~ from Ireland, a Tony Conlon Cracker

Chui

Chui

Gold Member
Joined
Jul 10, 2012
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Never met Tony. Never handled one of his knives either. Regardless, they looked great and his WIP pics were all the right stuff, so thought I'd take a gamble and jump in...



What a lovely fella. Once we'd to'd and fro'd about what I fancied and would he be happy making it, Tony kept me up to date with progress - photos and a couple of wee vids too.



Have always liked the Tony Bose 'Sow Belly' pattern, and there are many variations with double bolster/without; multi-blades etc. One of those patterns that's great to roll about in your hand too, a long thin pebble.



Managed to get a Case Tony Bose Sow Belly not so long ago and it is a less robust build than Tony's, and the latter is preferable imho



This one has no half-stop, like many Bose creations, I believe - and with about a 5 pull, just nicely balanced.



Jigged bone scales

RWL 34 blade / 61 Rockwell

316 liners+bolsters





Very many thanks indeed, Tony - thoroughly enjoyed the experience and look forward to using it with great pleasure
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A fine looking Sowbelly, Paul! Looks like you made the right call.
 
waynorth said:
Looks 've been looking for a single-blade Sowbelly; maybe I'll have to get one custom made!!
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Chui Chui An excellent example Paul. The sowbelly is a new to me pleasure.
I know just the place to find one Charlie. John Lloyd has recently made several. I was lucky enough to pick up a small stag at about 3 1/4". If you're interested Vincent VCM3 VCM3 should be able to help. This is the one I got and the pattern is excellent.
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All it needs is a bit of wearing in from carry, I like the bone very much indeed. Although the shield in not my favourite... overall the knife is a very sleek execution. Think I might have to look into his waiting list.....
 
Paul that's one of the nicest custom hand made slipojoints I've seen recently. Looks like Tony does great work !
 
joeradza said:
Chui Chui An excellent example Paul. The sowbelly is a new to me pleasure.
I know just the place to find one Charlie. John Lloyd has recently made several. I was lucky enough to pick up a small stag at about 3 1/4". If you're interested Vincent VCM3 VCM3 should be able to help. This is the one I got and the pattern is excellent.
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- thank you, Alan. And what a beaut that is too :thumbsup:

Will Power said:
All it needs is a bit of wearing in from carry, I like the bone very much indeed. Although the shield in not my favourite... overall the knife is a very sleek execution. Think I might have to look into his waiting list.....
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- yep, think you're bang-on there..........needs a bit of 'handling' and use ;):D

VCM3 said:
Paul that's one of the nicest custom hand made slipojoints I've seen recently. Looks like Tony does great work !
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- coming from you and your sharp eye, a great compliment to Tony - thank you, Vince :)
 
Thanks. Added to my list. I wonder if that friction folder is from scratch, or a modded Opinel. It's fantastic either way.
 
That's a beauty! It looks very ergonomic to me, and that swedge is fantastic. It really sets it apart. I'd be proud to throw that in my pocket every day.
 
abcdef said:
Thanks. Added to my list. I wonder if that friction folder is from scratch, or a modded Opinel. It's fantastic either way.
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hi
That friction folder was indeed made from scratch, it was made from a solid lump of stainless steel, it was first turned concentrically, then eccentrically and the relief for the scales were milled between centers on a mikron milling machine,the slit was then cut with a slitting saw on the mill, a hardened and tempered screw was then made for the pivot with a proper shoulder allowing the blade to be tightened with wear, the pins on the elm scales are threaded into the body of the knife and peened to secure the scales, the blade is flat ground d2 carbon steel.
 
So, there was a wee bit of adjustment required on the Sow Belly and Tony was only too happy to sort it out. In the meantime, he had secured a new full time job and the task took a little longer. No matter to me, happy to wait.



However, when it was about ready to send back to me, Tony said, "... sent over a little carbon steel work knife too, thanks for your patience".



I thought no more of it until I just opened the box...



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...that is above and beyond, to say the very least.



Fit n finish on these folders is utterly superb, brilliant quality. Like Paul Mason, Tony benefits from direct contact with Tony Bose and the generous use of his exact patterns.



I am gobsmacked, cheered up my gloomy London week, a charm



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