What would make a good "MODERN" Barlow?

Gaspumps

Gaspumps

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May 14, 2012
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GEC makes a very nice (and well sought after) traditional style Barlow. CSC makes a nice one as well with "modern" steel.
What would you want in a "modern" Barlow knife? Or do you think this is totally wrong?
My thoughts-
Scale- carbon fiber
Bolster- stainless
Blade Steel- CPM-M4, CTS-XHP
Blade Style- large: drop point, small: coping or sheepfoot
 
I'm not a fan of Barlow knives, but I will try to answer anyway. As a general thought, I like traditional knives the way they are ;)
I've never seen a drop point blade on a Barlow, nor would I want to see one. I do like the new GEC configuration though (a sheepsfoot main with a pen secondary), and that would probably be my first choice.
I like natural materials on traditional patterns, and while on other patterns I have nothing against acryilics and such, on a Barlow I wouldn't like synthetic material, and I'm not a fan of carbon fiber.
As for steel (although for my use steel is not really a huge factor), I'm open to anything :p

Fausto
:cool:
 
Traditional and modern can kinda work together...

knives2012027.jpg
 
Gaspumps, I like your mock-up. I'd even take lightning strike CF for the handle material with a fancy bolster.
 
I do think some carbon fiber patterns look nice on traditional folders. I'd go for brass bolsters over stainless. And, I'm always a fan of some M4 steel as it isn't a chore to sharpen like ZDP nor does it stain as easy as 1095.
 
How about a carbon fiber body with a drop point serrated blade and a thumb stud and clip ?:barf:

Yeah...didn't think so. I like my GEC barlows just the way they are.
I don't mind modern and use them too but I also like to leave classics alone.
 
Edm1 said:
How about a carbon fiber body with a drop point serrated blade and a thumb stud and clip ?:barf:

Yeah...didn't think so. I like my GEC barlows just the way they are.
I don't mind modern and use them too but I also like to leave classics alone.
Click to expand...


The blade has to be a tanto with serrations and black coating.
 
I love the Barlow for its original characteristics. Simple construction well done, natural handle materials, steel that sharpens easily and takes on a patina.

You can use all the modern materials you want, but it makes it a different knife, without the soul the originals have.
Carbon fiber, super-steel, stainless bolsters -not for me!!
It would be a lark to see such a thing, but Ken Onion's Leek is a much better vehicle to deliver such materials. And it opens faster!
It's a state of mind I guess!
 
I'm hardly a strict traditionalist curmudgeon, but why does it need to be 'modernized' at all?
 
I would like a J Oeser knife as well. His would probably be the closest style of barlow that I would maybe think of as 'modern', but that is only because of the micarta and layered micarta covers. I also noticed there are no bolsters on his barlows. Instead, he uses different micartas or some other kind of material to create the illusion of the extened barlow bolster. They really look outstanding, and I would like to check his work out in person someday.
 
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Gaspumps said:
GEC makes a very nice (and well sought after) traditional style Barlow. CSC makes a nice one as well with "modern" steel.
What would you want in a "modern" Barlow knife? Or do you think this is totally wrong?
My thoughts-
Scale- carbon fiber
Bolster- stainless
Blade Steel- CPM-M4, CTS-XHP
Blade Style- large: drop point, small: coping or sheepfoot
Click to expand...
:thumbdn::thumbdn::thumbdn:
Even I would not buy one like that.


jackknife said:
Modern barlow?

Do those two terms even go in the same sentence?

Carl.
Click to expand...
:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:
 
I would not mind an ATS-34 or 154-CM blade on a Barlow, not because its stainless only because its a more "toothy" aggressive edge that stays sharper longer but that is it.
 
JustinR said:
I'd love to own one of Jared Oeser's "modern" barlows:

485612_563730320316790_1153142560_n.jpg
Click to expand...

I find myself liking Jared's Barlow. It doesn't try to be traditional, but it is a great knife in its own right!!
 
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