A Beautiful Custom Barlow; Michael May Sheffield Barlow in Bocote wood.

Salutations, Ladies and Gentlemen! And Merry Christmas! Today, I'll be discussing a traditional Sheffield-made Barlow knife, made by the talented maestro, Michael May. This particular model features an elegant clip-point blade, made from O1 tool steel. The bolsters, liners and pins are satin-finished brass. The spring is delightfully decorated with Michael's signature filework. And the handles are made from GORGEOUS Bocote wood, sourced out of Mexico. The spring's tension is perfect, coming in at a good 6. This makes it stiff enough to feel secure, but not so stiff that I'd become fearful of a break.
Overall, Michael has done it again, with yet another outstanding example of Sheffield craftsmanship.
‪@SteelCityKnives‬ An excellent channel run by an excellent fellow. And one who has actually discussed this exact knife! Go give it a watch!
#britishblades
#edc
#gentleman
#knives

[@philipwinter8729]

Beautiful!! That's a Barlow to me.

[@TheKnifeRaven]

Much agreed! After all, who am I to tell a Sheffield Craftsman whether or not his knife is a Barlow? Cheers!

[@allancrotch2953]

lovely wood covers.

[@TheKnifeRaven]

Absolutely! Cheers, as always!

[@davidkurle5418]

That knife looks amazing!! Thanks for showing it off, buddy!

[@TheKnifeRaven]

I'm happy you liked it! Cheers, as always!

[@RandysWSG]

Quite a bueaty! I love that wood!

[@TheKnifeRaven]

I sure love it! Thanks for stopping by. Cheers!

[@TheMartialist]

Great video!!! Keep’em coming!

[@TheKnifeRaven]

Thanks for stopping by! Cheers!

[@Theknifenutbige]

Nice 😮

[@TheKnifeRaven]

Thanks! 😁 Cheers!

[@64Sq]

sweet knife :)

[@TheKnifeRaven]

Absolutely! Cheers!

[@rowlandbrant674]

Beautiful knife you have there from Michael. I have four of Michael's knives, Barlows in Oak and Stag, an Ettrick in Stag and a Lamb's Foot in Spalted Beech,and they are pretty much perfect.I love the feel of his knives in the hand. I would describe them as substantial. Interesting how his Barlows have a slight swayback handle whereas other Sheffield makers have the curve slightly downwards.

[@TheKnifeRaven]

You have an impressive collection by the sounds of it! I'm happy to see someone else feel the same way about Michael's knives. I really adore their style. His Barlow is quite different from the 'norm, but I don't mind that fact. Cheers, as always!

[@slick_slicers]

I reviewed a Michael May Lambsfoot in Bocote wood and a Barlow in a Burlwood three years ago. Both were really nice knives. I think I’ve about eight of Michael’s knives and they are all pretty close to perfect. If I was buying knives currently, I would likely add some more. Great review of a lovely knife again.

[@TheKnifeRaven]

I've watched all of your M. May videos and I remember those two quite clearly. My knives from Michael haven't really been "perfect" in the literal sense, but they have always been perfect to me. I can love them despite the little faults here and there, as long as the faults don't hinder the knife's performance! I've been hoping to catch up on some of your videos, as I've missed quite a few! Cheers, as always!

[@ianrankin1293]

Excellent review as usual. Bocote is a stunning material for pocketknife covers. Looks like you had a great christmas mate!🙂

[@TheKnifeRaven]

I had a great Christmas, indeed! And I hope the same for you, my friend. Thanks for stopping by! Cheers!

[@elanrhys3178]

Michael May uses 420 for his backsprings and 01 tool steel for the blades usually, hope this helps. What a lovely knife and handle material, what a gift!

[@TheKnifeRaven]

Thanks for clarifying that! This is indeed, an outstanding knife, and one I am very grateful to have. Cheers!

[@zworm2]

Always liked a Barlow. My EDC is a TL 29 by Camillus. I find it very useful with the lock on one blade with the screwdriver and a very sharp other blade. There are many makers but I believe Camillus and the older the better is the best. There are also three blade versions. Some scales are wood but most are bakelite or another plastic they have a loop also. I buy mine online used.

[@TheKnifeRaven]

I have yet to purchase a Camillus, but I've heard good things about them. Barlows are one of the best patterns for collecting, as there are just so many makers and variations of them...you could never get bored of Barlows! Cheers!

[@zworm2]

@@TheKnifeRaven Camillus is a well known maker. The TL29 is a so called electrician knife. Barlow pattern is a very old style. Pocket knives and pen knives are so interesting and important through history.

[@Careoran]

Beautiful Knife, love the bocote wood, though the clippoint is a little bit to pronounced for my taste, but still, a work of art :) all the best & cheers from Germany

[@TheKnifeRaven]

Ah! Hello again! I can certainly understand the preference for less pronounced blades, as after all...my Taylor's Slim Barlows are some of my favourite knives, and those aren't 'aggressive' at all. Cheers, as always!

[@Careoran]

@@TheKnifeRaven oh I absolutely agree, two of my old-time-favorites-never-gonna-leave-my-collection-knives are the Taylor's Eye Witness Barlow's in Desert Ironwood and one in Buffalohorn, both made by the master Lee White himself :)

[@SteelCityKnives]

Hi mate. Brilliant review as always! I know you say you like to do the knife justice. You sure did! I like when you said lamb foot or lambsfoot. You must have seen the same forum as me. Two knife lovers were kicking off big time about the terminology 😂😅😂. To the point they were insulting each other over it 😂. We are a funny breed for sure. Sounds like you had a good Christmas. Wishing you all the best for the new year my friend! Speak to you soon. 🫡 Thanks for the shout-out

[@TheKnifeRaven]

That's absolutely hilarious. I read that *EXACT* forum thread and remember it clearly. We sure are strange, getting so worked up over one letter in a name! 🤣 Lamb(s)foot! I had a great Christmas and I hope you did too. May the new year be a good one! Cheers as always, my friend.

[@SeanT_1967]

Been looking forward to this one ….😎 What a fantastic example of Michael May’s work 🔥🔥🔥😎 Love the Bocote wood…. looks fantastic…😎 Brilliant video.. as a UK guy… thank you for showing your Sheffield knives 😎🙏🏻 Look forward to the next video… Thanks mate🙏🏻

[@TheKnifeRaven]

As long as I'm around...I'll still be buying and discussing Sheffield cutlery! This was a fun video to make. I always get so excited to talk about Michael's knives and this was no exception! Cheers, as always!

[@John..18]

What a lovely knife, thank you for showing us this one,. Totally agree with you about the quirks of a handmade knife, I'm very proud of my Ergonomic,, Incidentally, it too had the same sharp raised back spring, which caught a nail, but was easy to fix with a few minutes, and some wet and dry paper,, !, (I think the back springs are stainless) I was seriously considering a MM Ettrick, in the Bocote, but funds are tight at the moment, 😭,, Just one other nit pick on my Ergonomic, after a few weeks, I can now catch a nail on the pins and bolsters, almost as if the bog oak covers have "shrunk".. I've emailed Michael, about how to fix it, but as yet no reply,, (no surprise there, his communication is very poor,,) just wondering if you, (or anyone reading this) has had a similar problem with a MM knife.?.. and if so, any ideas on a solution.?... Anyway, another great video, and wishing you a Happy New Year, and all the best for the future,, Cheers,,, John 😊

[@TheKnifeRaven]

Firstly, thanks for the lengthy comment! I always appreciate the chance to respond to these. The raised spring, for starters, is fairly common to encounter. Most often, it doesn't hinder the knife in the slightest. Although it can occasionally be a problem if the spring is sharp and digs into the user's hand! Thankfully, there's no such issue on my copy, thus removing the need to sand it down. As for Michael's Ettricks, I can safely say they're worth a buy. (At some point!) Were you planning on choosing the Wharncliffe? Or the Pruner blade? As for the handle on your Ergonomic, this is perfectly natural and I doubt it's anything to be concerned about. Wood swells and shrinks, Bog Oak being no exception. Your knife likely could do with a bit of oil, as I find a well-oiled handle to be generally smoother overall. I can't say whether or not this will make the pins 'perfect' again, but it's worth a try. Most of my M. May knives have had at least a minimal level of raise. In fact, after filming this video, I found the bottom pins on this knife were protruding slightly. Again, it doesn't bother me *too* much, but it does seem to be common with natural handles on handmade knives. Michael's communication is perhaps his greatest flaw, but I recall him mentioning getting an assistant to help him with correspondence...Here's hoping to that! Again, thanks again for watching and taking the time to comment. I really appreciate it. Cheers and Happy New Year!

[@John..18]

@@TheKnifeRaven Thanks for the tips, I think I'll give it a good oiling, and see what happens,, there shouldn't be a problem with the difference in humidity etc, as his workshop is only just over an hours drive from me,, lol.. As for the Ettrick, it would definitely be the Wharncliffe version, ha ha,,, Incidentally, I sent him a few emails asking if I could pick it up from the workshop, and on the third email, he actually replied, and said no problem, he would let me know when the knife was ready, a couple of weeks later, and without any notification, the knife arrived by carrier,, out of the blue,, All the best, and keep up the good work for 2024,, cheers,,,

[@lewisgreenway5065]

Clip point not my favourite type but that is a good looking knife in all respects, good review as always and a happy new year to you sir.

[@TheKnifeRaven]

To each his own. Thanks for watching and Happy New Year! Cheers!

[@ed.barker7069]

That Bocote wood looks lovely. I'm tempted to get a MM lamb(s)foot with it. Like Lewis in the comments section I'm not really a fan of clip points but i do find MM's Clayton Barlow very appealing. Is that going to be your next surprise MM? PS. Did you take advantage of Heinnie's 10% off deal on Christmas day?

[@TheKnifeRaven]

I'd love to get the Clayton...but I don't have one...yet. Sadly, I didn't use the coupon. But I've gotten quite a few new knives, recently. So it's not like I'm deprived! 😅 I'd highly suggest one of Michael's Lamb(s)foots...perhaps one will be featured, soon! 🤔 Only time will tell... Cheers, as always!

[@ed.barker7069]

@@TheKnifeRaven 😁