Affordable S&M File & Wire knife with ATS-34 that is actually pocketable? Sure!

texasflyfisher

texasflyfisher

Joined
Aug 17, 2007
Messages
1,911
While using a stainless steel common among modern folders, ATS-34, most of the Schatt & Morgan File & Wire series knives tend to be on the large to huge size and not all that pocketable. I've been busy since the middle of last year with family but on occasion I would lurk on this forum and really didn't see any discussion of the last knife to come out in the Schatt & Morgan File & Wire Series 5 last year which turned out to be a 3 3/4" sowbelly trapper. I was waiting to see if anyone talked about one but since nobody had and I hadn't gotten a new knife in a long time, I bought one (photo below).

First off, the price with shipping was just under $100 US. Not particularly high for a S&M F&W knife and comparable to some similar knives from other companies such as Case and Great Eastern (yes, I know they don't make a sowbelly but I sure wish they did). Of course, the main difference is the blades are of ATS-34 which is presumably a better stainless steel.

This is not a complete review since I haven't had it for long. The knife is well made and reminds me of the Queen made Winchester Sowbelly from the late 80s in build and the firm, but not hard, walk and talk. The slanted and pinched bolsters are like those on the Series XVIII sowbelly stockman from S & M. Like all the Queen made sowbellies I have seen, there are a couple tiny gaps in about the same locations on one side of the knife. Not really noticeable unless you are really looking for them.

Same as all Queen knives, the blades came duller than a spoon. The blades were centered when closed and the clip blade has no wiggle when open while the long spay blade has just the most microscopic wiggle when open. I like the fact that the nails nicks are both on the shield or mark side.

The ash colored worm groove bone is more attractive in person than in photos I had seen. Almost reminds me of stag but not quite. Mine had what looked like a crack near one pin and the shield but it doesn't look harmful in any way if that is what it is.

So, in short, if you are looking for a reasonably priced and pocketable traditional knife with a good grade stainless steel from a respected US knife maker then you may want to consider taking a look at this one.

IMG_4394.JPG
 
Last edited:
Certainly looks very sleek and I do like that type of bone, many thanks for returning and posting this, food for thought!
 
Thanks for the review. Its a very good looking knife. Lets us know how she takes an edge
 
I was also hoping that someone would post about this knife. I'm surprised there isn't more talk about the F&W knives. Glad you posted it.
 
Thanks y'all.

As far as the edge, I am not the most skilled sharpener but after 15 minutes sharpening on three DMT diamond stones from 600 grit then 1200 and polishing off with a 8000 grit stone it was sharpen enough to remove some arm hair. It should hopefully keep that edge a while.
 
Too many knives on the wishlist and not enough money!
This one has been on my short list for a while, but lately I keep getting distracted by GEC's offerings.

I'd be curious to see your long term use review, as it might sway me towards picking one of these up. I'm really tempted.

-nate
 
I have the grandad two bladed barlow. I was initially very dissapointed with the gaps, and pen blade wiggle. But the bone and stamped bolsters were so pretty, I did a padded vice squish, and am keeping that sucker!

I carry big folders in my pocket, so I have not met a traditional folder yet that gave me any pause to toss in a pocket! (the GEC sunfish feels made for my pockets!).

The large Burke/queen barlow, and S&M large Barlow feel great in pocket for me as well!.




As to the bone color, I agree, in person.......It exceeded my expectations for look, but the feel.................SO NICE. Warm, smooth, glossy, and polished! Probably the most "Touch Friendly" to date.

I visited a dealer selling off a private collection, and he had two others that I got to coon finger. They were both tighter and better than mine (bought through the interwebs).

I was temped to get both the ones he had, but I don't really like slim toothpicks, and I have a handfull of two bladed trappers, so I wanted another pattern.

Their red sunfish file and wire, with the stamped bolsters is absolutely tasty looking (and don't like red bone!).
 
Last edited:
Nice knife, Luciano, but I would have returned/exchanged that one with the pin cracked scale.

Here is one from the 2005 File & Wire III series that comes in at only 3-5/8" overall, and also has the wormgroove bone and ATS-34 steel:
the one blade gunstock.

FW_Gunstock.jpg
 
black mamba said:
Nice knife, Luciano, but I would have returned/exchanged that one with the pin cracked scale.

Here is one from the 2005 File & Wire III series that comes in at only 3-5/8" overall, and also has the wormgroove bone and ATS-34 steel:
the one blade gunstock.

FW_Gunstock.jpg
Click to expand...

I absolutely love that one too! If it had been in stock, it would have been on my list. Some one sold one a while ago, and I waited too long. It has the stamped S&M rear bolster........just something about stamped bolsters! (the un-x-ld stamp on the GEC tadpole barlow is great too).
 
I have a S&M File & Wire Swayback at 4 1/4" but is a very flat knife so it actually is quite pocketable
 
I was thinking about pulling the trigger on that one myself until GEC came out with the #85. The bone looks better then I thought, wouldn't care for the crack though. Queen really does a good job with their ATS-34!
 
That gunstock is a pretty solid and hefty knife for its size with the thick blade. Could feel kind of chunky in the pocket for some. Still a really nice piece though.

I like the looks of the Sowbelly. Good to hear that the quality was up to snuff on your example. When Queen gets them right they're sweet.
 
Nice write-up and pictures. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this knife.

My only File & Wire is the English Jack in ATS-34. It might physically fit in a pants pocket, but your suspenders better be made from kevlar. :D
 
I like the knife pictured, might have to pick one up. Not a big fan of that gunstock however. Blade is just too thick and I could not put an edge on it to suit me.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top