2022 GEC Bayou Trapper #88 Thread

JohnDF said:
Don't Sowbelly knives usually have sunken joints, or very close to sunken joints?
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Yes they do. Although this knife by GEC has the belly of a Sowbelly it has two blades of equal length which is remenisent (sp?) of a Trapper. At 4" in length and with a wide girth, it will be a pocket full yet manageable. Overall they look pretty good.
 
Jiki said:
Two BIG patterns. That may be the reason.
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That's exactly right. I pretty much knew that when I saw it was a 4" pattern. Pretty sure we will only see Samber Stag on smaller patterns for some time to come. Even some of that could be questionable. Enjoy what you have for now.
 
Ya know - the closed length of this knife is 4" only 1/8" longer than the Case Sowbelly or Bulldog Sowbelly and this knife is the same width as them so, these knives should be just as manageable as the others in a pocket.
 
This knife design just looks really uncomfortable to use.. especially with the sharp swedges that GEC likes to make. :( Count me out.
For those who are into sowbellies, are they too big in the pocket/hand? They look as wide as a dinner plate to me lol
 
hornetguy said:
All I'm wondering is what the secondary market price will be.... gotta start planning now, if I intend to get one. 🤣
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No matter what that price is it won't be worth it. All you'll be getting is a Trapper Sowbelly. The most desireable aspect of this knife for those that collect them and are willing to pay big prices is that it's made by GEC. Bill Howard isn't the first with a Trapper Sowbelly. Rough Ryder has been selling them for awhile.
 
CVamberbonehead said:
This knife design just looks really uncomfortable to use.. especially with the sharp swedges that GEC likes to make. :( Count me out.
For those who are into sowbellies, are they too big in the pocket/hand? They look as wide as a dinner plate to me lol
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We will find out soon enough.

I will say though, I am accustomed to Case's Sowbelly Stockman - it's a regular carry for me. That broad sheepfoot secondary sits rather tall and I imagine if you can overcome that, then using this 88 will be a peach. I am more inclined to use a pinch grip so none of this is really a factor for me.
 
Modoc ED said:
Ya know - the closed length of this knife is 4" only 1/8" longer than the Case Sowbelly or Bulldog Sowbelly and this knife is the same width as them so, these knives should be just as manageable as the others in a pocket.
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I carry 4" 3 blade stockman's that are curved occasionally. They ride well and aren't too heavy. It just depends on how this knife balances in the pocket. With the 2 blades, smaller bolsters, and the cutaways, this knife shouldn't be too heavy. I'll find out in a few days.
 
Modoc ED said:
No matter what that price is it won't be worth it. All you'll be getting is a Trapper Sowbelly. The most desireable aspect of this knife for those that collect them and are willing to pay big prices is that it's made by GEC. Bill Howard isn't the first with a Trapper Sowbelly. Rough Ryder has been selling them for awhile.
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Sorry, Ed, but anyone who believes a GEC and a Rough Ryder are at all comparable - well... let's just say I have this luxury island over here that I will sell to them on the cheap.

I'd also argue that GEC is the first to pair a Lambsfoot blade with a Sowbelly Trapper configuration. That, in itself, is saying something.
 
Pàdruig said:
We will find out soon enough.

I will say though, I am accustomed to Case's Sowbelly Stockman - it's a regular carry for me. That broad sheepfoot secondary sits rather tall and I imagine if you can overcome that, then using this 88 will be a peach. I am more inclined to use a pinch grip so none of this is really a factor for me.
Click to expand...
CVamberbonehead said:
This knife design just looks really uncomfortable to use.. especially with the sharp swedges that GEC likes to make. :( Count me out.
For those who are into sowbellies, are they too big in the pocket/hand? They look as wide as a dinner plate to me lol
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Swedges can be smoothed. I think this knife looks bigger and more cumbersome than it may be due to all the curves. Only time will tell though.
 
Pàdruig said:
Sorry, Ed, but anyone who believes a GEC and a Rough Ryder are at all comparable - well... let's just say I have this luxury island over here that I will sell to them on the cheap.

I'd also argue that GEC is the first to pair a Lambsfoot blade with a Sowbelly Trapper configuration. That, in itself, is saying something.
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I was only referencing pattern not quality between Rough Ryder and GEC and yes, Howard is the first to introduce a Lambsfoot blade to a Sowbelly pattern; however, the equal length of both blades is remeniscent (sp?) of a Trapper pattern so, being the cantankerous guy that I am, I'll continue to call these Bayou Trappers "Trapper Sowbelly". Heck, even Howard is calling it a Bayou "Trapper".
 
CVamberbonehead said:
This knife design just looks really uncomfortable to use.. especially with the sharp swedges that GEC likes to make. :( Count me out.
For those who are into sowbellies, are they too big in the pocket/hand? They look as wide as a dinner plate to me lol
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I carry Case sowbellies all the time. They are definitely not "too big". I find them to be just barely a handful, and very ergonomic in hand... the only thing odd about them is the strange angle the spey blade sits at, because of the belly .... but it's definitely useable....
 
Pàdruig said:
We will find out soon enough.

I will say though, I am accustomed to Case's Sowbelly Stockman - it's a regular carry for me. That broad sheepfoot secondary sits rather tall and I imagine if you can overcome that, then using this 88 will be a peach. I am more inclined to use a pinch grip so none of this is really a factor for me.
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I agree about the sheepfoot, but that is why I modify all my sowbellies to be more "friendly"..... it makes a great difference...
before...
IGg0XF.jpg

after
IGgjlr.jpg
 
Modoc ED said:
I was only referencing pattern not quality between Rough Ryder and GEC and yes, Howard is the first to introduce a Lambsfoot blade to a Sowbelly pattern; however, the equal length of both blades is remeniscent (sp?) of a Trapper pattern so, being the cantankerous guy that I am, I'll continue to call these Bayou Trappers "Trapper Sowbelly". Heck, even Howard is calling it a Bayou "Trapper".
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Understood, Ed. I hardly think anyone has any trouble calling these what they are - which is indeed a Sowbelly Trapper. It's why I have taken care to label the Stockman Sowbelly knives I have referenced accordingly. Sowbelly is just a frame style and it seems it can house a number of different blade configurations - i.e. Trapper, Stockman, Jack, etc.
 
hornetguy said:
I agree about the sheepfoot, but that is why I modify all my sowbellies to be more "friendly"..... it makes a great difference...
before...
IGg0XF.jpg

after
IGgjlr.jpg
Click to expand...

I can definitely see where that would make quite the difference. I might even be inclined to perform that sort of modification/improvement if I hadn't become so fond of that tall, thin blade (obtrusive as it is) - it gets used just as much as the main blade.


(older pic)

Xfzp7Ro.jpg
 
Well, the ironwoods are up already in "What's Happening?" Pinched and grooved bolsters with cloud(keyhole) shield. Nice figured wood too.
 
Pàdruig said:
I can definitely see where that would make quite the difference. I might even be inclined to perform that sort of modification/improvement if I hadn't become so fond of that tall, thin blade (obtrusive as it is) - it gets used just as much as the main blade.


(older pic)

Xfzp7Ro.jpg
Click to expand...
Oh yeah.... the sheepfoot is my most used blade, I think. Having the nail nick on the "front" side makes it even that much more friendly. Great knives...
Great cigar there, as well.... :cool:
 
I don't think you will be dropping the lambsfoot blade on this one, the tip is already across the frame to the other side.
 
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