Best Budget Barlow

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JonTerry
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Best Budget Barlow

Post by JonTerry »

Ok guys,

I feel the need to get a Barlow in my life, I would like a Bone or Stag sort of thing, but don't want to shell out loads of dough.

Any recomendations ???

Maybe up to $50 range
Then $50-100 ??

Cheers

JT
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Reverand
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Re: Best Budget Barlow

Post by Reverand »

If you are just wanting to try one out, use it, and get a feel for it, then Rough Ryder makes good quality knives. I don't know about their availability over the Pond, but they are a decent budget user.
Something like this one would work, though I hate the ugly "R" stamped on the bolster: https://www.ebay.com/itm/394413635656?m ... media=COPY

I recommend one with carbon steel blades though, if you can find it. The new Schrade and Queen knives are of similar quality. Frost has several that are decent users for under $15 US, but they also have Pakistani knives that are not worth carrying. You have to be careful with them.

Now if you want a better knife (and who doesn't?), any good brand name should be great knives: Case or Bear & Son for new knives, with Henckles (or most any Solingen manufacturer), Queen, Schrade, and Remington for used knives.

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Dan In MI
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Re: Best Budget Barlow

Post by Dan In MI »

Reverand wrote: Thu Jan 19, 2023 12:49 pm This post may not help, but I hope that it does.
I found it helpful. ::handshake::

I searched SMKW's online catalog for "Rough Ryder Barlow." As far as in-stock offerings go, one can have one's Barlow with bone covers or carbon steel blades. SMKW might not ship across the pond anyway, so that point could be moot. However, the Rough Ryders are of pretty good quality.

A USA-made Camillus would also be a good choice.

Also check the AAPK store for Barlows. Some sellers may be willing to ship to the UK. Never hurts to ask.

https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/ca ... rch=Barlow

Good luck in your quest!
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JonTerry
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Re: Best Budget Barlow

Post by JonTerry »

Cheers for the comments so far,

This kinda helps, I do like the look of the Cinnamon Rough Ryder.

Although if I was to splash out I may get a IXL Stag ????

Look at this

https://www.sheffieldcollectableknives. ... orn-scales


Also Found this but not sure if it's any good ??

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1370785 ... ns=1&sts=1
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Re: Best Budget Barlow

Post by Mumbleypeg »

The Barlow pattern is in general not expensive. Within your budget range you should be able to find just about any brand, from Camco (Camillus), Schrade, and several Sheffield brands in the under $50 range, to Case among others under $100. Not necessarily NIB, but in excellent condition nonetheless.

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Edit: here ya go: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=78139 Perfect timing. ::tu::
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Re: Best Budget Barlow

Post by Dan In MI »

JonTerry wrote: Thu Jan 19, 2023 3:22 pm Also Found this but not sure if it's any good ??
As I understand it (and please correct me if I'm wrong), the tang is stamped "Foreign" because of prejudices against German goods in the period immediately following WWII. I would be hesitant to pay such a price unless I could say for sure that it was of good quality.
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Re: Best Budget Barlow

Post by JonTerry »

Dan In MI wrote: Thu Jan 19, 2023 7:05 pm
JonTerry wrote: Thu Jan 19, 2023 3:22 pm Also Found this but not sure if it's any good ??
As I understand it (and please correct me if I'm wrong), the tang is stamped "Foreign" because of prejudices against German goods in the period immediately following WWII. I would be hesitant to pay such a price unless I could say for sure that it was of good quality.
Good point, I’m not sure if it was post WW2 prejudice as I’ve read they did this for overseas steel import taxes, but like I said unless guys here know this maker “champion” which I’ve never heard of then you’re probably right about. Ring cautious.
I might just get the RR as it will be bomber for the money

JT
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Re: Best Budget Barlow

Post by TPK »

JonTerry wrote: Thu Jan 19, 2023 3:22 pm Cheers for the comments so far,

This kinda helps, I do like the look of the Cinnamon Rough Ryder.

Although if I was to splash out I may get a IXL Stag ????

Look at this

https://www.sheffieldcollectableknives. ... orn-scales

Also Found this but not sure if it's any good ??

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1370785 ... ns=1&sts=1
Can't hardly go wrong with an IXL. ::tu:: I ❤️ the one I have! ::nod:: ::super_happy::
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Re: Best Budget Barlow

Post by Reverand »

I agree on the Wostenholm IXL, if that is within your price range. That is a lot better knife than the Rough Ryder's, but again that is contingent upon your budget. It is more than I pay for knives, but then I mainly buy used knives, and often broken knives for parts & repair.
If I wanted a quality new Barlow, I would lean strongly toward that one!


Edit - I fell in love with Barlow knives when I repaired this one. It is a Camillus Tip Top, originally made during WW2. Both blades were broken off, and I replaced them with blades from an old Camillus Stockman that had been abused terribly. This blade used to have grinder marks on it. I sanded it smooth again, put it in this knife, and worked to get that aged patina on it. I love carrying this!
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JonTerry
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Re: Best Budget Barlow

Post by JonTerry »

Believe it or not as I’m in the UK I get free shipping if bought from Sheffield Collectable Knives
So all in £90 (about $100)

Would you guys say that is reasonable for one ?

Hang on I’ll paste a link

https://www.sheffieldcollectableknives. ... orn-scales
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Re: Best Budget Barlow

Post by knifeaholic »

In the past few years I have sold several of the IXL barlows handled in genuine stag. Seems that some were made in carbon steel, some in stainless.

I have gotten anywhere from $110 (near mint) to $150 (mint with box).

Never carried one, but the quality seems to be solid.
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Re: Best Budget Barlow

Post by garddogg56 »

Go find a good used one on the Bay or at an antique store.
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Re: Best Budget Barlow

Post by luckydog64 »

You can find a good used Boker barlow for 50.00 or less, just be patient and make sure blades are not short. Boker has been making them for over 50 years. A used case barlow with delrin handles can be found for around 50.00 dollars also. I carry a bone handle case occasionally. AAPK Store has almost 2 pages of barlows and ebay has plenty. Happy hunting.
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Re: Best Budget Barlow

Post by RevolverGuy »

Case brought the barlow from the vault I think back around 2019-2020, so it was recently. You can still find them at decent prices today and there were some nice variations on these.
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Re: Best Budget Barlow

Post by RobesonsRme.com »

Can you buy knives on Ebay there?

If so, just do a search for one.

You should be able to pick up a decent pre-WWII Barlow style knife from any one of a dozen good manufacturers.

If I still had any, I’d send you a great Robeson.

But, I don’t.

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Dan In MI
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Re: Best Budget Barlow

Post by Dan In MI »

I believe Jon is in the UK. If I'm correct, buying knives on eBay is out of the question for him without finding a work-around. They pretty explicitly forbid shipment of knives to the UK.
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Re: Best Budget Barlow

Post by JonTerry »

Dan In MI wrote: Sat Jan 21, 2023 2:12 pm I believe Jon is in the UK. If I'm correct, buying knives on eBay is out of the question for him without finding a work-around. They pretty explicitly forbid shipment of knives to the UK.
This is correct mate, I would need someone to proxy bid for me in the US
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