Barlow Colonial Prov. U.S.A.

A

Arjay84

Joined
May 12, 2023
Messages
7
Hi guys,

Today I picked up this Barlow from Colonial Prov. U.S.A.
I really like this one. But I can’t really find anything about it.
Can someone tell me how old it is. What bladesteel it is. And if the bolsters are solid or hollow?

https://imgur.com/a/7YF9Y78

Greetings from the Netherlands 🇳🇱
 
Made sometime after 1965.
Colonial used a lot of 1075 steel in their knives.
The patent number is for the bolster design, there are drawings.....
 
I bought an identical one from a hardware store around 1997. They used a shell construction and were either 1075 or 440a. I’m leaning toward 1075 because mine got rusty after leaving in a tackle box.
 
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Arjay84 said:
Thnx guys.

Do they still make knives?
Click to expand...
Yes, still in business.......
www.colonialknifecorp.com

Colonial Knife Corp. C.K.C

The Paolantonio brothers had purchased Colonial knife in 1926. The buisness is 98 years old. This is a image showing the original Colonial Knife in Providence, Rhode Island. Antonio Paolantonio, my grandfather. Construction view from Dike Street looking...
www.colonialknifecorp.com www.colonialknifecorp.com
 
No not really. They were never a high end manufacturer. Just decent cheap knives. The kind on a cardboard stand at the register.

They made government contract knives, same thing, they met the minimum standards.

The present company leans heavily on their history, but when I looked, I could not find a factory. Or even a corporate office.

Lots of pictures of old factories, leading you to believe they are old pictures of the current factories, but they don’t exist anymore. Not really lies, but kind of a veil of secrecy.

If I’m wrong someone will correct me, I actually hope I am wrong.

The new colonial knives I bought aren’t even as good as the old ones were.

Not knocking your knife, it is what it is. A decent working mans knife.

Another thing I saw is they have a lifetime warranty. You have to return it with a store receipt. Every receipt I have that is over ten years old is faded blank. So I guess the warranty is for the life of the receipt! Lol.😂
 
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I still have a few of their old Barlows. The scales are plastic. They are good useful pocket knives that don't break the bank. The current owner is, or was a member here. They were made in Providence R.I. I do not know where they are now.
 
While they made a lot of shell-knives that one appears to be a solid bolster. Colonial of old was in Providence RI and mass produced value grade knives. The bolster used a system similar to Swindon, but not exactly, a different patent. If carbon steel it will be 1075, you can a great edge on them. OH
 
Have to correct some of the information above. That bolster is certainly hollow. Their knives while inexpensive would take and hold a good edge and the blades were solidly fastened using their trademark construction. The part of them that is low quality are the handles, with use they will loosen up and move around.

As to whether they still make (or have another factory make) the various military style switchblades and pilots knife they currently sell here in America, I’m not 100% sure. Eveled is correct that for some reason that info is hard to find.
 
I'm not very knowledgeable on the history of these knives, or really hardly anything about them, however I do have one that I've had since I can remember. One of those knives that you've kind of just always had. I really like mine. I sharpened it and it got screaming sharp (I haven't put it through too much use), however one side of the bolsters was always a bit loose and it had some decent blade play side to side. One day I said enough with it and pulled it apart to see if I could peen the pivot a bit and tighten it up. This is what I found when I pulled it apart. I ended up giving the pivot a few good taps with a punch and it tightened it right up and got rid of the blade play. If I remember right, I believe I used a little bit of silicone sealant underneath the bolster and then clamped it with vice grips (with something between them and the jaws to prevent marring) for a couple days. The blade is now tight and the bolsters are nice and secure, yet if I ever need to get back in I can because of the silicone. Worked good for me. 👌 I also cold blued the small blade at some point. Was going to blue both but never decided on it and it's been like that since.
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Wow! Thanks everyone for the info.. This helps a lot knowing more about this knife.! Great to also see the picture of what is behind the bolsters..👌🏻

I have sharpened it yesterday, and it takes a very good edge. Still very happy with this rare find in the Netherlands.

Every second hand store or flea market here is littered with Herder & Otter knives from Solingen or Swiss Army knives. When I see an American brand, I always take it home with me.
 
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