The Venerable Old Barlow

[Willintheweeds]

New, clueless guy here with some questions regarding Barlows, - if I am able to attach a photo you should see a Boker Barlow with the main blade stamped "KA BAR 1014 USA", and my question is did Boker have a relationship with Ka-Bar, or is this some sort of frankenknife cobbled together by someone out of parts years ago? I bought the knife to give to a 14 year old nephew, thinking it was better than an Imperial Barlow but not so valuable to worry about it he loses or damages it. The knife isn't mint, but I do not think it has been sharpened, and if it makes more sense to preserve it and find the nephew another I will. Thanks for any comments or opinions.

[edge213]

I'm no expert, but I say the blade has replaced.

[philco]

I'm no expert, but I say the blade has replaced.

I agree. The pin is visible in the bolster which is not usually the case on most barlow knives.

I know of no relationship between Boker and KaBar although in the knife business, anything is possible.

[whitebuffalo58]

Break out the Dremmel, Dale.

Here's a new one on me, A Delmar Barlow. Great snap and halfstop. Seen lots of pocket time, gonna see a whole lot more.

WB

[orvet]

I recently picked up a Kabar 1013 from eBay. I don’t know a great deal about Kabar’s, but I had not seen this pattern before. When the knife arrived and I had it in my hand, it was plain to me to see that it was built on a Camillus Barlow frame. Camillus did use the smooth steel bolsters for some Barlows in both the Camillus and the Camco lines. It was apparent to me that this Kabar 1013 was either built on a Camillus frame originally and had the handles changed at some point, or someone had put a Kabar blade in a Camillus/Camco Barlow and put what handles on it.

From some of the unused Kabar blades I have purchased on eBay that supposedly came from the Kabar factory, I am inclined to think that Camillus made a number of different patterns for Kabar. According to Goins, Cole National Corporation purchased Kabar in 1966, they in turn sold it to Alcas Cutlery Company in 1996. I am inclined to think that at some point in time Camillus made Kabar knives as I have noted a distinct similarity in some patterns.

I decided I didn’t like the handles that were on the Kabar 1013, so I’m in the process of changing them. I’m almost done, so I’ll post pictures when I have it completed.

I am pretty sure your Kabar 1014/Boker Barlow didn’t come that way from the factory. It looks to me as if someone put a Kabar blade in a Boker frame. Would be interesting to have that knife apart and measure the component parts and check the tang to see if it had been thinned.



Rob,
I don’t think I will use the Dremel to scrat the ancient Barlow. It deserves to be done by hand as the original scratting was done. It is my understanding that they were often done with the file.

I love that Delmar Barlow!
I have not seen one before. Goins’ says it was a brand used by Simmons Hardware, circa 1939.
Great find!

[whitebuffalo58]

Hey Dale, thanks for the info and comment. Price guide said ca. 1910, but made no reference to Simmons Hdw., good to know.

I've always wanted to do a set of knife handles with gun checkering. A set of checkering files would probably work pretty well for doing scratted handles too.

WB

[wlf]

Be glad to see your artistry Dale,nice knives they are.

Hey Rob,hope it's on a farmers jack.

[Colonel26]

That's a real nifty Delmar. I'd never heard of that brand. Thanks for the history Dale. I have a soft spot for hardware and department store brand knives.

[whitebuffalo58]

Thanks guys!

Lyle, I'm just not sure if I know anybody that would enjoy a farmer's jack with gun checkered handles.

WB

[wlf]

It could be worth a try,someone might be interested,and I think you might be able to pull it off.

[whitebuffalo58]

It's easy to do good work, when you're doing it for good people Lyle.

WB

[Willintheweeds]

I found this little barlow style (it looks like a barlow to me, but I'm completely new at this) stamped Solar on the main blade, nothing else. It is 2 3/4" long closed, 4 5/8" open, doesn't look to have been used. Any ideas on how old it is or where made? I have never heard or a "Solar" knife company, thanks in advance.

[steve99f]

Certainly a barlow pattern pocket knife. I can't tell you anything about Solar. Welcome to AAPK.

[edge213]

Sorry it took so long to reply, but I found nothing on Solar.

[edge213]

Some of my Barlows.

[mrwatch]

I found this little barlow style (it looks like a barlow to me, but I'm completely new at this) stamped Solar on the main blade, nothing else. It is 2 3/4" long closed, 4 5/8" open, doesn't look to have been used. Any ideas on how old it is or where made? I have never heard or a "Solar" knife company, thanks in advance.

This may be no relation?

http://soloscientific.com/index.html

[Beechtree]

David, it looks like you have a couple......
Which is your favorite?

[orvet]

I picked up a couple recently, an Ulster and a Hammer Brand. The Hammer Brand is NOT a shell handle, I think it may be a New York Knife Hammer Brand. Does anyone have a NYK Hammer Brand Barlow we can compare it to?

Here are the pics:

[edge213]

David, it looks like you have a couple......
Which is your favorite?

Hard to pick a favorite, but probably the Cripple Creek. I have about 10 more that aren't in this case, which includes an S&M that I like alot.

[edge213]

Dale, that Hammer Brand is a beauty. I do like Barlows.

[edge213]

My newest Barlow additions.
1: 2009 Remington Daddy Barlow (Bear & Sons)
2: Western USA 822
3: Lakeside Cutlery a trademark used by Montgomery Ward 1920-1930
4: Shapleigh Hardware Diamond Edge
5: One of my new favorites. A customized Kabar by Orvet (Dale Vincent) Impala jigged buffalo horn

[Colonel26]

Dale, I'm no great fan of Barlows in general, but that Hammer Brand is NICE!

[JohnR]

Dale, just got this New York Knife Co Hammer Brand, it's a little rough, they are a hard knife to find.

[orvet]

Beautiful old NYK Barlow John!
I have not even seen a NYK Barlow for sale, so you are doing better than I am!

[edge213]

More Barlows!!
1- American Knife Co. Winsted Conn.
2- E.K.Tryon Co. Philadelphia
3- John Primble Belknap Hdw & Mfg Co Blue Grass on bolsters
4- Queen aluminum frame that has had the delrin replaced with stag. Ugly knife, I know, but I like it. It's a barlow.
5- Bulldog
Sorry for the bad pics. Used a tablet.