Barlow Knives

Barlow knives are compact, traditional pocket knives recognized by one feature above all: an extra-long metal bolster that covers a large part of the handle at the blade end. Simple, sturdy, and easy to carry, the Barlow has been one of the most familiar pocket knives in America for more than two centuries, carried by farmers, workers, and generations of kids getting their first knife.

This collection brings together Barlow-pattern folders with one or two blades, Damascus and steel blades, and handles in bone, wood, and other materials. Each listing shows the closed length, blade shapes and lengths, steel, handle material, and whether the knife is a slip joint or has a lock, so you can compare Barlows for everyday carry, whittling, or a gift.

Shop Barlow Knives

Start with the number of blades, then compare size, steel, and handle. Product photos show the long bolster, both blades open, and the handle up close, so you can judge the fit and finish before you choose.

What Is a Barlow Knife?

A Barlow knife is a traditional Barlow folding knife with a long bolster, a slim handle, and one or two blades that open from the same end. The bolster is the metal piece at the pivot end of the handle. On most pocket knives, it’s short, but on a Barlow it’s stretched to cover a large share of the handle, which strengthens the area where folding knives tend to break.

The pattern is believed to have started in Sheffield, England, in the late 1600s. A cutler named Obadiah Barlow is traditionally credited with the first one, and later members of the Barlow family made it in large numbers for export to America. Low cost and toughness made it an everyday knife for settlers, farmers, and workers. In Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1876), Tom is thrilled to receive a brand-new Barlow knife.

Most Barlows are slip joints. Instead of a lock, a steel backspring holds the blade open with tension and snaps it closed. Some modern versions add a lock, so check each listing if you need one.

What Is a Barlow Knife Used For?

A Barlow pocket knife is an everyday small-task knife. It handles opening packages and letters, cutting string and cord, trimming loose threads, peeling fruit, cutting small food items, and whittling. Its compact size makes it easy to carry in a jeans or dress pocket all day.

The Barlow isn’t designed for heavy cutting, prying, or batoning. Because most are slip joints, use controlled cuts and avoid twisting the blade.

Barlow Blade Options

Single-Blade Barlows

The earliest Barlows had one blade, and single-blade versions are still popular. One larger blade gives more edge length and makes the knife simple to clean and sharpen.

Barlow Knife with Clip and Pen Blade

The most common modern layout is a Barlow knife with clip and pen blade. The main clip point blade has a concave cut along the spine toward the tip, giving it a fine point for detailed work. The smaller pen blade, named after the blades once used to cut quill pens, handles small, precise jobs and gives you a second edge when the main blade is dull or dirty.

Some Barlows use a spear point main blade instead, with a centered tip, or a sheep's foot blade, which has a straight edge and no sharp point. Each listing names the blade shapes.

Choosing the Right Barlow Knife

Size

A standard Barlow usually measures about 3 1/4 to 3 3/8 inches closed, which suits daily pocket carry. Larger Barlows, around 5 inches closed, give more grip and blade for outdoor work. A slim Barlow pocket knife with a thin handle sits flat in the pocket and suits light everyday tasks. Check each listing for the closed length and blade lengths.

Bone and Other Handles

A bone-handled Barlow knife has the classic look. Bone is often jigged, which means it’s carved with a textured pattern for grip, and it’s dyed in shades such as amber, brown, or red. Smooth bone looks sleeker. Wood shows natural grain, while synthetic handles resist moisture and hard use. Each listing names the handle material.

Damascus Barlow Knives

A Damascus Barlow knife pairs the classic long bolster with blades forged from layers of different steels. Etching reveals the layers as a flowing pattern, so every knife looks a little different. How well the blades cut depends on the steels used and the heat treatment, not the pattern alone. Damascus blades that contain carbon steel need regular drying and oiling to prevent rust.

Fit and Finish

Look at how the blades sit when closed. They should be centered in the handle, with no edge touching the spring. Each blade should open with a firm, even pull and snap closed cleanly. The bolster should meet the handle without gaps.

Barlow vs Trapper Knife

A Barlow and a trapper are both traditional slip joints with blades opening from one end, but they differ in size and purpose. A Barlow is compact, with a long bolster and usually a clip and pen blade, so it suits light everyday tasks. A trapper is longer and has two long blades, a clip and a spey, for heavier outdoor and ranch work. Choose a Barlow if you want a small, easy-to-carry knife. Choose a trapper if you want more blade length.

Caring for a Barlow Knife

Wipe the blades clean and dry after use, especially after cutting food. Keep a light coat of oil on carbon steel and Damascus blades, and add a drop to the pivot now and then so the blades open smoothly. Brush out lint and dirt from inside the handle.

Keep bone and wood handles out of water and high heat, which can crack or warp them. Wipe the bolster with a soft cloth to keep it bright. When sharpening, take care with the small pen blade so its tip keeps its shape.