What Makes a Good, Traditional Barlow?

[Jack Black]

Two perfect specimens, Jack!!

Thanks pal

Love that jigging Bob, looks real old school :thumbup:

 

[Lemmy Caution]

Alright, I have a question. Stupid maybe - so excuse my ignorance. But I just saw a pic of a Grand Daddy Barlow posted by Augie in another thread.
Where does the term come from? Is this a sized up Barlow for old men? I know about the ease of production due to the long bolsters in semi-industrial-times. But was it actually designed for old gentlemen with (maybe) atritic fingers? I´ve seen EO knives from that time. This would make more sense for me when it comes to the ease of opening the blade(s).

Or was it a term of marketing ... ?

Hey Andi -

Not a stupid question at all because once you think about it it just makes you realize how strange English can be. By "Grand Daddy" they just mean big. For instance if the barlow is the child then its daddy would be bigger and following the logic (its not perfect logic) the grand daddy would be the biggest. Its kind of like how James Brown is called The Godfather of Soul. He didn't invent soul so he's not the father of soul but he has a big part in soul so he took the title Godfather, but not in any religious sense. Got it?

 

[Ishrub]

do they do barlows with double bolsters?

Enoch does 'em that way! (Kick drum, cymbal sizzle!)

Seriously, I think not!

But maybe define "double bolsters" for us, to make sure we are on the same page.
If you mean, do they put a cap bolster on the non-pivot end, then I would answer NO!

Several pages ago, someone asked if there were barlows with cap ends. I was at an antique store a couple weeks ago and I actually saw one of these in a case. I couldn't make it out to well, but it was certainly a barlow with a cap end, and what appeared to be red plastic covers. Doing some looking around online, I found a Hammer Brand barlow that is similiar, but the covers are different.

And no, I didn't buy it. They were asking $25.

Here is another which MAY be one of the brands in the group listing description. This one does have a BARLOW stamped front bolster.

Vintage Knife Lot Western, Hibben, Cattaraugus, Boker, Imperial, United, Victorinox, Y.C.C., includes a Gil Hibben throwing knife, a United Cutlery 3 piece field kit with interchangeable blades, a 70's Western filet knife, a Gerber Paraframe that looks Ok, just needs to be reassembled, the screw and washers are there, and several old slip joints by the aforementioned makers, several of the slipjoints have broken blades or tips and would be pretty much just for parts, the ones that are opened are those.

 

[RDaneel]

Excellent! Sawcut Stew's is so nice

And your red one is a unique and attractive color.

 

[Jack Black]

Don't carry mine often, but it's a knife I'm pleased to own

 

[mike Berkovitch]

Wow those ancient Barlows jack and all are looking great, genius design and execution.
Mike

 

[Jack Black]

Charlie and GEC did a superb job of them Mike :thumbup:

 

[r redden]

Looking at all these beautiful knives made me want to post a picture of the few I have.

 

[Humppa]

Hey Andi -

Not a stupid question at all because once you think about it it just makes you realize how strange English can be. By "Grand Daddy" they just mean big. For instance if the barlow is the child then its daddy would be bigger and following the logic (its not perfect logic) the grand daddy would be the biggest. Its kind of like how James Brown is called The Godfather of Soul. He didn't invent soul so he's not the father of soul but he has a big part in soul so he took the title Godfather, but not in any religious sense. Got it?

Thanks for clarification and a language lesson. Much appreciated. It is actually clearer now - just some kind of term sizewise and nothing with an actual cause or relationship for some purpose.
Yeah - english can be a tricky language. Some terms don´t make any sense when they are translated to my language. But on the other side it is the same. Believe me.

 

[blee]

Love that jigging Bob, looks real old school :thumbup:

Thanks for the comment, Jack. Being a newcomer, I wasn't here for the original sheepfoot run, so I'm very happy to have one now from the last run

 

[Jack Black]

Thanks for the comment, Jack. Being a newcomer, I wasn't here for the original sheepfoot run, so I'm very happy to have one now from the last run

Congratulations :thumbup:

 

[willydigger]

Some stinkin' Ebony.

 

[wundergussy]

Love these covers

 

[waynorth]

Great knife and Skunk, Fred!!

Nice pair, Gus!!

 

[coolio]

Wow... this sage (the correct word?) color of the bone is amazing. The combination with the copper bolsters is very appealing. At least to me.
Thanks for sharing.

Thanks Andi!

 

[Jack Black]

 

[5K Qs]

Every time I see Fred's antique amber sawcut clip/pen Charlow, I have to express my appreciation over seeing such an outstanding knife, and also express my gratitude for surviving another glimpse of such a heartstopper!!! :thumbup::thumbup:

Lil' #25's need some love, too.

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That 25 Barlow looks fantastic, roseskunk!

...
Just picked this one up. Had been dreaming of finding one the day before with all the forum knife discussion past and present and boom it appeared on the exchange:

Congrats, Drew; that's a superb example of that fine Forum Barlow! :thumbup::thumbup:

My new KA-BAR Dog's Head Coppersmith! First thing I noticed was the "worm groove" is extended into the copper bolster, on mark and pile sides. This is a sweet knife - very well made.


...

VERY cool Ka-Barlow, Brad, you lucky Dog!

...I'm loving these Ancients

Splendid Ancients, Jack; I'm enjoying all the photos of them you're sharing. You obviously appreciate that pair! :thumbup::thumbup:
What really caught my attention, though, was the background map. Is that your neighborhood? Do you have a real live Lunatic Asylum down the street, or is that just some trendy pub??

Barlows getting light use...

...

Like the knife and photo, Bob! :thumbup:

Looking at all these beautiful knives made me want to post a picture of the few I have.

Beautiful big bunch of Barlows, r redden; nice!!! :thumbup:

Love these covers

wundergussy, you've posted a spectacular and varied selection of Charlows here lately!! :thumbup::thumbup:

- GT

 

[dispatch184]

Looking at all these beautiful knives made me want to post a picture of the few I have.

What a great collection!!!

 

[dispatch184]

Thank you GT on the forum Barlow compliment. It is so well made, fit and finish superb. I was lucky enough to get to change me sig line today since I have an Ancient in beautiful ebony on the way :thumbup:

 

[Jack Black]

Splendid Ancients, Jack; I'm enjoying all the photos of them you're sharing. You obviously appreciate that pair! :thumbup::thumbup:
What really caught my attention, though, was the background map. Is that your neighborhood? Do you have a real live Lunatic Asylum down the street, or is that just some trendy pub??

Thanks GT, there are certainly plenty of pubs which would fit the name! The map is from 1903 (I didn't noticed the asylum until after I'd taken the pic). It's at Middlewood, which in 1903 would have been a way out of Sheffield. I'm not sure if it's still open, but it certainly was 20 years ago. It used to be common to hear Sheffielders say things like, "He'll end up in Middlewood!" Similarly, in the 19th century, it was apparently common for people to say things like, "He'll end up under t'clock" referring to the cells underneath the town hall

Here's a few pics of my scratted bone Ancient making its inaugural visit to Sheffield :thumbup:





At Tyzack's old scythe works.



Looking towards the site of the home and hearth of Obadiah Barlow and his forbears.



Visiting the old (Wade &) Butcher Works.