Barlow Pocket Knife

The Barlow pocket knife is a great option for everyday carry. Compact and simple, the Barlow is perfect for anyone desiring a rugged pocket knife.The Barlow folding knife was one of the most ubiquitous jackknife designs of the American frontier. Examples of Barlow or Barlow-like jackknives have been found at archaeological sites across the United States. From Shawnee encampments to American trading posts and soldiers packs, the Barlow found a home nearly everywhere. One example housed by the Missouri historical society was carried by a Revolutionary War soldier named William Depew, killed by the British in 1781. During the war, New York and New Hampshire made it compulsory for their soldiers to carry a Barlow knife of some sort.

A tremendous number of cheap Barlows were manufactured in the Stannington district, near Sheffield, by several firms; so many came from there that the name Stannington Barlow was coined. A Barlow knife is a jackknife, of course, that dates back to the seventeenth century. The distinguishing feature is the extra long bolster. Legend has it that the brothers Barlow designed this feature to give strength to the cheapest jackknife they could make. Other manufacturers adopted the long bolster, and their knives also became known as Barlows. The type is still on the market and is still named Barlow.

Carl P. Russell, Firearms, Traps & Tools of the Mountain Men, page 221-22

Americana Pipedream is proud to continue the legacy of the Barlow jackknife. We carry three variations of Barlow on our store, each with a different grip material: Horn, simulated stag (genuine bone) and wood. Starting at only $14.99, they remain a nostalgic carry knife for those enjoyers of American colonial and frontier history.

• Made of 420 High Carbon Stainless Steel
• Made in Pakistan and China