1981 Knifemakers Guild Directory: James Lee Barbee (Page 4)
Today we look to our fourth knifemaker from the 1981 Knifemakers Guild Directory: James Lee Barbee of Fort Stockton, Texas. As you can see by his picture, he’s the manliest knifemaker we’ve featured so far. He’s got a cowboy hat and what appears to be a pickup truck behind him… he’s not going to take no for an answer (when trying to sell you a custom made, pearl handled, serrated blade knife). We’re going to gloss over that glasses case in his shirt pocket, it doesn’t really contribute to the image.
Of course, the fact that he looks tough isn’t merely a coincidence… James Lee Barbee is a hunter. According to his blurb (see below) he skins over “75 head of big game” per year as a means of testing his knives during his day job as a “guide.” I’m not sure if he actually sold the knives that he used to skin the big game, and if so whether that would increase or decrease the value of the knives, but either way, I (and all the deer in my general vicinity) are scared.
click to big-ify
He sells a knife called the “Slim Pickens Special” for which I can only assume he did not receive authorization from the actual Slim Pickens. I wonder if it has a Dr. Strangelove theme.
James Lee Barbee today
Sadly, I can’t clearly identify any information about James Lee Barbee’s status today. He no longer appears to be a member of the guild. A google search for his name turns up a few results including a James Lee Barbee whose credit card was stolen this summer in Salisbury, North Carolina, a James Lee Barbee whose sister passed away this spring in Texas, and a 23 year-old James Lee Barbee who was arrested for trespassing in North Carolina.
Sadly, there’s nothing that points to any of these people being the right James Lee Barbee. If I had to guess, I would choose the second based on approximate age, but that James Lee Barbee’s spouse is named Billie-Sue and ours is named Pat. Not that he couldn’t have remarried.
James Lee Barbee, if you’re out there, I hope you’re still selling knives and killing big game.
Previous knifemaker: James R. Dick Atkinson
Next knifemaker: Scott Barry
Other 1981 Knifemaker’s Guild Directory Pages: first page, all pages, all pictures.
James Lee Barbee’s blurb:
“We feel that we field test our knives more than any other maker,” says Jim Barbee, a full-time knifemaker for about 20 years. “On the average we field dress and skin more than 75 head of big game per year, plus our knives are used by several other guides and outfitters.”
Through his deer hunting, Barbee got interested in making knives. A voting member of the Knifemakers Guild since 1973, he has been making knives professionally for over twelve years.
Barbee works in a shop behind a sporting goods store which he owns and operates. He prefers to make using knives, and his “–B Personal” hunter is an extra-heavy worker and his best selling model. Other popular models are hunters, fillet knives and pocket knives, including the “–B Slim Pickens Special.”
Barbee prefers 440C steel, but he uses a number of others, including 154CM and D-2. He does decorative file work and his wife, Pat, helps with the heat treating and does all the leather work for their knife sheaths.
Jim Barbee will be attending two shows this year and offers a catalog for $1.
November 7th, 2007 at 11:03 pm
“We’re going to gloss over that glasses case in his shirt pocket, it doesn’t really contribute to the image.”
Even if they contain highly reflective sunglasses that reflect the eyes of his hunting victims, right before he guts them?
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November 8th, 2007 at 1:40 pm
Fair point.
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November 10th, 2007 at 5:19 am
You know, I think this all would have been worth the original twenty bucks the seller of this book wanted for it.
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November 10th, 2007 at 11:00 am
Twenty bucks was an outrageous price for the book. Even five is pretty ridiculous. This book is of literally no value to anybody but me.
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December 4th, 2007 at 4:09 pm
Jimmy (James) Barbee is my grandfather. He’s alive and well living on the Barbee Ranch north of Ft. Stockton. He hasn’t made very many knives since the late 80’s or early 90’s and still hunts regulary. He just recently returned from an elk hunting trip in Wyoming.
He personally guided “Slim” Pickens on several hunts and that style was what Slim perferred.
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December 4th, 2007 at 11:46 pm
Wow, that’s good news. Thanks for the update, I’ll change the main post when I get a few minutes. Guiding Slim Pickens is pretty exciting. There aren’t any picture of Slim Pickens with the Slim Pickens knife, are there?
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December 7th, 2007 at 3:55 pm
Yep…I’ll try and pick one up over the holidays and e-mail you.
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December 30th, 2007 at 3:29 pm
Jim,
I don’t know if you remember me or not (Danna Kincaid), I was associated with Buddy Gill years ago and you made me two of the most beautiful gun straps for my rifles and I am looking to have one made for my husband’s birthday in February, as well as one of your knives. Long blade, hunting knife, with a wooden handle. My cell number is: (830)-857-0268
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February 13th, 2008 at 10:54 pm
Jim Barbee is alive and well on his ranch north of Ft Stockton Texas. I am principal of high school just north of him. He has stopped making knives, but gave me a lesson in early Feb 2008. What a hoot, he has a wild turkey gobbler which will attack and has to be chased off with a stick, feeds about 200 blue quail, and burns a mean steak. Great man of character.
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March 6th, 2008 at 11:59 am
Yes, Jim Barbee is alive and well. He is my Grandfather and what a wonderful man :)
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March 8th, 2008 at 8:24 am
Barbee-
Busy at work?
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March 27th, 2008 at 6:52 pm
Jim Barbee is my great uncle. Aunt Pat and him took my family and I in when we evacuated from New Orleans. For a year we lived we lived on the ranch Texas style in a bunk house. It was different but a whole lot of fun. He is a great man and can make a great breakfast and a great burger. We still go out there and see them. I have only seen two of his knives though.
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March 28th, 2008 at 6:08 pm
My dad and I just read what everyone said. He has a computer and we just
found this site. It is nice reading the comments . He is not making knives
at this time. Maybe in the future. who knows.
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Dixie Pitcox Reply:
July 18th, 2008 at 2:53 pm
I was looking for J.L. Barbee, because tomorrow, July 19, 2008 there will be an auction in Brady, Texas. There will be a Barbee knife with the number 3033 on the blade up for auction.
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Michael Reply:
July 18th, 2008 at 5:30 pm
Dear Dixie,
Are you the seller of the knife? If you are, I would like to know how much you are asking. My Barbee knife was a part of my family history and I would like to restore a little bit of that.
Michael Swetman
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Dixie Pitcox Reply:
July 18th, 2008 at 8:31 pm
I am not the seller, but I know the knife will be held back if the bidding does not reach $500.
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Troeltsch Reply:
July 18th, 2008 at 11:01 pm
something creeped me out about this reply…
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Michael Reply:
July 19th, 2008 at 5:23 pm
Thanks Dixie,
Is there a website where you can see the objects up for sale?
Michael
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Michael Reply:
July 19th, 2008 at 5:25 pm
A p.s on the last note. If the knife is in good condition, I would certainly consider that amount to replace the knives that I lost.
Michael
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Dixie Pitcox Reply:
July 21st, 2008 at 6:41 am
I did not get your post in time. You could of gone on the website and put in a bid. The knife sold Saturday. It was mint. The guy had it made and never used it.
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March 29th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
I just bought a J.L. Barbee Skining knife number 791 at a pawn shop here in Boise What a beautiful tool made very well and a great sheath to boot!!!
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March 30th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
Had the unique oppurtunity to stay with Jim & Pat in the early 80’s. They were having a knife making school at their store along with a another friend of mine, RW Wilson. I never had many chances to thank you over the years Jim for how good you treated us while we visited. Later that year I moved to Fort Stockten and worked in the oil fields. Whenever I stopped back by the shop, Jim would always take time out to talk to me. Thanks for those coversations we had Jim, you are a man of great character.
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June 4th, 2008 at 3:08 pm
I am proud to say I have stayed with Jim and Pat Barbee at Lake Ivie and at their ranch in Fort Stockton many times. They are the parents of my good friend Marla and we have met and enjoyed the company of their wider family on more than one occasion. Not only are they wonderful hosts and fine ambassadors for Texas and the Texan way of life but they are excellent company and wonderful cooks! As an English woman I know nothing about hunting or knife making but I know a gentleman and his wife when I meet them.
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June 4th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
You know what? I’m glad we bought that book now. This is quite touching, really.
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July 4th, 2008 at 11:12 am
I had a few of Mr. Barbee’s knives. Recently my collection of a few Texas knife makers was stolen. He had made a one of a kind coffin handle boot knife for me that I carried as a Green Beret for many years. I also had a Slim Picken’s model that had a side mount sheath that allowed you to carry it on horseback. I have lost both of those great knives now.
I was a buck sergeant when we first met in 1979. His knives held a remarkable edge for nearly thirty years. Mrs. Barbee would be glad to know the leather held up for the entire time.
It’s a little bit of history now.
Michael Swetman
United States Army Special Forces (ret.)
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November 29th, 2008 at 9:09 am
My Dad and Mom are doing well. They are still living on the ranch
between GrandFalls Texas and Ft. Stockton.Their health is good
and they are always busy. My dad is not making any knives and
I try to buy as many as I can when I find them on E-bay.
Marla
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December 26th, 2008 at 9:17 am
I attended a knifemaking class in the sporting goods shop in 1979 or 1980. Jim and Pat were very kind to me and I ending up spending a few extra days in Ft. Stockton. Jim, took me to the ranch as he performed chores in the support of the livestock. Quite a wonderful experience for a city boy from Detroit.
I ocassionally find time to practice some grinding and leather working skills your parents taught me. Thank you to them both!
Happy New year to all your family.
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