What Makes a Good, Traditional Barlow?

Shaggy said:
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
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The story I have heard was that this blade type, also called "a one-armed man", was developed after the War Between the States because so many lost an arm in that conflict. Obviously it would be difficult for a one armed man to open a pocket knife. and FYI, I've heard the Case Russlock was developed after The First World War for the same reason, and of course named for Russ Case.
 
rma100 said:
The story I have heard was that this blade type, also called "a one-armed man", was developed after the War Between the States because so many lost an arm in that conflict. Obviously it would be difficult for a one armed man to open a pocket knife. and FYI, I've heard the Case Russlock was developed after The First World War for the same reason, and of course named for Russ Case.
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Interesting. Not sure if it's true, but certainly does make a good story and lend some "color" to the knife's history.
 
rma100 said:
The story I have heard was that this blade type, also called "a one-armed man", was developed after the War Between the States because so many lost an arm in that conflict. ...
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If it is not true, then a lot of folks have been told a fib. This is the commonly heard explanation for the development of that blade pattern.
 
Great call on African Blackwood...I'll be sure to order some Barlows as soon as these come out!
 
I want to see the Walnut as well, mind you that smooth Bone sounds pretty awesome, that on a single bladed Spey Barlow-yup!
 
A blackwood sheepfoot for me!

It seems all this Barlow fever has caught on with other cutleries, I spotted Canal Street's Barlow about a month ago and was hoping they'd do a stag version...

...and they did, for A.G. Russell. I couldn't help myself, it arrived yesterday. :D Now I own 2 Case with clip mains, a new style Tidioute spear (#15) and old style Tidioute clip (#25), a Queen Dan Burke, the Canal Street in stag, and my old original shell handled Imperial. To think it all started innocently enough with a single clip blade Taylor's Eye Witness (now cleaned up and customized thanks to Duane and in the hands of one of my Boy Scouts) because I wanted to replace the old Imperial.

This is a dangerous hobby in more ways than one!

Cheers,
Griff
 
Stuck on beards, my father shaved his when I was a little kid. My little sister, about 5 years younger than me, cried and screamed and wailed when my father greeted her. I guess it was too much for this creature that looked and sounded like daddy, without his ever present beard. My father quickly got down to growing his beard back. I still remember her wailing her head off and screaming "You're not my daddy" when he came home that night.

Back to the barlows, yes, I have heard this about the razor barlows. They were developed for men that had lost an arm in the war, to open one handed.
 
If someone has one kicking around please consider this:
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Thank you everyone for your time either way.
 
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I made the following scan for Jack Black's current giveaway thread, in homage. :D

BarlowsforContest.jpeg~original


Even though my scanner lacks the ability to capture depth of field, I enjoy looking at these knives together and thought I'd bring the picture here as well.

~ P.
 
edmundo.gurza said:
If someone has one kicking around please consider this:
(link removed)

Thank you everyone for your time either way.
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Sorry for this.. It reminds me of what my grandfather who I havent seen in 8 years used to use back when I was a child. I would love to get a hold of one of them to end my knife search one of these days.
 
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