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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
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
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
- Western states Barlow
Just makes me want to grin.
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 .
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 $$ than I should have spent, this came in the mail this weekend. It seems to be really well built, has a nice heft to it, the blades both snap strongly and there is no wobble or looseness. It came to me in very sharp condition and over all fine shape. Its gonna go into my everyday rotation.
This is the first Western Barlow I have ever seen in person as well.Reverand wrote: ↑Tue Nov 07, 2023 10:17 pmLooks like a great knife! I see few Westerns in this part of the country, and I don't think that I have ever seen a Western Barlow in person.Bloodhound wrote: ↑Tue Nov 07, 2023 9:22 pm I like the Barlow shape but have only owned them in cheap knives. It was a go to when I was a kid, they were inexpensive and easy to find at the local hardware shop. I don't think I ever paid more than a few bucks for one. They were kind of disposable so I abused them till they broke or my little brother stole them. My good knives were either carried or locked up safe and sound in a box in my closet.
Well a short time ago, I decided I wanted a quality vintage Barlow for my rotation pile. Then I found this thread and it was a match made in heaven, as I am a big Western fan and wanted a good Barlow...
After a lot of looking and more $$ 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.
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.