In 1911, H. N. Platts, was able to draw on his extensive friendships and family connections in the cutlery world to start Western States Cutlery and Manufacturing of Boulder Colorado. At first only a jobbing business, by 1920 construction and machinery purchases were underway to begin manufacture of knives. Through name changes--to Western States Cutlery Co. in 1953, then Western Cutlery Co. in 1956--and moves first across town and later to Longmont Colorado, the company stayed under the leadership of the Platt family until 1984. In that year, the company was sold to Coleman, becoming Coleman-Western. Eventually purchased by Camillus in 1991, Western continued until Camillus expired in 2007.
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 delivered right to my door.
Just makes me want to grin.
Thanks guys.
A lot of things can get past me, but I've never seen or heard of a Western Barlow before.
So I win this one for $18.50 and the next thing I see another one, and I win that one too ......
for $18.49. Second one with different bolsters and not in as good shape, interesting and cheap enough to own. I think some folks scramble for Barlows, but for those that don't they wont pay much for them. I don't spend a lot of time trying to figure this stuff out. They may not be rare.
I'm just glad I got them. Especially this one. I just like knives.
Thanks again guys.
Westerns are my favorite using knives, especially my beloved 742 stockman patterns. I see several of the 822 pattern Baliws for sale, but not being a Barlow guy, I've just never bought one. Maybe I need to change that.....
Western had the best steel ever IMHO.
“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
Your knife is a modern example, 1960's to early 70's, made on contract by Schrade/Ulster. Check yours as compared to the Ulster "Prince Albert" barlow...same exact tooling, handle material, etc.
Attached is an image of an older one from the pre-WWII Western States era.
Western also made a more modern barlow in the 1970's (model 822) that I believe they made in-house. Tooling and materials are different with solid nickel silver bolsters and delrin handles.
Attachments
Steve Pfeiffer, author of Collecting Case Knives: Identification and Price Guide published by Krause Publications.
Steve, thanks for that information and attachment. Well, they put together a decent little knife.
I think the other Barlow you're referring to is in transit to me. I'll post a picture of it.
So there must be quite a few out there.
Thanks again.
“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
Western must not have been sold as much in other parts of the country early in the 1900's as it was in the midwest and central north. I started out collecting Western fixed (my first hunting knife as a kid was a Western L28, still have it) and when I started into folders, most of them were Westerns including a number of Barlows. I just thought they were all over the country. Someday I'll have to try to group them for a picture, but they are all over in different safes and display cases. ___Dave
djknife13 wrote:Western must not have been sold as much in other parts of the country early in the 1900's as it was in the midwest and central north. I started out collecting Western fixed (my first hunting knife as a kid was a Western L28, still have it) and when I started into folders, most of them were Westerns including a number of Barlows. I just thought they were all over the country. Someday I'll have to try to group them for a picture, but they are all over in different safes and display cases. ___Dave
Dave, no one here had ever heard of them. I'm the only one in these parts that I know of who collects them. Growing up here it was Case, Eye Brand, and all them other off brand cheap knives.
“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
Years ago two brothers from the Twin Cities used to gather all the local stuff from around here including Westerns and Marshall Wells and haul them down south and trade for early English stuff that was then considered gaudy, with the horse and alligator guards, and the Bowies that were considered too large and cumbersome to be a useful knife. You wouldn't believe that collection. You see some of it some of our reference books. He told me he couldn't hardly give the stuff away that he traded for the stuff he and his brother wanted. ___Dave
Them Western barlows just say workingmans knife 
