Nigh On Perfect Barlows

 

We live in a golden age of manufacturing. Between the knowledge and capability supplied by science & technology combined with the oversite of a zillion observers on the WWW, it’s hard to make a bad product and stay in business very long. Of course, that doesn’t keep us from arguing about what’s the best. With that in mind, I would like to point out a few Barlow knives that are almost perfect, knives most anyone would be very happy to own. I’m going to start with a high bar and work my way up:

My first entry for consideration is the “Rough Ryder Reserve Red Jigged Bone Original Barlow Folding Knife RRR017RB.” This knife almost has it all, handsome red bone handles, one of the best blades for all round use, the spearpoint, and sturdy D2 steel. The action and feel of the thing screams quality. Any flaws? Just one, it only has a single blade. I can go a long way on a two bladed knife (one larger, the other smaller), before I have to deploy every folder’s more capable brother, the Victorinox. Of course, I knew it only had one blade when I bought it, but it seemed good enough to ignore that fact, and it is. One would be hard pressed to point out a better single blade Barlow.

May be the best looking traditional out there.

Two is the “RoseCraft Beaver Creek Barlow RCT006.” I think Rosecraft’s bourbon bone handles were a real homerun with most folks and they wrap some truly grand knives. I like the way Rosecraft can work within a traditional knife’s parameters and still come up with something that looks unique. Once our plumber asked me if I had a knife he could use. I handed him my Rosecraft Barlow, he looked distinctly unimpressed. Later, he asked me, “Do you still got that razor knife on you?” D2 will get you through. So what’s wrong with this one, besides the single blade? Nothing really, I’d just rather it was a different blade, I’m not crazy about the sheepsfoot.

A real looker.

Which brings us to the “Rosecraft Otter Creek Barlow RCT020.” So very close, I really wanted this one to be the best Barlow ever, and it almost is. The sandalwood handles serve to show off a great knife with a practical D2 Clip Point blade, and a front bolster with an otter paw print, just for giggles. So what’s wrong with this one, Mr. Picky Guy? The nail nick is too far back, I feel like a shorter swedge would have made for an easier opening blade. If you have occasional trouble with nail nicks, I’d look at this one in person before you buy. It could have been the GOAT.

Coulda been a contender.

This may raise some hackles but the “Rough Rider Bluegill Barlow Jigged Bone Folding Knife RR2632” and many of the other RR Barlows are nigh on perfect. Preserving that classic style, these two bladed 440 Barlows do everything a Barlow should do and do it in style. This is the point where I’m supposed to say it’s great “for its price.” I’m not going to say that, these are objectively good knives. (If you don’t like the low price, you can send me some money every time you buy one, that way we’ll both feel better.) Flaws? Just one: The models without nail nicks on the opposite sides can be very difficult to deploy. I hear they are changing that, but they won’t update the catalog pictures, so you’re buying at your own risk. (You know, once you buy a digital camera, the pictures are free.) I think anything new, like the Bluegill is a safe bet. And really, “you need a magnacut Barlow?” Why?

Named for another tiny powerhouse, the freshwater bluegill.

Finally, and this one may really be The Perfect Barlow. The Bear & Son Yellow Delrin Barlow with stainless steel blades is my nominee for perfection: classic scales, two 440 blades, and made in America. So what could be wrong about that? Just that I bought one from Red Hill Cutlery, about a hear and a half ago and haven’t seen any since. That may have been the last USA made Barlow for under 20 bucks in history. Good news though, the carbon steel version is readily available, though I can’t call it perfect because I have never used one. I suspect it may be the real deal.

Where is that bear? This is the carbon steel version.
The stainless model has a B&S medallion and "Barlow" written across the front bolster.

 

Bear & Son Peanut Butter & Jelly Lockback (PBJ05)

 

I received this knife as a Valentines Day present. It was a real surprise. I asked my girlfriend, “Did I tell you about this knife?” “No,” she said. “How did you decide on this knife?” She said, “I went on that site you like, and it was on the home page and I know how much you like peanut butter.” Which is true: pb&j, pb&b, pb&h, pb&p, it’s all good.

As far as I know, Case was the first to make a pb&j themed knife, though it’s limited to the color scheme, still, it always brings a smile. Bear & Son has gone it one better by making scales that actually look like peanut butter and jelly. My girlfriend says it looks just like Jiff, though I think it’s more like Peter Pan. That’s in low light, turn up the light and you get sparkles coming from the “mica pearl,” something I had to look up.

Knifewise, the series comes in a Barlow, two sizes of trapper, a fixed blade, and if you like peanut butter and booze, a beer tender. The series is a collaboration between Bear & Son, Smokey Mountain Knife Works, and custom knife designer/maker Michael Prader. The Lockback, is typical of its type (they are all cousins of the Buck 110), and features a “high carbon stainless blade.” I find the lock to be a bit tough to use, but I have found most lockbacks to be stubborn. The key is to press on the lock lever with your thumb and thumbnail at the same time, going as far down as it will go, which works great. It’s not something you’ll want to do 30 times a day but is fine for casual use. 

Though heavy on novelty value, the lockback version is close enough to a gentleman’s knife to go in the pocket of my sportscoat. The blade came sharp enough for me, but the pivot needed a little oil, and I threw some on the springs and the lock lever, more for good luck than anything else. (I use Hoppe's Number 9 Gun Oil on my knives and you’ll never talk me out of it.)

So there you have it, a good knife with whimsical scales, win win.