What Makes a Good, Traditional Barlow?

[RDaneel]

Which one is the user? Can't tell

???

 

[Babalu32]

???

That was an attempt at humor, as they come new with pitting, patina, etc.

 

[paulhilborn]

What’s all this I’m hearing? When I first heard the word “Ancient” I thought someone was talking about me! Then I remembered these jewels! I guess we can live without Soup Bone if we get some really nice Ragg Bone to take its place!!

Wonderful collection Ron, but when I hear ancient, I think of my friend Duncan

Gorgeous (Ancient) collection, Ron! I only have two, one a user and the other is backup. They are so well made and both of mine came razor sharp.

Two beauties there Dean

Sweet Ancients you two! I just have the one but its a forever keeper : )

If you had to have just one Drew, that would be it

 

[waynorth]

Nice to see these "old" knives back for a visit!! Reminds me of how much fun it was to have them made!
If you like these wait till you get a load of the next one!!
I'm sorry they are going to take a while, but they will be worth the wait!!

 

[mrknife]

Nice to see these "old" knives back for a visit!! Reminds me of how much fun it was to have them made!
If you like these wait till you get a load of the next one!!
I'm sorry they are going to take a while, but they will be worth the wait!!

should be a blast!!! already excited to see this watch chain 15. my father and I have been working on my sterling watch chain but the project has slowed significantly, could be interesting! Bill wouldn't be putting any barlows on watch chains now would he?

 

[Jack Black]

A Short apology to the Bishop!!
I wonder if a Spear would qualify as a "Long Beak"??


Yes it's true, Jack! Bill asked me yesterday if I'd like to do a run of Ancients.
We are just ironing out the details. I don't know if they will be done before the Rendezvous though.
Since GEC has grown a bit, planning periods are longer!!

LOL! I don't want to think anymore about beaks Charlie, that particular research seemed to keep me awake for the best part of a year!

That is fantastic news Charlie, I've said it before, but I think you (and GEC) were very bold with the Ancients, and I was very pleased that they were so well received. I certainly treasure the two I have my friend

What’s all this I’m hearing? When I first heard the word “Ancient” I thought someone was talking about me! Then I remembered these jewels! I guess we can live without Soup Bone if we get some really nice Ragg Bone to take its place!!

Is that a 'Full House' Ron?! Great line-up I would love to see more Ragg Bone

 

[Half/Stop]

Gorgeous (Ancient) collection, Ron! I only have two, one a user and the other is backup. They are so well made and both of mine came razor sharp.

Thanks Dean! Two beauties and well photographed!

Sweet Ancients you two! I just have the one but its a forever keeper : )

That’s some beautiful Soup Bone Drew!

Wonderful collection Ron, but when I hear ancient, I think of my friend Duncan


Two beauties there Dean

If you had to have just one Drew, that would be it

Thanks Paul! I’m sure Duncan is not near as old as he looks!

LOL! I don't want to think anymore about beaks Charlie, that particular research seemed to keep me awake for the best part of a year!

That is fantastic news Charlie, I've said it before, but I think you (and GEC) were very bold with the Ancients, and I was very pleased that they were so well received. I certainly treasure the two I have my friend

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Is that a 'Full House' Ron?! Great line-up I would love to see more Ragg Bone

Thanks Jack! I’m missing the Reverse Parchment. It’s rare but I’m positive if I had been paying more attention I could have got one when I got these four! I think Primble had me distracted!

 

[RDaneel]

Sweet Ancients you two! I just have the one but its a forever keeper : )

Thanks, Drew! An Ancient soup bone - can't beat that! Have you done a little work on it?

That was an attempt at humor, as they come new with pitting, patina, etc.

Thanks for clearing it up; I usually pick up on humor better - I'll blame it on being tired. To answer your question though: the scratted one is my user. And you are correct, the additional patina is hard to see.

Wonderful collection Ron, but when I hear ancient, I think of my friend Duncan

Two beauties there Dean

If you had to have just one Drew, that would be it

Thanks, Paul!

LOL! I don't want to think anymore about beaks Charlie, that particular research seemed to keep me awake for the best part of a year!

That is fantastic news Charlie, I've said it before, but I think you (and GEC) were very bold with the Ancients, and I was very pleased that they were so well received. I certainly treasure the two I have my friend

View attachment 873514

Is that a 'Full House' Ron?! Great line-up I would love to see more Ragg Bone

Great photo of your Ancients, Jack. Which one is your favorite?

Thanks Dean! Two beauties and well photographed!


That’s some beautiful Soup Bone Drew!


Thanks Paul! I’m sure Duncan is not near as old as he looks!


Thanks Jack! I’m missing the Reverse Parchment. It’s rare but I’m positive if I had been paying more attention I could have got one when I got these four! I think Primble had me distracted!

Thanks, Ron! Reverse Parchment: I remember hearing about it, but I don't think I've seen a picture of it.

 

[B.F.U]

Nice Barlows Stuart!! Thanks for showing them - nice Queen tribute!
Here comes an anti-Queen; actually anti-SafeQueen idea!!
Well, I am thinking about doing a second generation Ancient Barlow. I'd like to make it a little Gnarlier than the last one. My idea is to make a knife that no one has to keep pristine; to lock the Queen away into a tower/safe!! Yet it will look as it should with some respectful usage!
Here are some pictures of 100-plus year old Barlows, which I took to study the traditional blade shapes. None of them are mint of course, but if you have one or more with a pretty full blade , please help me out and post it here!!
The bottom knife was the inspiration for the first "Ancient". I am hoping for a variation on a spear for this one, but any blade is interesting!! Thanks!!
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I'd love to see a frame handled barlow from GEC, but I don't know if that's feasible. Like Queen used to make.

 

[waynorth]

[quote - Jack Black] LOL! I don't want to think anymore about beaks Charlie, that particular research seemed to keep me awake for the best part of a year! [end quote]
I definitely want you to get your sleep, Jack!! We like you as your bright and cheerful self!!

I'd love to see a frame handled barlow from GEC, but I don't know if that's feasible. Like Queen used to make.

Different technology completely, L.H.S! Bill has done it for years over at the competing cutlery (RIP?), but the set-up would be onerous I think! Casting/forging aluminum, etc, etc.

 

[dispatch184]

Thanks guys for the soup compliments, and Dean it is in its original condition other then some pocket time here and there : )

 

[Mescladis]

I'm not a Barlow enthusiast, so I had never heard of those Ancients! Damn they're gorgeous, I love that blade shape!

 

[Jack Black]

Thanks Jack! I’m missing the Reverse Parchment. It’s rare but I’m positive if I had been paying more attention I could have got one when I got these four! I think Primble had me distracted!

I find myself distracted a lot of the time these days Ron!

Great photo of your Ancients, Jack. Which one is your favorite?

Thanks a lot Dean Definitely the Scratted Bone, it was my 2015 Knife of the Year, even pipped the Davison I got that year

I definitely want you to get your sleep, Jack!! We like you as your bright and cheerful self!!

LOL! Thanks Charlie!

 

[Campbellclanman]

Wonderful collection Ron, but when I hear ancient, I think of my friend Duncan, in all honesty though, I am extremely jealous of Duncan's incredible awesome looks, and his unbelievable masculinity!

Thanks Paul! I’m sure Duncan is not near as old as he looks!, because I think Duncan looks as though he is around 36, 37? but acts like a man in his Prime at 32 and unbeatable - man I wish I was like Duncan!

Oh Guys- incredible kind words, honestly- Blushing here! but thank you!

 

[paulhilborn]

Oh Guys- incredible kind words, honestly- Blushing here! but thank you!

This is like photoshop but in print "Not only is Duncan handsome and youthful but highly INTELLIGENT"

Now, in keeping with what makes a good traditional Barlow, here is my most prized knife period. It arrived on my birthday in 2013 so she was my carry yesterday, celebrating five years

 

[JTB_5]

Please ignore the 43, but I don’t recall if I’ve posted the Boker in this thread. It has a very unique jig pattern.

 

[315]

Happy anniversary....

 

[JTB_5]

This is like photoshop but in print "Not only is Duncan handsome and youthful but highly INTELLIGENT"

Now, in keeping with what makes a good traditional Barlow, here is my most prized knife period. It arrived on my birthday in 2013 so she was my carry yesterday, celebrating five years

If that’s a five year knife you’ll have quite a 10 year one! Congratulations on the milestone.

 

[Augie]

Do like the Ancients!

 

[StoneBeard]

Nice Barlows Stuart!! Thanks for showing them - nice Queen tribute!
Here comes an anti-Queen; actually anti-SafeQueen idea!!
Well, I am thinking about doing a second generation Ancient Barlow. I'd like to make it a little Gnarlier than the last one. My idea is to make a knife that no one has to keep pristine; to lock the Queen away into a tower/safe!! Yet it will look as it should with some respectful usage!
Here are some pictures of 100-plus year old Barlows, which I took to study the traditional blade shapes. None of them are mint of course, but if you have one or more with a pretty full blade , please help me out and post it here!!
The bottom knife was the inspiration for the first "Ancient". I am hoping for a variation on a spear for this one, but any blade is interesting!! Thanks!!
View attachment 871911 View attachment 871912 View attachment 871913

I have always really enjoyed the Ancients despite not having personally owned one. The news of version two is very welcomed.

The American Lambfoot is in the speculative stage, but might occur before year end!

An American Lambsfoot…. I genuinely hope this project comes to fruition as I have come to love the pattern.


In light of all this positive news here are a few shots that show off the Ragg bone on the #14 TC.