What Makes a Good, Traditional Barlow?

On the three examples I purchased over the years, one had a split in the bone handle that needed to be glued, the second had one nail breaker and one incredibly weak spring, the third had two very weak springs. I did give a year or two between each new purchase, so it was not just a bad day or batch. I was exceedingly glad to grab several of the Case Barlows last year, which are in EDC rotation, but if I know I will be doing dirty work I tend to use the RR or the old Kutmaster (I managed to get a few of the old black handled Kutmasters as NOS with advertisement on the blades as spares--after I went through my unsuccessful attempt to get a good example of current production).

 

The Case barlows I have are of the 2-blade type, beautiful but rather heavy and bulky (for me). As the years relentlessly plod on, I find myself leaning more toward lightweight, less bulky knives for everyday carry. Enter the Case single blade barlow: light and slender with no compromise in quality.

 

Carrying this one today, a gift from Mr Charlie himself

 

And elegant looking to boot.

 

The single blade finds its way into my pocket when I wear slacks. It echos the early versions of the pattern made by the Furness family in Stannington with its spearpoint although it is slimmed down in the handle. I had thought the slim dimensions would be less to my liking, but it is so pocket friendly and useful (the spear point makes a nice spreading blade) it has become a favorite. I think of it as my Barlow office knife.

 

Thanks for the comments JohnDF and Bartleby.

 

Amherst Cutlery

 

The loveliest of the TCs...

 

I REALLY LIKE Daddy Barlows Charlie and yours are some of the very best . But you already know that . Thank you for the show my friend .

Harry

 

I've posted these before but with the above posts of all those awesome daddy barlows by @waynorth I just had to play "me to!me to!" lol
P.S. Charlie is the second knife down in the first post a Camillus? With my phone I cant quite make out the stamp. I noticed that not only does it have the distinctive Camillus nail nick placement, but also the curious little drop near the tip as my HSB. Thanks

 

This is my first Barlow made by James Caudill. It has stainless bolsters and has a thick bladestock and really strong satisfying pull. Feels very substantial in hand.

 

Still the favourite, but a lot more used now