All About Pocket Knives

It has been quite a while since I bought a pocket knife. I've been carrying the one in my pocket well over 40 years (maybe 45 years) with a couple of periods trying different ones. I want to try a good Barlow.

I have plenty of other pocket knives but no Barlows.

Give me some recommendations please.

Thanks!

Welcome to AAPK. No one can pick a knife for you. Recommend you start looking here in the AAPK stores and see what you like. Have fun hunting.

Ken

Thanks for the reply Ken!

I've been looking already and have a couple of ideas so I though it would be a good time to ask for some experienced advice.

DanielS wrote: ↑Tue May 19, 2026 11:06 pmGive me some recommendations please

US made Bear & Son has these that I was checking out recently;

• 2180R 4” Rosewood 1-Blade Barlow

• 5180 4” India Stag Bone 1-Blade Barlow

• WSB180 4” White Stag Bone 1-Blade Barlow

• CRSB180 4” Red Stag Bone 1-Blade Barlow

• C2180 4” Walnut 1-Blade Barlow

All reasonably priced and available in 2-Blade versions as well. Keep us posted on what you purchase.

DanielS I have a Bear & Son Barlow with smooth white bone handles and a sheepsfoot blade and it’s awesome. And for around $50 it was a no-brainer. They have other handle options as well. Most importantly made in USA right in Alabama. Good luck

bestgear wrote: ↑Wed May 20, 2026 12:22 am

DanielS wrote: ↑Tue May 19, 2026 11:06 pmGive me some recommendations please

US made Bear & Son has these that I was checking out recently;

• 2180R 4” Rosewood 1-Blade Barlow

• 5180 4” India Stag Bone 1-Blade Barlow

• WSB180 4” White Stag Bone 1-Blade Barlow

• CRSB180 4” Red Stag Bone 1-Blade Barlow

• C2180 4” Walnut 1-Blade Barlow

All reasonably priced and available in 2-Blade versions as well. Keep us posted on what you purchase.

I posted this in the edc and photography threads. It's a Bear and Son Barlow with Rosewood. It's a really nice knife. Would second this recommendation

There are a lot of Barlow lovers on AAPK and considerable variation in what we like. Narrow down what you want, size, countries of origin, handle material, one or two blades and master blade shape. My favorite is a 5 inch (closed) granddaddy with clip master and pen secondary blades but most want a Barlow under 4 inches (closed). Quality control in the Bear & Son brand suggested above has been inconsistent over the decades with many examples so poor that were I limiting myself to U.S. made Barlows and could not handle the knife before buying it I'd step up to Case or an older U.S. made Camillus. I'd leave pre-1970 Case knives for collectors who know how to spot counterfeits and are familiar with prices in that market. Barlows are not Buck's cup of tea but there are Buck Barlows on the used market. GEC makes very good Barlows for a bucket of money. Unfortunately knives from the Old U.S. Queen factory have also gotten spendy. I won't comment on Chinese made knives until after you write you are open to buying them.

Modern Slip Joints, that's the type of information I am looking for! Thanks.

3⅜" is the classic Barlow size. You can't go wrong with Ken's recommendation of searching AAPK member stores. Are you looking for old or new? Country of origin? Materials? Specific knife maker? Mass production vs. custom? There are a lot of parameters to consider. Good luck!

I don't know if you shop ebay, these come around pretty often or did when I was still accumulating knives from there.
This is a slick one never put to a stone, I've got a old toter just like it in my pocket today.

bighomer wrote: ↑Wed May 20, 2026 1:25 pm I don't know if you shop ebay, these come around pretty often or did when I was still accumulating knives from there.
This is a slick one never put to a stone, I've got a old toter just like it in my pocket today.

Joe,
I remember when those Schrade barlows were literally dirt cheap on ebay. I had never had one in my hand and always shied away as I thought the bolsters were probably like some of the shell handled barlow knives. Boy, was I surprised! The bolsters are real NS and the knife is solid as a rock. I posted my 1st one a short time ago, haven't carried it yet and like the 1st one you showed, mine also has the factory edge but had started to rust sitting in a drawer somewhere.

So DanielS, an old Schrade Barlow would be an economical way to see if you like the pattern.
Treefarmer

This RoseCraft Barlow will only set you back $60 and you will find the fit and finish second to none. https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/ca ... ood-covers

It is engineered in the US and manufactured in China. I have no affiliation with the seller but a strong affinity for the brand.

bestgear wrote: ↑Wed May 20, 2026 3:17 pm This RoseCraft Barlow will only set you back $60 and you will find the fit and finish second to none. https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/ca ... ood-covers

It is engineered in the US and manufactured in China. I have no affiliation with the seller but a strong affinity for the brand.

I have that one.
Great knife!
Also have a Bear & Sons, and a Case.
Nothing wrong with any of 'em.

Lots of good suggestions on Barlows. I think the best pattern that Bear makes is their Barlow. My personal preference is a Queen made RCC Barlow. GEC makes some beautiful Barlows too. Rosecraft blades has some very nice Barlow’s at affordable prices. Honestly there are too many to choose from. Here are some of mine. Glad to answer any questions.

Also, current Case Barlows are very nice.

Love Barlows and welcome to AAPK’s

Here are a couple old ones that serve me well. An EC Simmons Keen Kutter and a Utica.

I have 7 Schrade pocket knives from the early 1970's to early 1990's. I bought 6 of them new and received 1 new as a gift. I also have a nice Schrade multi-tool that I received new as a gift. I love my old Schrades. (I'm not a collector, just an accumulator. ) I have several other brands of pocket knives too.

I thought about trying something different like a Case (Dad always swore by Case.) or a German Boker but I'm still looking for suggestions.