Anyone recommend a Sowbelly??

[tosh]

Hi All 

Don't know what's with me - but suddenly I've got a  S E R I O U S  yearning for a sowbelly.
I've seen the Rough Riders, Smith & Wesson, Colt etc etc versions - all very pretty But they're all made in CHINA!!.............EEK..

I fancy the real McCoy, (doesn't mean I can afford it) - whats the "Pups Nuts", is it Case??
Ideally I'd like file work too, an' maybe the six blade version as well. Though that's not set in stone, I'm just trying to know what's out there that maybe I haven't seen yet.

Any ideas??

Anyone??

Tosh

[Gryffin]

Bulldog Brand, good German steel, wide variety of handle materials, I have a few in both three- and five-blade versions.

Oddly enough, the pattern doesn't seem popular with American makers. I'd love to see one by Canal Street, Queen, GEC, etc.; I think Northwoods makes one, but I don't have any personal experience with one.

[kitbeard]

I have a Rough Rider sowbelly in fake tortoise shell that isn't disgraced by a comparison with most of my Case knives.  It's a weighty, solid knife with good walk and talk that feels very comfortbale in hand.  Ok, there's some blade rub on the main blade but much less than on my Case stockman and penknife.  I've also got the Marbles Sowbelly, avialable from Heinnie Haynes, which is very close in style to the Hen and Rooster version of the Sowbelly.  It's very well made and again very comparable to most of my Case knives in terms of fit and finish.

However, if you really want to buy something from the likes of Case or Hen and Rooster, try Deadwood Collectible Knives.  They ship to the UK and are  very good company to deal with; they currently have a number of Case and H&R sowbellys in stock, including a couple of Tony Bose designs in Bois D'Arc.  Here's what I hope works as a link:

http://www.deadwoodknives.com/c-12191-knife-hunt.aspx?pagenum=3&section=-160-&sortBy=popularity&pageSize=20

There's a good, detailed review of a new build Case Sowbelly on Mr Rampro's channel, which I think is well worth a look.   

Unfortunately, I've now started to think seriosuly about getting a Case Sowbelly for myself.  But I must not, I really, REALLY must not...

[dks]

 I do not think the cost difference between a RR and a Case XX etc. should be the deciding factor.
Case products may be 2 or 4 times more expensive but they should still be under $100, so if you are only buying one you should be able to budget for it.

If you avoid the fancy handles and special editions they are quite affordable.
Here are some models with the suggested prices, to show that they are not that expensive:
http://www.casexx.com/DisplayPatternPageFH.asp?PatternAutoID=54

I am a fun of RR and as it was said before for a knife that would not see heavy use a RR will serve you just as well as a Case and look just as nice (apart from the made in China stamp of course, that you mentioned).
The higher grade RR knives look just as good as the Case ones, though they may not last that long; again, may, since most users of them seem pretty happy.

  I am attaching a couple of pictures of RR, GEC, Case XX and Hen & Rooster (the “new”) to show that these products look similarly nicely finished.

I have some sowbellies somewhere, but no decent pictures.

Short answer: if you want a Case xx, get one; they are not that much more expensive than the cheaper ones.


And Deadwood and their sister company (cannot remember the name now) are good to deal with!     

Also try some of the GEC etc. dealers as well, though they do not have a lot of Case xx on sale. 

[django.cj]

I have a nice bone Case sowbelly.  I like it a lot.

[tosh]

Hi All

Thanks for all the replies.

I decided to take the plunge and received today courtesy of Hennie Haynes 2 Sowbellys.
The Rough Rider Gunstock  and the Colt Titanium.

1st impressions : Amazing value for the money when you consider HH are making on it, plus, the shipping costs from China, plus, manufacturing labour costs, plus, the cost of raw materials.

It actually beggers belief.

Of the two, I prefer the Colt (Titanium sowbelly £18.95).
http://www.heinnie.com/Colt-Titanium-Sowbelly/p-0-0-6502/
It looks gorgeous, everything fits well and tight. No sloppiness whatsoever  anywhere - stunning and came in a great presentation box. it's beautiful, seriously!!

The Rough Rider Gunstock Sowbelly  (£13.95).
http://www.heinnie.com/Rough-Rider-Sowbelly-Gunstock/p-0-0-4961/
Isn't quite as good as the Colt in my opinion, But then it wasn't as expensive - £5 cheaper. The fit and finish isn't upto Colt standards, but in no way does it shame itself.

Can't actually imagine just what the 'Case' sowbellys must be like...



Ah, confession time...erm...erm ....(shuffles feet)......


Popped over to kelham island in Sheffield today to see Stan Shaw, the last little mester.
Placed an order for a custom Sowbelly, 3 blades, full workback (Fileback), probably Stag handles.

Don't know exactly when it will be ready, usually anything upto 3-4 yrs!! - Gives me plenty of time to save up for it.

So, as they say - watch this space , pic's will be along shortly!!

Tosh

[dks]

Good for you!

General consensus is that RR and the Colt slipjoints are actually made by the same factory.

The Colts, in general, are a more "premium" product, though RR does offer some premium editions too.
The titanium ones with the coated blades look extra sexy, though I do not know how well the coating will last.