What Makes a Good, Traditional Barlow?

waynorth said:
The introduction of the GEC #14 pattern poses a conundrum for me!
A couple of my oldest Barlows are quite small, in fact slightly smaller than the #14!
I have always wanted to make a smaller Barlow, but have always worried about flooding all of you collectors with too many choices, and too many places to spend money!
After discussing this with friends, and my sweetie (who owns half of everything in our little world!), I have come to the fork in the road. I pretty much have to decide tonight whether I am going to do it or not!
Here is what is giving me fits!
Wragg%20Old%20Barlow%201_zps4k3so4xu.jpg

Wragg%20Old%20Barlow%202_zpszpp1xhs9.jpg

Wragg%20Old%20Barlow%203_zpskxhxeq59.jpg

The top Barlow is most likely from the middle 1800s!!
That is according to Goins and Levine both!
It is amazing that the knife is in such good condition and functional. It has satisfying snap and lots of blade. The scratted handles are missing a piece on the mark side, but I am carrying it today, though treating it gently.
As I write this, I am leaning toward producing it in #14 format, probably lightly sawcut instead of scratted.
Whadda ya think??:confused:
;)
Click to expand...

I think it's a great idea to have a run of baby barlows. My preference would be to see the scratted bone make another appearance (different color than the ancient). In my opinion, on a knife as small as the #14, the scratted bone covers would give it extra interest which it will need due to the small size. If I had to choose between the #15 and the #14 I'd choose the #15 hands down... I assume you will end up running the #15's at some point anyway, and the #14 is just to have something different. If you're thinking whatever decision you choose is a risk of watering down the market or offending collectors, there's many many people that don't have a TC... I'd guess 50% of what you have sold in the past is sitting in a tube/storage... Due to the scarcity, I'd think you could do a #14 run without impacting resale of the #15, plus there is a moderate difference between them (in size). Anyway, just my ramblings...
 
cbr1000 said:
I assume you will end up running the #15's at some point anyway, and the #14 is just to have something different. If you're thinking whatever decision you choose is a risk of watering down the market or offending collectors, there's many many people that don't have a TC... I'd guess 50% of what you have sold in the past is sitting in a tube/storage... Due to the scarcity, I'd think you could do a #14 run without impacting resale of the #15, plus there is a moderate difference between them (in size). Anyway, just my ramblings...
Click to expand...

I certainly hope there are still plans for future runs of #15 TC Barlows. I'm among those who want one and haven't been able to get ahold of one yet. (I did briefly have an Ancient TC, but it wasn't the right blade for me and I didn't carry it, so I let it go.) I know Charlie doesn't want to duplicate any of the TC's he's made so far out of fairness to collectors, but I sure would like to see another run with clip points.
 
Charlie, I think the market for these knives will not be a primary consideration for you in deciding whether to go with the pattern or not. Such issues are fleeting compared to the long history of these knives, and the great models you've produced so far, which I think can rightly take their place in Barlow history, knives which a feller might look at in 100 years time, with the greatest admiration. However, you've demonstrated that a smaller Barlow does have a historic pedigree, and said it's something you'd like to do. All other considerations aside, that's enough for me. If you do decide to go with a #14 Barlow, please put me down for one :) :thumbup:

Personally, I'd love to see more scratted bone, and like the idea about preserving the TC bolsters for the 15s (my choice would be a CC bolster!), but know from experience that if you choose to go with a #14 Barlow, you'll do a great job :thumbup: If you decide to pass, there'll be plenty of #14 Jacks for people to choose from I'm sure :thumbup:
 
Jack Black said:
Charlie, I think the market for these knives will not be a primary consideration for you in deciding whether to go with the pattern or not. Such issues are fleeting compared to the long history of these knives, and the great models you've produced so far, which I think can rightly take their place in Barlow history, knives which a feller might look at in 100 years time, with the greatest admiration. However, you've demonstrated that a smaller Barlow does have a historic pedigree, and said it's something you'd like to do. All other considerations aside, that's enough for me. If you do decide to go with a #14 Barlow, please put me down for one :) :thumbup:

Personally, I'd love to see more scratted bone, and like the idea about preserving the TC bolsters for the 15s (my choice would be a CC bolster!), but know from experience that if you choose to go with a #14 Barlow, you'll do a great job :thumbup: If you decide to pass, there'll be plenty of #14 Jacks for people to choose from I'm sure :thumbup:
Click to expand...

I agree with Jack.

First and foremost is the historical tribute.
Second, the waynorth desire.

I think there is enough proof that they'll be success so we need not address that point. I think the CC would be a good bolster stamp too or perhaps your triskelion motif, although I'm not sure whether that would look more fancy than a barlow should?

Paul
 
pmew said:
I agree with Jack.

First and foremost is the historical tribute.
Second, the waynorth desire.

I think there is enough proof that they'll be success so we need not address that point. I think the CC would be a good bolster stamp too or perhaps your triskelion motif, although I'm not sure whether that would look more fancy than a barlow should?

Paul
Click to expand...


I agree with both Paul and Jack, onward Charlie :D CC would be a fantastic tooled bolster for this run.
 
To date I have the following GEC's:

- 151213 STL (Antique Yellow Jigged Bone)
- 152214 EC ( Rust Red Jigged Bone)
- 251208 LP ( Gennuine Stag Barlow #9 of 25)
- 252109 EO ( Burnt Stag)
- 831115 LB ( Tidioute Gabon Ebony Tascosa Lockback)
- 831115 LB ( Northfield UN-X-LD Burnt Stag Tascosa Lockback)
- 835115 LB ( Northfield UN-X-LD Natural Stag Tascosa Lockback serialized #28)
 
I really like this TC barlow ........
mike Berkovitch said:
This thread is the one I love the most along with the old knives thread, and the reason is the great knives that are posted here. The TC's have the charm of the old knives thanks to charlie and that what makes them so magical. After long time without a TC in my pocket I finally got one. I almost forgot how great they are.

SELEeAwTvlRmIlUI4MnYc4w5CKG_BA53Pp19enOTHT6oZgYc2BElRTBufFfTT9gSxKwTQhGowrA58CipxX5UQfS8aihCPzKMt2xi15YMQ3VxnV4l3ih4wtjMG4MGWNzTc-Q1e-UuUeKmeQcGT9jk1oX5hOKwWBNShqAwwYDPxKar0MbAG_hui6QM5i4BmMq8205w8qjvASizipUM4Mbo-JhcqNQzWZRVIgEkfbdJnH3lrrRL4ar1tFPLdUMxc_MpyoSZffrNyF2K6hE4ETyMKPDM-MXnDEkKQ2cl_Y-2DGXEliWGQE6JkUDs44MJ7FJht3v9hiV9_Urx-2EIaUqHDxXZXPoy8HQqZ4bzXMvu1uGWprIeq2epVUyhVEqUOrxbHko7vX5_rvOYw1pkcjMattNfusGNFYrni4sm1BmMTVgZylKvzJG3grVZ9LHWvXcW61zVB71fKzMLvK5FsSD2ZAkuGOBQHM7e7tNRntxdnghWrncYFQTwQWvdUQw4OH28BUhGc6FtUncip3H6yThEY5sJCHMw-vaOXZBc2D9Qz4dP001wbRi3fFlf3Jv_xNxOzNWH9Q=w858-h643-no


C2a6roPNdZrXxNxiJlFFXm-JYJnu65QPFbHV2vXaPVkf4KNPwHEfVcBhjUoW374Lw9caZ7lhzzEFIjEnkbO_BBERKCELVVs7FMsesdJywoqawHfncjhBwnSJ42p6674W_3I64V2jk5eJHck99JLO5oKRtCZdQEaTVW0BZDLx--7Wh-XquPfxTtPxQXovjwBqRAZh5mY-pfqnSYMfkv3iTRRap4gPDQTr03RB-8sl5J0mKR9slhQ3AN4Z-IHtzu1zwOaEgMnyCtykyHLkiaiuBXB_uOdMj_2lshNxrCB387U7fnmt9rmHQoDAJ9cb1QGro8VZtpiV57VZDl-jwH1dhyl94puY-g_I7yMcZPc0_4SeMdpdhKqiESs3Dlr_pokIQu60Ej2E7zI20NrooKSmSiyuJF2F7cSbWh9YJtQDlUW2pPOPsPTVp6X9UF51p9yDsnzSReZWCvu0RIAFjOW4eG3jH5bt9jO9URZKV0qDo0pIzaGKgA2nQWk2IPaOPW3FdiszoMeQ9tCZlr-fymxc6B31qyo3PJE1MC7kIJtYcdixU1jlMOd55ZyGU4lU2VqfL9zKxA=w858-h643-no


Mike
Click to expand...
 
No talk of trades in the discussion forums, please. One post moved off line.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top