Jack Wolf Knives is making its grand entry into the sub-$100 knife category with the appropriately named Gateway Barlow. This piece follows in the modern slipjoint footsteps of prior Jack Wolf pieces, but inaugurates a new series with materials adjusted to hit an entirely different price point.
Certainly anyone reading this article right now knows what a Barlow is – and why it’s important. This humble jack knife is one the oldest folding knife patterns in existence, and as such has seen thousands – if not tens of thousands – of variations, innovations, and derivations over the years.
Naturally, Jack Wolf itself has taken a crack at the Barlow before now, with the entire “Jack” family of releases partaking of its particular dimensions and features, but this is the first time the word “Barlow” has been used in the name of a Jack Wolf model. The classic clip blade on the Gateway is 2.98 inches, so, as has been the case for hundreds of years on other Barlows, this one functions best as a do-all day-to-day cutting tool.
The steel is where the cost-conscious decision-making is most evident. Whereas the standard Jack Wolf is rendered in S90V super steel, the Gateway is made from the much humbler 14C28N – although “humbler” does not mean “bad.” This stainless has become one of the favorites in modern budget knife making because of its even-keeled, strong performance across the board.
It doesn’t look like Jack Wolf skimped on the cover materials at all. Among the options available for the Gateway are shredded carbon fiber, rosewood, and even abalone. All varieties of the Gateway hit the same tempting price point of just $69.99 MSRP.
Jack Wolf says that the Gateway Barlow will be available soon.
Knife in Featured Image: Jack Wolf Knives Gateway Barlow
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