What's so great about Barlows?

[Jack Black]

Maybe it's just me but the Barlow is the most unattractive
pattern made.

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[waynorth]

There is an awful lot of pocketknife history in the Barlow.
It appears in several old stories and tales, and is mentioned many times in old timey folk music! I can't imagine doing an historical study, and not finding an affection for this very old and much used pattern!!
It preceded the Cattle knife and Stockman by many years!!

 

[Old Engineer]

Most Barlows I have seen were UGLY cheap plastic handles and nothing special about them. I tend towards Stockman with three blades since it provides more variety. Of course "you guys" insist on showing me some nice looking Barlow knives

Resisting the pretty Barlows.....

I saw a lot of those cheap Plastic barlows in the 50's too . But we are Enablers and we insist on at least showing you some Pretty Barlows.


And there are Curved Barlows too


Harry

 

[Jiki]

AND a Jack Knife is not necessarily a Barlow .

However all Barlows are Jack knives.

 

[Old Engineer]

However all Barlows are Jack knives.

Harry

 

[waynorth]

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Right on, Jack!! I read many books before I dared to post on here so many years ago now!!
And I've still found my foot fits nicely into my mouth!!

 

[cudgee]

There is an awful lot of pocketknife history in the Barlow.
It appears in several old stories and tales, and is mentioned many times in old timey folk music

An old folk song from the early factory days.
Cotton Mills Girls.
Buckhorn handle and Barlow blade
Best dam knife that was ever made
I've been working all my life
And all i've got is a Barlow Knife

Worked in a cotton mill all my life
Nothin' to show but a Barlow Knife

Barlow Knife and a Barlow Blade
Best ol' Knife that was ever made.

 

[Jiki]

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I don't believe the two are correlated. One could have all the knowledge in the world and respect the pattern and still find it unattractive. Asking why you find it attractive is just a conversation starter and that is partly why we are here, conversations about knives.

 

[johnnywizzo]

Maybe you'd find this thread interesting: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/ugliest-traditionals.1445723/
I think there are 200 posts, and you can explore who does NOT like what, and possibly identify "kindred spirits".
IIRC, there was not much love for "lady leg knives".

- GT

I don't like the small lady leg knives, but I collect the large version. They are remarkably similar to a 5" Toothpick which I also collect. Oh yes, I also collect Barlow knives. The Barlow was my first knife purchase as a youth, and it is still kicking around somewhere.

 

[JohnDF]

Fantastic NF collection, Harry.
The shelf you made is the cherry on top.

 

[JohnDF]

And don't discount those cheap plastic Barlows...
I carry mine, I really enjoy them, and often wonder how many thousands and thousands of them have been used over the years.

 

[Railsplitter]

How about a lockback Barlow?

 

[Will Power]

I think the aesthetics of a knife are vital, they are of course subjective. Barlows not only boast a long history but a distinctive appearance - that enlarged bolster which on more costly models may carry interesting stampings, marks of identity. This is also a reason why I don't care for Barlows with a shield as well, not needed on a big bolstered knife, clutter. The pattern offers several blade styles and fans of single or two bladed knives are satisfied. The best are rugged without being crude (disqualifies me..) .

So yes, the look the attractiveness is important, the heritage, its distinct feature, but it could all leave you cold. The fact it is popular or fashionable might raise questions about authenticity (the collectors not the pattern) Any cult growing around a knife can be a bit ridiculous, but the Barlow is a pattern that has endured all the while. There are plenty of patterns I'm cold towards: Toothpicks are ugly to my eye, Canoes clumsy, Lady's Leg ludicrous but they are all established patterns with many enthusiasts and with practicalities/merits.

Attraction.

 

[robertj298]

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I'm sorry. I guess it takes years and years to form a personal opinion on a subject such as this. But like every other thread it gives people a chance to post
photos of their own knives.

 

[dsutton24]

True but most of the ones you see posted don’t look like they’ve ever cut anything lol

I can help fix that...

 

[Misplaced Hillbilly]

An old folk song from the early factory days.
Cotton Mills Girls.
Buckhorn handle and Barlow blade
Best dam knife that was ever made
I've been working all my life
And all i've got is a Barlow Knife

Worked in a cotton mill all my life
Nothin' to show but a Barlow Knife

Barlow Knife and a Barlow Blade
Best ol' Knife that was ever made.

Like most folk songs there are different versions of the lyrics, however anyone know of a song about any other pattern?

 

[Nature Boy]

Eh, it’s cool. Every pattern can’t please all of the people, all of the time (I think Abraham Lincoln said that).
I myself don’t get why anyone would carry a modern folder, but lots of people do.

 

[Dr-Mabuse]

AND a Jack Knife is not necessarily a Barlow .
/QUOTE]

I've explained this so many times, I've given up. There's people making shadow pattern jacks (you know, the kind that have no holsters) and calling them barlows. Why would they do that? Because the name barlow sells what a jack won't nowadays.

 

[Wild Ben]

Unattractive? Maybe, but I like 'em!

 

[cudgee]

Like most folk songs there are different versions of the lyrics, however anyone know of a song about any other pattern?