Category: Best Pocket Knives

10 Quick Tips About Barlow Knives

Boker Magnum King Barlow
Boker Magnum King Barlow

This is America’s favorite knife. Every man wants a barlow.

Barlow Knives are popular and loved world-wide since the 1600’s. Since there is a shortage of information on them, let me fill you in.

  1. Barlow is a Style of pocket knife, not a company.
  2. Many companies, in the USA and around the world make the Barlow style of knife.
  3. The quality varies from knife to knife, since they are made by many different companies.
  4. There is no one guarantee on a Barlow knife, since they are made by different factories. Each manufacturer sets their own warranty policy.
  5. Barlow knives come in a wide range of prices.
  6. Barlow knives come in a variety of handle (scale) material.
  7. They have 1 or 2 blades.
  8. They  may have a lockback mechanism for safety, but most of them don’t.
  9. They all have a subtle teardrop shape, to fit in your palm comfortably.
  10. They all have a large metal bolster to add rigidity to the handle. It is usually nickel plated.
Bear & Son Barlow bc2281r
Bear & Son Barlow bc2281r

 

 

Secret–The Best Pocket Knife in the USA

This will surprise many people, especially the Buck Knife diehards. Everyone knows that the Buck 110 Folding Hunter Knife is the gold standard of pocket knives. But is it the best pocket knife? There is another USA-made pocket knife just like it, for about half the price. The Kutmaster 5″ Lockback. It is made in the USA by union craftsmen. Click on the picture for more details.

Kutmaster 5" Lockback with Brass Bolsters & Stainless Blade 15-17101L
Kutmaster 5″ Lockback with Brass Bolsters & Stainless Blade 15-17101L

 

 

 

Why is the price so much lower than a Buck knife? I asked Kutmaster, and here’s what they said. “Our brand is not a well-known as Buck, so we have to charge less.” Want to save more money? You can buy it without a sheath, saving close to $10 on your purchase. This combination of quality, USA-made, and price, make it the best pocket knife in the USA. I recommend trying this knife. You’ll like it.

The 4 Best Pocket Knives in 2016

Pocket knives are so popular because they are collector items. Other reasons are: They are useful, portable, made of steel, helpful in self defense, a powerful tool in a small package, and made of interesting handle materials. In our opinion, the best pocket knives in 2016 are these. Our selection is based on popularity with our customers, and our own opinion on the quality put into these beautiful knives. In alphabetical order, they are:

BLANK ONLY-Boker Magnum King Barlow 01MB559DAM Boker Magnum King Barlow 01MB559DAM

The Boker Magnum King Barlow 01MB559DAM is styled after the antique barlow knives made in the 1600’s in England. This design of a subtle teardrop shape fits well into the hand. Like all barlows, it is 3 3/8″ closed, and has an over-sized bolster. The burl wood scales (handle) add much character. The pinnacle of its beauty is the genuine damascus blade. It also has a lockback mechanism. This is a safety feature not found on the original barlow knives.

110b.jpg Buck Folding Hunter Lockback Knife 110

By far, the pocket knives of all pocket knives is the Buck 110 Folding Hunter Lockback. Its size, weight, composition, extra sharp stainless steel blade, and wooden handle with stainless steel bolsters make it the king of pocket knives. When someone asks for a Buck knife, this is the one they are referring to.  USA-Made.

zippo clone Case Executive Lockback 7200

Case has been making pocket knives by hand since 1889. Located in the woods of Pennsylvania, they take pride in the hand-made tradition. The 7200 Executive Lockback is the top seller. People like it because it is the right size and shape for a man’s pocket. There are no sharp edges on the handle to cut into your pocket. The stainless steel blade comes super sharp, and it is easy to keep sharp your whole life. USA-Made.

1620-engraved-camo-scallion-smooth Kershaw “Scallion” Knife, Camo 1620

The classy Kershaw Scallion Camo 1620 knife satisfies both the camo lovers and the knife collectors. The patented Speedsafe opening mechanism makes it fun to open with one hand. No worry, there is a tip safety lock to prevent accidental opening. A removable pocket clip makes this knife a real keeper. USA-Made.

The USA’s 3 Best Pocket Knives

Without a doubt, the best-selling USA-made pocket knives are the Buck Folding Hunter 110, the Case Executive Lockback 7200, and the Kershaw Scallion Knife, Camo 1620. These are the best pocket knives to have laser engraved with your logo and give to your best clients. Your customers will absolutely love these 3 knives because they are American made, and because they are made by companies with a strong US tradition of quality.

 

110b.jpg Buck Folding Hunter Lockback Knife 110

The Buck 110 was first made 50 years ago, and is still a top seller. It is the perfect size, shape, and material. It’s as American as apple pie.

zippo clone Case Executive Lockback 7200

Case has been making knives since 1889 deep in the hills of Bradford PA. Each knife is still made by hand by master craftsmen.

1620-engraved-camo-scallion-smooth Kershaw “Scallion” Knife, Camo 1620

Kershaw, a proud US knife company was founded in 1974. They are a real newcomer, but have established a remarkable reputation with their USA-made knives. They also have some of the models made overseas to their exacting specifications.

The History of Buck Knives

110 Buck Folding Hunter Lockback
110 Buck Folding Hunter Lockback

Buck Knives go way back to 1902. The inventor, Hoyt Buck, from Kansas, started out as an apprentice blacksmith. He got obsessed with finding a way to temper steel so that it could be made into a better knife blade. A blade that would hold a sharp edge longer than previous blades. He started making custom Buck knives in 1902 out of old file blades. In 1945 he and his wife moved to San Diego. There, his son Al Buck started a partnership with him to produce Buck knives. The company was called H. H. Buck and Son.  After Hoyt died, Al  decided to incorporate, and started Buck Knives, Inc. in 1961. The most famous offspring of this important knife company was made in 1964–the Buck Folding Hunter model 110. We celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2014. This wood handled lockback knife is the pocket knife that is synonymous with the Buck company. If someone says Buck Knife, this is the knife they are referring to. It is often imitated by other knife companies.

Today, in 2016, the 3rd and 4th generation of the Buck family are involved in the successful business. CJ Buck is the president and CEO today (and since 1999), and is the grandson of Al Buck. He took over in 1999 from his dad, Chuck Buck, who later died in 2015.

The secret to the sharpness of a Buck knife lies in the heat treating process that Paul Bos developed in 1956. It is a process of heating then freezing, then re-heating of the steel. Paul retired in 2010 from Buck, but the process is still used. Bos received the Blade Magazine Industry Achievement Award in 2007 for his involvement in heat treating technology.

Hoyt Buck about 1948.
Hoyt Buck about 1948.