What Makes a Good, Traditional Barlow?

philllll said:
I had such good results trying the "Old Boiley" treatment on my Orchard Gem that I decided to try it on one of the new run TCs! The vinegar leached a lot of the dye out of the bone but I really like how it turned out! Almost looks like the Antique Amber bone from the first run.
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I scrubbed the covers of my peachseed TC with a brush and hot soapy water, and that got a lot of the dye out, too. I like the lighter look, I think it brings out the brilliance of the dyed bone more.

I'm interested in this Old Boiley method though, I really like that patina. It's probably straightforward just boiling in vinegar, but can you give me the protocol, please?
 
traumkommode said:
I scrubbed the covers of my peachseed TC with a brush and hot soapy water, and that got a lot of the dye out, too. I like the lighter look, I think it brings out the brilliance of the dyed bone more.

I'm interested in this Old Boiley method though, I really like that patina. It's probably straightforward just boiling in vinegar, but can you give me the protocol, please?
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Here's a cut-and-paste of the method from a message I sent someone else today:


It's super easy, just boil the whole knife in vinegar. heat up a pot of straight vinegar on low on the stove, doesnt need to really be boiling even just enough that the knife starts bubbling. put something in the bottom so the knife doesnt touch the bottom of the pan directly. let it go in there for 2-3 minutes at a time, pulling it out to check progress and repeating as needed. i ususally d like 15 minutes total, alternating between blades closed and open if possible. Then rinse and scrub with soap to neutralize the pH then soak t he whole thing in oil. i wouldn't recommend wood handles, micarta is fine and bone is fine but might leach out some dye. Regular white vinegar is fine. get the big gallon jug and dont be skimpy, fill it up a good bit above the knife because it will boil off quick. fair warning, it will stink up the house for sure. if you have a hot plate or a side burner on the grill or something, do it outside
when you rinse it and wipe it down the first time a lot of the black stuff will come off, thats normal. dont use the green side of a kitchen sponge it's scotchbrite and will scratch the blade up and take off the patina
or if it gets uneven you can use the green side on purpose to even it out then put it back in the vinegar.
 
btb01 said:
While admiring my new Ebony #74 today, I got to thinking about some of the more unusual old Barlows I'd seen in this thread, and I wondered:

Charlie, do you think you'll ever do a curved TC Barlow?

88022F71-D625-4CEB-95AC-9A36B87A1544.jpg


:D :D
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There are some out there now Barrett


Harry
 
AShearer said:
Amateur? That's very convincing Barrett. I thought it must have been composited on PS but could not find a tell tale sign.
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Thanks, Alan. It's actually not even Photoshop, just a Photoshop-type app on my iPhone. It works pretty well.

Old Engineer said:
There are some out there now Barrett
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Thanks for sharing that one, Harry. Is that Buffalo Horn?

I knew I'd seen a few curved Barlows in this thread before (some of them very old), which is why I thought it would be fitting if Charlie ever decided to make one. :thumbup:
 
btb01 said:
Thanks, Alan. It's actually not even Photoshop, just a Photoshop-type app on my iPhone. It works pretty well.



Thanks for sharing that one, Harry. Is that Buffalo Horn?

I knew I'd seen a few curved Barlows in this thread before (some of them very old), which is why I thought it would be fitting if Charlie ever decided to make one. :thumbup:
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You are welcome and that one is OX HORN , I also have one with RAMS HORN.

Harry
 
btb01 said:
Thanks, Alan. It's actually not even Photoshop, just a Photoshop-type app on my iPhone. It works pretty well.



I knew I'd seen a few curved Barlows in this thread before (some of them very old), which is why I thought it would be fitting if Charlie ever decided to make one. :thumbup:
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It's a great job regardless. And, also a good idea for another SFO? Right?
 
btb01 said:
While admiring my new Ebony #74 today, I got to thinking about some of the more unusual old Barlows I'd seen in this thread, and I wondered:

Charlie, do you think you'll ever do a curved TC Barlow?

88022F71-D625-4CEB-95AC-9A36B87A1544.jpg


:D :D
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Love it. I tried to like the Northwoods Madison Barlow, but it was too large for my tastes and the pull was a little heavy. A curved TC Barlow at 3.5 inches closed would be very nice.
 
Have not had a chance to post much in the last month or so but I still have been adding Barlows to the collection when I can find them. Added these three recently, all 3 are in little to no use condition, 2 have long pull spears which is probably my favorite blade profile.

A bone handled Boker, still has a faint Tree Brand blade etch but my pictures don't show it,

IMG_6469_zpsqac5hzik.jpg


IMG_6472_zpsmgqtmwyw.jpg



A HSB, this one came from the same seller that I got the spey blade HSB from,

IMG_6477_zpspqkxfwt6.jpg


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IMG_6428_zpsvxndw8k0.jpg



And a brown bone Kabar Dogshead, I think these are from the 1980's, the bone is very well done, this one has a silver Dogshead, they also had a limited number with a solid 14K gold Dogshead.

IMG_6484_zpszq02n7fi.jpg


IMG_6481_zpsulvwd8sw.jpg




IMG_6485_zpsisjecs96.jpg
 
And a brown bone Kabar Dogshead, I think these are from the 1980's, the bone is very well done, this one has a silver Dogshead, they also had a limited number with a solid 14K gold Dogshead.

IMG_6484_zpszq02n7fi.jpg


IMG_6481_zpsulvwd8sw.jpg




IMG_6485_zpsisjecs96.jpg
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Like that Kabar aug, from OLEAN, NY where I grew up.
 
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John, those are all very nice and in wonderful high grade condition! Great photos too:thumbup: Lloyd
 
You're killing me with those OVBs!

I just picked this one up, Utica Kutmaster with an interesting bolster stamp

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Augie, 3 beauties my friend - That OVB.......Oh Man!!! just an awesome knife, and that Spey!! whew.... well done, I always love to see your posts, as I know it's going to be good!

Philllll, lovely Utica, Paul and I have discussed that there are quite a few Utica's out the with such different Bolster Stampings - and we wonder if someone is doing them out-of Factory., this doesnt take anything away from the knife at all - because its a Beaut for sure!
 
Man, there are some great looking Barlows being posted here. This one came today. Nothing fancy but it seems to be a decent little knife and the bolsters look pretty nice imo.

_20170121_150003_zps3r0se1t4.jpg
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