What Makes a Good, Traditional Barlow?

Soupbone!
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Simple, yet so many different details to catch one's attention. Beautiful. Thanks for posting.


-Greg
 
Okay, here's a little "Photo Story," courtesy of Photobucket's hi-tech gadgetry. I present to you folks, Boiley The Younger, aka Young Boiley, aka Young Beezy, aka Beezy Vineezy, aka SourPuss, aka Lil' Stinky, aka Dull'n'Sharp Jr.
The Tale of Boiley The Younger


Sorry it took so long, been busy.
 
Okay, here's a little "Photo Story," courtesy of Photobucket's hi-tech gadgetry....

Aw, it's a "private story."

I clicked the little "Request Access" link, expecting a dialog or further option to proceed. Instead, it seems I "requested access"-- whatever that means!

Thanks for putting this together, whenever we get to see Young Beezy. :D

~ P.
 
You have been very Beezy, Alex! It all came out in the end.
It even gets better as you use it, and it gets pocket-mellowed!

Nice Portraits of Soup, Dave!
 
Just got my red bone two bladed Charlow with spear main. Thanks again Charlie.
Initial observations are very favorable. Both blades are solid; no side to side play at all. The bone is nicely finished no cracks and the pins are flush. The red bone is a nice dark muted color, almost maroon. Very nice. The two blades shaved hair right out of the box/tube, but a little time with a strop and the hair jumped off rather than feel the sweet kiss of the steel.
The spear blade is a nice utilitarian shape, and the pen blade looks like it'll serve my carving purposes. The overall size of the knife seems very pocket friendly and should disappear in my pocket.

Now to start using this beauty....

John
 
I was fortunate enough to have picked up an Antique Yellow Saw Cut 2-Blade TC early in May for my son. He turned 2, the first week of May, and I plan on holding it for him for a few years.

My little girl, 5, had told me that she, "wanted to have a pink, a purple, and a red knife when she grows up..."

I'll admit, I use to not see the appeal in the TC's, until I held the aforementioned knife. Instead of purchasing a pink Case XX for my little girl, I picked up a Single Blade, Rust Red Barlow and a 2-Blade for myself. These last two showed up today thanks to Charlie...I can't believe that I was ever indifferent about these little knives, and I'm very happy that I have been able to snatch up a somewhat similar knife to that of my two children. I really hope that they are as excited about these knives when they actually get them, as I am now. I can't wait for the Sheepfoot TC's!

Here are some boring pictures that I snapped up quickly just to show these beauties...


 
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Okay, this thread has really given me some Barlow fever.

I think I'll be picking one up soon .... Thanks :)
 
I keep missing out on these. I would love a single blade ebony barlow from GEC. Is another run in the works???
 
Thanks for the quick shipment and the fantastic knife, Charlie!
beerchuge.gif


I truly can't find even the most minor, nitpicky thing to critique with F&F on this knife at all. No gaps or wobble whatsoever. Pins are all consistent and perfect on both sides. Aligmnment is dead-on center. And a very nice 6 out of 10 on the snap scale.

For better or worse, I can see a whole bunch of other folders gathering dust...

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Forgive my lack of traditional knowledge (still learning here), but are these "razors" really meant to be shaved with, or are they just called that because of the blade profile?? Also, why would this blade type be desirable? Does it have any dedicated use, like a cotton sampler?

-Greg
 
Greg, the blade profile has a passing resemblance to a Razor, because of the notch in the tip.
It is intended to allow you to open the knife with one hand, by catching the tip on something, and using that something to hold the blade while you turn the knife to open it.
I guess you could shave with it, but there are definitely better tools for that!

Not that I know much about shaving - I have had a full beard for 44 years!
:D
 
Greg, the blade profile has a passing resemblance to a Razor, because of the notch in the tip.
It is intended to allow you to open the knife with one hand, by catching the tip on something, and using that something to hold the blade while you turn the knife to open it.
I guess you could shave with it, but there are definitely better tools for that!

Not that I know much about shaving - I have had a full beard for 44 years!
:D

Thanks for the info, Charlie. I'm glad GEC is going to make this version, too; the razor barlows made by Case caught my eye recently but they seem to be scarce. This will certainly fill that void. Will there be any new/different scale materials from the original Charlow release? It's going to be a VERY expensive year for me (and it's only June)!!! :eek:

P.S. I don't know much about shaving either: I use an electric (oh, the sacrilege)! :rolleyes:
 
The itching goes away. Until it does, it helps if you stop and wash your beard with soap and water when it starts to itch.

I've had a beard off and on for some forty years.
My wife was a brave gal. She married me without having ever seen my face, only the beard. To this day she has never seen my upper lip.
 
- I've had a beard off and on for some forty years.
My wife was a brave gal. She married me without having ever seen my face, only the beard. To this day she has never seen my upper lip.

There are so many ways to respond to that statement, Frank - I better ummmm . . .button my lip!:D

My 3 kids and 3 grand kids have never seen my lip or chin bared, nor my wife (of 36 years next saturday) - buy they know what it feels like!;)
 
Back to TC Barlows - The Sheepfoot run will have 4 different handle options.
Tentatively, 2 wood and 2 bone.
Past examples have had Macassar, then Gabon Ebony. This time, African Blackwood will dress them up. I am also hoping my dear old Dad's Walnut will work out. We haven't seen how it will finish yet. Walnut is marginally hard enough, but needs to be stabilized to perform optimally. It should be back from the process soon.
Everyone liked that Antique Yellow on the first run, so we are bringing that one back in sawcut, and for the fourth one, we will try smooth white bone. It looks so good on a barehead knife, I thought it would suit a Barlow.
Feel free to comment, please!
 
A smooth white bone would be gorgeous.

And walnut (done well) is one of my favorite handle woods.

Looking forward to this....
 
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