What Makes a Good, Traditional Barlow?

[Pàdruig]

I don't think that I need to tell you how much I like that one Charlie my friend . Bulldog Stag Barlow with a Swayback and a Sheepfoot and a Pen Blade with amazing Bolsters with Script.
As you know , I have 3 Bulldog Barlows .

From the Top Down , mine are stamped :
1.and 3. have : S&D CUT CO.
2. BULLDOG BRAND
Then they all 3 are over :
HAMMER FORGED over
SOLINGEN over
GERMANY
The Pen Blade of all 3 have the ENGLISH STEEL 1986 stamp
The Main Blades 1 thru 3 are : SPEY , SHEEPFOOT , RAZOR

I would like to find more specifics on how many of these were made . I have searched , but not found much yet . I am sure glad that @paulhilborn bought one and kicked this off . I am enjoying the heck out of these .

Harry

A fine looking assortment, Harry. Allow me to compliment you on that swayback again. Just a super pleasing knife.

I have a few of those '72 Drakes and agree with your assessment; however, I like your covers a bit more.

- Stuart

Those Queens look terrific, Stuart. I've always found their bolsters on these to be of an interesting design and shape. Wasn't it Queen that had a hidden backspring on one of their Barlow designs?

Nice old Barlow, Stuart! Simple and effective!

I love seeing those older Boker Barlows, that bolster stamp is so elegant.


Carrying the Ancient again today.

 

[Duckdog]

Those Queens look terrific, Stuart. I've always found their bolsters on these to be of an interesting design and shape. Wasn't it Queen that had a hidden backspring on one of their Barlow designs?

Thanks, Dylan. Yes, the models 23, 25, and 27 had aluminum frames and here are some 25's with the covered back springs shown. This was a cost-saving design, supposedly.

And a 23.

- Stuart

 

[Duckdog]

Nice old Barlow, Stuart! Simple and effective!

Thanks, Mark, and it had an "effect" on my thumb today. MEMO TO SELF: Don't watch the hurricane report while wiping down a blade. All's well, now, though my wife had to help me make an afternoon cocktail (I love that woman!).
- Stuart

 

[dispatch184]

I have a few of those '72 Drakes and agree with your assessment; however, I like your covers a bit more.

- Stuart

Wow nice trifecta!

 

[Topgear9]

Here's an old MINT 1940-1964 Case Barlow with saw cut redbone and a deep CASEXX stamp. It has strong springs and half stops, what a Case should be. Also it has perfect centering!

 

[Âchillepattada]

Hello, here is a Barlow in creation .
I've asked it to my sardinian friend Roberto Serra.

Â

 

[waynorth]

That Serra Barlow is looking very nice, A!!!
He is quite the artist!!
Exceptional filework on the bolster!! I look forward to the finished Knife!!

 

[Ramrodmb]

Hello, here is a Barlow in creation .
I've asked it to my sardinian friend Roberto Serra.

Â

It looks fabulous so far! I can't wait to see the finished product!

 

[Fodderwing]

 

[Laurelbb]

These two today, twoster Tuesday. Have a great week everyone!

 

[mrknife]

a user isnt bad and from the late bigbiscuit!

 

[Txjohn]

Smooth chestnut

 

[Ironbut]

Here's an old MINT 1940-1964 Case Barlow with saw cut redbone and a deep CASEXX stamp. It has strong springs and half stops, what a Case should be. Also it has perfect centering!

I have two Case XX Barlows. One from the 1940-64 era & one from around 1970. Both have seen considerably more use than your excellent example, but both still have tight centered blades, excellent snap, and the liners & springs still fit tightly. I've always loved Barlows & I've acquired "a few" more recent offerings from GEC, Queen, etc, that are well made; but I have to wonder how these newer ones will fare after 40 or 70 years of hard use.

 

[mrknife]

Smooth chestnut View attachment 983887

what a beaut, is that the 2016 smooth bone?

 

[Duckdog]

I have two Case XX Barlows. One from the 1940-64 era & one from around 1970. Both have seen considerably more use than your excellent example, but both still have tight centered blades, excellent snap, and the liners & springs still fit tightly. I've always loved Barlows & I've acquired "a few" more recent offerings from GEC, Queen, etc, that are well made; but I have to wonder how these newer ones will fare after 40 or 70 years of hard use.

I agree. Another from 1940-1964 (albeit not abused):

- Stuart

 

[Txjohn]

what a beaut, is that the 2016 smooth bone?

Yep

 

[cigarrodog]

I love the Ancient more than any of my other traditionals. That is why I bought 3. I haven’t taken a picture of them together, but here’s my first one.

 

[Ironbut]

I agree. Another from 1940-1964 (albeit not abused):

- Stuart

Here's my two. The first is from the 1940-64 era & the second is from 1970. They've both seen a lot of use by previous owners, but there's still plenty of life left in them.

 

[waynorth]

I love the Ancient more than any of my other traditionals. That is why I bought 3. I haven’t taken a picture of them together, but here’s my first one.

Great photograph, cigarodog!! I share your passion for those Ancients!!

 

[Jody744]

Camillus, Moore Handley Hdwe Co, GEC, Boker, and Bear and sons. I missed the first run of ancients with scratted parchment scales, only see them when I have no knife $$$.