Who can recommend a decent sow belly?

NJBillK

NJBillK

Custom Leather and Fixed Blade modifications.
Joined
Mar 27, 2014
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I have been thinking about picking up a sow belly pattern for a while now. Since GEC doesn't produce any, that I know of. I am not sure where to sink my money... I am looking for options under $100 but will raise that for a particularly nice model.

That being said, What company produces the highest quality steel with the most consistent and cleanest F&F?

Pics welcome
 
I'm interested in seeing what kind of replies you get. I know of only three production makers that make a Sowbelly pattern. Case makes the pattern. I've seen some black box Winchesters and Rough Rider makes one too. I'm sure there must be others.

Among those three I would probably go with the Case. You can choose between Tru-Sharp stainless and CV carbon steel. The Case Sowbelly is part of the Tony Bose lineup. I've read that those are usually made to a higher standard of F&F.

The Winchesters look good too but I haven't read much about the Winchester Sowbelly pattern. I have a Rough Rider Sowbelly and it's a decent knife but nothing to get too excited about.
 
I have the Case sowbelly in CV. It is very nice. Absolutely worth what I paid for it. Got it from another member here on BF.
 
I posted some reviews, direct comparisons and a lot photos of sowbellies from different brands. They should come up with a search.

In my opinion...
The construction and mechanics are most consistent on the sowbellies from Case. Very high riding sheepfoot but it can be dropped by grinding down the kick.

The Moore Makers (Queen) are closest patterns to the antique 90 year old sowbelly knives from Remington and others. Some of them are built well and some of them are terrible. Good grinds (rare for Queen) and good 1095 steel.

Some of the old Queen-made Winchesters from the late 80s are built pretty well. Good grinds and good 1095 steel.

I'm not a fan of the 420HC steel or the grinds on the keystone series Schatt & Morgan knives. There's a F&W Schatt & Morgn with ATS-34. Good steel. The grinds aren't the best though. And build quality of the S&M knives is hit or miss.

RR and Colt are cheap. The spey blades always rub the liners but mechanics are usually pretty good. Lower quality materials. I'm not a fan of their steel but others like it. In my opinion, most of the handle materials look like they belong in the dog chew toy bulk bin at a pet store. Others like them. Opinions vary. The black and white bone stag is actually really nice though--at least, I like it a lot. I don't like the shape of the clip blade on the 3-blade but the clip blade on the 5-blade is the perfect shape. It's much more full. I don't know why they just didn't use the same blade on both knives. I've thought about converting some 5-blades into 3-blades.

Some of the old bulldog knives have carbon steel and pretty good fit and finish. I don't like the deep blade etches at all. I don't have any experience with the new ones.

I'd love for GEC to make a sowbelly that closely follows the old Remington pattern. I've been begging for years. One year it was almost the forum knife but my campaigning wasn't effective enough.

supratentorial said:





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supratentorial said:










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supratentorial said:
The 3-blade is on the left and the 5-blade is on the right in this photo.

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AG Russell sells several Sow Belly designs that he imports. I have the large Trapper (two blade) which looks like a great knife. The spring is very weak and the blades would likely close on your fingers if you ever try pushing on the blade improperly. This one is new to me and I am still messing with it. But I suspect I eventually will choose not to carry it because of the weak springs. Have considered calling AG because I can't believe that he would be comfortable with such a light spring.
 
I second, or third I lost count, the Case Sowbelly. I had one for a while, had thin the heard. A great knife for the price. They could even bump the price up 20 bucks and it still would be good for the price. The jigging had a great feel. Overall, mine was well made and I haven’t read any issues form those who have a recent production. It is only a few dollars more than half of your budget.





Jake that Vintage Remington is incredible :thumbup:
 
supratentorial said:
Some of the old Queen-made Winchesters from the late 80s are built pretty well. Good grinds and good 1095 steel.
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Love those Winchesters Jake!!!!! My only Sowbelly. A tight, snappy 5 blade that's lost it's identity....
Winchester%205%20blade%20Sowbelly_zpsffkeyclm.jpg
 
My father-in-law's Case chestnut bone Sowbelly is a beauty to behold. I'm a Case fan, and have good experiences with fit and finish lately, but the Sowbelly is on an order of magnitude better in fit and finish than anything I've encountered from Case of late. It's amazingly beautiful and well crafted. Awesome design too.
 
I'm not a big fan of the stockman pattern, BUT the Case Sowbelly in CV & chestnut bone is nice enough to tempt me. The few I have handled have all been very good in fit & finish. Yet to see a picture of one that looks bad.
 
SAK Guy said:
Love those Winchesters Jake!!!!! My only Sowbelly. A tight, snappy 5 blade that's lost it's identity....
Winchester%205%20blade%20Sowbelly_zpsffkeyclm.jpg
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Sak...identity is not lost

I see a battle. Some guy gets a shot off, drops his Chester and then it becomes hand to hand. Knife in hand. His rifle gets pressed into the damp earth as an intense struggle continues, in a desperate move the Winchester gets picked up to use as a club...who knows how it ends.

wow, whats in my coffee?
 
swaybacksteve said:
Sak...identity is not lost

I see a battle. Some guy gets a shot off, drops his Chester and then it becomes hand to hand. Knife in hand. His rifle gets pressed into the damp earth as an intense struggle continues, in a desperate move the Winchester gets picked up to use as a club...who knows how it ends.

wow, whats in my coffee?
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LOL! :)

You're a much better writer than whoever is writing the scripts for movies these days. Keep drinking whatever is in your coffee! :thumbup:
 
For $100 (or less) you could get a few of the Rough Riders with different covers and with 3, 5, and 6 blades.
DaRn good knives for the price.
 
22-rimfire said:
AG Russell sells several Sow Belly designs that he imports. I have the large Trapper (two blade) which looks like a great knife. The spring is very weak and the blades would likely close on your fingers if you ever try pushing on the blade improperly. This one is new to me and I am still messing with it. But I suspect I eventually will choose not to carry it because of the weak springs. Have considered calling AG because I can't believe that he would be comfortable with such a light spring.
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I've been coveting those. You've changed my mind.
 
scrteened porch said:
I've been coveting those. You've changed my mind.
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If I were to order another, I would call and have them hand pick one and assure me that the spring is at least a "5" or SAK strength. I will say that the cocobolo is superb and fantastic fit and finish. It is just that spring thing that really bothers me. Maybe it's a NYC knife? ;) If you have arthritic hands, it might be just the thing, but you might loose a finger. :rolleyes:
 
My Case is an older one, from 2001 in cranberry bone with the silver script shield, a personal favorite. The Tru-Sharp stainless is just fine.

TB6339SS_zpsjztnypti.jpg~original
 
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