All About Pocket Knives

Hi folks. Been a while since I've been on the forum,, life has been consuming.

One of my favorite knife styles is the two blade Barlow folder. This weekend I found this rough example in an odds-n-ends box at the fleamarket. At this point it does not appear to have any "dots" on the blade. I paid the man $2.00 for this abused and abandoned gem. But now I've got to decide what to do with it. I can't imagine I'd ever find replacement blades. Wondered if it wouldn't make more sense to re-profile the main blade, clean it up a bit and just leave it as a single blade.

Any thoughts? Thanks in advance,,, Jay

In my opinion, there's two things to do with it, provided the main (clip) blade still has snap. Doesn't look to have lost much meat off the blade from use and sharpening. Leave it as-is and have it as a beater (which for a cheaper Barlow, would probably be the way to go), but for a Case, I'd likely have the entire layer with the pen blade removed (spring and blade), and have it as a one-blade with nice handles. At $2, you're out next to nothing whichever way you go.


If you can find a bottle opener/screwdriver from a Scout or similar (I've seen people do this, and I want to say there was a Belknap like this from the factory) to replace the broken pen blade, it would make it a quite handy knife to have.

Worth $2.00 just for parts. I put one on ebay in worse shape and it brought 15.00. Just an idea! Thanks for sharing!!

Cody, the bottle opener screwdriver blade is an awesome idea! The main blade does indeed have very strong snap,, one of the reasons I bought it. The pic doesn't show it well, but a small amount of the tip was broken off and someone reshaped it,, sorta

Thanks jwwood,, that is an idea worth remembering.

I'm with your idea of dressing it up and making it a single blade.

Doc B wrote: ↑Mon Sep 28, 2020 10:11 pm I'm with your idea of dressing it up and making it a single blade.

Exactly. And the guy that can make that happen is a member here (unless you want to do it yourself).

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Mike

XX Case XX wrote: ↑Tue Sep 29, 2020 1:36 am

Doc B wrote: ↑Mon Sep 28, 2020 10:11 pm I'm with your idea of dressing it up and making it a single blade.

Exactly. And the guy that can make that happen is a member here (unless you want to do it yourself).

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Mike

I think it's something I want to take on myself. BTW,,, having spent 13 yrs in Macon Ga,,, I really like your avatar.

I have a Case Barlow myself. Wonderful knife.

I would make that broken blade into a very short screwdriver.

Clean it up.

EDC

Bob

I agree with Doc. Make a pretty single blade out of it. Check out the TL29 thread in customized factory knives. You'll see some fine work and get a lot of ideas as to what you can do with it.

Post pictures!

GA1dad wrote: ↑Tue Sep 29, 2020 1:48 am I think it's something I want to take on myself. BTW,,, having spent 13 yrs in Macon Ga,,, I really like your avatar.

Excellent on both counts Jay. Can't beat the Allman Bros. and an old Case knife. Be sure to tell us how it's going, and post pictures after.

Some folks even post a "step-by-step" process so others can learn how to repair older knives.

Can't wait to see it when you're finished!!

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Mike

I converted this old Monarch pen knife into a tool knife. You have a lot more on the broken Barlow blade to work with.

If you grind it, just watch you don't take the temper out of the metal.

Byrd wrote: ↑Tue Sep 29, 2020 1:01 pm Check out the TL29 thread in customized factory knives. You'll see some fine work and get a lot of ideas as to what you can do with it.

Ugh,,, that's the last thing I needed to look at. Beautiful work in that thread! I have a couple of Camillus versions that need attention too.

There ya go! Winter projects! In the repair and restoration thread is a section on tutorials showing how to get one apart, replace scales and put it back together. You'll find out it's very addictive.

Well I guess I'm committed now,,,, I don't think I did any damage that can't be buffed out,,, yet.

Cool! You're there! You know how sweet that slim Barlow will be in your pocket?

Byrd wrote: ↑Fri Oct 02, 2020 12:33 am You know how sweet that slim Barlow will be in your pocket?

Yessir,,, I'm kinda excited at the thought of it!

Looking good!
"Buff up" that joker and let's see the finished knife!!

I am getting excited by seeing the "in progress" pictures.
That is going to be a beautiful Barlow when you finish it!

Looking good!!!