All About Pocket Knives

I believe this is a JL Barbee knife. Is anyone familiar with this knife maker? Does anyone know the value of his knives? Here are some photos:

That's a great little knife.
Are you sure that pistol sheath goes with it?

I'm not certain this sheath goes with it but the sheath does say Barbee. If I could find a photo of that knife it might show the sheath that goes with it.

I'm not certain this sheath goes with it but the sheath does say Barbee. If I could find a photo of that knife it might show the sheath that goes with it.

knifeseller,
Google J.L. Barbee, there is a lot of info and even a web site. He is/was? in Arizona and the site shows sheaths similar to the one in your picture.
Treefarmer

Thanks!!

That's a Jim Barbee knife for sure, and the sheath is as well, possibly should have a matching number written inside the top portion of the sheath that would match the number of the knife. I'm a personal friend of Mr. Jim and he has been my mentor for years, I continue to make his knives, one of the pioneers, back in his day he was one of the best!!

Thank-you Regan. I checked on the inside of the sheath and saw 208. The knife has 2088 marked on it so that seems close enough to assume this is the correct sheath for the knife. Check out the photo.

His number system works like this;
2088 would mean that was the 20th knife he made in 1988. Mr Jim is alive and well living on his ranch in Ft. Stockton, Tx. He is 90 and still as sharp as a whip.
Regan
Ps: if your wanting to sell it, lemme know, several of us collect his knives

Thanks for the information Regan. I now know how old the knife is. I recently sent a letter to Mr.Barbee's daughter asking her for information but I haven't heard anything yet. I have no idea what the knife is worth. I am trying to get as much money as I can for my sister. When her husband died he didn't have a life insurance policy so it's been tough for her in many ways. I have been putting some of his knives on Ebay with mixed results.

What is your Ebay name... I'll try to help as much as I can.

Hello americanedgetech,
Thanks so much for your offer. My ebay name in hornliz. I have about 14 listing right now but things have slowed down. My brother-in-law had many knives but he loved Case knives in particular. I appreciate your help.

No problem... It is helping all of us.

See ya on the Flea

knifeseller wrote: ↑Mon Oct 23, 2017 10:07 pm I believe this is a JL Barbee knife. Is anyone familiar with this knife maker? Does anyone know the value of his knives? Here are some photos:

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I'm not sure of it's value but my grandfather gave me his JL Barbee years ago. He had it custom made and the story was his wife made the sheath. Mine has a 931 on the blade & sheath so it's the correct match. I'll post some pictures of mine but yours is beautiful!

I believe Jim used to be a guide and made knives.if it is the correct person when I started making knives ,I sent him knives to heat treat. They were made of 440C and he did a fabulous job on them. His heat treat oven was made by some of the scientists from NASA whom he took hunting around Ft. Stockton. I believe his wife's name was Pat.

This knife and leather sheath were made in Fort Stockton, TX by my Grandaddy. He (or my grandmother) often made the sheath larger to fit on a belt. People would mistake them for a gun holder. He never lived in Arizona, so I'm not sure where that idea came from.

He passed away in 2019, but many of his knives are still roaming around. I miss him everyday. Any time I smell leather or horses, I think of him!

J-B-Walker wrote: ↑Sat Jan 24, 2026 6:16 pm This knife and leather sheath were made in Fort Stockton, TX by my Grandaddy. He (or my grandmother) often made the sheath larger to fit on a belt. People would mistake them for a gun holder. He never lived in Arizona, so I'm not sure where that idea came from.

He passed away in 2019, but many of his knives are still roaming around. I miss him everyday. Any time I smell leather or horses, I think of him!

Excellent information

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