Why Traditional Barlow Knives Are My Favorite Pocketknife

[@LastBastian]

My grandpa passed in 82. A handful of his knives sat rusting in a shed for 25'ish years before I found them. One was an Imperial Barlow just like yours here. I cleaned, oiled, and sharpened it up. Man, that thing is solid. Takes a fantastic edge, holds it well, is a serious slicer! I can't believe how affordable these great little knives were, and still are!

[@workbenchknifeandtool]

While Imperial knives aren't that fancy, they perform very well! What a wonderful heirloom to have! Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@RT-wq8bd]

I have my Grandfather's Imperial Barlow, Providence RI.I first watched him use it in 1962. ❤

[@workbenchknifeandtool]

@@RT-wq8bd nice. What a great memory.

[@RexApplegate]

Nice video, and nice spiffy vintage barlows! I didn't know craftsman ever made them. I have over a hundred knives. An american built Imperial Barlow is definitely among the cheapest. I wrote this to explain why it's also my most cherished. My grandpa was a fighting man, a warrior on luzon. He took back the islands from the army of the rising sun. Then the war was over, so he handed in his guns and gear. It was time for a better, brighter tomorrow. He packed his sack, he went on back. He bought a home and a little Imperial Barlow. All my life he kept that knife on his basement bench. It was a happy place of fun with a pleasant musty stench. It was always there for him when it was time to wrench. He taught me to wire motors and solder when I was a little kid. No one else would, so he knew he should, but he forgot the tube was hot and not just the tip. He set his iron down on that old blade, and melted its plastic grip. When he fell ill and died it was still there on that table. Mine to take and keep as long as I am able. We all know he and grandma watch over us every day from heaven, so his Barlow is on display as the centerpiece of my knife collection.

[@workbenchknifeandtool]

Wow, what a cherished knife that must be. Some may not understand but those kind of momentos give us a connection to someone we loved and bring back memories that otherwise are forgotten. Thank you for sharing your story and taking the time to do so in poetry. Nice!

[@ronanderson7078]

Ok

[@wizardofahhhs759]

They were made by Schrade for Craftsman, Camillus prolly made them too.

[@brucepierce4971]

I have a Case Barlow style knife that has a bottom holster redbone .was a gift from my father I was 8 years old knife is 1960,s still have 55 years later.

[@workbenchknifeandtool]

Wow, that's a long time! The only pocket knife I got as a kid and still have is a small, single blade, liner lock Schade penknife. Thanks for watching!

[@irreccon]

My dad gave me a Swiss army knife which isn't really collectable but I lost it somewhere being a dumb kid. I would love to get it back.

[@crawwwfishh3284]

The knife doctor bought a case Barlow for five bucks. He looked it up in his outdated book. In 2004 it was worth 800 bucks.

[@IGmeanwell]

My dad carried an inexpensive Barlow with him everywhere. He passed in 2020 after years of Battling various complications of severe COPD. I received his Imperial Barlow shortly after with its narrowed frame, smoothed scales and bent/straightened tarnished primary blade from decades of use. I take it out every so often to use it for nostalgic purposes and to think of my dad. I then strop it, wipe it down and put it back in my knife roll for another day. I still want a modern Barlow but with modern conveniences as I own plenty of slip joints. Boker will have a flipper Barlow with Nitro V come out this year and I’m thinking of ordering it. Good video!

[@workbenchknifeandtool]

What a wonderful momento to have from your father. Thank you for watching and sharing this part of your life with us.

[@joetraynham2081]

I also like Barlow's. I have about 150 in display cases. Good video.

[@workbenchknifeandtool]

Wow, that's a lot of Barlows! Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@ivancho5854]

There's indeed something special about a Barlow, though a Canoe comes a close second IMHO. I carry a Swiss Army Knife daily however because I couldn't do without the scissors. Honestly I use the scissors more than twice as often as the blades! Now a Barlow with scissors... 😁👍

[@workbenchknifeandtool]

I like it!

[@philipstephan5451]

Yes, i one hundred percent agree with you about the barlow pocket knife being for me just the rite size, pocket cary and every thing it has to offer. When i was young, say, six to eight years old my grandfather was working on his ford tractor, he was a farmer. I remember him using his barlow to scrape old gasket matierial with it. From then on i always asked him to see his barlow. Thank you for your video, brought back memories. Stay safe take care.😊

[@workbenchknifeandtool]

I am glad I brought back some find memories. Thank you for watching and commenting too!

[@wizardofahhhs759]

I have an old Craftsman Barlow with Imperial marked blades, prolly not all that rare or valuable but it is kinda unusual and cool to have.

[@workbenchknifeandtool]

Interesting! Sears used a number of manufacturers. Maybe not that rare but Craftsman knives are interesting to collect! Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@ToolTechGeek]

A nice story and memories. There's something to be said about a design that persisted for centuries.

[@workbenchknifeandtool]

Indeed there is! Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@cheesymoonworkshop]

I'm a fellow Barlow fan. I can remember getting $3.00 from cashing in pop bottles and milk bottles in the late 60s. I went to the Kresge 5 and dime and bought my first Barlow. That knife was lost in lake Erie in 1975.

[@workbenchknifeandtool]

I cashed in many a pop bottle myself! Great story! Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@fredcolon2341]

Me too, I always had a liking for Barlow knives and I don't care who made them, I like the style, and it is a small simple little knife for basic use .

[@workbenchknifeandtool]

Barlow knives are very popular and for good reason. Thanks for watching!

[@TheBlueRoan316]

I guess I was between 10 and 12 year old and my brother and I were playing in the yard (as children did back in the late 70's). A long a fence, near a drainage ditch my foot caught on something. I looked down and it was a pocket knife jammed blade down all the way to the bolster into the ground. I felt like I'd found Excalibur as I pulled it from the earth. The blade was carbon steel and rusty from it's time in the elements. Barlow was embossed on the bolster. To my great surprise Mom let me keep it. My grandfather cleaned it up for me, took most of the dings out of the blades and put an edge on them. It went fishing with me every weekend. I don't know what became of that knife. I went away to university and never saw it again. I suppose, like the Excalibur of legend, it returned to the Lady of the Lake from whence it came. Maybe it's time for me to pick up a newer Barlow for my collection.

[@workbenchknifeandtool]

I love that story! Yes, you should definitely get another! Thanks for watching and sharing your story.

[@user-Bladewalker]

Pretty cool barlows I like a barlow but didnt for years for whatever reason but now I have 2 case and a bear and son large barlow. Thank you for sharing😅

[@workbenchknifeandtool]

Thank you for watching and commenting!

[@TRONABORON]

Growing up as a kid in the 70's, Western Auto had some amazing displays of these types of knives...

[@workbenchknifeandtool]

Western Auto was a favorite store!

[@shadowstalker130666]

Love a good barlow for whittling. One of my faves has a sheepsfoot main blade.

[@workbenchknifeandtool]

A sheepsfoot, interesting! What brand is it? Thank you for watching!

[@shadowstalker130666]

@workbenchknifeandtool its a Sabre Japan.

[@workbenchknifeandtool]

@@shadowstalker130666 wow, interesting!

[@davidsilva8695]

I have a similar story-had one as a boy, lost after umpteen moves, and now I’ve gone a little crazy with collecting old (and new) Barlows.

[@workbenchknifeandtool]

Can't have too many Barlows!

[@Roosterdad50]

Great video! A really good place to get Barlow's is Smoky Mountain Knife Works. They carry the Rough Rider brand. Their Barlow's are beautiful and surprisingly inexpensive. I have collected various Barlow's over the years and I can't really explain the attraction but I feel the same way about vintage VW Beetles and Pugs. Take care! : )

[@workbenchknifeandtool]

There is something about a Barlow... Thanks for watching!

[@afprojektcz]

Really beautiful knives that can cut👍👌

[@workbenchknifeandtool]

I agree! Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@afprojektcz]

@@workbenchknifeandtool 😊

[@mathewgoebel4078]

I've always had Barlow's growing up always been a Barlow fan but I find myself switching to the canoe thanks for the video

[@workbenchknifeandtool]

I guess I need to Iook at a canoe. Others have mentioned that, too. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@chandude3]

should check out the Remington granddaddy barlow "the cowboy" its made by GEC and its phenomenal, it is pricey though

[@MrRugercat45]

Go try some of the Rough Ryder knives from Smoky Mountain Knife Works. They have the Classic Carbon series in yellow handle or micarta also “cinnamon bone” (jigged bone that looks like stag) these knives are guaranteed and really nicely made for a crazy price. Sure, made in China but y’know back in the day the made in Ireland knives were considered “cheap junk” and were the equivalent of our Chinese junk. Even the US made in Providence, R.I. knives with the stamped bolsters were cheaply made and it’s only because of the passage of time that our views have changed. The Rough Ryders are well worth the money and really well made, I’m impressed.

[@workbenchknifeandtool]

I have looked the Rough Ryder knives. I may have to buy one to check them out. Thanks for watching!

[@crashingstoans7907]

Yep I like Rough Rider knives. Well made. Hold a good edge.

[@artawhirler]

I'm a huge fan of Rough Ryder and have a bunch of them - I guess you could almost call it a "collection" now! 😅 But seriously, I don't think anybody has ever regretted buying a Rough Ryder! I love those things!

[@jonlouis2582]

Really enjoyed this video, thanks for sharing. I actually never really liked this pattern, but after carrying many different knives I've come to prefer it.

[@workbenchknifeandtool]

Glad you enjoyed the video! Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@hettro-cv6082]

Good video! I just looked at my Barlow and it is stamped "Imperial" What is the significance of two pins vs three pins on the handle? My knife has three. My Dad had a Barlow so I had to have one!

[@garyjohnson7133]

I wish I still had all the Barlows my daddy gave me.

[@workbenchknifeandtool]

I can appreciate that. So many things my father gave me I wish I still had...

[@void1984]

Thank you for the video. How useful do you find the pen blade? I have Boker with a single blade.

[@workbenchknifeandtool]

I tend to use the pen blade more than the larger clip or spear point blade, but that's just me. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@bushleague3472]

Wondering what the official difference is between a Barlow and a Trapper? I recently came into some old knives and one is a Ka-bar that I'd call a Trapper, but maybe its a Barlow? Also a couple ones that also have an awl, no brand name but they are stamped "USA" and the carbon steel takes a nice edge.

[@workbenchknifeandtool]

The Barlow is generally shorter than a Trapper and has a longer bolster. The overall shape is also somewhat different with the Trapper having sort of a knob shape at the end where the Barlow is kind of a teardrop shape.

[@pitsnipe5559]

Had an Imperial Barlow as a teenager. Don’t know what ever happened to it. Carry one today, made by Queen with a hardwood scales.

[@workbenchknifeandtool]

Queen makes some nice pocket knives. Nice!

[@clf5068]

I do have , 2 like those Imperials

[@timothyjackson2186]

I have a Barlow Sabre from Ireland good bones no side plates can you suggest a place to replace them

[@workbenchknifeandtool]

There are no sources for original plates but companies like Jantz Supply knifemaking.com has materials to make new plates from. It will probably be easier to find another knife but the Sabres fro Ireland aren't too common.

[@clf5068]

I am in Lee county Alabama....looking for more used knives

[@randyhos7673]

new to collecting what kind of oil to use to preserve carbon steel and stainless

[@workbenchknifeandtool]

@@randyhos7673 I use Japanese Camelia oil. It is the preferred oil for protecting Japanese cutlery and tools. I find it works well on all steels. Here is an Amazon link where you can get it. amzn.to/3Bumepl

[@lukeweather]

I have 3 Barlow knifes

[@richardmcginnis5344]

western fixed blade knives has a huge following and are very collectable, i would think more than case as far as collecting vintage or antique fixed blades goes... and craftsman was made by schrade for the longest time until schrade sold out to china and are now made there

[@workbenchknifeandtool]

I have a West Mark 702 (video coming soon) and Western 648 (I have a video on that one) they made really nice knives. Their pocket knives don't have as much of a following and are a really good deal in many cases.

[@clf5068]

Had Barlow's since...1965

[@clf5068]

Can I get new blades? For my Barlow's?

[@clf5068]

Your prices, for knives?

[@jamesomalley4556]

Barlow is a good looking knife.

[@workbenchknifeandtool]

I couldn't agree more!

[@user-Bladewalker]

Yes sir not a problem

[@markewings7525]

I only know of barlow knives from reading Huckleberry Finn

[@artawhirler]

That was where I first heard of them too! But being just a kid at the time, I really didn't have much of an idea what they actually looked like. My Dad explained that it was a folding pocket knife. He had a few different pocket knives himself, but no Barlow, so I never actually saw one until much later.

[@lawrencefranck9417]

I found an imperial Barlow recently

[@workbenchknifeandtool]

Nice! Is it USA or Ireland made?

[@lawrencefranck9417]

@@workbenchknifeandtool ireland

[@davidfranks3141]

My first knife waS A JAPANESE sABRE BARLOW.I was 8, am almost 61 n0w.Needs a good sharpening

[@workbenchknifeandtool]

Sabre pocket knives were pretty good! I've had a few over the years and they performed well. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@michaelbeams9553]

👍.

[@clf5068]

From ...: Charles L Formby

[@ilijabosnjak76]

Just because You like them it doesn't mean I do...I couldn't care less,knife is a knife,now if you prefer fancy that's fine I don't give a flying Fokk how pretty scales are..Any SAK is just as good if not better...

[@workbenchknifeandtool]

To each his own. If you are unhappy with my videos you should start your own channel and make content you like.

[@ilijabosnjak76]

@@workbenchknifeandtool Ohh No.. I don’t have time or energy to talk about knives,like you said Each to its own hence I live in Canada and only place you can get a knife is either Canadian Tire,Cabelas or Amazon. I have decent selection of knives in my possession..The Barlows are something in the pocket but only for show because scales are nice but do you actually use it?? I could feel anger in your response 😂😂😂 don’t waste your energy I admire your passion but as I said Knife is a Knife and I EDC Swiss pocket knife everyday. I like slip joint knives.. Now between us,if you want killa knoife get Cold Steel Kudu mon,no wrong…

[@tcc300892]

You need to learn some manners.

[@LastBastian]

​@@ilijabosnjak76Why are you here? You're into watching videos about things you don't care about, then rant in the comments about how much you don't care, and brag about how ignorant you are on the subject? ...what an odd thing to do. Must have a lot of time on your hands, and no passion or hobbies to fill it with.