My father carried a Barlow among others throughout his life. He would wear a knife out beyond repair. He always had a knife in his pocket. The last knife he carried was an old Cub Scout BSA knife made by Camillus New York that he bought at the flea market that he went to every Sunday. It was in his pocket the night he passed away and the hospital gave to me with his processions. It stays in my toolbox on my workbench along with his Nimrod Sportsman pipe lighter that he carried.
Beautiful Restoration! I too am a big fan of Imperial Knives! They were the poor man’s every day carry. Those Barlow knives just had a classic look and nice balance. Thanks for sharing!!! 😃👍
I enjoy seeing how different folks use various methods in their cleaning and refurbishing of old knives. Gives me more ideas to employ in my efforts.👍🏻
Man, those old imperial barlows are awesome. As a kid in the 80s, it was my first knife. I’ve recently went on eBay and bought a couple and I’m doing the same thing, cleaning them up by hand. It’s fun and a cheap hobby. Love the channel bro, keep it up
What a great video, thanks. I was trying to straighten the entire knife (it was curved) and I bent one of the bolsters. I bought this knife the other day for 1 dollar at a second hand store. I cleaned it up, sharpened it and oiled it, and it was functioning good and had a decent amount of snap, but I thought by bending the whole knife back, the blades would sit straighter in their slots...now I can get this one back to great shape
Those are great knives. I have them scattered around the house...no matter where you are working there is always a little barlow knife in the drawer nearby. Cheers
@@357magdad yes indeed..I've got a modest collection myself and have always loved the carbon steel blades. I guess I grew up before stainless became the norm.. I bought a moraknife back a few years and it's got the carbon steel blade don't think it's quite as hard as the old stuff but I love it! I saw a guy putting them down a couple days ago and bragging about his hundreds of dollars knives.. and yes I've got a couple of those too ..but guess what I carry almost every day? They're like you say "a pleasure to sharpen" and I'd put my edge against his any day ...I keep it sharp as a razor...
Thank you and thanks for watching! Imperial and Hammer brand used this style of manufacture on their low cost pocket knives. "Barlow" is a style of pocket knife that dates back to the 1700's. The nicer quality Barlow style knives are made in the traditional way with real bolsters and pinned scales.
Nice Work that type was my 1st Blade @ 8 yrs ole ! Carried it Proudly long ago now. @ 10 yrs ole started carrying a single shot 22 rifle 2 school. Reason : 2 Git some Dinner 4 G/ma on way home had 2 bullets & rarely missed!! Difft . times & Way of Life ;)
Thanks for watching Donnie! I would start with a polish like Flitz. If the stains are still there, try some 0000 steel wool, then Flitz. If that doesn't work, you may have to resort to sanding the blade with wet/dry sandpaper. I like to use WD-40 as a lubricant while sanding. Start with 400 grit, then 600, 800, 0000 steel wool then Flitz. I hope this helps!
A few years ago, I came across a brand new, never sharpened Imperial BARLOW knife with no scales on it. It just has the brass liners and 2 blades. Both blades are shiny, pristine, unblemished. Centering is dead on. the knife's blades has great pull, and I think the knife will be a joy to own and carry...IF, I can re-scale it. I am positive that this is way more work than the knife is worth, but it is an AMERICAN made Imperial Barlow, so....I have to do something. If anyone wants to chime in and give some advice...feel free.
Thanks for watching! That is a Smith's 6" Tri-Hone. I bought mine a few years ago at Cabela's, but it looks like Amazon has got them too. Might be a good item to include in your letter to Santa!
I'm curious Magdad, I've got an old Case XXL that belonged to my wife's grandfather. One side of the knife is missing. I'm thinking of just restoring it with Walnut instead of trying to find a replacement for the missing piece. Anything I should be aware of.
I've never messed around with Case knives because they are very collectible and valuable. I would say to maintain the value, you would have to find a replacement piece or buy a "donor" knife. If maintaining the value is not important to you, I say go for the walnut restoration!
Thanks for watching! I've got a cheap set of those eyeglass screwdrivers and I usually have to use to smallest one to start the tab and then I switch to a larger one. I think an ice pick / scratch awl might work too.
I like to soak the pivot joint with WD-40 and work the blade open and shut a bunch of times and re-soak. If there is any corrosion you'll see it ooze out when you re-soak. I prefer Remoil to lube the pivot joints.
Thanks for watching! I don't think anybody sells parts for these old knives. You're gonna have to keep an eye out for another one with worn or broken blades to steal the side plates off of.
My father carried a Barlow among others throughout his life. He would wear a knife out beyond repair. He always had a knife in his pocket. The last knife he carried was an old Cub Scout BSA knife made by Camillus New York that he bought at the flea market that he went to every Sunday. It was in his pocket the night he passed away and the hospital gave to me with his processions. It stays in my toolbox on my workbench along with his Nimrod Sportsman pipe lighter that he carried.
It's good to have mementos of loved ones.
Beautiful Restoration! I too am a big fan of Imperial Knives! They were the poor man’s every day carry. Those Barlow knives just had a classic look and nice balance. Thanks for sharing!!! 😃👍
Thanks ScoutCrafter! The Barlow style is my favorite!
Don't let the knife snobs fool you. This is a great little pocketknife.
Imperial knives were inexpensive but not cheap. The carbon steel blades are a pleasure to sharpen
I enjoy seeing how different folks use various methods in their cleaning and refurbishing of old knives. Gives me more ideas to employ in my efforts.👍🏻
Cleaning up old pocket knives is fun! Check out be beginner's tutorial:
ua-cam.com/video/6CvFM-LUy0U/v-deo.html
@@357magdad
That's a great knife and you did a fine job sprucing her up.😉
Excellent work! I loved cleaning up the knives I've gotten used. Thanks for the video.
Thanks! I think there is something in our genes from caveman days that makes us want to clean-up and sharpen things!
I'm just getting ready to clean up my ol Imperial,Thank You!
Cleaning up old pocket knives is fun!
Great Video. I have one that has been a great all around knife for years. Thanks for taking time to do this video.
Thank you! My everyday carry is a Powr-Kraft Barlow. I think Powr-Kraft was Montgomery Ward's brand.
Nice work. She's ready for another 100 years of use!
Thanks! These were low cost "working man's" knives when new. Now I think they are one of the best choices for entry level vintage pocket knives!
Man, those old imperial barlows are awesome. As a kid in the 80s, it was my first knife. I’ve recently went on eBay and bought a couple and I’m doing the same thing, cleaning them up by hand. It’s fun and a cheap hobby. Love the channel bro, keep it up
Thanks for watching Joel! Cleaning up old pocket knives is fun!
Great video! Will need to get one and do this myself! Lovely vintage knife!
Cleaning up old pocket knives is fun!
Thanks mate that was exactly what i needed to fix on my dad's old Barlow 👍
I'm glad my video was helpful! Cleaning up old pocket knives is fun!
I just scored one off of eBay. I can hardly wait to clean it up. Thanks for the video!
Enjoy it! Cleaning up old pocket knives is fun!
What a great video, thanks. I was trying to straighten the entire knife (it was curved) and I bent one of the bolsters. I bought this knife the other day for 1 dollar at a second hand store. I cleaned it up, sharpened it and oiled it, and it was functioning good and had a decent amount of snap, but I thought by bending the whole knife back, the blades would sit straighter in their slots...now I can get this one back to great shape
Thanks Steve! Cleaning up old pocket knives is fun! I've got a playlist of all of my pocket knife projects - check it out!
@@357magdad yeah, i did with the scales just like you did in the video and it came out near perfect...and you are right working on it was fun!
Those are great knives. I have them scattered around the house...no matter where you are working there is always a little barlow knife in the drawer nearby. Cheers
The Barlow style is my favorite. Old knives - even lower-end ones like Imperial have carbon steel blades that really take and hold an edge!
Gotta love vintage lint! Great video
I should have saved the stuff and put it up on ebay!! LOL
🤣🤣🤣👍
I really like those knives as well and it looks great magdad!
Those Imperial Barlows were inexpensive, but not cheap. The carbon steel blades are a pleasure to sharpen!
@@357magdad yes indeed..I've got a modest collection myself and have always loved the carbon steel blades. I guess I grew up before stainless became the norm.. I bought a moraknife back a few years and it's got the carbon steel blade don't think it's quite as hard as the old stuff but I love it! I saw a guy putting them down a couple days ago and bragging about his hundreds of dollars knives.. and yes I've got a couple of those too ..but guess what I carry almost every day? They're like you say "a pleasure to sharpen" and I'd put my edge against his any day ...I keep it sharp as a razor...
I have two barlows. 1 has a broken blade the other has a bent in it. With the info you showed I can do a quick fix.
I'm glad my video was helpful!
Great idea on using the buck to hammer out the dent!
Thanks! I was surprised how well it worked!
Back in the early 1980s, I had exactly this same knife from Imperial Barlow in my pocket every day. But, sadly, I did not recognize the lint!
That lint was nasty! LOL My everyday carry is an old Montgomery Ward Powr-Kraft Barlow.
Awesome job!! If lint was money you would have a good hunk of change.
I should have kept it and put up for bid on ebay - "vintage lint"! LOL
@@357magdad haha too funny!!
🤣🤣🤣👍
Nice Work!! I did't Know the scales came off like that....I'll be looking at my Barlows in a new Light.....Thumbs up!!
Thank you and thanks for watching! Imperial and Hammer brand used this style of manufacture on their low cost pocket knives. "Barlow" is a style of pocket knife that dates back to the 1700's. The nicer quality Barlow style knives are made in the traditional way with real bolsters and pinned scales.
Nice Work that type was my 1st Blade @ 8 yrs ole ! Carried it Proudly long ago now. @ 10 yrs ole started carrying a single shot 22 rifle 2 school. Reason : 2 Git some Dinner 4 G/ma on way home had 2 bullets & rarely missed!! Difft . times & Way of Life ;)
Thanks for watching! The Barlow style pocket knife is my favorite!
Thank you for showing this. - much appreciated
Thanks for watching! Cleaning up old pocket knives is fun!
These are sweet. My pop used to restore these also.
Thanks Brian! I love the Barlow style and these Imperials were real work horse knives!
Hi and thank you for your videos. I was wondering if you had any tips on how to remove blade discoloration?
Thanks for watching Donnie! I would start with a polish like Flitz. If the stains are still there, try some 0000 steel wool, then Flitz. If that doesn't work, you may have to resort to sanding the blade with wet/dry sandpaper. I like to use WD-40 as a lubricant while sanding. Start with 400 grit, then 600, 800, 0000 steel wool then Flitz. I hope this helps!
@@357magdad thanks I'll give it a try
Nice restoration and great tutorial.
Thanks! The Barlow style pocket knife is my favorite!
I can hear your tube of Flitz crying out "Use Me" from Ray in Michigan
Barlow. You did a nice job.
Thanks Mercoid! Barlow style knives are my favorite!
Thanks for the info! Got an old Allis Chalmers dealer knife that can use the same treatment
Thanks for watching! Cleaning up old pocket knives is fun!
Very Nice! I LOVE Barlows. Great Video : )
Thanks! The Barlow style is also my favorite.
A few years ago, I came across a brand new, never sharpened Imperial BARLOW knife with no scales on it. It just has the brass liners and 2 blades. Both blades are shiny, pristine, unblemished. Centering is dead on. the knife's blades has great pull, and I think the knife will be a joy to own and carry...IF, I can re-scale it.
I am positive that this is way more work than the knife is worth, but it is an AMERICAN made Imperial Barlow, so....I have to do something.
If anyone wants to chime in and give some advice...feel free.
Maybe look for a donor knife on eBay with beat up blades?
Nice job
Thanks! Cleaning up old pocket knives is fun!
Who makes that knife sharpener? Nice restoration!
Thanks for watching! That is a Smith's 6" Tri-Hone. I bought mine a few years ago at Cabela's, but it looks like Amazon has got them too. Might be a good item to include in your letter to Santa!
@@357magdad HA! Thanks
I'm curious Magdad, I've got an old Case XXL that belonged to my wife's grandfather. One side of the knife is missing. I'm thinking of just restoring it with Walnut instead of trying to find a replacement for the missing piece. Anything I should be aware of.
I've never messed around with Case knives because they are very collectible and valuable. I would say to maintain the value, you would have to find a replacement piece or buy a "donor" knife. If maintaining the value is not important to you, I say go for the walnut restoration!
For the life of me I cannot get a jewelers flathead in there to bend those tabs up on mine. Any coaching on that?
Thanks for watching! I've got a cheap set of those eyeglass screwdrivers and I usually have to use to smallest one to start the tab and then I switch to a larger one. I think an ice pick / scratch awl might work too.
@@357magdad I'll give it a try, thanks. I've ended up with 3 of these Imperials somehow over the years and I want to clean them up.
I’m having the same issue with my grandfathers old knife
I believe they were made in Providence RI.
I have one exactly like this on I favor the small blade it’s so useful a very good Knife
Thanks for watching! You can't beat carbon steel blades!
I find it hard to open my knife. Any tips?
I like to soak the pivot joint with WD-40 and work the blade open and shut a bunch of times and re-soak. If there is any corrosion you'll see it ooze out when you re-soak. I prefer Remoil to lube the pivot joints.
@@357magdad I'll try that, thanks man 👍
where can i get side replacements
Thanks for watching! I don't think anybody sells parts for these old knives. You're gonna have to keep an eye out for another one with worn or broken blades to steal the side plates off of.
I carry the same knife
You can't go wrong with an old Barlow!
@@357magdad gonna have to do the same thing to mine. The bolsters are pretty dented
The secret removable compartment where you hide your suicide pill.
Someday I'll find one with a secret message hidden inside!
Back in action ‼️👍😎
You could do a lot worse for an EDC knife!