Fight'n Rooster 2-blade single spring Sowbelly (Premium Double-End Jack)

supratentorial · Mar 2, 2012

After a little digging, I was able to find an example of a two blade single spring sowbelly by Fight'n Rooster. I don't have any experience with Fight'n Rooster knives but I picked up one and thought I'd share some photos and thoughts about the knife.

This example is a 1991 club knife with a large etch on the blade (I hate blade etches!) and stag handles. The closed length is 3 5/16" so I'm calling this one a 2-blade piglet belly (compared to the 3 3/4" vintage Remington).

Both blades have very good walk and talk. But as you can see in the well shot, it's a tight fit and the blades are close enough to rub. The edge is only slightly sharp but it's a club knife and a knife intended for display doesn't need to be sharp to sit in a case. I think that the blades are made of high carbon steel and would take a good edge. The blade geometry is a bit unusual, especially the generously sized spey blade. It has a bit of a point on the spine and sits way above the liners when closed. With the main blade open, I hold the knife with my first finger in front of the spey and my other fingers behind it so the point really doesn't get in the way though. If the knife didn't have the etch, I'd be inclined to use it. ...I still might ...not sure yet.

Fight'n Rooster has made some interesting patterns and I might pick up a few more Roosters now that I'm a little more familiar with the brand.

Campbellclanman · Mar 3, 2012

Jake, I have owned a couple, not sow belly's but let the fighting roosters fly to another coop..... I have always regretted this as I would have liked to know a bit more about them before I would ever let such a thing happen again.
I can tell you that I absolutely love that early Sowbelly of yours..oh my friend..that is such a sweet knife!

Will Power · Mar 3, 2012

Interesting find, the Spey blade is of course, out of proportion to the rest of the knife.Too big and broad for a short knife from my perspective. That blade must dig in a lot when using the Master blade too! Certainly not seen this pattern before you showed us that fabulous Rem. It's one of the nicest and most interesting knives I've seen in a long while. If ever a pattern were begging for a revival, this is one (GEC listen in) and it could give possibilities for different blades as the secondary too.

supratentorial · Mar 3, 2012

Thank you for the comments, guys. Digging through old auction sales, I noticed that Fight'n Rooster brought back a lot of interesting vintage patterns. I wish they didn't put a blade etch on all their knives. It's a deep etch and I'm thinking the blade would have to be reground pretty thin to get rid of it. The high riding spey blade would undoubtedly tear up your hands in extended use. The spine could be ground flush with the spine of the main blade, leaving plenty of spey blade remaining. ...but that still leaves the etch.

I agree with you Willgoy, the Remington pattern needs to be put back into production.

rprocter · Mar 3, 2012

Hey Jake, i began collecting Fight'n Roosters about 5 years ago, but now with more than 150 of them, it's got to be a very special Rooster before i go for it. Most of mine are Frank Buster Cutlery Co. (1976-81), and the rest have "Celebrated" in the stamping (1982-94). I have not collected the "& Son" knives made from 1994 until recently.
You are right that they were designed with the collector in mind, so numerous patterns have a feature such as yours has, that make them a bit less user friendly.
My impression is that the older ones are better made, more attention to getting the little details just right. Certainly some of the pearl and stag ones are among the most attractive folders made in recent times.
roland

supratentorial · Mar 3, 2012

Roland, Thank you for the dates and info. It's my understanding that both the Fight'n Rooster and Bulldog knives were/are made by Olbertz. I've compared the newer and older knives from both brands and agree that the older knives look better finished. I'm thinking that this reflects changes at Olbertz.

trashboss · Apr 7, 2012

I have this "Fight'n,Rooster", it says "Frank Buster" on it but its a 1992 knife.

Rprocter; It doesnt say "Celebrated" anywhere on it?

rprocter · Apr 7, 2012

With that pattern much of the tang remains covered by the liners. "Celebrated" should be centered under the "Frank Buster", then "Cutlery" under that and then "Germany" under that.
How much of this can you see ? If it's only "Frank Buster", the rest is there but hidden by the liners.
roland