What's a good budget barlow?

B

B.B.M

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Dec 3, 2009
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So i have been on a Barlow kick, I was originally gonna pick up a rough rider. but after seeing some pics on here I would like carbon steel blades. budget is around $25-30 the knife will be used hard so i don't want to put a lot of money into it, but i want a quality one. thanks for any info:)
 
You might be able to buy a Boker Barlow on a large auction site for around that price range or even lower.
 
Mine is a Camco, Camillus's budget line I believe. GREAT knife for the money, $free :) Thin edge, long pulls, carbon steel. Can't go wrong. Troll the auction houses and look for auctions about to end to snag some great deals.
 
I bought a terrific as-new, no box, Case Brothers Barlow from a member here for $35. Probably the best quality traditional knife I've carried in a long time. Including a couple of $100+ GECs that had sloppy fit, poor finishing, blade play, etc. Good ones are out there if you shop around. I feel very lucky to have scored this one for the price. Stainless blades, though.
 
Like Coyote, I picked up a like new Case on another forum for about $35.00. Nice Blue Barlow.

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jwh
 
I think the guys in front of me have it right. Look in the secondary market and they are out there if you are patient. I like the larger Barlow pocket size ( 3 3/8" I believe) and they are harder even still to find.

But a few months ago I was at a gun show digging through a guy's used knife case and found a great old Kabar that was in like new condition. He let it go for $15 because it had a nib on the kick that scraped the liner making it very hard to open and close. The vendor didn't know what was wrong with it and actually didn't care.

A few minutes with a my diamond rod that I use on my kitchen knives to smooth down the nib and it is 100%. Don't know how old it is, but the fit/finish/grind on the knife are excellent. And it is one of the 3 3/8" models, too.

Robert
 
Check out some flea markets, paid $7 for a Camillus #51 Barlow, it's built like a tank, nice swedge and long pull, takes and keeps great edge.
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BigBill5953 said:
You might be able to buy a Boker Barlow on a large auction site for around that price range or even lower.
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A carbon picked bone Boker Barlow sells on the web not just ebay for $30
Excellent quality with a classic plain long bolster and no shield
 
Stich is right, check out flea markets, gun shows, thrift stores. Old carbon steel barlows are pretty common. They run the gamut as to condition, but price is usually low.
 
jeez...i need a barlow thread like i need another hole in my head. :D i dont have one of those either :grumpy:
 
I love Barlows, definitely my favorite pattern.

As has been said, the used market can get some gems and Boker makes a great Barlow.

Looking for old knives is a great pastime and anyone into knives should kind of always be doing it. Try antique stores, flea markets, gun shows. A local (great) knife shop pulled a box of used knives out from under the counter to my surprise when I thought to ask. Great way to feed your addiction for little money in lean times.

I recently got a Boker Barlow for $30 new at the above shop. I think they are normally about $40 but it was the last one he had. I'm real happy with it, good carbon steel and great fit and finish.

Utica makes a carbon steel Barlow for about $25 or so. I've read it has a weak snap and I actually read that some of the other Utica carbon steel knives have a stainless small blade. Still, people usually say they like it and that it is a good knife for the money.

I am the quintessential cheap b*stard for my work knives myself. I have a Rough Rider Barlow that sees a lot of back pocket time 'cause I payed about 7 bucks for it and I know I won't be scared to abuse it. Still, I find myself very unhappy with the edge on a regular basis wishing I had the 7 bucks to save for, well maybe an old, used, carbon steel Barlow.

Magnum Boker makes a Barlow for $10-$15. I don't think it is carbon steel and don't see it being better than a Rough Rider.

If I had the choice between the Boker and the Utica and the Boker was $10 more, I think I would go Boker. It's just a nice knife for the money. I'm talkin' Solingen basic Boker, not Boker Plus or Magnum Boker.
 
Barlow,
Another pattern that should be made cheap, or not made at all.
A $7 flea market Camillus as mentioned earlier sounds about right to me.
 
Thanks for all the info guys:) I went ahead and ordered a rough rider barlow (and yellow handle trapper:D) I still plan to pick up a old carbon steel barlow when i get the chance...the gun and knifeshow should be here in Oct.
 
FLymon said:
Barlow,
Another pattern that should be made cheap, or not made at all.
A $7 flea market Camillus as mentioned earlier sounds about right to me.
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All the Barlows out there now are beautiful stag/jigged bone handles and cost $$$.
If you go budget (new), you sacrifice steel quality.
That's not what a Barlow was designed to be.
I still luv em.
 
I'm thinking you should find a Case just as a few other members stated. Good mixture of quality and cost.
 
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