What Makes a Good, Traditional Barlow?

pertinux said:
All kidding aside, please don't boil your ebony knife! :eek:

Charlie's methods (and outcomes) have been documented in this thread here and here and here, in addition to these most recent pictures of his clip blade example.

For a similar, non-immersive approach, I recommend the information in this thread-- the handle in question is ebony. (One doesn't have to darken the blade(s) to the extent of the knife used as the example.)

...Boiling apple cider vinegar, careful application, cool water rinses.

~ P.
Click to expand...

I have had satisfactory results with a potato for the blade and simply dipping the tip of my finger in cider vinegar and rubbing it on the bolsters for a while. Here is what it looks like after a 3 weeks solid EDC which may have polished the bolsters a bit. Blade and bolster are darker in person.

1.jpg
 
russde said:
No worries, it was more tongue in cheek than actual submersion plans. I am planning to follow Ricks method, this will be my first 'on purpose' patina and I'll post up pics once it's done.
Click to expand...

Whew! I look forward to your pictures.

akadave2 said:
So my spearpoint Barlows all came pretty darn sharp out of the tube. How are the clip points as far as factory edge?
Click to expand...

Mine arrived slicy-- I'd put 'em at the equivalent of my spear from the first run. :thumbup:

~ P.
 
A little inside reporting:

The GEC cutlers love making these Barlows. The parts are particularly well engineered. One fellow even bought one from me!
The dealers tell me they have achieved almost zero flaws! One dealer in particular has sent three new GECs (different patterns) back for blade tightening or adjustment in the last month, but no Barlows have gone back in the Spear or Clip versions at all!!
We all benefit - sometimes the planets just line right up!!
 
Last edited:
Given GEC's penchant for the larger patterns I see a "Daddy" barlow in the future maybe? I will say that of all my GEC's, some 15 or so, the Barlows seem to have the best fit and finish and best factory edge I have seen.
 
Dave, I sincerely hope that daddy barlows are on the horizon.

I was looking at both of my ebony barlows, the spear and clip patterns. To me, they look custom. Fit and finish is on par with my Case Bose 154CM/ATS34 collaborations. GEC has a hit on their hands with these.
 
Last edited:
bemo said:
Great news Charlie! Does that hold true for the boys knives as well?
Click to expand...
Yes, from what I have heard so far, the Boys' pattern is equivalent to the Barlow in production, and afterwards also!
 
As earlier seen and discussed, the pen blade on the spear-main barlows has a back-side swedge that enables more direct access to the main blade's long pull:
waynorth said:
The two blade: Even though the long pull on the master "hides" behind the pen blade it is easy to access. There is a wide swedge on the back of the pen blade that lets your thumbnail slip right to the pull!

TCBarlow2.jpg
Click to expand...

Pen blade of the clip version on top, spear on bottom:
IMG_7723_zps02cec5ff.jpg

(Essentially the same, though with a visible "hint")

Pen blade of the spear version on top, clip on bottom:
IMG_7728_zps58ffac5b.jpg


(Yes, it would have been clearer had I kept the knives in the same orientation. Oops!)

--> The pen blades for the newer clip-main barlows, not needing the deeper back-side swedge due to the rise on the clip's pull, have been retooled.

Knickers_zps65fc1299.jpg


:)

~ P.
 
Last edited:
Nicely captured details Sarah!
There are more details to come!!;);)
 
biglmbass said:
Speaking of details... I notice the long pull is narrower on the new clip blades than on the spears.
Click to expand...
I talked to GEC today and brought up the thinner pull. They have been trying different tooling to see what is most durable. The long pull is cold forged into the blade which puts tremendous pressure on the tool, and occasionally breaks it.
I mentioned that I prefer the wider one, because it allows my nail to pivot more without "shaving" it. Then, I have thick nails.
If anyone else has feedback, please tell us what you think! We are, after all, forever trying to make a Better Barlow!!
 
biglmbass said:
Speaking of details... I notice the long pull is narrower on the new clip blades than on the spears.
Click to expand...

waynorth said:
I talked to GEC today and brought up the thinner pull.
Click to expand...

Hunh. Y'all made me go look. I hadn't noticed!

... Offhand, I would think a thinner pull would be (even) less desirable on spear mains on a two-blade knife, should more be produced-- potentially less purchase within the already-idiosyncratic action required in accessing the main blade.

(I haven't had trouble with it once I got the knack, but have noted others' concerns.)

~ P.
 
waynorth said:
I talked to GEC today and brought up the thinner pull. They have been trying different tooling to see what is most durable. The long pull is cold forged into the blade which puts tremendous pressure on the tool, and occasionally breaks it.
I mentioned that I prefer the wider one, because it allows my nail to pivot more without "shaving" it. Then, I have thick nails.
If anyone else has feedback, please tell us what you think! We are, after all, forever trying to make a Better Barlow!!
Click to expand...

Proof of the superiority of the single blade barlow. ;) It took me a while to get the hang of it, but I don't even use the nail nick for my ebony spear. With a bit of practice these knives are easily pinchable.

- Christian
 
kamagong said:
Proof of the superiority of the single blade barlow. ;) It took me a while to get the hang of it, but I don't even use the nail nick for my ebony spear. With a bit of practice these knives are easily pinchable.

- Christian
Click to expand...

Yep, the single clip blade is easily pinchable for me!
 
sorry guys, i have trouble scanning 29 pages. questions:

1. a barlow is supposed to have a one-piece liner and bolster to a side?
2. why do a number of modern barlows use stainless steel for liners instead of brass?
3. is the barlow meant to be a hard use slip joint?
 
Love my new ebony clip barlows! Thanks again, Charlie!

These past couple of TC Barlow runs are the nicest traditional folders that I have handled since I have gotten into these kinds of knives. Truly fantastic work from a great production company.
 
hank_rearden said:
sorry guys, i have trouble scanning 29 pages. questions:

1. a barlow is supposed to have a one-piece liner and bolster to a side?
2. why do a number of modern barlows use stainless steel for liners instead of brass?
3. is the barlow meant to be a hard use slip joint?
Click to expand...

Let's go backward
3) The Barlow originated as very strong, inexpensive, working man's knife. See answer to 1). Anymore they are no stronger than any other well made slip joint.

2) Beats me.

1) According to Bernard Levine, at the time the Barlow design originated, the bolster and frame were one forged piece. Having a larger bolster meant more metal to that section. This made it stronger. (and less time consuming to make.) Nowadays, the bolster is not part of the frame. The construction is the same as other slipjoints.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top