Case is probably the best known name in traditional pocket knives, and for good reason; they’ve been making quality knives right here in Pennsylvania for over 100 years. In that time they’ve made countless patterns of knives from large to small, jacks and pen styles, and everything in between. Every year for the past few, Case has brought a particular pattern “out of the vault”. This means that some not recently manufactured pattern is brought back into production for one year.
2019 saw the return of the classic Barlow pattern, and it was a timely choice. Along with, and some might argue a factor in, Great Eastern Cutlery’s rise in popularity the Charlie Campagna TC barlows caught the hearts (and wallets) of countless knife enthusiasts, bringing more and more people in from the tactical / modern knife realms. However, the TC barlows can be difficult to procure on the primary market and can command a high price on the secondary market, so Case’s reintroducing their version of the Barlow pattern came as a timely offering.
Case offered various versions of the venerated barlow throughout the year with several handle materials and blade combinations. There were both single blade (spear or clip point) and double blade (clip and pen, spear and pen) options. All versions had nail nicks and half stops. Most versions had some kind of bolster etch (these are not stamped, like GEC barlows, but some kind of laser etch), although some had plain bolsters.
I first tried a Smoky Mountain Knife Works dealer exclusive single clip point in Smooth Peacock Bone. I was excited for this version because I generally prefer single blade barlows, especially in this case being that the design of the blade shape allowed it to be opened with a pinch grip (rather than using the nail nick). I also found the look of the Peacock Bone to be really aesthetically pleasing, with it’s variations of green and blue in a splotchy random pattern that called to mind a swirling river. I also liked the simple “XX” etch on the bolster. Unfortunately, upon receiving the knife I realized it didn’t meet my quality expectations. There were gaps on both sides of the backspring, but the main issue was major blade play / wobble in the closed position. The blade would actually move from touching one liner all the way over to touching the other. Thankfully, SMKW has an easy and reasonable return policy that I was able to use. I do wish I would have been able to get another before they sold out, but that’s just the way it goes sometimes!
Having had that somewhat negative experience with my first (modern) Case Barlow, I was hesitant to purchase another sight unseen. However, I still wanted to check one out. One obstacle was the fact that Case has insisted on putting shields on many, if not most, of the variations. I can’t stand a shield on a barlow, let alone an unpinned shield. Unpinned shields are a major factor in the scarce representation of Case knives in my collection. I became aware of a Shepherd Hills Cutlery exclusive in Smooth Yellow Synthetic with a very classic “CASE XX” bolster etch. It was a two blade, clip and pen. I would generally have preferred a single blade, but it didn’t have a shield and the price was right. Most of the Case barlows were in the $60 range, whereas this one costs $52 from the dealer. Still, I never pulled the trigger until given the opportunity to get it at a really great price from a knife enthusiast friend.
Upon receiving my second Case Barlow, I immediately recognized that it is a much better example of a quality knife. It has a slight gap on one side of the backspring, but that’s really its only issue. The pen blade came a bit high for my liking, but I’m more sensitive to that than most and it was easily fixed by filing the kick a bit. The blades are both well centered. Both blades have a solid pull just over a 5 out of 10, with nice snappy action. There’s no blade play in either the open or closed positions on either blade. Case edges seem to consistently come from the factory coarser than any other company I’ve tried. It’s actually pretty amazing how coarse the edges come, almost like they use a bench grinder or something. Coarse edges do cut well for general use, but I re-apexed and smoothed them out. Overall, I am very happy with the quality on this knife.
I really enjoy the aesthetic of this particular Case Barlow. Like I said, the etch is very classic and calls to mind the vintage Case barlows. I really enjoy the shape of the clip point. Its shape is different from most clip points that GEC makes, but it has a nice sharp point and a good belly with some straight edge as well. Like the etch, it recalls the vintage Case patterns. Although it’s not the fanciest handle material, the Yellow Synthetic is probably the most recognizable Case handle material and makes for a very utilitarian looking knife and is a great choice for a barlow. Finally, this model has Case’s CV steel. CV, standing for Chrome Vanadium, is Case’s carbon steel. It’s proprietary to Case, but it seems to be 1095 with some low levels of Chrome and Vanadium added, hence the name. I had a couple knives in CV that came to me used, but this is my first knife that I’ve gotten brand new in the steel. Many people swear that it is superior to Case’s stainless, Tru Sharp. So far, I do think it patinas differently and more slowly than plain 1095. I’m looking forward to long seeing how it does in long term use and sharpening. All this comes together to make a Barlow made in 2019 that could easily be mistaken for one made in the early days of Case.
Although it’s not 100% perfect, it’s quite a good classic barlow. It has a lot of traditional features that I really enjoy. It also came at a great price, and is a fair price direct from the dealer in my opinion. It makes for a great user for anyone who likes traditional pocket knives, an every-man knife like the barlows of old. You can get this specific model at this link, as well as several others at Shepherd Hills Cutlery (along with many other dealers). These are going “back in the vault” now that 2019 is over, so if you want to get one the time is NOW!
