I posted this question here and have since found this bit of info about the tune Barlow Knife. Mike Iverson from the Banjo-L list says...

I haven't heard any verses sung to this song, but I did hear a refrain at Weiser Idaho once. It went: "Barlow knife and a Barlow blade, best damn knife that's ever been made" I learned the song as a three part tune with this refrain sung to the second part. I too would be interested in any lyrics to this piece.