This year I bought several case xx barlow, they were perfect in quality.The ones that I didn't like in the neighborhood because of the shade of color, I still kept for myself. Tastes change, and I thought that next time I might not be as lucky with quality as this time.
The nice thing about being American is we all have the freedom to like things for whatever reasons are our own. No one is forcing you to like anything else. I own over 200 knives, I own Case and I own Bear & Son....I like them all. I even like some Chinese made knives. Some American made knives I will not give a dollar for. Its good to be free !!
I have a Rosewood scales on order. I just want to put this out there. A lot of complaints about Case. My last four, the only complaint was on a medium Case pen knife the case logo fell off. I could see a dab of glue. I used some epoxy and reglued it. Fit and finish have been excellent. My question, are there any counterfeit Case knives out there?? I know that has been a huge issue with the Gerber Strongarm. It seems like they is counterfeit of everything these days!!
Unfortunately so far this year I have not gotten any good Case knives, well just one. A couple that I had to fix but most of them had to be returned for a refund. It may be just bad luck on my part but it seems like Case has slipped big time lately. Also all of the knives are of a very recent date. I wonder if they are having problems keeping up with the current demand? On the other hand I have bought a few Bear & Son plus a few of the new Queens made by Bear & Son and the knives have been good. Their carbon steel holds an edge very similar to Cases. So for me it is an alternative for now until Case gets with the program.
@@JohnKlahr you may not find them as good as a case knife but I’m glad to have another American made alternative in the market. I’m sure they have things to improve on, I got the red jig bone and the yellow Delrin versions of these knives, but for $40 plus shipping, I will gladly take my version of this knife a case that I will have to send back for warranty or replacement because their quality control is nonexistent. Bear and son has some improving to do to get to the level of domestically made knives that were used to, but it’s a damn good start.
I don't know, I got two in this series and both are good. Bear and Son can be hit and miss, but I don't see complaining about the blade shape when you can see that pretty well from pictures. That said while I like mine, I don't know what to think about mine in terms of comparison to Case. Both mine have wood covers, but all my bone case knives have pretty thin covers too. Case, at least the ones I have, are still a notch or two above Bear and Son, but I don't think B&S are too bad. Definitely better than the barlow I got from them 15 years ago that didn't even have fully machined nail knicks.
Thank you for the honest review! I dropped 41. On the ROSEWOOD model. Sharpness was identical as you. The Rosewood Scales are stunning, but unlike yours, mine does not indicate CS on the blade, it does not sharpen like a Carbon Steel blade. The Red India STAG bone is just to make a pretty. I plan to keep mine for display and will remove the standoff at pivot do blade sits lower. I thought as a USA southern knife maker, it would be better. Should be better. I m glad I got the pretty Woodgrain pattern and not the the Stag Bone. 😢😢
@@JohnKlahr the blade almost looks like a cotton samplers blade instead of a spear or clip that’s usually on a Barlow. I have several Utica Barlow that I love but they just have wood scales but are of high quality
Despite it all I quite like the aesthetics, I have a old Imperial barlow with a sheepsfoot blade and it also sticks out quite a bit, I always assumed that it was to allow an easy grab to pull it open, but the swedge on the B&S blade would make it almost impossible to do that. Id probably get one for 30.00 if I could find one
I love to hear different opinions! Yours and mine are different but that’s cool. The last 4 Case knives I’ve ordered 2 were junk and one was so dull it was crazy. The only 3 bear and sons I ordered, I liked the things you don’t like.😁 That’s just a difference of opinion. The carbon steal Bear and Sons used these days is far better than the CS Case uses. That’s not opinion. …. Well I guess it sorta is!😁 What dropped me over the edge is the comment about not being better than a $15 Frost Knife. Almost every case knife has flaws these days.
I disappointed myself by not explaining my dislikes better in that video. I wish I had taken the time to explain and show the detail better, but unfortunately I have. Already given away that knife as promised. I will just have to order another knife from them, check it out and see how I feel about it. Can you recommend a model I should order?
The blade is thick behind the edge. Mine did not come sharp out of the box. However, the fit and finish on mine was excellent. ....Case knives I've received have terrible quality control.
I have purchased three (3) Bear & Son Barlows in recent times, and had no issues with them. My new Case knives, on the other hand, have featured numerous problems to the point where I stopped buying Case. It’s common knowledge amongst the knife brethren that Case is going down the drain, with RCB, Bear & Son, and let’s not forget Rough Ryder, are nipping at their heels. BTW, have had -NO- major issues with new Buck knives, either….
The only Bear and Son knife that I like is their Baby Bowie. I have a couple other of their knives, but their QC seems to have slipped in the last few years.
I like the knife generally, but have several serious gripes. First the edge is terrible, just thick and I don't think sharpening would mend the problem much. Second the nail nick is of such a geometry that it hardly catches the nail, fortunately the knife could be easily opened pinching the protruding blade :) And the third one is that the half stop is not precisely defined, there is a small play which is annoying. But generally the knife is not that bad for the price.
Thank you for letting us know. It will probably save several some money. Have you tried Moore maker knives? I have been eyeing them for a bit now. They are supposedly made in Texas. Thanks again for the information.
Moore Maker doesn’t make their own knives,but has them made by someone else with their name on it. They are based in Texas, but that’s about it. The knives they used to have made for them was of good quality when the old Queen factory made them for them. I don’t know who makes them for them now.
@@mutstumbo If they found a supplier from Texas, they could be made here. But the Moore Maker I remember was a ranch based ranching and farm supply outfit that didn’t make their own stuff, but just had their name put on items that they liked and wanted to sell. Much like Sears used to have various knife companies make knives for them with their Craftsman brand name on it. Sears never made their own stuff, either. I hope this helps. I have no idea of the quality of their products these days. A lot of Chinese made knives are sold in the U.S. nowadays that bear the names of defunct American companies (Schrade, Queen, etc.) There are very few knives made in the U.S. anymore, due to the companies not being able to compete with the low Chinese wages. The few American companies that still exist have had to cut corners to remain competitive financially or else go the other route and become pricy boutique sellers (Benchmade). Case is still made in the U.S., but their quality is not as good as it once was. The best American made knives today are made by Great Eastern Cutlery company, but their prices reflect this.
Definitely needs a better blade, too many angles going on with this one. I agree that a spear point would be nice, a full flat grind. Also, the bone scales are just covers on a steel knife, that is why it’s heavy and why they are not contoured better. So that is a fatal flaw in this knife
@@JohnKlahrI actually like the bone covers, love the deep red and it also looks like they made it like pocket worn like Case does. It's definitely not a Case, and we both agree about the blade. I'd definitely prefer a spear or clippoint over the sheep's foot. God bless and thank you for another great video. Any input on knives good or bad I'm glad you make these videos.
sorry Bear & Scum you ain't no Victorinox that has Huntsman's on Amazon for $33 and it's mind blowing how they are able to it and have the QC that they do and have the best warranty in the business. Just keep doing it and supply the planet with your practicality as usual. Still the untouchable King of knives whether you like them or not
An honest review, much appreciated. I believe you are a true aficionado and I have subscribed to your channel. I also make some amateur blade content. Please stop by when you have a moment.
@@JohnKlahr it's my pleasure and I for one am grateful you got that Bear&Son because (a) the review brought me to your channel and (b) now I don't have to! I saw several glowing reviews before I came to yours. The fact that Bear&Son were manufacturing overseas and now are suddenly selling "Made in USA" at a fairly low price point has me wondering. Pure speculation, but I know a lot of companies around the world import goods manufactured in China that are then assembled or otherwise completed in the importer's country and labelled disingenuously. If a knife company were to have all of the parts for a knife manufactured in China and only assembled in the USA, they could then label the product as Made in USA. I'm not saying that's what is happening in this instance because I don't know, but if Harley Davidson does it it wouldn't be surprising that a US cutlery company would do something similar.
@@JohnKlahr Would you like to participate in my Knife Reviewers' Challenge? I recently made a video about it. In short the challenge is that I make a knife reviewer a somewhat personalised knife in exchange for a coin and their commitment to use, test and review the knife honestly and critically. I want to gain experience and exposure in knife making and knife reviewers tend to have a soft spot for knives, so I think it's a good offer all round.
You honestly think a Case sod buster Jr. With yellow composite scales compares on the same price level as that Bear and Sons? 😅😅😅 How many free knives has Case sent you to do this? 😅
I seen a small fixed blade at Bass Pro that was made by Bear and Son and it looked nice so I hoped this one would show better. But it really feels like costume jewelry
That was the worst cut test I’ve seen on a knife right out of the box. Understandable why you were upset after spending that much on a poor quality knife
Up front and honest knife reviews are so helpful to those who are considering the purchase of a particular knife. Finding a knife which is manufactured in the USA, with components that are all sourced in the USA is not an easy task today. The Case Knife Company in Bradford, PA and Bear and Son in Jacksonville, AL are about the only two manufacturers who produce large quantities of traditional pocket knives here in the USA. Buyer Quality Control expectations for a Made In The USA knife are always high, but for the past few years the Quality Control has been an issue for both of these American knife manufacturers. The craftsmanship and quality of work has slipped in many Made In The USA products. That is discouraging for those who enjoy the look, feel, and usefulness of a traditional pocket knife. Many Americans prefer the Made In The USA knives, they will pay a little bit more for them. But they expect much more out of knives made by these two American companies. The way I see it, finding a USA knife with high-quality construction at a good value is a hit or miss thing. It should not be that way, but unfortunately that it is the world that we live in. My solution, I no longer purchase a Made In The USA knife, unless I can look at the knife and inspect it before I purchase. That means I am at my local retailer (hardware, sporting goods, knife shop) asking to see the actual knife I am going to get before I make the purchase. I do realize that the online retailers offer returns or exchanges, but that process often takes a week or more of my time or involves shipping charges for the return. I am no longer willing to wait that long. So, my recommendation, find a good, local source for these Made In The USA knives and look, feel, and throughly inspect these knives before you lay down your money on the purchase. When you walk away from a purchase like that with a new pocket knife, you’re most likely going to be very satisfied. JMO and thanks for your reviews.
@@JohnKlahr that would be great. Most people that post traditional knife reviews never mention or measure those details like "thickness behind the edge" Comparing this knife to the hollow grind of a qsp penguin would be a great example.
This year I bought several case xx barlow, they were perfect in quality.The ones that I didn't like in the neighborhood because of the shade of color, I still kept for myself. Tastes change, and I thought that next time I might not be as lucky with quality as this time.
The nice thing about being American is we all have the freedom to like things for whatever reasons are our own. No one is forcing you to like anything else.
I own over 200 knives, I own Case and I own Bear & Son....I like them all. I even like some Chinese made knives. Some American made knives I will not give a dollar for.
Its good to be free !!
I got the same one and mine was perfectly fine. I got a case razor knife and the blades were dull and didn’t even close right they would hang open.
I have a Rosewood scales on order. I just want to put this out there. A lot of complaints about Case. My last four, the only complaint was on a medium Case pen knife the case logo fell off. I could see a dab of glue. I used some epoxy and reglued it. Fit and finish have been excellent. My question, are there any counterfeit Case knives out there?? I know that has been a huge issue with the Gerber Strongarm. It seems like they is counterfeit of everything these days!!
Today I got a Case Sod Buster in CS that pretty much cut like that barlow oob.
Unfortunately so far this year I have not gotten any good Case knives, well just one. A couple that I had to fix but most of them had to be returned for a refund. It may be just bad luck on my part but it seems like Case has slipped big time lately. Also all of the knives are of a very recent date. I wonder if they are having problems keeping up with the current demand? On the other hand I have bought a few Bear & Son plus a few of the new Queens made by Bear & Son and the knives have been good. Their carbon steel holds an edge very similar to Cases. So for me it is an alternative for now until Case gets with the program.
Lots to think about, I will respond better in my next video about my thoughts on this
@@JohnKlahr you may not find them as good as a case knife but I’m glad to have another American made alternative in the market. I’m sure they have things to improve on, I got the red jig bone and the yellow Delrin versions of these knives, but for $40 plus shipping, I will gladly take my version of this knife a case that I will have to send back for warranty or replacement because their quality control is nonexistent. Bear and son has some improving to do to get to the level of domestically made knives that were used to, but it’s a damn good start.
I don't know, I got two in this series and both are good. Bear and Son can be hit and miss, but I don't see complaining about the blade shape when you can see that pretty well from pictures. That said while I like mine, I don't know what to think about mine in terms of comparison to Case. Both mine have wood covers, but all my bone case knives have pretty thin covers too. Case, at least the ones I have, are still a notch or two above Bear and Son, but I don't think B&S are too bad. Definitely better than the barlow I got from them 15 years ago that didn't even have fully machined nail knicks.
I whole heartedly agree with you John. No new knife should arrive unable to cut paper right out of the box. Basic stuff right.
I’ll be talking about this brand again soon, stay tuned and thanks for viewing
I have looked at these on the web , you just confirmed my thoughts about em . Glad I wasn’t the only one
I hesitated for a loooong time before pulling the trigger
Thank you for the honest review!
I dropped 41. On the ROSEWOOD model. Sharpness was identical as you.
The Rosewood Scales are stunning, but unlike yours, mine does not indicate CS on the blade, it does not sharpen like a Carbon Steel blade.
The Red India STAG bone is just to make a pretty.
I plan to keep mine for display and will remove the standoff at pivot do blade sits lower.
I thought as a USA southern knife maker, it would be better. Should be better. I m glad I got the pretty Woodgrain pattern and not the the Stag Bone. 😢😢
Wow haven’t bought a Bear and son knife in 20 years their quality has really gone downhill and price has really went up thanks for the video
@@williamsmith3960 just a cheap poor designed knife sorry to say
@@JohnKlahr the blade almost looks like a cotton samplers blade instead of a spear or clip that’s usually on a Barlow. I have several Utica Barlow that I love but they just have wood scales but are of high quality
@@williamsmith3960 blade is too thick to be any kind of slicer, knife would work ok for opening paint cans or shanking in prison but not much else
Despite it all I quite like the aesthetics, I have a old Imperial barlow with a sheepsfoot blade and it also sticks out quite a bit, I always assumed that it was to allow an easy grab to pull it open, but the swedge on the B&S blade would make it almost impossible to do that.
Id probably get one for 30.00 if I could find one
I love to hear different opinions! Yours and mine are different but that’s cool.
The last 4 Case knives I’ve ordered 2 were junk and one was so dull it was crazy.
The only 3 bear and sons I ordered, I liked the things you don’t like.😁
That’s just a difference of opinion.
The carbon steal Bear and Sons used these days is far better than the CS Case uses.
That’s not opinion. …. Well I guess it sorta is!😁
What dropped me over the edge is the comment about not being better than a $15 Frost Knife.
Almost every case knife has flaws these days.
I disappointed myself by not explaining my dislikes better in that video. I wish I had taken the time to explain and show the detail better, but unfortunately I have. Already given away that knife as promised.
I will just have to order another knife from them, check it out and see how I feel about it.
Can you recommend a model I should order?
I like the Bear & Son Barlow, I like Case, I think it's just a personal preference.
The blade is thick behind the edge. Mine did not come sharp out of the box. However, the fit and finish on mine was excellent. ....Case knives I've received have terrible quality control.
I have buyers remorse too. Will gift to a friend/collector.
I have purchased three (3) Bear & Son Barlows in recent times, and had no issues with them. My new Case knives, on the other hand, have featured numerous problems to the point where I stopped buying Case. It’s common knowledge amongst the knife brethren that Case is going down the drain, with RCB, Bear & Son, and let’s not forget Rough Ryder, are nipping at their heels. BTW, have had -NO- major issues with new Buck knives, either….
GEC’s come as blunt as a spoon also.
I was really disappointed with GEC , it would have to be a really special piece for me to buy again
Have you ever reviewed or tried a Moore Maker knife?? Also USA made.
I looked into them and the reviews were kind of sour so never bought one
@@JohnKlahr I just received one.. Figured I would give it a try. White delrin trapper... It's ok.. It's no GEC...
@@JH_1095 send me some photos to klahrbar@icloud.com and I will share with the channel , if that’s ok?
Will do @@JohnKlahr
The only Bear and Son knife that I like is their Baby Bowie. I have a couple other of their knives, but their QC seems to have slipped in the last few years.
That baby Bowie is probably the one I see at bass pro mixed in with the case knives and it is a good looking knife
Ouch. Thank you for your service. That just bites.
I honestly didn’t even want to finish the review, total buyers remorse on this knife
I like the knife generally, but have several serious gripes. First the edge is terrible, just thick and I don't think sharpening would mend the problem much. Second the nail nick is of such a geometry that it hardly catches the nail, fortunately the knife could be easily opened pinching the protruding blade :) And the third one is that the half stop is not precisely defined, there is a small play which is annoying. But generally the knife is not that bad for the price.
@@MrVitamincpp thanks for your review, I had some of the same gripes and a few more
Thank you for letting us know. It will probably save several some money.
Have you tried Moore maker knives? I have been eyeing them for a bit now. They are supposedly made in Texas.
Thanks again for the information.
Moore Maker doesn’t make their own knives,but has them made by someone else with their name on it. They are based in Texas, but that’s about it. The knives they used to have made for them was of good quality when the old Queen factory made them for them. I don’t know who makes them for them now.
Oh, thank you for Even more information. I was curious about if they made then it not. Seeing as they say made in Texas.
@@mutstumbo If they found a supplier from Texas, they could be made here. But the Moore Maker I remember was a ranch based ranching and farm supply outfit that didn’t make their own stuff, but just had their name put on items that they liked and wanted to sell. Much like Sears used to have various knife companies make knives for them with their Craftsman brand name on it. Sears never made their own stuff, either. I hope this helps. I have no idea of the quality of their products these days. A lot of Chinese made knives are sold in the U.S. nowadays that bear the names of defunct American companies (Schrade, Queen, etc.) There are very few knives made in the U.S. anymore, due to the companies not being able to compete with the low Chinese wages. The few American companies that still exist have had to cut corners to remain competitive financially or else go the other route and become pricy boutique sellers (Benchmade). Case is still made in the U.S., but their quality is not as good as it once was. The best American made knives today are made by Great Eastern Cutlery company, but their prices reflect this.
You just saved me money! I’ll just continue to collect Case.
Better off, thanks for viewing
I actually almost bought this knife earlier. So glad i decided to pass. Thanks for the review
Thanks for checking it out
I think it's a good looking knife, only thing I don't like is the blade shape, I'd rather see it with a clip point or spear blade
Definitely needs a better blade, too many angles going on with this one. I agree that a spear point would be nice, a full flat grind.
Also, the bone scales are just covers on a steel knife, that is why it’s heavy and why they are not contoured better. So that is a fatal flaw in this knife
@@JohnKlahrI actually like the bone covers, love the deep red and it also looks like they made it like pocket worn like Case does. It's definitely not a Case, and we both agree about the blade. I'd definitely prefer a spear or clippoint over the sheep's foot. God bless and thank you for another great video. Any input on knives good or bad I'm glad you make these videos.
I can definitely see what you’re saying about this one. But it would nice to have though. I love all knives lol
I bought one after seeing some good reviews. I havnt got it yet now I’m worried. Lol. Oh well!!!
I’m sorry I didn’t get it out earlier, and it wouldn’t be too bad if it was $19.99, it the price tag that pissed me off the most
sorry Bear & Scum you ain't no Victorinox that has Huntsman's on Amazon for $33 and it's mind blowing how they are able to it and have the QC that they do and have the best warranty in the business. Just keep doing it and supply the planet with your practicality as usual. Still the untouchable King of knives whether you like them or not
Bear and Scums, good one
trade sod buster for it?
@@claytonrogerson9007 I gave this knife away to the very next person who ordered Knife oil from me.
@@JohnKlahr I remember that 🤦♂️
An honest review, much appreciated.
I believe you are a true aficionado and I have subscribed to your channel.
I also make some amateur blade content. Please stop by when you have a moment.
Just subscribed , thanks for joining us
@@JohnKlahr it's my pleasure and I for one am grateful you got that Bear&Son because (a) the review brought me to your channel and (b) now I don't have to! I saw several glowing reviews before I came to yours.
The fact that Bear&Son were manufacturing overseas and now are suddenly selling "Made in USA" at a fairly low price point has me wondering. Pure speculation, but I know a lot of companies around the world import goods manufactured in China that are then assembled or otherwise completed in the importer's country and labelled disingenuously. If a knife company were to have all of the parts for a knife manufactured in China and only assembled in the USA, they could then label the product as Made in USA. I'm not saying that's what is happening in this instance because I don't know, but if Harley Davidson does it it wouldn't be surprising that a US cutlery company would do something similar.
@@JohnKlahr Would you like to participate in my Knife Reviewers' Challenge? I recently made a video about it. In short the challenge is that I make a knife reviewer a somewhat personalised knife in exchange for a coin and their commitment to use, test and review the knife honestly and critically.
I want to gain experience and exposure in knife making and knife reviewers tend to have a soft spot for knives, so I think it's a good offer all round.
I’ll check out your video and get with you, moving this weekend so might be late next week
@@JohnKlahr Alright, thank you sir.
You honestly think a Case sod buster Jr. With yellow composite scales compares on the same price level as that Bear and Sons? 😅😅😅 How many free knives has Case sent you to do this? 😅
That's unfortunate. I've had good luck with B&S in the past, so I've been looking at these Barlows. But after seeing mixed reviews, I may pass.
I seen a small fixed blade at Bass Pro that was made by Bear and Son and it looked nice so I hoped this one would show better. But it really feels like costume jewelry
I have 5 of this model and love it and i have knifes that cost upwards
Over $500 your fake
@@anthonymarzi5943 what do you love about it? What do you use this knife for and what makes it better than others?
That was the worst cut test I’ve seen on a knife right out of the box. Understandable why you were upset after spending that much on a poor quality knife
I spent time off camera trying to make it show better, it was horrible
If unhappy SMKW’s would refund your money I bet
I’m sure they would but already decided to give it away
Up front and honest knife reviews are so helpful to those who are considering the purchase of a particular knife. Finding a knife which is manufactured in the USA, with components that are all sourced in the USA is not an easy task today. The Case Knife Company in Bradford, PA and Bear and Son in Jacksonville, AL are about the only two manufacturers who produce large quantities of traditional pocket knives here in the USA. Buyer Quality Control expectations for a Made In The USA knife are always high, but for the past few years the Quality Control has been an issue for both of these American knife manufacturers. The craftsmanship and quality of work has slipped in many Made In The USA products. That is discouraging for those who enjoy the look, feel, and usefulness of a traditional pocket knife. Many Americans prefer the Made In The USA knives, they will pay a little bit more for them. But they expect much more out of knives made by these two American companies. The way I see it, finding a USA knife with high-quality construction at a good value is a hit or miss thing. It should not be that way, but unfortunately that it is the world that we live in. My solution, I no longer purchase a Made In The USA knife, unless I can look at the knife and inspect it before I purchase. That means I am at my local retailer (hardware, sporting goods, knife shop) asking to see the actual knife I am going to get before I make the purchase. I do realize that the online retailers offer returns or exchanges, but that process often takes a week or more of my time or involves shipping charges for the return. I am no longer willing to wait that long. So, my recommendation, find a good, local source for these Made In The USA knives and look, feel, and throughly inspect these knives before you lay down your money on the purchase. When you walk away from a purchase like that with a new pocket knife, you’re most likely going to be very satisfied. JMO and thanks for your reviews.
I want to reiterate...Too thick behind the edge. Will never be a good slicer.
Bad blade shape, I’ll be talking about this one again soon
@@JohnKlahr that would be great. Most people that post traditional knife reviews never mention or measure those details like "thickness behind the edge" Comparing this knife to the hollow grind of a qsp penguin would be a great example.
I think a lot of review are solely done on how they look, not how they will perform,
Their quality standards are very low.
Definitely, thanks for viewing
That too bad that this knife turned out to be a dud.
A real turd, thanks for viewing, got some better blades coming soon
Hey John what’s your email address. I have a question. Thanks bud
klahrbar@icloud.com