What Makes a Good, Traditional Barlow?

[supratentorial]

Jake, that was a fantastic story. I had no idea you looked like Harrison Ford! I like how you inserted the Day's Work and New Day in there.

Oh, and great photos.

Thank you, Dean. Unfortunately, I just think that I look like Harrison Ford. He was my stunt double since I thought it might be dangerous...

 

[Jolipapa]

supratentorial
Did you open a space beer with your BSK? I dig such an imagination!

 

[Ryouchijtx]

All of my Ancients have been de-scaled and de-glossed for about a week now.

I will offer some advice, which you can take or leave. Get yourself a Super Eraser before trying this. Sandpaper of any grade will leave crisp lines on the threaded bolster and the lettering. You will see it as you hold the knife at certain angles ........ jaggies. For blade swedges, that is good. For bolsters, not so hot. Open the blade first and cut a sliver of masking tape to cover the liner well and keep grit out. Go back and forth across the letters with the Super Eraser. Keep your off hand thumb nail at the handle-bolster seam to keep from scratching the handles. A whole different effect if you try to go from blade to butt. The edges of the threads and TC letters will remain softened, like when new. To hide the small scratches and produce a nice soft glowing finish, follow with 0000 steel wool, going the same direction. I have tried just about everything and in my opinion, nothing else gives a more desirable final finish. About ten minutes of rubbing is all that is needed to complete both sides. Very minimal material removal and if you deicide you want the gloss back, a few minutes with Flitz metal polish and a small buffing wheel will bring the gloss back to like new.

Man Primble I totally forgot about the super eraser. Need to pick one up again. Copying and pasting this for future reference aha. Thank you

 

[supratentorial]

Thank you, Jolipapa.

 

[Ryouchijtx]

Very cool story Jake, jumped to the very last page and was wondering if I was in the wrong thread when I posted with the mention of a BSK. Nice touch of PS with that very ancient barlow tube

 

[Markesharp]

All of my Ancients have been de-scaled and de-glossed for about a week now.

I will offer some advice, which you can take or leave. Get yourself a Super Eraser before trying this. Sandpaper of any grade will leave crisp lines on the threaded bolster and the lettering. You will see it as you hold the knife at certain angles ........ jaggies. For blade swedges, that is good. For bolsters, not so hot. Open the blade first and cut a sliver of masking tape to cover the liner well and keep grit out. Go back and forth across the letters with the Super Eraser. Keep your off hand thumb nail at the handle-bolster seam to keep from scratching the handles. A whole different effect if you try to go from blade to butt. The edges of the threads and TC letters will remain softened, like when new. To hide the small scratches and produce a nice soft glowing finish, follow with 0000 steel wool, going the same direction. I have tried just about everything and in my opinion, nothing else gives a more desirable final finish. About ten minutes of rubbing is all that is needed to complete both sides. Very minimal material removal and if you deicide you want the gloss back, a few minutes with Flitz metal polish and a small buffing wheel will bring the gloss back to like new.

I used 600 grit sandpaper and finished with 1000 grit.........Primble......are you saying mine looks like crappola?! :barf::grumpy: Show some pic's so we can see the Masters work!

 

[RDaneel]

I used 600 grit sandpaper and finished with 1000 grit.........Primble......are you saying mine looks like crappola?! :barf::grumpy: Show some pic's so we can see the Masters work!

Uh-oh.

 

[Primble]

Man Primble I totally forgot about the super eraser. Need to pick one up again. Copying and pasting this for future reference aha. Thank you

I think you will like the result better, but, I realize we don't all have the same taste, which is a good thing.

I used 600 grit sandpaper and finished with 1000 grit.........Primble......are you saying mine looks like crappola?! :barf::grumpy: Show some pic's so we can see the Masters work!

Your pics are not close enough to know. I mainly posted my technique for those who have not tried before - to give them a formula where I think they will like the result over a long period of time and not regret the venture. Put on your reading glasses and tilt the knife back and forth and see it you created sharp lines on the logo, etc.

I'll post some pics when the light is decent. It is hard to show in even the most detailed picture. The only way you will know the difference is to try it and see it in person. I have tried to tell you time and again, but, Marko won't listen to Primble any longer. I went 400, then 800, then Super Eraser, then 0000 steel wool. The sandpaper was to remove the scale faster because the Super Eraser is a slower process. The sandpaper is not needed on a non-scaled bolster.

 

[Markesharp]

I have tried to tell you time and again, but, Marko won't listen to Primble any longer. I went 400, then 800, then Super Eraser, then 0000 steel wool. The sandpaper was to remove the scale faster because the Super Eraser is a slower process. The sandpaper is not needed on a non-scaled bolster.

Thank you Drill Sargent!! Should I drop and give you 20 push-ups? :barf:

 

[Primble]

Thank you Drill Sargent!! Should I drop and give you 20 push-ups? :barf:

No sir, but, you can for spelling Sergeant wrong.

 

[Markesharp]

No sir, but, you can for spelling Sergeant wrong.

:foot::foot::foot::barf::barf::barf:

 

[waynorth]

I was doing some yard work this weekend and....



...while digging a hole for a sapling, I discovered a large cave that runs underneath the property. After a Day's Work, I was able to clear the entrance. It was late and I was exhausted so I went to sleep and dreamed of what hidden treasures awaited me.



I awoke early to a New Day full of anticipation and excitement. I headed down into the cave and followed the twists and turns... sometimes needing to wriggle my way through. At the end of the tunnels, I found a mysterious tube with ancient writing on it.



I carefully opened the tube and found what must be the world's oldest barlow. The handle was made out of some old bone, probably dinosaur, and had an eleborate pattern scratched into the surface. There were spots of heavy oxidation on the metal surfaces. Based on what I've learned from reading BRL's forum, I know that "condition is only a sign of condition". So I know this knife is old. Most likely from the days of the cave man. Passed down from generation to generation and used during the Civil War.






....Thank you for another fun SFO, Charlie!

Had to bump this tale up a page!! Wonderful, with great pics!!:thumbup:

And I see Primblization has taken another leap forward!

 

[Markesharp]

And I see Primblization has taken another leap forward!

Yea Charlie...."One small step for mankind, one Giant Leap for Primblization" :yawn:

 

[sitflyer]

.....

 

[Jsega51]

I used 400 and then some 800 paper to knock the shine off of my bolsters and blade. I wanted some lines still so that's why I didn't go to a higher grit. Being "ancient" I figured it needed to look like it still had some texture to it. Plus as it patinas from use, it should allow it to form unevenly like the scaling is.

 

[liamstrain]

That looks great to me, Jake. Nice work.

 

[Jack Black]

Great post Jake! :thumbup:

Lovely pics guys :thumbup:

 

[Augie]

Ancient with an ancient, just picked up this MF&S, still a very tight, usable Barlow.

 

[Jack Black]

Very nice score Augie :thumbup:

 

[waynorth]

That's a great example, Augie! Lots of blade!!