! Well done sir :thumbup:

SadSappySucker · Apr 10, 2015

That 3rd cut looks great. I think I need to examine it up close and personal to REALLY appreciate it though.

Primble · Apr 10, 2015

Thank you for the comments guys. I am still trying to decide if the mark side needs one more coat of Potassium Permanganate. The pile side looks nice a bit darker than the mark. The only problem is if I end up not liking the darker shade, I will probably have to start over. I guess I could mess it up.

As it is, I like it MUCH better than I ever have.

:thumbup::thumbup:

Maybe I will take a pic of the pile side tomorrow and let you guys decide it's fate.

SSS - I was thinking about selling it before I did the process today, but, I now like it a lot. Prior to that, you could have had the up close and personal for cheap.

Are there any of you who liked it better with the white stag look - just wondering?

SadSappySucker · Apr 10, 2015

Personally I much prefer the brown color. At first glance I thought it was wood. The brown gives it much more contrast really making the grain(?) stand out.
I would probably leave it be, but then again one side being a different shade would probably bug me to no end.

LastRodeo · Apr 10, 2015

I like the white better. I assume over the years of use, it would age and turn darker anyway.

Tenacious D · Apr 11, 2015

singin50 said:
beautiful shot of that TC, sugarleaf! That Catt is something to behold, Primble!:thumbup:

Thanks Perry! Sorry I missed your comment before. Hope you are having fun at the show (and coming home with less money and more knives

)

Will Power · Apr 11, 2015

Primble A great make-up job on that TC, you should go into business!

I believe that stag, especially when lightly sanded can really take dye colour, something to do with the pith. Bone seems less amenable to this treatment.

Beautiful colour on it now (like 20 years of use!)

Thanks, Will

5K Qs · Apr 11, 2015

Primble said:
...

I decide to try to improve the results this morning. I rubbed the scales with alcohol and removed some of the color. I got it to a pretty nice color.

Then, everything went south when I went a bit too far and tried different things, which made it worse.

I decided to take 800 grit sandpaper and sanded the stag until it was light colored again. I then rubbed it with Acetone.

Still not liking it, I decided to go with another coat of the Potassium Permanganate and to my surprise, the sanding or Acetone, probably both, caused the stag to take the PP very nice and even. I applied a second coat and liked the rich dark honey color that resulted. The pile side is just a shade or two darker than the mark side now, as it is more porous.

You, sir, are a MAD SCIENTIST!!

There's apparently more than one way to create a "Frankenknife"!

Sure can't argue with the results; it looks fantastic, Primble! :thumbup:

:thumbup:

- GT

Primble · Apr 11, 2015

Will Power said:
Primble A great make-up job on that TC, you should go into business!

I believe that stag, especially when lightly sanded can really take dye colour, something to do with the pith. Bone seems less amenable to this treatment.

Beautiful colour on it now (like 20 years of use!)

Thanks, Will

5K Qs said:
You, sir, are a MAD SCIENTIST!!
There's apparently more than one way to create a "Frankenknife"!
Sure can't argue with the results; it looks fantastic, Primble! :thumbup::thumbup:

MAD SCIENTIST !!!

Well, it appears that I am not the only one !

waynorth said:
So maybe we should re-label this thread Barlow Abuse!!??
But I guess making a Barlow better sort of falls within the initial purview!!

First check out the results:
Left, new out of the Tube. Middle, the Acid Trip. Right, the Real Thing!

and later on ..........

Markesharp said:
Primble-ized!

Markesharp said:
My stag TC from a Whitetail I harvested

kamagong said:
I've only owned two Charlows. One of the first marrow bone clips and an ebony spear PPP. I put the marrow clip to work, saving the spear to take out occasionally and admire.

willydigger said:
My newest. Glenn modded Sheepsfoot with Ziricote scales and lanyard tube.

Markesharp · Apr 11, 2015

Very nice looking handles Roberto! :thumbup: I like them much better and I personally wouldn't go any darker. I would seal it with slow drying CA glue!

5K Qs · Apr 11, 2015

Primble said:
MAD SCIENTIST !!! Well, it appears that I am not the only one !

Obviously not! I had no idea that you, and those of your ilk, had your own journal: Mad Charlow Scientist Illustrated.

Thanks for sharing some excerpts from a recent edition with the rest of us.

- GT

willydigger · Apr 11, 2015

Primble · Apr 11, 2015

Markesharp said:
Very nice looking handles Roberto! :thumbup: I like them much better and I personally wouldn't go any darker. I would seal it with slow drying CA glue!

5K Qs said:
Obviously not! I had no idea that you, and those of your ilk, had your own journal: Mad Charlow Scientist Illustrated.
Thanks for sharing some excerpts from a recent edition with the rest of us.

- GT

That CA glue makes me squeamish just thinking about using it on a knife handle. How about a clear sealer or Mod Podge ???

GT - :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

Primble · Apr 11, 2015

Sheep Soup: