Barlow Knife: The Every Man's Knife

[@itsawonderfulknife7031]

Nice reference to Mors Kochanski. “The more you know, the less you carry.”

[@nakmuay7705]

i carry my grandpop's old barlow with bone handle every day. i love it for it's simplicity, toughness, and minimalist yet classic stylish looks.

[@scdevon]

A gentleman's pocket knife before the days of ridiculous "tactical" everything.

[@jamesaritchie1]

A Barlow is the exact opposite of a gentleman's knife. A gentleman's knife has one blade, and is meant for show, not work. The Barlow was specifically designed as a dirt cheap working knife for the poor. It cost a few pennies, but was durable, strong, and became popular because of this.

[@casecutlerykid2095]

James Ritchie yes when it was first made its purpose was for working folk but now they put fancy handle scales and etch designs on the bolster for them to carry in a fancy restaurant

[@Lex5576]

Just one problem scdevon.....there aren't many "gentlemen" left in existence these days. Most are savages, myself included LOL!

[@CountDoucheula]

NGL though, if someone made a trapper model with a one-handed clip blade, I'd buy three.

[@ike780]

Great job. It's good to see a review where you use the knife

[@tnoutdoordudes]

Case just made a year long run on Barlow's last year and they are pretty popular.there is a bunch of other companies making them also.i have one and it surprised me how small it is but it's still very practical and usefull for its size.to be a slip joint it has got very strong springs

[@Gogogordy1]

Great video...good info and super production quality. Your leatherwork is admirable as well.

[@Gearaholic]

Thanks, I try to keep my content fun and interesting.

[@marmooki]

I have a really old Barlow that my dad found in a parking lot the markings on the blade are Kutmaster Utica.ny made in U.S.A.

[@mwillblade]

I have over three hundred knives, my favorite working knife is my cheap old-timer Barlow.

[@DeanO]

I very much enjoyed the history lesson my friend and great knife also

[@Gearaholic]

+Dean O Glad you enjoyed it! More videos on the way!

[@jeffreymossien6638]

I just bought ( probably one of the last) two blade barlow made by Queen. The clip blade could use some sharpening other than that, it is amazing.

[@stevek8829]

I like the ad for the knife and whittler kit. Over 100 years ago they could market a knife to the age boy in the pic with the expectation he would use it responsibly for its purpose-and practice a skill. I don't think kids have changed, but society.

[@brucedavidson5400]

Pull this old Barlow out in front of a liberal and they'll cry terrorism.

[@janetowens7288]

@@brucedavidson5400 this liberal has 15 barlow knives. Just stfu and keep your political wetdreams to yourself.

[@AnonymousUser-bp9no]

@@janetowens7288 He isn't wrong. Around where I live, people get unnerved around a Victorinox. You're just an outlier.

[@janetowens7288]

@@AnonymousUser-bp9no i live in Georgia. Guns and knives are just an everyday thing so to speak, regardless of your politics

[@tennesseesmoky9012]

Still a top notch video showing the versatility of the Barlow knife pattern.

[@joshuaraffensperger3592]

The Barlow pocket knife has been around since 1670 and became popular in the US around 1875. George Washington owned a Barlow Pocket Knife.

[@gtb2710]

Great Video........the Barlow is a Great Knife......Thanks

[@Gearaholic]

It sure is, thanks!

[@alexfogg236]

I have three barlow knives, and always looking for more classic pocket knife patterns.

[@brianfuller7691]

Barlow knives are iconic

[@jamesaritchie1]

They're also not real Barlow knives. Their legal counterfeits. The only real Barlow is still made in Sheffield, England on the same site that started making them almost four hundred years ago.

[@casecutlerykid2095]

James Ritchie you and I seem to like the same types of knives I see you every where

[@trynsurviven2440]

I find myself drawn back to the older knife styles. I have grown tired of the tactical look.

[@larryacord5497]

The tactical knives are ugly and useless trash used by greenhorns.

[@BX138]

Me too, that's why I EDC a Leatherman PST.

[@bwxbwx6453]

Well this was a hidden gem

[@paulie4x1]

Say Heah after watching a few videos on pocket knives, I decided I wanted a Barlow pattern pocket knife, A few weeks ago I found a brand new Schrade 2blade Scrimshaw Barlow it's a beauty.

[@toml.8210]

What do you catch with a hook that's 2 inches long?

[@GunCollector007]

Great video!!

[@cruz25617]

Give it to me straight doc... just bought a Barlow for $6, says made in pakistan. Is it authentic?

[@Gearaholic]

Probably not, but I am no expert on Barlows... I would checkout the knife forums for more info on barlows.

[@jonkalashnikov2625]

I study barlows from all over, it is my specialty when it comes to vintage knives. A barlow made in Pakistan is still a barlow, but it is worth very little. It's like buying a cheap knife from China. Some American barlows can also be cheap too, though not as cheap like $6. Imperial USA Prov. R.I., Imperial Ireland, Stag Ireland, Colonial, and other brands that produce barlows can be purchased fairly cheaply. But since all those companies shut down many years ago, finding one in fairly "new" condition is actually pretty hard. Barlows worth a little more would come from brands like W.R. Case & Sons, Great Eastern Cutlery, George Wostenholm IX-L, and other such brands. At 1:32 in the video, the barlow shown is an Eye Witness barlow from Sheffield, England. Sorry for talking so much, but I hope this information will help you out a bit!

[@panzerfaust5119]

Mr 617 for six bucks it has a high probability of at least cutting un-perforated toilet paper.

[@nervousstranger]

At least you won't have a broken heart when you lose it.

[@timvest8141]

I have one of those I bought years and years ago for $2.99. I just took it out of the box a few days ago. It wouldn't cut hot butter. It took me forever to get it sharp enough to cut paper.

[@szakacselod8452]

Hey! Very nice video! I like the style in which you present it. However if i presume correctly you took some photos and/or a few seconds of footage from Stefan Schmalhaus' video on the Taylor's Eye Whitness Barlow. I think you should mention it in the description at least. If i'm wrong, please excuse me. This doesn't make me like your video less, it is supposed to be only a "heads up". I will gladly watch your other videos too.

[@Gearaholic]

I found some of the photos on line..Didn't even know about that video and it was cool! I will add reference credit to that video because I used some of his photos by mistake. Thanks for saving me some trouble!! P.S. There are not a lot of good photos of Barlows out there!

[@Lex5576]

Taylor's Eye Witness of Sheffield, England......the Rolls Royce of Barlow knives IMHO. Their traditional work knives are also British made, and literally indestructible for a bargain ($25 give or take).

[@southerncomfort7490]

Agreed. One fantastic piece of kit. Not only that, one that you will pass on to the fruit of your loins.

[@jeffreymossien6638]

I have been shopping for a good Barlow knife. Where did you get yours and what is the manufacturer?

[@jamesherrington5606]

Huh, really good production value and content.

[@davidsiegel9847]

Barlow is of English origin. And America, even while making knives, imported large numbers of knives from Sheffield, England. Including Barlows (and Bowies) until well-into the second half of the 19th century. US population growth, and the rapid movement into Native lands, created a demand for knives that was not met domestically.

[@neglekt_official]

That was awesome bro. Subbed.

[@dwainsw4076]

You must be planning to catch a big fish based on the size of the hook. Have you ever caught a fish on a carved hook?

[@KnifeCrazzzzy]

Awesome thanks man!

[@townieoutdoors8121]

Name of those pants dude ?

[@ubertoby]

Are you planning on catching whales with that fish hook? 😂

[@skeetgielen1308]

I found an old camillus electricians knife at an antique store

[@redpillsociety6479]

I’m not sure how well a wooden fishing hook does in water

[@malekpinecone118]

i wanted to see the hook in action lol

[@mayo470]

Nice video. With all the comments on "try catching a fish with that..." What people fail to remember is that people used similar fishhooks for thousands of years and we're successful. Fish are not rocket scientists. Yeah it's easier to catch a fish on a slender steel hook, but this line of thinking is basically saying the only way of cutting a log is with a chain saw. You go catch your big dumb fish with your big wooden hook. Just out of curiosity, I've been unhappy with current productions of Barlow knives lately... How is this one? (build quality, snap, fit and finish). I assume it's made in China, many of the original American brands are. I just returned a Buck Canoe and a Rough Rider Canoe (different knives obviously) both made in China. point being the springs were so soft on these they were almost dangerous. I'm looking for a decent quality Barlow with tighter springs. GEC or Northfield doesn't currently make a production Barlow that I can find, and their older Barlows (Tom's Choice etc.) are wickedly expensive in the secondary market like $150 to upwards of $300, Queen is now closed, Boker is basically 90% miss and 10% hit. Even Boker Solingen is made with Chinese parts or assembled in China, and Case is severely slacking in the quality control department more than they ever have. As far as I know, Rough Rider, Bear and Son, Kissing Crane, Hen and Rooster are currently producing from China (someone correct me if I'm wrong). I don't know much about other traditional knife companies, but I know none of the Chinese traditionals don't even come close to GEC. The Winchester you've shown doesn't seem as mushy to me... I'm looking for a Barlow with stiff springs and a half-stop (if possible). I'd like it not to be made in China (also if possible) but if the quality is good I'll live with it. Having all American made Buck knives, I was very disappointed with the Canoe I received although from reviews I expected so. I had better hopes for the Rough Rider because everybody in the traditional knife community seems to have about them for $20 but I wasn't impressed with the walk and talk and action or the fit and finish for even a $20 knife. Any help from you or other KZbin patrons in the comments is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[@mwillblade]

Bear and Son Barlow is awesome with half ops. It can be had with stainless or carbon steel. Made in Alabama, USA.

[@shaunculwell1989]

I love traditional knives and as a hunter and skin alot of game big to small I carry a big trapper knife. But I work a factory job and do alot of small game hunting and fishing in between big game seasons and carry an old buck stockman my grandpa gave me. But I have never been a fan of the look and feel of a barlow

[@mwillblade]

😱

[@jamesaritchie1]

I collect four patterns of knives, Trapper, Stockman, Hunter, and Barlow. I also use one or another of these knives on an everyday basis. I use the Trapper and the Hunter during the seasons when each has a specific task. The Stockman, with it's three blades, is one of the best carving knives out there, and is even used by professional woodcarvers the world over. It's my everyday carry knife. So why do I also collect Barlow knives? In short, because I love them. I've been told that the idea for the Stockman came from the Barlow. The Stockman has the same two blades, but has a sheepsfoot, as well. It's the sheepsfoot that makes it such a great carving knife. It does the few things the clippoint and pen blade can't do, and between the three of them, you can carve very nearly anything. But the Barlow is special, maybe because I first heard the name while reading Tom Sawyer, maybe because I saw so many older men carrying it when I was a boy, but for whatever reason, it's one of the four patterns I collect.

[@mikepellerin4611]

I collect knives by aesthetic and pattern. I still have my 1968 issued Cub Scout knife. I'm partial to Sunfish, Barlow, Stockmen and Congress. I just recently got back a Buck 110 with sheath from the late 70s.

[@garybrown585]

😊😊😊❤❤❤❤👍👍👍

[@jamesHiggin5]

A history lesson on something with no mention of its place of origin? You managed to say everything about its birth place in the industrial revolution while totally avoiding to say where it came from. Anti-British imperialism has its place but you have to give credit where credit is due, the Barlow knife was invented in England. Its like speaking of Damascus steel and ignoring Syria and the Arabs. Otherwise nicely produced video

[@isaazman123]

thank you for the barlow knife. Now thank us for the internet you're using.

[@jamesHiggin5]

The inventor of the world-wide web Tim Berners-Lee is English. He implemented the first successful communication between a HTTP client and server allowing me to read your previous message and correct your innacuracy

[@isaazman123]

lol you got me. sometimes i feel like we should of let the U boats starve you

[@kukuri007]

I thought it was a little old lady from Leningrad, in her garage. Not true?😁Lol

[@isaazman123]

what if i was talking about ww1 uboats?

[@D5quared91]

So any knife not a tacticool monstrosity is automatically a “gentleman’s knife” nowadays? Stupid!!

[@timvest8141]

No. A knife has to be worthy of the title.

[@jamesaritchie1]

Stamping "Barlow" on a knife doesn't make it one. A Barlow is made in Sheffield, England. What you're holding is not just a counterfeit, it's a cheap piece of junk made out of ultra cheap, crappy steel. Even as counterfeits go, this one is junk. Winchester knives shouldn't even be considered toys, let alone real knives. This is like going to China to buy a Ka-Bar. If you want a Barlow, then buy a Barlow. Don't buy an unbelievably cheap piece of pure crap and say it's a Barlow when it isn't even made in the right country. And good grief, Winchester knife steel is cheaper and crappier that a plastic knife form MacDonald's. Even for made in China steel, what Winchester uses is horrible.

[@PK-mx7nf]

Hahaha. Shut the fuck up

[@trentgentry3929]

The knife shown is actually quite a far cry from the "winchester" knives bought at big box stores. It is manufactured by bluegrass cutlery and is far from cheap. The knives you are thinking of are manufactured by a subsidiary of Gerber. They use Chinese steel. Bluegrass uses high carbon steel, brass liners and nickel steel bolsters.