All About Pocket Knives

Bought this Barlow today. Still in the box,wrapped in plastic, un-opened. The original lube is dried up and discolored on the tangs. It says. Prov. U.S.A.and the patent number is stamped, but the quality is very low, although it does have solid bolsters. I read that Colonial "International" made knives in Asia but that should be a different mark. I scoured this one for any traces of a hidden "China" stamp or ink mark. There is none. The pics will reveal the "inexpensive" features. Maybe it was when they were circling the drain near the end. Any opinion on when it may have been made?
The latest article I found was written in 2013 and said the old Colonial factory ceased operations in 1998 but former employees reorganized in 2001 with domestic and foreign production. Any updates ? Thanks. J.O'.

That one is USA made, with carbon steel blades.

I have bought and sold many of those with various handles - there is nothing wrong with the knife, these were just inexpensively made to sell for a low price. They never had the fit and finish of a Camillus or Case.

I don't see anything that makes me suspicious. Those were cheapies from the start, but they usually had surprisingly good blades.

I have a few that are quite similar. They were advertising for a grain mill in Minnesota, dated 1979. Doesn't mean they were from the same run or anything, but it's uncommon for a date of any kind on a Colonial

Thanks all. I didn't mean to run it down. I know Colonials well. Just from the look I thought it may be "imported",(from you know where).Their successors did import knives. Appreciate the input. I looked up the patent on those "solid" bolsters. They are not pinned through, just attached to the liners inside. Interesting, Antonio Paolantonio, of Colonial fame, patented that bolster attachment process in 1967. They were masters of manufacturing to an affordable price point for the average guy to buy. Sorry they're gone. J.O'.

Found some old pictures of mine i thought I'd share. The top one in the second photo is one i messed around with. They're not quite that yellow, I can't photograph off whites all that well under my piano light.

Ridgegrass wrote: ↑Fri Jun 21, 2024 2:55 pm Thanks all. I didn't mean to run it down. I know Colonials well. Just from the look I thought it may be "imported",(from you know where).Their successors did import knives. Appreciate the input. I looked up the patent on those "solid" bolsters. They are not pinned through, just attached to the liners inside. Interesting, Antonio Paolantonio, of Colonial fame, patented that bolster attachment process in 1967. They were masters of manufacturing to an affordable price point for the average guy to buy. Sorry they're gone. J.O'.

His son, Bobby, was a regular here before his passing. He was a great guy, I bought a Colonial book off of him.

https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kn ... hp?t=32387

Bonfire Bob

Red, I remember him briefly , just before he passed.

Thanks TWK. O'.