Early MF&S 1760 barlow knife

[raincrowe]

I have barlow knives made by different compaines; but this one I believe is the oldest one and it's looks to be different from the rest
The knife is approx 3 inches closed MF&S is stamped on the bolsters...1760 is stamped on the blade..the knife seems to be slimmer and more concise
than the others.. the knife has been used and had extensive wear the blade being shortened... the liners and bolsters seem to be one piece
the blade will close but it goes so far in the channel it's hard to get open again... I just leave the blade open
I know there is a lot of history about Barlow the man and the knife style but I wouldn't mind knowing more about this knife
https://barlow-knives.com/history.htm

[1967redrider]

Goins has some great information about the Furness Barlows.

[raincrowe]

Thank you red rider!!.... Very good information

[Ridgegrass]

Martha Furness & Sons, Sheffield , 1760-c.1916 Imported by Hibbard, Spencer, and Bartlett.
Enos Furness & Sons, Sheffield, 1870-1915 Imported by Wiebusch.
Edward Furness. Sheffield, c.1900
George Furness (date unknown)
The E.F.S. and M.F.S. I know have integral bolsters. I've not seen an Edward or George example. J.O'.

[FRJ]

Beautiful old knives you guys are showing.

[doglegg]

Beautiful old knives you guys are showing.

X2

[Ridgegrass]

[raincrowe]

Martha Furness & Sons, Sheffield , 1760-c.1916 Imported by Hibbard, Spencer, and Bartlett.
Enos Furness & Sons, Sheffield, 1870-1915 Imported by Wiebusch.
Edward Furness. Sheffield, c.1900
George Furness (date unknown)
The E.F.S. and M.F.S. I know have integral bolsters. I've not seen an Edward or George example. J.O'.

Thanks great pictures and information...Integral bolsters is that where the bolster & liner are one piece?
Are there any other marking on the blade other than 1760?

[1967redrider]

Here are my Ed and Enos Furness Barlows. Someone had a Matthew or Martha at the Shenandoah show, but it was priced too high for my liking.

[doglegg]

Here are my Ed and Enos Furness Barlows. Someone had a Matthew or Martha at the Shenandoah show, but it was priced too high for my liking.

[raincrowe]

Here are my Ed and Enos Furness Barlows. Someone had a Matthew or Martha at the Shenandoah show, but it was priced too high for my liking.

Wow...Just curious do you mind me asking about the price range?

[Ridgegrass]

Correct on the integral bolsters.That supposedly adds a little value as it must be a little harder to manufacture.
The "Enos" has his name and "England" etched in, and the Martha says "Sheffield, England". No tang stamps.

Red, I''m not familiar with "Matthew", always just heard Martha.
Levine mentions Martha and adds an "M. Furness" with no " & S", maybe that's Matthew. Also a related one in the group, "S.E. OATES". ???
You should pass the Edward on to me to help complete my set.

Crowe: I can't comment on prices. They're so crazy and changing every day. I've had them for many years and didn't pay a lot back then. I rarely if ever sell anything so I'm way out of the loop on that. All the ones I've ever seen were darn well used but maybe some Barlow collector, especially an English Barlow collector would pony up for one in any condition.
John

[wlf]

Real antiques guys.

[raincrowe]

Correct on the integral bolsters.That supposedly adds a little value as it must be a little harder to manufacture.
The "Enos" has his name and "England" etched in, and the Martha says "Sheffield, England". No tang stamps.

Red, I''m not familiar with "Matthew", always just heard Martha.
Levine mentions Martha and adds an "M. Furness" with no " & S", maybe that's Matthew. Also a related one in the group, "S.E. OATES". ???
You should pass the Edward on to me to help complete my set.

Crowe: I can't comment on prices. They're so crazy and changing every day. I've had them for many years and didn't pay a lot back then. I rarely if ever sell anything so I'm way out of the loop on that. All the ones I've ever seen were darn well used but maybe some Barlow collector, especially an English Barlow collector would pony up for one in any condition.
John

Thanks!!....Like you I've had the knife for several years but by the condition of the knife I'm sure I didn't pay much for it...
Can't remember who,when or how much I did pay for it.... on the other hand I haven't seen another for sale or otherwise
Until I saw your pictures of the beautiful antiques....A pleasure to see
Crowe

[Ridgegrass]

John O'.

[1967redrider]

Correct on the integral bolsters.That supposedly adds a little value as it must be a little harder to manufacture.
The "Enos" has his name and "England" etched in, and the Martha says "Sheffield, England". No tang stamps.

Red, I''m not familiar with "Matthew", always just heard Martha.
Levine mentions Martha and adds an "M. Furness" with no " & S", maybe that's Matthew. Also a related one in the group, "S.E. OATES". ???
You should pass the Edward on to me to help complete my set.

Crowe: I can't comment on prices. They're so crazy and changing every day. I've had them for many years and didn't pay a lot back then. I rarely if ever sell anything so I'm way out of the loop on that. All the ones I've ever seen were darn well used but maybe some Barlow collector, especially an English Barlow collector would pony up for one in any condition.
John

Goins mentions Matthew, from my not so stellar picture above.

*edit- I found my original picture, click to enlarge.

[1967redrider]

Here are my Ed and Enos Furness Barlows. Someone had a Matthew or Martha at the Shenandoah show, but it was priced too high for my liking.

Wow...Just curious do you mind me asking about the price range?

I think they were asking $250, and the blade was not so great.

[Ridgegrass]

Thanks for the info.. Hooray on the price, I'm rich ! I'm sure I didn't pay much for either. John

[raincrowe]

Thanks.. Considering the rareness of the antique knife; I can see why one might ask 250 dollars for the knife even in that condition
but in reality any knife is worth just what the buyer is willing to pay!!.....A little humor among other older knife traders....
(Why there nothing lost in a knife trade; what one man loses, another man gains.)
Raincrowe

[1967redrider]

Thanks.. Considering the rareness of the antique knife; I can see why one might ask 250 dollars for the knife even in that condition
but in reality any knife is worth just what the buyer is willing to pay!!.....A little humor among other older knife traders....
(Why there nothing lost in a knife trade; what one man loses, another man gains.)
Raincrowe

I don't get hot about knives I think are overpriced, but I would have considered buying it at $125, even with the spent blade. Neither of my blades are pristine, but they have excellent snap. Surprising testament to their craftsmanship.

[Ridgegrass]

It seems rarity only counts in special cases, like a rare pattern in a major brand like Case or NYK. I have some knives that are so "rare" they can't be found in anybody's book, but I don't think they'd bring a big price. Here's a SUPREME, USA with aluminum frame and integral bolsters. I can't find anyone who ever heard of the brand. So, its rare. And here's a YALE BROS. I've seen Yale Cutlery Co. and Our Best Yale, but not "Bros". Are they valuable ? When I used to do shows and sell, no one showed any special interest in them, even at $15-$25 over twenty five years ago. Now, a rare-patterned KA-BAR or Marbles, that's another animal. JMHO on a cool and cloudy Sunday morning.
John O'.

[1967redrider]

It seems rarity only counts in special cases, like a rare pattern in a major brand like Case or NYK. I have some knives that are so "rare" they can't be found in anybody's book, but I don't think they'd bring a big price. Here's a SUPREME, USA with aluminum frame and integral bolsters. I can't find anyone who ever heard of the brand. So, its rare. And here's a YALE BROS. I've seen Yale Cutlery Co. and Our Best Yale, but not "Bros". Are they valuable ? When I used to do shows and sell, no one showed any special interest in them, even at $15-$25 over twenty five years ago. Now, a rare-patterned KA-BAR or Marbles, that's another animal. JMHO on a cool and cloudy Sunday morning.
John O'.

You said it, J O'. Mostly collectability and demand drive knife prices.

[raincrowe]

I do understand that rare doesn't increase the interest or value of certain knives...I've don't know anyone who knows or seen the knives Yale & Supreme
that was shown..I know about having knives where no information is available one I posted on AAPK a few years ago with no response...
viewtopic.php?t=62309
I actually done more research and basically came up empty- handed although I did find a Lawerence from Sheffield under one surname
https://www.hawleysheffieldknives.com/n ... l&kel=2797
This is a old grand-daddy style barlow from Sheffield...I don't believe the knife has integral bolsters...
Would be helpfully if more information could be made available