What to do with this Naugatuck barlow?

What should I do?

  • Rehandle

    Votes: 38 88.4%

  • Leave be

    Votes: 5 11.6%
  • Total voters
    43
A complete rebuilding of that knife might take away some more of the detail of the bolster...
 
Is it functional, as is? It looks like after the wood scale came off, someone hammered down the exposed pins.

If the spring still works, and the blade opens and closes, I'd kinda split the difference. Just epoxy a new matching scale in ebony on that side. That way, you aren't disassembling the knife or making any permanent changes to it. You're just making it more comfortable to hold and use.
 
Modoc ED said:
Sit back and relax with it along with a soda, beer, or whatever and think of all the stories it could tell.
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Good answer!!
I definitely see your point. But I'd still re cover it and keep the history in the blade and bolsters ( with a few strokes on the stone)
 
r8shell said:
Is it functional, as is? It looks like after the wood scale came off, someone hammered down the exposed pins.

If the spring still works, and the blade opens and closes, I'd kinda split the difference. Just epoxy a new matching scale in ebony on that side. That way, you aren't disassembling the knife or making any permanent changes to it. You're just making it more comfortable to hold and use.
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This.
Having a pro re-handle it would no doubt cost at least a small to medium fortune, possibly more than the value of the knife, provided you could even find someone who is taking on new jobs.
 
If it were mine, I would look into adding an ebony cover to the side that is missing. I wonder if it could be done without disturbing the rest of the knife, possibly attaching it with adhesive.
 
I agree and disagree with r8shell you could put a piece of tape on the inside where that hole is tape around the handle to create a well and pour some clear acrylic in so it would look exactly as is (after sanding and polishing) but still have a handle scale, you would preserve it but also make it usable.
 
I've never done anything like this, but I'd bet you could buy a piece of ebony and table saw it maybec1/16 too thick, shape it with a scroll saw and sand it to match then drill out the old pins and smack a few new rivets in.
I know, I'd probably butcher it but it would be cool and cheap if it worked.
 
jsdistin said:
I agree and disagree with r8shell you could put a piece of tape on the inside where that hole is tape around the handle to create a well and pour some clear acrylic in so it would look exactly as is (after sanding and polishing) but still have a handle scale, you would preserve it but also make it usable.
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That's a cool idea. :cool::thumbsup:

Here's an example of putting new covers on with epoxy, without making any permanent changes like drilling out and replacing pins or liners:
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In theory, it could be returned to its original, relic state.
 
Either do nothing or go all the way with the best re-cover job you wish to afford. I voted re-handle.
 
I like the pour ploy (I use 5-minute epoxy colored with chalk), but forming the dam might be tricky with that round bolster, and a Naugatuck with that much blade left deserves better than I could pour it. And if you could get the pour high enough, you'd have a lot of grinding down to do.

I like R8shell's glue-on of wood. It's easier to fit a cover behind one bolster than between two bolsters.
 
I think you could successfully add a new ebony cover on that mark side, pins and all, without complete dis-assembly. Drive just the spring pins out, twist that mark side liner/bolster clear of the pile side, then do all your work. Drill your new holes, put everything back in line, and re-assemble. A little cleanup on whichever bolster the pin turned, and done!

If the pile side ebony breaks during this process, then replace it too!
 
I am one of the 5 who voted for "leave be". Goins dates NAUGUTUCK CUTLERY CO., with the N stamped into the bolster and fancy scroll work from 1872 to 1888. North Shore, judging from many of your other posts, you have lots of users, why desecrate the history of this old and rare one by working on it. As Modoc Ed stated, relax with it (I would say fondle) and think of all the stories it could tell. However, it is your knife and your decision.
 
r8shell said:
Is it functional, as is? It looks like after the wood scale came off, someone hammered down the exposed pins.

If the spring still works, and the blade opens and closes, I'd kinda split the difference. Just epoxy a new matching scale in ebony on that side. That way, you aren't disassembling the knife or making any permanent changes to it. You're just making it more comfortable to hold and use.
Click to expand...
Yes!! Lose nothing of the history, and rejoice in (and use!) its beauty!!
r8shell r8shell hit the nail on the head!!
 
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