Case vs Queen-made Sowbelly

supratentorial

supratentorial

Joined
Dec 19, 2006
Messages
8,210
I have a Case Sowbelly and love it but I'm looking for one that is a little smaller. Is the difference in size noticeable when comparing a Case Sowbelly (3 7/8") to a Queen-made (3 3/4") sowbelly? ...Or is the 1/8" difference insignificant? The Queen-made sowbellies look like they might be a little thinner and lighter --is that true? Does anyone have a side-by-side photo of the two?

Also, are there any 2-spring sowbelly whittlers? (aside from customs) I think the Queen-made sowbelly whittlers all have three springs -- is that correct?
 
Last edited:
I guess I'll find out soon enough! ;) I just bought this Winchester (Queen) sowbelly.

06b48eff.jpg

68f12da5.jpg

70ed6317.jpg
 
I was hoping to see more input here, too. I've eyeballed the Schatt & Morgan (by Queen) sowbelly for a long time, but never bought one. I do have several of the Case sowbellies, though. Only thing I can offer is, there's even some variation in 'heft' among the Case models, depending upon the scales on the knife. My stag sowbelly (seen in my avatar pic) is a bit thicker than most of the other 3-blade versions I have (most with bone, and one with aftermarket re-handling to a synthetic material). I've even wondered if that might translate to slightly heavier bolsters on some, as the bolsters are hafted/sanded to be flush to the particular scales. I'd bet the 1/8" difference in length between Case & Queen (if published numbers are accurate) is negligible, for the most part. Most of the perceived 'bulk' of a sowbelly is in the 'fatness' of it, I think, if the pattern's name is any clue.
 
Thanks for the input, David. :thumbup: I'm also inclined to think there's probably little difference in size and weight between the two. I'll get some comparison shots up when the Winchester arrives. I'm eyeing a few of the custom sowbellies measuring 3.5"... but I'm exercising restraint... for now.
 
The Queen does indeed carry ever slightly easier(the size isn't worth even talkin about as you can see), and feels a smidgent better in the hand, apples to aranges on both counts though....
003-18.jpg
 
Peter Parker said:
The Queen does indeed carry ever slightly easier(the size isn't worth even talkin about as you can see), and feels a smidgent better in the hand, apples to aranges on both counts though....
003-18.jpg
Click to expand...

That S & M is really a good looker. Slanted, pinched & fluted bolsters, and a long pull on the clip blade. These are all things I like, and on one of my favorite patterns, to boot.

Very nice, Peter. :thumbup:
 
Thank you for not letting this thread go BELLY up! :p I'm also admiring that Schatt & Morgan Sowbelly. The jig pattern reminds me a little of the worm groove pattern used by Cattaraugus. :thumbup:
 
I had/have a few Bulldogs which are a nice option

There's a Schatt sowbelly copperhead at moment (F&W)

(I envy you that Winchester, supratent - that mainblade is something eh?)
 
Noddy, If you have some photos of the Bulldogs, I'd enjoy seeing them. I know they have some 3 3/8" to 3 1/2" sowbellies but I've never seen them in person. How does the quality compare US made knives? Does it depend on the generation?

Thank you for the complement on the Winchester. I had wanted a Moore Maker sowbelly with 3 blades instead of 2 or 5 and this knife is pretty much exactly what I wanted. I look forward to getting it. Now I also want that Series 18 worm groove Schatt & Morgan 'belly! The stainless steel would be a nice contrast with the Winchester and I really like the long pull, lower riding sheepfoot... and the bone reminds me of the good ol' worm groove from Catt.
 
Last edited:
supratentorial said:
Noddy, If you have some photos of the Bulldogs, I'd enjoy seeing them.
Click to expand...

A small Bulldog

2-23.jpg


One in white bone (3 7/8ths”) I have another of these in horn – lovely and a favourite – but I can’t find a pic at the moment

2.jpg


Otherwise, and for temptation’s sake ….

here’s a Ruple and a Shaw (neither are mine, I hasten to add ☺)

Ruple-3.jpg


2e2d9614.jpg
 
Thank you for the very nice photos. I'm going to chicken eye them a bit longer. I've already been eyeing that Ruple sowbelly whittler for quite some time. I'm looking for a user and I don't know if I'd have the courage to carry the Ruple... still haven't used any of my customs, yet...but it would certainly look good next to my Ryu.

Ryuichi-Kawamura-Sowbelly-Whittler-1.jpg
 
Boingggg! That is lovely :):):)

What I like about sowbellies is the way the shape of the handle places the blades just so. They kind of tell you something about history and the use of knives, more so than others
 
Sowbellys.....that Bulldog in white bone...no...that Ruple....wow...must be my next pattern
 
Very nice pics so far! Does the Sowbelly pattern lend to blades that ride lower in the handle when closed? I keep thinking about the AG Russel 2 blade sowbelly where the two large blades seem to disappear into the curve of the handle!
 
Peter Parker said:
The Queen does indeed carry ever slightly easier(the size isn't worth even talkin about as you can see), and feels a smidgent better in the hand, apples to aranges on both counts though....
003-18.jpg
Click to expand...

Based on this photo, I might like the S&M better than the Case I had. But I had Don Seals pull the spey and sheepsfoot out of it and it is an awesome single blade pocketknife. So, it is probably a moot point for me anyway. I do like the way the sheepsfoot on the S&M lies closer to the handle than the Case version. A two blade sowbelly with a long wharncliffe secondary would be pretty awesome in my book.

Ed J
 
Thanks David! The Case is my favorite just because it was gifted by a special friend, but I like the Queen better for the features you liked. Ed as mentioned above Queen has a new F&W worm grove winter bottom bone Sowbelley Trapper out; it looks pretty good to me and I usually don't care for light bone!
 
Peter, is that a series 18 sowbelly with "Pennsylvania Brown Berry Worn Worm Groove Bone"??? I'm looking all over and I can't find one with color that nice!

P.S. Still waiting for my "Winchester" to arrive :rolleyes: (shipped from overseas).
 
Yes 18 series made in 2008 and in Brown berry worn worm groove bone. I started not to get this one at the time as I though it was over priced with just bone and 420HC steel. Fast forward to today and I'm so glade I did mostly because this knife came out of a little money my grandfather left me, but I now much prefer Queen's 420HC to their D2 now as well!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top