djknife13 wrote:When you say the word "buff" you make a lot of us old collectors shutter. I love to see those old knives, maybe cleaned up a little with metal polish and a number 2 pencil and the joint cleaned out with a little oil, but the beautiful, well earned marks on the old knife left. An old workhorse just don't look right if you weave his mane in pony tails and ribbons.___Dave
The Western Barlow
Re: The Western Barlow
“There are things in the old Book which I may not be able to explain, but I fully accept it as the infallible word of God, and receive its teachings as inspired by the Holy Spirit.”
Robert E. Lee
Robert E. Lee
Re: The Western Barlow
Can't argue with that logic!
Chris
i woke last night to the sound of thunder
how far off i sat and wondered
started humming a song from nineteen sixty two
aint it funny how the night moves
i woke last night to the sound of thunder
how far off i sat and wondered
started humming a song from nineteen sixty two
aint it funny how the night moves
Re: The Western Barlow
I usually don't do much more than blow the dust off old knives. I prefer the honest wear to a shiny new knife, but this knife is barely used and never sharpened so I was wondering about the grey surface, and how it got there.
Bruce
Bruce
Re: The Western Barlow
Bruce, You've got a great old knife there.
The grey is undoubtedly from age and will evolve in appearance with use.
Buffing would be too dramatic.
The grey is undoubtedly from age and will evolve in appearance with use.
Buffing would be too dramatic.
Joe
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Re: The Western Barlow
Just catchin' up on my readin' and noticed Bruce's "new" Western Barlow. Looks like she has full blades and has been hidin' in a corner waitin' for him to find her. She looks great just like she is! Sprucing up an old knife reminds me of folks my age and older, that try to look younger by changing their hair color, both men and women, it just ain't natural, long live patina and gray hair.
Treefarmer
Treefarmer
A GUN IN THE HAND IS BETTER THAN A COP ON THE PHONE.
Re: The Western Barlow
I agree with you tree farmer. Iam not as old as others here. I do have some gray hair and I earned every one. As for knives I have some that have been buffed and I wish that they hadn't. It is a fact that shine sells and sells for high dollar. I didn't mind a few years ago if a knife was buffed but I frown on it now.
Monte
Monte
Re: The Western Barlow
I can see that "buff" was a poor choice of words. I learned the hard way, a long time ago, not to over-clean stuff (old fishing reels). I just wondered about this one because the patina is so uniform that it almost looks like it was applied. I suppose if I ever get the urge to buff a knife I could start with this one, but it would be kinda' like puttin' lipstick on a pig.
Bruce
Bruce
Re: The Western Barlow
Shoot, that one's just now broke in good.Berryb wrote:I can see that "buff" was a poor choice of words. I learned the hard way, a long time ago, not to over-clean stuff (old fishing reels). I just wondered about this one because the patina is so uniform that it almost looks like it was applied. I suppose if I ever get the urge to buff a knife I could start with this one, but it would be kinda' like puttin' lipstick on a pig.
Bruce
“There are things in the old Book which I may not be able to explain, but I fully accept it as the infallible word of God, and receive its teachings as inspired by the Holy Spirit.”
Robert E. Lee
Robert E. Lee
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Re: The Western Barlow
Bruce,
Clean that old gal up and make that broken clip into a Wharncliffe lookin' blade and put her to work!
Treefarmer
Clean that old gal up and make that broken clip into a Wharncliffe lookin' blade and put her to work!
Treefarmer
A GUN IN THE HAND IS BETTER THAN A COP ON THE PHONE.
Re: The Western Barlow
I think it might be a bit of a project, one spring is half gone, the other is so soft you can hardly tell it's there. I kinda thought a picture of a rusty Old Timer would be an appropriate avatar for me though.
Bruce
Bruce
Re: The Western Barlow
From the knife makers who went west page 58.FRJ wrote: ↑Wed Jun 17, 2015 4:54 am Who knew?
I was surprised to see one on ebay, and more surprised to win the auction.
I never thought of Western and Barlow together. Never seen one.
This is a nice knife even if the blades are a bit thin.
Great font on the bolster and a nice patina delivere d right to my door.
Just makes me want to grin.
My only W.S. Barlow.It has seen a lot of use and looks like it may have been over buffed at some time .
Re: The Western Barlow
You are fortunate to live close to some great American knife history.I enjoyed the pictures you shared on your visit to the old northfield factory site as well as all the historic information shared .
Re: The Western Barlow
Thank you, Thomasg, I'm glad you enjoyed that post and that you found it.
Joe
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Re: The Western Barlow
I like the Barlow shape but have only owned them in cheap knives. It was a go to when I was a kid, they were inexpensive and easy to find at the local hardware shop. I don't think I ever paid more than a few bucks for one. They were kind of disposable so I abused them till they broke or my little brother stole them. My good knives were either carried or locked up safe and sound in a box in my closet.
Well a short time ago, I decided I wanted a quality vintage Barlow for my rotation pile. Then I found this thread and it was a match made in heaven, as I am a big Western fan and wanted a good Barlow...
After a lot of looking and more $$ than I should have spent, this came in the mail this weekend. It seems to be really well built, has a nice heft to it, the blades both snap strongly and there is no wobble or looseness. It came to me in very sharp condition and over all fine shape. Its gonna go into my everyday rotation.
Well a short time ago, I decided I wanted a quality vintage Barlow for my rotation pile. Then I found this thread and it was a match made in heaven, as I am a big Western fan and wanted a good Barlow...
After a lot of looking and more $$ than I should have spent, this came in the mail this weekend. It seems to be really well built, has a nice heft to it, the blades both snap strongly and there is no wobble or looseness. It came to me in very sharp condition and over all fine shape. Its gonna go into my everyday rotation.
"...Boys, those pocket knives are nice...but someday when you have grown to be men, you'll own a Case like this one here..."
Quote: My 4th grade teacher, Mr. Shipman
Quote: My 4th grade teacher, Mr. Shipman
Re: The Western Barlow
Looks like a great knife! I see few Westerns in this part of the country, and I don't think that I have ever seen a Western Barlow in person.Bloodhound wrote: ↑Tue Nov 07, 2023 9:22 pm I like the Barlow shape but have only owned them in cheap knives. It was a go to when I was a kid, they were inexpensive and easy to find at the local hardware shop. I don't think I ever paid more than a few bucks for one. They were kind of disposable so I abused them till they broke or my little brother stole them. My good knives were either carried or locked up safe and sound in a box in my closet.
Well a short time ago, I decided I wanted a quality vintage Barlow for my rotation pile. Then I found this thread and it was a match made in heaven, as I am a big Western fan and wanted a good Barlow...
After a lot of looking and more $$ than I should have spent, this came in the mail this weekend. It seems to be really well built, has a nice heft to it, the blades both snap strongly and there is no wobble or looseness. It came to me in very sharp condition and over all fine shape. Its gonna go into my everyday rotation.
Jesus is life.
Everything else is just a hobby.
~Reverand
Everything else is just a hobby.
~Reverand
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Re: The Western Barlow
This is the first Western Barlow I have ever seen in person as well.Reverand wrote: ↑Tue Nov 07, 2023 10:17 pmLooks like a great knife! I see few Westerns in this part of the country, and I don't think that I have ever seen a Western Barlow in person.Bloodhound wrote: ↑Tue Nov 07, 2023 9:22 pm I like the Barlow shape but have only owned them in cheap knives. It was a go to when I was a kid, they were inexpensive and easy to find at the local hardware shop. I don't think I ever paid more than a few bucks for one. They were kind of disposable so I abused them till they broke or my little brother stole them. My good knives were either carried or locked up safe and sound in a box in my closet.
Well a short time ago, I decided I wanted a quality vintage Barlow for my rotation pile. Then I found this thread and it was a match made in heaven, as I am a big Western fan and wanted a good Barlow...
After a lot of looking and more $$ than I should have spent, this came in the mail this weekend. It seems to be really well built, has a nice heft to it, the blades both snap strongly and there is no wobble or looseness. It came to me in very sharp condition and over all fine shape. Its gonna go into my everyday rotation.
Its funny, I have been a Colorado guy most of my life, born in the Denver metro area...and I live now just about 60 Miles from Boulder, where this knife was made.
But I got it from a dealer in Knoxville, Tennessee...I think he should have given me a discount because I was bringing the knife back home to Colorado. Alas there was no such consideration and I paid full asking price. But after a good wipedown, this Barlow is in even better condition than I first thought. So I will give it a good home.
"...Boys, those pocket knives are nice...but someday when you have grown to be men, you'll own a Case like this one here..."
Quote: My 4th grade teacher, Mr. Shipman
Quote: My 4th grade teacher, Mr. Shipman
Re: The Western Barlow
The blades look nice and full .with the heavy back springs the knife will give you a life time of good use .like you I have had many Barlow knifes in my younger days .I didn’t have the $ for one of those status symbol knifes .I think I paid 2 $ for a Saber Barlow made in Japan brand spanking new.. The carbon steal blade that the saber had in my opinion Is much better than anything new on the market today .My first fixed blade was a Western W 36 D. 40 years latter it is still my go to deer skinner .The W36 D is the knife that inspired me to collect the Western brand knifes as one of my primary targets .Bloodhound wrote: ↑Tue Nov 07, 2023 11:15 pmThis is the first Western Barlow I have ever seen in person as well.Reverand wrote: ↑Tue Nov 07, 2023 10:17 pmLooks like a great knife! I see few Westerns in this part of the country, and I don't think that I have ever seen a Western Barlow in person.Bloodhound wrote: ↑Tue Nov 07, 2023 9:22 pm I like the Barlow shape but have only owned them in cheap knives. It was a go to when I was a kid, they were inexpensive and easy to find at the local hardware shop. I don't think I ever paid more than a few bucks for one. They were kind of disposable so I abused them till they broke or my little brother stole them. My good knives were either carried or locked up safe and sound in a box in my closet.
Well a short time ago, I decided I wanted a quality vintage Barlow for my rotation pile. Then I found this thread and it was a match made in heaven, as I am a big Western fan and wanted a good Barlow...
After a lot of looking and more $$ than I should have spent, this came in the mail this weekend. It seems to be really well built, has a nice heft to it, the blades both snap strongly and there is no wobble or looseness. It came to me in very sharp condition and over all fine shape. Its gonna go into my everyday rotation.
Its funny, I have been a Colorado guy most of my life, born in the Denver metro area...and I live now just about 60 Miles from Boulder, where this knife was made.
But I got it from a dealer in Knoxville, Tennessee...I think he should have given me a discount because I was bringing the knife back home to Colorado. Alas there was no such consideration and I paid full asking price. But after a good wipedown, this Barlow is in even better condition than I first thought. So I will give it a good home.