- Joined
- Oct 2, 1998
- Messages
- 46,599
We denizens of the Traditional Forum are some of the luckiest folks in knifedom.
Not only do we get to read reviews and look at images of some of the best custom and production knives in the world but many of us have been fortunate enough to build lasting friendships with some of these same makers that most folks only have access to via magazines and periodicals.
Case in point...As most of our regulars know, there's something afoot in Oklahoma. Some really fine knives (at very reasonable prices) are coming from the benches of a couple of our own forum members, specifically Rick Menefee and Bret Dowell, the subject of this review.
While I was up in NYC last week, Bret wrote me and asked if I'd be interested in having him send me a knife he had just finished up, only his second two blade traditional knife...a sowbelly trapper. I didn't have to give it a lot of thought before writing back and telling him to send it along. (Bret still has the first two blade knife he's built, a saddlehorn trapper.)
Today the knife arrived and it certainly didn't disappoint. The knife is based upon Tony Bose's sowbelly pattern and was originally inspired when Bret saw the knife that Tony had built for Jeremy (4ever3).
Fit and finish on this knife are pure Bret Dowell. Those who already own Bret's work will know just what that means. Clean, sharp and with all the attention to detail that a fine traditional knife deserves.
Here are a few specs:
Pattern: Sowbelly Trapper
Steel: 154-CM
Scales: Ebony
Length: 3.75+"
Weight: 3 1/8 ounces
Shield: 416 Stainless
(It's been raining on and off all day and I ran outside to grab a few shots on the deck so you'll have to forgive the poor photography, fingerprints and mineral oil smudges. The better image is Bret's original.)
I hope you enjoy looking at these images as much as I enjoy sharing them with you. As always, your comments are welcome. (And yes, I'm going to carry it. It's in my pocket as I type this.)
Not only do we get to read reviews and look at images of some of the best custom and production knives in the world but many of us have been fortunate enough to build lasting friendships with some of these same makers that most folks only have access to via magazines and periodicals.
Case in point...As most of our regulars know, there's something afoot in Oklahoma. Some really fine knives (at very reasonable prices) are coming from the benches of a couple of our own forum members, specifically Rick Menefee and Bret Dowell, the subject of this review.
While I was up in NYC last week, Bret wrote me and asked if I'd be interested in having him send me a knife he had just finished up, only his second two blade traditional knife...a sowbelly trapper. I didn't have to give it a lot of thought before writing back and telling him to send it along. (Bret still has the first two blade knife he's built, a saddlehorn trapper.)
Today the knife arrived and it certainly didn't disappoint. The knife is based upon Tony Bose's sowbelly pattern and was originally inspired when Bret saw the knife that Tony had built for Jeremy (4ever3).
Fit and finish on this knife are pure Bret Dowell. Those who already own Bret's work will know just what that means. Clean, sharp and with all the attention to detail that a fine traditional knife deserves.
Here are a few specs:
Pattern: Sowbelly Trapper
Steel: 154-CM
Scales: Ebony
Length: 3.75+"
Weight: 3 1/8 ounces
Shield: 416 Stainless
(It's been raining on and off all day and I ran outside to grab a few shots on the deck so you'll have to forgive the poor photography, fingerprints and mineral oil smudges. The better image is Bret's original.)
I hope you enjoy looking at these images as much as I enjoy sharing them with you. As always, your comments are welcome. (And yes, I'm going to carry it. It's in my pocket as I type this.)
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