Craftsman 9540 Barlow Pocket Knife Restoration

[@357magdad]

Check out my other pocket knife projects: kzbin.info/aero/PL2LUCgmdqpXOJ085tzQW-pBKJVOd67-UR

[@grahamcameron7628]

I can’t decide what I liked best, the restoration, the videography or the narration. 3 out of 3 Magdad!

[@mercoid]

Yes. It’s nice to hear him enumerating the characteristics and issues of the knife in his decision to purchase. Also, I love a barlow! The extra meat of the bolster provides added blade stability over other popular pocket knife designs in a compact package. A classic design.

[@357magdad]

Wow! Thanks Graham! I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@357magdad]

The Barlow is my favorite style pocket knife!

[@upsidedowndog1256]

You have the patience of a sage! I don't screw around with old knives because I inhereted a bunch of them. All over sharpened. My mother once came to a shop I was working in and deemed our bench grinder with a stone wheel a "knife sharpener". That is exactly why my inhereted collection is not salvageable, Grandpa did it like that! Another important note, you must scrub your stones clean after every use. I have met many people in their 70s who can't get a blade sharp using their grandpa's old stone because it is all clogged up and they are afraid to screw them up. I use pumice hand cleaner on mine after every use. My stones sharpen lots of tools as well as knives.

[@357magdad]

Your grandpa wasn't the only one! I come across a lot of old pocket knives with blades worn down to nothing.

[@tikkidaddy]

High quality ceramic has eliminated a LOT of that problem nowadays. Few licks on a DMT coarse and straight to Spyderco ceramic. It HONES the edge, instead of grinding off steel so much. Also the major component of both ballistol and remoil is lightweight mineral oil, and I use food safe grade

[@ScoutCrafter]

Awesome job on an awesome knife! Vintage Craftsman stuff was fantastic...

[@357magdad]

Thanks ScoutCrafter! It's hard to beat the old carbon steel blades!

[@805ROADKING]

Excellent video Bud!! It's funny how every hobby has it's tricks of the trade!! I got a kick outta your upholstery needle!! I have one just like it that I use all the time!! One of my prized possessions, bought it back in the 80's to re-fabric my Airplane!!☻

[@357magdad]

Thanks RoadKing! I had an old pick that I used on almost every project and I recently misplaced it. The upholstery needle came in handy!

[@bobk.1428]

I had a Barlow when I was a kid in Boy Scouts. It was my favorite and I lost it along the way somehow. Now, after watching this video I’ll be on the hunt to find one and restore it. Thx!

[@357magdad]

Careful Bob! Once you clean up and sharpen one vintage pocket knife, a bunch more will follow you home!

[@frankg3072]

That was an amazing tutorial on the ins and outs of knife restoring. Thanks!

[@357magdad]

Thanks Frank! I wanted to make a basics video that I could point viewers to.

[@garageshopminnesota]

Great video. I carry a Barlow knife everyday that I received from my grandpa. Great idea to use the popsicle stick to clean out the grooves! Fun video!!

[@357magdad]

Thanks! Barlows still make a great EDC!

[@seanrobinson6407]

Nice job. It came out great. I had a similar project with a little stockman. Epoxied the scale damage. Peened the pins. Stained the bone scales, cleaned, sanded, polished buffed, sharpened everything. It is nice to carry something you actually refurbished.

[@357magdad]

Thanks! Cleaning up old pocket knives is fun!

[@andyc972]

Thanks Magdad, that was a thorough explanation of the full restoration process and what to look out for, good to see another tool returned to good working user condition ! I carry a small stainless key fob knife that is very practical, but you can't beat the edge on a good carbon steel blade !

[@357magdad]

Thanks Andy! I wanted to do a basics video that I could refer people to.

[@chuckB9679]

Excellent video! No power tools and an excellent result.

[@357magdad]

Thanks Chuck!

[@patjohnson3100]

That was a very instructive video. I dont know much about knives, but I thoroughly enjoyed this video. As usual, the historical background adds useful context.

[@357magdad]

Thanks Pat!

[@LittleRestorers]

My grandfather always carried a pocket knife with a brown handle. I just had some memories of him while watching your video. Thank you.

[@357magdad]

I'm glad I brought back some memories for you!

[@bigvicsworkshop]

Cool Craftsman Barlow! Excellent job Magdad, and I enjoyed the history, good stuff sir!

[@357magdad]

Thanks Vic!

[@jamesholmes3499]

A craftsman bringing back to life a Craftsman!

[@357magdad]

Thanks James! It is a nice little knife!

[@johnmccloskey1654]

Good tutorial. I have watched your videos a few years now and always look forwarded to Sunday morning with your postings. Your knife restos have given me inspiration to clean up the pile of knives I have from cleaning out my grandparents, parents and my wife's parents house. Had a box in my garage and started going through them and clean, fix and display them even giving my daughter a few from her grandfather. You did a video a few years ago on making a display stand for knives and I have made a few of them as it is quick and easy to make. The best to you, thanks.

[@357magdad]

I'm glad I inspired you John! Cleaning up old pocket knives is fun! I'd love to see some photos of your knives and the stand you made! [e-mail]

[@GuntersGarage]

"Good snap" I like that too. That is definitely a good vintage edc knife, love the character of a little age and use. For a user a satin finish is good as it hides some scratches that occur with use that would stand out on a mirror finish. Well done magdad!

[@thomgray8565]

Good timing, I have a couple of Barlows in my to do pile. Very enjoyable and informative video

[@357magdad]

I'm glad you enjoyed the video Thom! Cleaning up old pocket knives is fun!

[@rogerstlaurent8704]

Beautiful Restoration on the Barlow Pocket Knife and just the right size for a daily Carrie i had a few over the years they were easy to sharpen and the edge stayed very sharp way better than most of the brands out there with S/S blades you and Mr Chuck di a great job together on the Restoration take care have a great Sunday see you on your next video

[@357magdad]

Thanks Roger! You gotta spend a lot of $ to get a SS blade that will hold an edge as good as carbon steel!

[@chriholt]

Wow, a beautiful knife and a great restoration!

[@357magdad]

Thanks Chris!

[@justinjasper654]

Man I really enjoy your knife restore videos

[@357magdad]

Thanks Justin! Old pocket knives are fun to clean up!

[@Gunsmith-4570]

Very nice video and the small history lesson filled out the teaching of skills!

[@357magdad]

Thanks! I enjoy researching the history!

[@ferd.6779]

Nice result, and a pleasure for You as an EDC! And I liked the 'history lesson' about the Barlow story...;-))

[@357magdad]

Thanks! I didn't realize the history would be so complicated!

[@craycrayray2432]

I got one just like it. It's an incredible knife! I love it more everyday. The steel is unbelievable, I've had and sold a lot of knives in my time, but these barlows are really worth their weight in gold. Hope you enjoy your knife as much as I do mine!

[@357magdad]

Vintage pocket knives with carbon steel blades are a pleasure to sharpen!

[@inrangerimfire20two]

Awesome video man! I think the Barlow pattern is my favourite overall for a daily carry knife.

[@357magdad]

Thanks! I've been carrying a Powr-Kraft Barlow with black scales for years! I'm looking forward to switching it out for this Craftsman!

[@62forged]

Thanks for a great video on restoring pocket knifes. Now I have reference on cleaning my own knifes.

[@357magdad]

Thanks! I wanted to show what could be done by hand, without power tools.

[@matthewf8506]

Excellent job and love the history at the end. Thanks for another great video!

[@357magdad]

Thanks Matthew! That story about George Washington was too good not to share!

[@13thworker45]

Great restoration. It was the first knife my father gave me. Thank You

[@357magdad]

Thanks! It is a simple good quality knife!

[@choppermike3329]

I really like the Barlow knives. Perfect size for carrying in you pocket. Good flea market find. Thanks for the history of Barlow and the video!

[@357magdad]

Thanks Mike! Some folks call the Barlow the original EDC!

[@tennesseesmoky9012]

Excellent flea market rescue on that Craftsman Barlow knife! What a find and of course you gotta pretty good deal at that price. Like they say one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. That is what flea market rescue knives are all about…finding little treasures. I appreciate the effort that you put into the information that you share on your channel. Thanks so much and enjoy the Holidays. - Tennessee Smoky

[@357magdad]

Thanks Smoky! Hunting for gems at the sales is as much fun as cleaning them up!

[@wayneo7307]

Hi Magdad . Nice Job 👍 . The Knife 🗡️ Came Out Nice .

[@357magdad]

Thanks Wayne!

[@foundit6088]

The knife looks great! Nice job!

[@357magdad]

Thank you!

[@planejet42]

Have you ever owned an Opinel? They're some of my favorite knives. Their carbon steel is great!

[@357magdad]

Check out my carbon steel Opinel review! kzbin.info/www/bejne/nJDIiZ2Qbc2FiJI

[@planejet42]

@@357magdad Haha, ope. I forgot about that. And I commented on it 3 years ago!

[@krishoogstraat6866]

Great job on that little pocket knife. Really enjoyed the history lesson. Funny as I get older how much I enjoy learning history. Hated it back in school. Lol

[@357magdad]

Thanks Kris! I was the same way! I remember the teachers making it about memorizing dates rather than learning the story.

[@ivanstiles7030]

Looks great Magdad! I'm going to have keep an eye for some vintage knives and give it a shot.

[@357magdad]

Thanks Ivan! Cleaning up old pocket knives is fun! The carbon steel blades are a pleasure to sharpen!

[@donscottvansandt4139]

Awesome job and knife Magdad! I recently picked up a old craftsman pocket knife at a yardsale .it's in good shape except the spring in the spine is broken! Do you know any good parts sources for old knives? This one is 1982 model

[@357magdad]

Sometimes pocket knife parts show up on eBay.

[@donscottvansandt4139]

@@357magdad thanks Magdad...

[@Dardrum]

Another action packed video by my main man Chuck, and his friend Magdad lol. The Barlow came out very nice too. Back in my shipyard days, all the electricians all had Barlows. Some of us Carpenters had one too.

[@357magdad]

Thanks Dale! Shoot me an email - Chuck wants you to join his fan club! [e-mail]

[@lotsabirds]

That came out great! Nice job!

[@357magdad]

Thanks Bill!

[@lotsabirds]

@@357magdad You bet!

[@timtaylor8998]

I have a German boker barlow just like that,I give 20 bucks for it still tight ,never sharpened,cleaned up really good,a mighty good knife you have there and best of all only 5 bucks and a little effort gets you a really good carry knife that won't wear out if you take care of it,to buy a good barlow now will cost you some serious coin!!

[@357magdad]

I was happy to find one in such good shape at the flea market!

[@tedhart7708]

Great flea market find! And excellent video.👍🏻

[@357magdad]

Thanks Ted!

[@liljoeii6091]

That's pretty cool you teaching me about knives my dad just passed away 20 years ago when I got a bunch of his knives so I can take care of them like you're showing THANK YOU FOR THE VIDEO

[@357magdad]

Cleaning up old pocket knives is fun - especially if they have been handed down!

[@sbjennings99]

Awesome lookin knife, I love Barlows and Electrictions knives

[@357magdad]

I carry a Barlow every day.

[@davidcoats1037]

Great job Magdad! I enjoyed the history too. Take care 😃👍🏼

[@357magdad]

Thanks David!

[@marklammas2465]

Nice knife. My brother had a Barlow style knife in a British version. My usual knife is an ancient Richards "scout" knife from 1967. I've had it since I was ten.

[@357magdad]

Old pocket knives are the best!

[@jackthompson2132]

Good stuff today Magdad! Thank You for sharing!

[@357magdad]

Thanks Jack!

[@ihrescue]

Barlow was my favorite pocket knife as a kid. I'd like to mention that when watching toolscouter the other day he had one of the tools in a nice tool stand he made for his workbench that he identified as the tool known as key thing and gave 357magdad a shout out.

[@357magdad]

Thanks Michael! Barlows are my favorite too!

[@jasperscott5426]

Thanks for the history vignnette.....

[@357magdad]

Researching the history of the items I clean up is part of the fun!

[@donscottvansandt4139]

Very nice Magdad! Looks like brand new!

[@357magdad]

Thanks!

[@Bigalhunting]

Nice little clean up. You'll enjoy that one in your pocket.

[@357magdad]

Thanks Al!

[@vtxdaryl]

Beautiful work.

[@357magdad]

Thanks! Cleaning up old pocket knives is fun!

[@johnmclaurin]

She’s a keeper! Nice job! Reminded me of my Dads knife, think I’ll get it out and clean it up! Thanks for the idea!

[@357magdad]

Thanks John! I'd love to see some photos of your dad's knife! [e-mail]

[@mercoid]

Outstanding! Totally appropriate degree of finishing for the character of the knife and it’s purpose.

[@357magdad]

Sometimes leaving a few pits is OK.

[@Everythings_Adjustable]

Lovely work Mate 🛠👍😊

[@357magdad]

Thanks Sparky! I know we both like old pocket knives!

[@halcooper6059]

Excellent find for $5. Put the knife in a leather slip to pocket carry and it will help protect and keep junk out of the knife. I am subscribed to the "Mr Barlow" channel...Nothing to do with the original Mr Barlow but still a good channel. Very inspirational ending to the video.

[@357magdad]

Thanks Hal! I'm glad you stuck around to the end!

[@kimbishop4734]

Love the association to Washington.

[@357magdad]

I found that story while researching Barlow history. It was too good not to share!

[@not2fast4u2c]

Good deal for 5 bucks I have never seen a craftsman one before sure was a lot of scrunge down inside it That big sewing needle is a nice tool to have

[@357magdad]

Next time you're in Walmart, check out the sewing section. I think I got four upholstery needles for under $4.

[@mrbenmall]

That knife is in great shape. Enjoyed the clean-up!

[@357magdad]

Thanks Ben! It was fun doing a project without power tools.

[@foxwood67]

My dad and grandfather always carried pocket knives. They were tools though and other than a coarse stone sharpening didn’t get much love. 😂. That is a good model of folder and well worth the $5

[@357magdad]

I was excited to find this one with the blades in such good shape!

[@floydsmith2296]

Scoutcrafter will be inducting you into The Patina Boys for leaving that pitting! Hahaha...I enjoyed your videos. Thanks for posting

[@357magdad]

Thanks Floyd! I think ScouCrafter will give me a pass. Sometimes leaving a few pit is OK - especially on a knife blade.

[@texasj49]

Nicely done. Came out great!

[@357magdad]

Thanks Jeff!

[@jackcollins2344]

5 dollars well spent my friend, Do you have any idea what the angle is on the plastic wedge with your knife sharpening kit? Thanks for video

[@357magdad]

Thanks Jack! 23 degrees.

[@jackcollins2344]

Thank you 357 Magdad, thinking about making my own 23 degree block for my shop

[@mikecurtis2585]

Very nice great job! Love those Barlows! Great history!

[@357magdad]

Thanks Mike!

[@shannonelliott6116]

Looks good! You can almost always tighten up loose blades by peining the pins again. If it has a pin style of blade mounting, unlike old timer branded knives.I keep a small ball pein that I polished the pein ball on, for that purpose.

[@357magdad]

I've had some luck re-tightening the pivot pin. A lot of times the blade has also lost its "snap".

[@shannonelliott6116]

@@357magdad the "snap" can sometimes be brought back, if the spring and blade fitment allow it by removing material .but as you know, wear, is the enemy..

[@garyryman4947]

Great job. I’ve had good success with Renaissance wax on blades I’m going to store.

[@357magdad]

I'll have to put that wax on my wish list!

[@lotsatrains]

Very nice job 👍 I think I have this same knife too I’ll have to see where it’s hiding

[@357magdad]

Thanks! I hope you find it!

[@gator83261]

Very nice knife. I got a Case xx Barlow in mint condition for a steal of a deal to replace the one I lost when I was about 14 (and had been kicking myself ever since).

[@357magdad]

Case knives are very collectible.

[@beerdrinker6452]

Nice video.

[@357magdad]

Thanks! Cleaning up old pocket knives is fun!

[@fredporter]

Nice and informative.

[@357magdad]

Thanks Fred!

[@larrydemaar409]

I like Barlow knives, also. I like your methods. I, also, like to clean off the spring after oiling, when the blade is at 90 degrees. Get rid of a lot of gunk and get good snap. Nice work, thanks for sharing. Do you know who made this Barlow for Craftsman?

[@357magdad]

Thanks Larry! A bunch of companies made pocket knives for Craftsman. I wouldn't be surprised if this one was made by Schrade.

[@PaperCameraFilms]

Really nice job Magdad

[@357magdad]

Thanks Chris!

[@JUNKREVIVAL]

I have this same knife glad to see another one bought mine at a flea market 7 years ago for 5 bucks as well sadly haven't found another for sell at my local flea market that is im sure i can find one online but eh

[@357magdad]

I see Barlows at the flea market often but usually for more $ than I am willing to spend.

[@MountainAjar]

Damnnnnnnn you learned me something real good!

[@357magdad]

I'm glad you enjoyed the video!

[@octaviofigueroafigueroa9794]

Hello. Did you use 0000 steel wool? Thanks. Saludos from Mexico 🇲🇽

[@357magdad]

I used 0000 after the 600 grit to polish the metal. I used 0 to clean out the blade grooves.

[@TheCleric42]

Another question: are you really satisfied with a two bladed Barlow knife for your EDC? I have Leatherman’s version of a pocketknife (a free T4), and I use all those tools constantly. Perhaps chuck has a fancy Swiss Army knife he pulls out to rescue you?

[@357magdad]

I've been carrying a Barlow for years.

[@tonylenge424]

Great information and technique.Thank you.

[@357magdad]

Thanks Tony!

[@ligmaballs5536]

I dug one of those out of my back yard when I was a kid I cleaned it up the best I could and used it until it fell apart

[@357magdad]

Check out this basket case knife project: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iZnUlZljq7djb80

[@larryborkstrom3580]

For 5 bucks can't go wrong with a classic Barlow knife

[@357magdad]

I couldn't get my money out fast enough!

[@MrDoeboy356]

Chuck seems a little under the weather today.

[@357magdad]

He's doin' OK. Me and the Mrs are getting over colds.

[@lean3ak342]

How do take the blades out

[@357magdad]

I don't have much experience totally disassembling pocket knives.

[@TheShadeTreeFixitMan]

Nice restoration

[@357magdad]

Thanks!

[@Kaufeetimevideo]

Thanks for the history of the Barlow. Two new sessions were learned today. What was the 2nd lesson I learned? Let me tell ya... President Washington... fascinating.

[@357magdad]

Researching the history is a fun part of the hobby!

[@Kaufeetimevideo]

@357magdad I visited The Arabia Steamboat Museum located downtown Kansas City, MO. The steamboat sank 1856. Large display of items pioneers need including pocket knives. I never gave it a thought they had pocket knives in 1856. This visit to a museum started my interest in the hobby.

[@alesmv]

Nice work !

[@357magdad]

Thanks Manuel!

[@Traderjoe]

This was a keeper. It’s odd timing because I have a Barlow that I keep next to my kitchen table and this morning I made some eggs and had a roll that I wanted to make a sandwich with and I forgot to bring a knife, but remembered the Barlow and I used it to cut the roll in half and made a sandwich with it

[@357magdad]

Thanks Joe! That sandwich sound good!

[@ChrisEbbrsen]

Very nice!

[@357magdad]

Thank you!

[@lostcat9lives322]

Any idea what knife company made the Craftsman knife?

[@357magdad]

I'm not sure...

[@lostcat9lives322]

@@357magdad I know Schrade, Camilus and Ulster USA made knives for Craftsman/Sears during the late 60s/early 7Os.

[@lostcat9lives322]

@@357magdad Update: It's a Schrade made on Ulster tooling. Ulster at that time was part of Imperial/Schrade. The same knife was marked under both Imperial and Ulster names.

[@357magdad]

@@lostcat9lives322 Thanks for the info!

[@Traderjoe]

I also heard that the big front bolster is like that because the oversized steel is supposed to support the handle covers underneath them and in an attempt to keep the handle covers from splitting if you torque the knife during hard use. Later models had the oversized bolster more for show, because by that point, customers had associated the large front bolster with a Barlow, which had by that point established a reputation for being a rough use knife.

[@357magdad]

The early Russell Barlows had a reputation for being rugged.

[@wizardofahhhs759]

Back in the day the bolsters and liners were forged from a single piece of steel, that's what made them strong. It's not economical to make them like that anymore unless you're having one custom made.

[@JohnDoe-zg6fn]

👍🏼👍🏼

[@pitsnipe5559]

I had one of those when I was much younger. Not a Craftsman but it looked the same. Don’t know what ever became of it.

[@357magdad]

The Barlow style pocket knife is my favorite!

[@pitsnipe5559]

@@357magdad Mine too, still carry one today. Got my first pocket knife in 1960 when I was 8 years old. My Dad’s brother gave me an old one of his.

[@rge2410]

Hey Chuck, you forgot your safety glasses.

[@357magdad]

Chuck doesn't wear eye protecting when we're polishing by hand.

[@lowrangeoverland9013]

outstanding ❗👍🔪🏆💯

[@357magdad]

Thanks! Cleaning up old pocket knives is fun!

[@wizardofahhhs759]

I carry a Schrade made Craftsman Barlow just like the one in the video on a daily basis, if you decide to make it your edc I'm 💯 confident that you won't be disappointed, maybe even impressed.

[@357magdad]

I've been carrying a similar Powr-Kraft Barlow for years. I'll be switching it out for the Craftsman!

[@Traderjoe]

I find that the polishing compound is waxy and it can gather in the pores of the steel and serve as a protective coating and limits oxygen getting in to further corrode any existing pits.

[@357magdad]

Good idea!

[@donniehopkins8439]

Have you ever tried Dan Chinook's polihing sticks? Check him out they are very handy and do a nice job. Just something extra to add to your arsenal.

[@357magdad]

Thanks! I'll check it out!

[@TheCleric42]

The world wants to know what music you and Chuck listen to while sanding. A good Jersey boy should obviously prefer Frank Sinatra, but perhaps Chuck is one of those kinds of today who choose Springteen, Bon Jovi, or J Geils.

[@357magdad]

AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, ZZ Top and Thorogood!

[@David-wy9jl]

Looks a little like my old timer

[@357magdad]

I would love to find an Old Timer Barlow for $5 at the flea market!

[@tonysheerness2427]

10 minutes to clean up, a week to research the history.

[@357magdad]

The history was more complicated than I thought it would be!

[@MrDoeboy356]

First again lol

[@357magdad]

Congratulations!🏆

[@MrDoeboy356]

@@357magdad lol