About Barlow Knives

In the late 1800s, Mark Twain immortalized the Barlow knife in his classic novel, "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer." Tom's cousin, Mary, paid 12 1/2 cents for the knife and had it shipped from St. Louis to give to Tom as a gift. It may not have been able to cut anything, but Tom was ecstatic to own a "sure 'nuff Barlow knife." The two-bladed pocket knife is still a prized possession of boys and men across North America and Europe.

History

Although the Barlow knife is quite popular in the United States, its origins predate the founding of this country by at least a century. Numerous members of various Barlow families have laid claim to the title of inventor of the Barlow knife, but the earliest references appear to award that honor to Obadiah Barlow of Sheffield, England, who crafted his version as early as 1670. The first American version of the Barlow knife was probably manufactured by the John Russell Company of Massachusetts around 1785.

Function

Owners use the Barlow knife for recreational and utilitarian purposes, including whittling, stripping the plastic coating from electrical wiring, cutting rope or fishing line and as a make-shift screwdriver. Dads may use the smaller blade as a leverage tool to help remove a splinter from their child's finger. Kids may balance the Barlow by the larger blade and then let it fall to the ground in a game called Mumble-the-peg.

Features

A Barlow knife is more of a style than a brand name. Originally this handy style of pocket knife featured a single blade that folded down into its handle. Today, most Barlow knives have two folding blades, both on one end of the handle. The master blade is typically larger for rough cutting; the other is a smaller blade known as a pen blade for more delicate work. These knives were originally crafted for working-class men and were sturdy and inexpensive.

Identification

Barlow knives are distinctive in their design. They feature a tear-drop-shaped handle that is narrower at the bolster and wider at the base. The bolster is large, taking up to one-third the length of the handle. Both blades fold into the handle, making the knife convenient to carry in your pocket. The handles can be made from wood, metal or a variety of exotic materials. Some older Barlow knives feature scrimshawed handles and are quite valuable to collectors.

Misconceptions

The Barlow Company currently does not make a Barlow-style knife.

Resources

• Buy Barlow Knives Online