What Makes a Good, Traditional Barlow?

[B.F.U]

So, I know this is my second random post about this knife here, but I'm pumped.

After having thought it was lost for good, I found my sheepfoot ivory bone TC!!!

Again, super pumped.

Back to your normally scheduled barlow content.

 

[Will Power]

Looks good Will :thumbup:

Thank you Jack! For some odd and seemingly contradictory reason, knives this year seem to be getting better and better! Maybe I've been super-lucky You'd think the more you get the more jaded you become etc. But not so far...

Regards, Will

 

[Jack Black]

Thank you Jack! For some odd and seemingly contradictory reason, knives this year seem to be getting better and better! Maybe I've been super-lucky You'd think the more you get the more jaded you become etc. But not so far...

Long may the new renaissance of traditional knives continue! :thumbup:

 

[pertinux]

Added another spear today!

Still woefully low on clips

Hit 24 today -- thanks to everyone who has helped!

Wonderful array, Wondergussy. Thanks.

-- I understand your sentiment, bolded above, and the hankering which drives it, but would suggest that the juxtaposition of your pictures of your enviable selection with the words "woefully low" (on anything) may limit the outpouring of sympathy on your behalf.

First time I've posted these together

Whoa, Jack. From this distance and dim memory, I would have had you at, let's see, "Three."



Beautiful, and so nice to see the knives together. :thumbup:

All of these knives have been posted many times and in most cases with better photography than I can provide, but that ain't gonna slow me down! So in the next few posts I will get caught up to the latest release.

Thanks for doing this, Dave! We all enjoy our knives in various ways; I love how you don't just have 'em, you really look, and compare, and note distinctions for the rest of us-- complete with visuals. All of this requires an investment of time and clear thought, and I really appreciate your efforts. I am grateful for your living archive.

As most of us on this forum know Charlie has a deep affection for Barlows and especially OLD Barlows. Which is self evident by his signature line.
In my conversations with Charlie I knew these Ancients were on the horizon, I told him that I had done some crude file work and would like an extra Smooth Parchment Bone to scratt. I had plenty of time to try to decide just exactly what type of pattern I wanted to place on the covers. After receiving the knife I discovered that something simple was going to be the way to go because of the space available. I also remembered our Pertinux and her Harlequin TC's so I decided to take after Sara and scratt a different design on each side. Here's to You Sarah! You have greater influence than you know!!

Aw. I'm honored.

Soooooo here is what I came up with, a variation of the factory scratt and something that resembled one of the old Barlows that Charlie had shared with us here on the Traditional Forum.
Perhaps this will induce some of you to scratt your own designs?????

Say, now, that's impressive work. Nicely done! If I tried something like that, it would likely look like someone dropped spaghetti on it, which then dried in an odd and unappealing pattern. How'd you do it, again?

Me, I still fight the urge to just start SCRITCHING THINGS IN BONE, likely an "S," maybe another initial or two, a la the inestimable EARL. One of these days, and pity the poor victim.

I bought a TC "seconds" (very thin covers and shallow jigging) that already had the etch gone due to use. I figured this was a perfect specimen to have reground by the great Tom Krein. I'd never mess with non-seconds TC, for the record.

Very interesting re-presenting of this blade. How do you like it, in use?

I try to treat them all equal, but this one ends up in the pocket more than his fair share

That's because it's a showstopper, and rightly so.

[I love how each of these barlows stands on its own, first to last, as a premier example of the TC pattern.]

Speaking of which:

It's been extra busy lately. However, I do manage to read a few threads. I had a chance yesterday to take this photo. The Ancient Barlow makes a good marking knife. I used it to transfer the dovetails to the pin board using the Barlow.

I don't know about the rest of you, but this knife, with its scratted covers, jumps off every page on which it appears, and causes Stopped Scrolling (and Retraced Tracks). I stand by what I just wrote above, that each and any of the TCs can represent the best of this modern iteration of an age-old pattern, with some of the more subtle variations perhaps proving to have the most enduring staying power. At the same time, I think this scratted beauty will be catching eyes and jumping out of images in whatever array or setting it happens to find itself from here on out.

Good photography helps. Thanks, guys.

So, I know this is my second random post about this knife here, but I'm pumped.

After having thought it was lost for good, I found my sheepfoot ivory bone TC!!!

Oh, man. What a great feeling. Congrats, and thanks for letting us know.

Thank you Jack! For some odd and seemingly contradictory reason, knives this year seem to be getting better and better! Maybe I've been super-lucky You'd think the more you get the more jaded you become etc. But not so far...

Regards, Will

These knives really are special, first to last. Years (and years) from now, long after we're gone and the knives abide, others will marvel at what GEC and Charlie accomplished in this span of a few intense years, ka-BOOM.

~ P.

 

[wundergussy]

@Jack Black
Thanks for all your kind words! Although I do still maintain everyone ought to include my lack of clip TC's in their daily thoughts and prayers

@ALLHSS -- that smooth ivory bone sheep is wonderful! Glad it isn't lost

 

[B.F.U]

Wonderful array, Wondergussy. Thanks.

-- I understand your sentiment, bolded above, and the hankering which drives it, but would suggest that the juxtaposition of your pictures of your enviable selection with the words "woefully low" (on anything) may limit the outpouring of sympathy on your behalf.



Whoa, Jack. From this distance and dim memory, I would have had you at, let's see, "Three."



Beautiful, and so nice to see the knives together. [emoji106]



Thanks for doing this, Dave! We all enjoy our knives in various ways; I love how you don't just have 'em, you really look, and compare, and note distinctions for the rest of us-- complete with visuals. All of this requires an investment of time and clear thought, and I really appreciate your efforts. I am grateful for your living archive.



Aw. I'm honored.



Say, now, that's impressive work. Nicely done! If I tried something like that, it would likely look like someone dropped spaghetti on it, which then dried in an odd and unappealing pattern. How'd you do it, again?

Me, I still fight the urge to just start SCRITCHING THINGS IN BONE, likely an "S," maybe another initial or two, a la the inestimable EARL. One of these days, and pity the poor victim.



Very interesting re-presenting of this blade. How do you like it, in use?



That's because it's a showstopper, and rightly so.

[I love how each of these barlows stands on its own, first to last, as a premier example of the TC pattern.]

Speaking of which:




I don't know about the rest of you, but this knife, with its scratted covers, jumps off every page on which it appears, and causes Stopped Scrolling (and Retraced Tracks). I stand by what I just wrote above, that each and any of the TCs can represent the best of this modern iteration of an age-old pattern, with some of the more subtle variations perhaps proving to have the most enduring staying power. At the same time, I think this scratted beauty will be catching eyes and jumping out of images in whatever array or setting it happens to find itself from here on out.

Good photography helps. Thanks, guys.



Oh, man. What a great feeling. Congrats, and thanks for letting us know.



These knives really are special, first to last. Years (and years) from now, long after we're gone and the knives abide, others will marvel at what GEC and Charlie accomplished in this span of a few intense years, ka-BOOM.

~ P.

Thanks! It really is, one of a few knives that have sentimental value to me.

@Jack Black
Thanks for all your kind words! Although I do still maintain everyone ought to include my lack of clip TC's in their daily thoughts and prayers

@ALLHSS -- that smooth ivory bone sheep is wonderful! Glad it isn't lost

Thanks! Yeah I really like the smooth ivory bone color.

 

[chisumr]

So, I know this is my second random post about this knife here, but I'm pumped.

After having thought it was lost for good, I found my sheepfoot ivory bone TC!!!

Again, super pumped.

Back to your normally scheduled barlow content.

Glad to hear you found your sheepfoot ivory bone TC!! I would be pumped also!!!

Ron

 

[major_works]

So, I know this is my second random post about this knife here, but I'm pumped.

After having thought it was lost for good, I found my sheepfoot ivory bone TC!!!

Again, super pumped.

Back to your normally scheduled barlow content.

Congratulations! To me, that'd be like Christmas in October.

 

[Jack Black]

Whoa, Jack. From this distance and dim memory, I would have had you at, let's see, "Three."



Beautiful, and so nice to see the knives together. :thumbup:

Great to see you post P :thumbup: Thanks, they have certainly crept up on me, not least because four are recent :thumbup:

These knives really are special, first to last. Years (and years) from now, long after we're gone and the knives abide, others will marvel at what GEC and Charlie accomplished in this span of a few intense years, ka-BOOM.

Absolutely, they are historic :thumbup: We are lucky to be witnessing the birth of these special knives, we happy few, we band of brothers - and sisters! :thumbup:

@Jack Black
Thanks for all your kind words! Although I do still maintain everyone ought to include my lack of clip TC's in their daily thoughts and prayers

:thumbup:

 

[Campbellclanman]

So, I know this is my second random post about this knife here, but I'm pumped.

After having thought it was lost for good, I found my sheepfoot ivory bone TC!!!

Again, super pumped.

Back to your normally scheduled barlow content.

YESSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Awesome News my friend!!!!

 

[wundergussy]

 

[waynorth]

My youngest son just turned 34, and we had a birthday dinner for him. It struck me that he is starting to resemble his Grandpa Stewart, of Stew's Blade fame!
Both of these men, 2 generations apart, are inspirations to all around them.
I'm so glad that we made that blade!! It is a reminder, to me anyway, of what good men can be!

 

[Campbellclanman]

That's great to read Charlie- I am sure Joanne relishes the similarities. I'm pretty glad the Stews Blade is here as well.

 

[B.F.U]

That's awesome! Getting together with family is always good

 

[pertinux]

For me, carrying this barlow is the knife version of coming home....

~ P.

 

[wundergussy]

My youngest son just turned 34, and we had a birthday dinner for him. It struck me that he is starting to resemble his Grandpa Stewart, of Stew's Blade fame!
Both of these men, 2 generations apart, are inspirations to all around them.
I'm so glad that we made that blade!! It is a reminder, to me anyway, of what good men can be!

Thanks for the anecdote! The Stew's is my favorite tube-write-up, because of the personal touch. I'm glad you made them as well: a joy to carry

 

[BigBiscuit]

For me, carrying this barlow is the knife version of coming home....

~ P.

Perfect Sarah.

 

[Luger1952]

Yes, Sarah that is just a homey comfort looking/making sort of TC folder! Beautiful to look at and admire. In using it the the character of the owner and the folder are revealed. Thanks, Lloyd

 

[waynorth]

I love them all, but I must agree that one is special, Sarah!
Thanks for showing it in such a great light!

 

[knowtracks]

My youngest son just turned 34, and we had a birthday dinner for him. It struck me that he is starting to resemble his Grandpa Stewart, of Stew's Blade fame!
Both of these men, 2 generations apart, are inspirations to all around them.
I'm so glad that we made that blade!! It is a reminder, to me anyway, of what good men can be!

Congratulations Charlie! Very Glad to hear the Family tradition is continuing! :thumbup:

For me, carrying this barlow is the knife version of coming home....

~ P.

Wonderful Warm shot Sara! :thumbup: Enjoy that beauty!!


Dave