Your pick for a barlow or gunstock

jujigatame

jujigatame

Joined
Mar 21, 2005
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I've got a friend that I plan to buy a knife for this Christmas. He likes traditional production slippies. He does not have a barlow or a gunstock so I'd like to get one of those patterns for him. Help expand his horizons. ;)

He isn't really picky about handle material as long as it's durable since he'll definitely carry and use it. He likes carbon steel, so something in 1095 or CV would be great. If it were going to be stainless I'd want to get ATS34. D2 would probably be okay too. Preference on closed length is 3" to 4", maybe up to 4 1/2".

I've looked around and got some ideas but I'd like to know what folks here think is or isn't a solid pick, especially if it's a knife that gets regular use.

TIA.
 
I have a S&M (Schatt & Morgan) Gunstock with ATS-34 at 3.5" closed and it's a Solid knife. The blade is a bit on the thick side, but I like that. I also have a Russell 2 blade Barlow with Solingen steel. It's about 3 3/8" long closed. Both are great but the Barlow seems more practical for me. Though I will tell you, my most used knives are 3 blade stockman knives. I have a couple LE Bucks and a Robeson that get used alot. You may want to consider that as well?
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The GEC #25 barlows are amazing. They are on the smaller side of your size requirements, at 3" closed, but they are the nicest barlows I have ever come across.
Boker makes some good barlows in carbon, but I seriously doubt they come close to the GECs for F&F.

I don't have any personal experience with gunstocks, but the Schatt & Morgan Babakanoosh posted above looks pretty good. Schatt & Morgan has done a few other nice gunstocks, as has Queen. Unless your friend is a Case collector, I would go with Queen or Schatt for a gunstock, but they don't seem to make a good, reasonably-sized barlows nowadays (I've been looking).
 
I have a Queen Gunstock in D2 with Maple.
A solid well made knife with alot of blade.

Both the Maple and Amber Bone are good.
 
I have one of those S&M File & Wire Gunstocks, and while it's a beautiful knife, that big single blade is too thick for the types of tasks we normally ask our pocket knives to do, imo. It ain't a slicer, that's for sure. OTOH, if he's used to a tactical folder he's probably used to working with a big, thick blade.

The gunstock pattern doesn't always have that kind of thick blade, of course. Ain't nothin' wrong with a Barlow, either.

-- Sam
 
Böker Russell Barlow offers choice of bone or stag scales,decent carbon and good fit at a modest price.

Not yet got a G.E. Barlow but they certainly look very nice.

Noticed a few old/new Ka-Bars recently in Gunstock and they could be worth having too.
 
babakanoosh45 - I've been thinking about getting the S&M Gunstock - can you post a shot of the top of the balde? I'd like to get a look at the thickness of the blade backspring, if possible.

thx - cpr
 
I had a Queen amber bone gunstock for awhile. It was an awesome and beautiful knife, but I traded it away because I just wasn't using it enough - it was a bit uncomfortable in the pocket with its bulk and sharp, square bolsters.

As for Barlows, I want a GEC #25 . . . REALLY BADLY. Maybe my wife will get me one for Christmas if I'm good.
 
I'd have to say the gunstock that babakanoosh45 posted is the nicest i have ever seen! Queen makes a nice one too, I keep meaning to pick one up.

For a barlow, sounds like Great Eastern fits the bill with 1095, and solid build.

G.
 
My preference is a barlow. I have 3. One from Rusty Preston, one from Don Morrow and a case with 154cm steel. I just think they are the classic all time working knife!
 
I, sadly, haven't been able to handle either, but from the looks of things I like the gunstock a good deal more. That S&M is very, very nice.
 
Thanks to everyone for the suggestions.

I've had a jones for that S&M gunstock ever since I saw it a few years ago. Just something about it that really gets me.

The GEC stuff looks nice, I hadn't really taken the time to check them out before now. One thing I'm curious about is what's the spring strength like on their knives?

I know the Queen would be good. I had a coupe of other patterns in their BEM/D2 combo a while back and they were solid.
 
babakanoosh45 - I've been thinking about getting the S&M Gunstock - can you post a shot of the top of the balde? I'd like to get a look at the thickness of the blade backspring, if possible.

thx - cpr
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jujigatame said:
Thank

The GEC stuff looks nice, I hadn't really taken the time to check them out before now. One thing I'm curious about is what's the spring strength like on their knives?
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Generally speaking, the springs on GECs are monsters. Some can be tough to open, but are usually very snappy. Sometimes they can be too tight, although that's not always the case. The springs on my Barlow are just right- not too wimpy, and not too tight, with great snap. I would recommend one of the newer, long pull versions if you're concerned about the springs being too tight. You never hear anyone complaining about GEC springs being mushy, that's for sure.
 
Thanks babakanoosh45 - that's what I was looking for. (Guess what's on my Christmas list this year?)

thx - cpr
 
I think the Northfield #25 barlow is the leader in the clubhouse right now. Does anyone have any pictures of that model in hand? I'm also interested to see how thick it is side to side. Looks fairly stout but I haven't seen one from a top down angle.

Also, I really like the looks of their harness jacks. That big clip point blade is nice. Might have to put one on my list.
 
Thanks for the pics Mike.

When I said a top down view to see thickness I meant a shot showing the spine of the knife. My fault for not stating that specifically.
 
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