What Makes a Good, Traditional Barlow?

kamagong said:
I took a quick picture this morning of Marlow (marrow Charlow) with my ebony spear. The spear is one of the original run, a Pertinux Preferred Product. At least I think that's what "PPP" means. :D

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The spear is untouched. Marlow has obviously been doctored up a bit.

- Christian
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I really really like the marrow bone. So much that I hesitate using my spear bladed version. Im hoping the use of said bone will continue? Charlie?
 
akadave2 said:
Im hoping the use of said bone will continue?
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Let's hope so. I'm thinking that these marrow bone Charlows may be some of the best ever made. Like all Charlows they have superior fit and finish. The good thing about the marrow bone covers is that their imperfect nature invites use. The idea of a safe queen barlow is a bit strange after all.

- Christian
 
kamagong said:
The idea of a safe queen barlow is a bit strange after all.

- Christian
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I use in my edc rotation one of each model - my Red Boned Clip, as well as my Ebony Spear and have kept one aside in each of the Clip-point and the Spear-point - as a safe Queen , and have an extra spare which is to be presented to a friend in time to come soon.
I very much like the idea of a safe queen if a knife is precious to me.
 
I have nothing against safe queens Duncan. But there are certain patterns, namely the barlow and sodbuster, that come from humble origins and keeping them minty fresh is incongruous in my mind.

- Christian
 
Christian my friend, and I in a way agree, but take for instance the "old knives Thread" we always appreciate a very tidy (and rarely Mint) examples of any good quality knife of Vintage / Antique age that has been safely stored - whether they were intended for a Gentlemans knife or a farmhands Soddy - this is my point, without these mint examples we as users/collectors would NEVER be able to appreciate the knives Charlie C, Charlie Noyes, Vince..and many others put up for us to see and relish.
 
Agreed. I was just thinking out loud, and making a confessions of sorts. I've carried my ebony spear a couple of times, but I haven't really used it. It's not even sharpened. Can't quite bring myself to quite yet. And I'm not entirely pleased with that. Balance has been restored now that I have Marlow in hand. I have a barlow to use the way they're meant to be.

- Christian
 
Campbellclanman said:
I use in my edc rotation one of each model - my Red Boned Clip, as well as my Ebony Spear and have kept one aside in each of the Clip-point and the Spear-point - as a safe Queen , and have an extra spare which is to be presented to a friend in time to come soon.
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I like to think of all my Charlows as keepers and users although I still have not gotten around to really using my Gabon Ebony Wood with clip points.

I also like to keep an everyday carry rotation, and I also like the idea of having a few safe queens. I would keep a safe queen but mainly as a back-up in case I loose one that is semi-limited and a favorite of mine. I also like the idea of passing on a nice mint knife to my grandkids someday (If I ever get around to having kids that is). By the time I might have grandkids, these current production and limited runs of TC Barlows will probably be considered vintage relics from the golden age of knives.
 
burnside said:
By the time I might have grandkids, these current production and limited runs of TC Barlows will probably be considered vintage relics from the golden age of knives.
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I don't doubt that. Not a whit.

"TC...hmmm. I've read of those somewhere. Whoa! Is that a genuine Charlow?"

:D

- Christian
 
I think I have barlow on the brain. I've just spent some time reading old threads on these humble knives.

Here's one that I enjoyed. Pay attention to post #68 if you want to see what a sheepsfoot barlow looks like.

- Christian
 
akadave2 said:
I really really like the marrow bone. So much that I hesitate using my spear bladed version. Im hoping the use of said bone will continue? Charlie?
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Did I mention there will be 20 or so Soup Bone Sheepfoot Barlows??:confused:
It takes a while to save up enough useful "ends" to make them, so only a few can be made at a time.:)
 
Striga, the Barlow bolsters are "iron", actually a low-carbon steel. More malleable than blade/spring steel, and yes, it patinas.

Hey, Christian, thanks for reminding us about that old Barlow thread, and linking it! - it's got a lot of pics - even though some have vanished!:eek:
 
waynorth said:
Striga, the Barlow bolsters are "iron", actually a low-carbon steel. More malleable than blade/spring steel, and yes, it patinas.

Hey, Christian, thanks for reminding us about that old Barlow thread, and linking it! - it's got a lot of pics - even though some have vanished!:eek:
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Yet another reason why I'm digging the trads... Iron bolsters and carbon blades. What will they think of next? :D
 
What I like to see in a good, traditional Barlow are red bone handles, carbon steel blades, and a simple elegance (Clip, Spear, and Sheepfoot main blades all appeal to me). This Barlow was made in 1981 by Bobby Paolantonio as part of his R.A.P. Cutler series; it is branded Old Cutler, the high end brand of the old Colonial Knife Co in Providence RI.

Old_Cutler_Barlow_-_RAP_-_ca_1981.JPG
 
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