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Barlow Knives

A barlow knife has one or two blade, a huge metal bolster, and a comfortable tear-drop shaped handle. the blade or blades are attached at the small end of the handle. The first barlow being made in Sheffield England in the 1600's. It was made by several American shops soon after, and has become as American as "apple pie". George Washington was known to have a barlow knife, Mark twain referred to a "real barlow" in his tom sawyer and huckleberry finn in 1876. Barlow's have long been gifts treasured by young American boys through the ages. at least on song was written about a barlow knife.

"I been livin' here all my life, All I got is a Barlow Knife; Buck horn handle and a barlow blade, Best dang knife that ever was made."

Tags: Barlow, Pattern, barlow-knives

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Syd Carr on August 26, 2016 at 23:57

Hi Jan, and that is exactly where I have those Bucks, in a window box to be ooo'd & awww'd over, (see photo). I think I might even take the whole box with me & display it at the BCCI booth at the LA Knife Expo next spring.. The Trestle Pines Portage is just a pleasure to own & use, in fact I remember showing it to you & Donnie. I've had it by my side ever since but believe me, when I use it I am very careful with it, (keeping it in a sheath helps keep it pristine). I just love how thin & smooth it is in the hand, great knife in all respects. Did you ever get one? I seem to remember you saying you'd like to.

Jan Carter said:

I know Greg would be pleased that you have chosen the Trestle Pine to be your user. Camillus made SFO for SMKW! Those deserve to be just shown off!

Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on August 27, 2016 at 15:56

Syd, those Buck SFO's are pretty awesome.

Permalink Reply by Syd Carr on August 27, 2016 at 16:26

High praise coming from you Tobias, thank you. I was fortunate to get them, and believe me they weren't cheap. That being said, considering they were only made one year and only available from SMKW, I'm sure their relative value will only increase by the time my grandson gets them, (helps having the boxes & papers too). They actually made a few in jigged bone, but I haven't seen even one of those for sale, I've only seen photos from the lucky few who have them, so I know they are out there, (same story #333 California Toothpick). That would be a real coup if I could find one of those. Buck also made a regular size SFO 2-blade Barlow, (#332), in black & yellow, those are really scarce too...definitely on my must have list. I currently have about half of the 300 Series SFO's Camillus made for Buck, my goal is to eventually have one example of each; it may never happen, but not for lack of trying.

Tobias Gibson said:

Syd, those Buck SFO's are pretty awesome.

FeaturedPermalink Reply by Charles Sample on August 27, 2016 at 21:33

Very nice knives Syd!

Permalink Reply by Syd Carr on August 27, 2016 at 21:55

Hi Charles, happy to hear from you, thanks. My grandson's inheritance is what you see there, (but I suppose my daughter might have something to say about that; she likes them too). Hopefully I can find the other Barlows one day and give the kid a whole set.

Charles Sample said:

Very nice knives Syd!

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on August 28, 2016 at 13:11

I did indeed get the portage and between yours and the one we received, I jumped at the chance to have the Grand Portage as our Community knife this year
Syd Carr said:

Hi Jan, and that is exactly where I have those Bucks, in a window box to be ooo'd & awww'd over, (see photo). I think I might even take the whole box with me & display it at the BCCI booth at the LA Knife Expo next spring.. The Trestle Pines Portage is just a pleasure to own & use, in fact I remember showing it to you & Donnie. I've had it by my side ever since but believe me, when I use it I am very careful with it, (keeping it in a sheath helps keep it pristine). I just love how thin & smooth it is in the hand, great knife in all respects. Did you ever get one? I seem to remember you saying you'd like to.

Jan Carter said:

I know Greg would be pleased that you have chosen the Trestle Pine to be your user. Camillus made SFO for SMKW! Those deserve to be just shown off!

KnifeMakerPermalink Reply by Andy Larrison on February 8, 2017 at 11:16

My one and only Barlow is a Granddaddy Barlow by Case, a red bone USA era.

Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on February 8, 2017 at 21:03

Another fantastic Case, Andy!

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on February 8, 2017 at 21:11

The grandaddy is the overlooked barlow in my opinion. Very few companies make them and mostly they look like one of those knives the manufacture had to make and did not put too much thought into.

YOURS on the other hand is clearly meant to be the jewel it is Andy. If your going to only own one in a pattern, own one like this!

KnifeMakerPermalink Reply by Andy Larrison on February 8, 2017 at 21:43

Thanks Jan and Tobias!

Permalink Reply by Syd Carr on April 27, 2017 at 0:29

Here's a rare beauty. Buck #331 Granddaddy Barlow in Jigged Bone. I was fortunate enough to find this one NIB recently; don't ask me what I paid for it 'cause I might cry, but nevertheless it now lives under my roof. Enjoy!