Just got a S&M File & Wire Sway Belly Trapper

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Explorerkid

Joined
Apr 27, 2011
Messages
28
My question is should I use it? I can only find limited information on it so far. ( Year 2000, #4, I think 420ss blade steel since no label for ATS) Any thoughts?

I really like the way it feels in the hand, and I am tempted to go ahead and use it, but thought I would see a few opinions on the matter, as I am new to the traditional slipjoints.

Here are a few quick and dirty picks, not had time to get it cleaned up yet.

c8728b33.jpg


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Use it.
Otherwise it's going to take up space with minimal potential for appreciating in value.
S+M's are too pretty to stay hidden anyway.
 
I like to use my favorite knives. Rare or not. I say use it if you will enjoy it :)

Congrats.
 
Did you buy it as an investment?
If so sell it and put your money in a interest bearing account!

Do you like it?
Would you like to use it?
S&M F&W are fine knives
A non-used knife is an abused knife

I have a couple of F&Ws, a wharnie on the same frame and worm groved in Moss Green
And a Cotton Sampler on the reversed frame in the same color and jigging as yours
Both in ATS and both sharpened and I really enjoy using them
 
For being new to traditionals you picked a great knife to start out with. The File & Wire models can be some of the nicest ones out there for a production piece. Since you like how it feels why not give it a shot?
 
Thanks for the quick replies, I guessed that would be the general consensus. I usually don't collect and not use, but just wasn't decided with this one. Needed a nudge.

I really like this knife and am going to use it happily. This is my first S+M and I am thinking about another.

edit to add: I'm not brand new to slippies, I have a few Case, Boker, and my late grandfather's western brand Stockman, but this is by far the nicest that I now own, and I have very limited knowledge compared to some of you, that's why I consider myself a newbie. :)

Sent from my HTC Inspire 4G using Tapatalk
 
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Isn't that pattern from the 1st series, and the scales from the 4th series? I own quite a few F&Ws, and couldn't remember seeing that particular combination.
ETA - It is really a great looking knife. Maybe a factory repair? They were out of the original scale material?
Adam
 
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aplehr1 said:
Isn't that pattern from the 1st series, and the scales from the 4th series? I own quite a few F&Ws, and couldn't remember seeing that particular combination.
ETA - It is really a great looking knife. Maybe a factory repair? They were out of the original scale material?
Adam
Click to expand...

Thanks!, I thought the same thing about the scales after I got it home and researched it better. I am looking into it more now, but I have come to the preliminary conclusion that this is the original scales that are not quite as dark as the catalog and promo pics. Also my pics make it look just a bit lighter than in person, still looking though.

It came out of a gentleman's collection of slip joints that he is consigning with the original shop that sold it to him, and is local to me. It looks like it sat in the box though, and was never used.

Any other thoughts on this are welcomed though. And even if it was re-scaled I have begun carrying it today, and love it so far.

Sent from my HTC Inspire 4G using Tapatalk
 
neeman said:
Just checked the price
Now I understand your question!!
Click to expand...

Not sure if you saw the same price I did, I could only find one, but I didn't pay anywhere near the price I had found. Still more than my other traditionals, but not too much to use.

When I get home later I'll try to send you a visitor message if I can find some time tonight.

Sent from my HTC Inspire 4G using Tapatalk
 
Use it... But carefully! Don´t pry or misuse it as a screwdriver or any jokes like that. When you use it, as what it is made for, it´ll be good fellow for a long time. There I´m sure.

Dont have a S&M knife, but just because they are not available here...

Kind regards
Andi
 
You will see a lot of variation in the F&W scales, even within the same series. I have ones from the 4th that are mint green + brown, 90% tan 10% brown - with no green, 90% brown 10% tan, and everything in between. That much variation might bother some people, but I haven't owned one yet that I didn't like. I don't have any from the 1st series to compare to yours, but bottom line - you have a great looking knife there. Don't be afraid to use it.

Adam
 
You do have a strange duck there indeed Explorer! It sure looks like a Swaybelly, 3 lined bolster and California Clip main blade.
The Swaybelly Trapper was the 4th Edition of the 1st series, #042101. It has Burnt Red Wormgroove Bone scales. Your appears to have the Moss Green Wormgroove scales from the 4th series. Does your knife have #042101 etched on it?
According to Dr. David Krauss in his book American Pocketknives, the early File & Wire Series knives were made in both 420 HC & ATS-34.
Here is a pic of the Red scales...
IMG_0418.jpg


Dave
 
I think those and the large stockman are the nicest of the F&W series even above my much liked baby sunfish! Super nice and yes use it and you'll like it more!
 
Thanks again for all the help and replies, I have been carrying it today and love it. Dull like the back of a butter knife though. I'll be sharpening it once I get a bit of time tonight or tomorrow.

It does have #042101 on the Spey blade, I also think those pictures make it look a bit more yellow/green than it really is, bad lighting. Here is another quick pic from my phone in a little closer to true colors.
IMAG0311.jpg


After a bit more looking around I'm pretty certain that they are the original scales to the series, but not burned as dark as they should have been. I'll try to get some good pictures outside once the weather clears up here, as my house and office both have poor lighting.

Sent from my HTC Inspire 4G using Tapatalk
 
That sure looks more like it!! I thought for a minute there you had a real odd ball. That pattern just fits my hand perfectly, I love the feel & control when using that knife. Great choice!! Use her in good health!!

Dave
 
I was interested in that pattern. How long exactly is the knife when closed and how long are the blades? The ads say 2 5/8" blades, but that seems short for a knife that is
3 3/4".
 
arty said:
I was interested in that pattern. How long exactly is the knife when closed and how long are the blades? The ads say 2 5/8" blades, but that seems short for a knife that is
3 3/4".
Click to expand...

This pattern is 4 1/8" closed, and the blade cutting edge is 3" and tip to bolsters is about 3 1/4". It is a really good sized knife.
 
A quick question............Where did you buy it?

I see you are from Utah.

You did not happen to buy that one at Cuttlery Corner in Orem did you????

The owner at Cuttlery Corner had a pretty big private collection he was selling, and he had a few File and Wire I got to play with over the Christmas holiday. I almost bought a F&W Toothpick, and a Sow Belly Trapper he had on hand.


It that is where you picked that one up, I bet it had my grubby prints all over it!



Ahhhh,,, I just read your post..........I did handle that one......almost positive.



Explorerkid said:
Thanks!, I thought the same thing about the scales after I got it home and researched it better. I am looking into it more now, but I have come to the preliminary conclusion that this is the original scales that are not quite as dark as the catalog and promo pics. Also my pics make it look just a bit lighter than in person, still looking though.

It came out of a gentleman's collection of slip joints that he is consigning with the original shop that sold it to him, and is local to me. It looks like it sat in the box though, and was never used.

Any other thoughts on this are welcomed though. And even if it was re-scaled I have begun carrying it today, and love it so far.

Sent from my HTC Inspire 4G using Tapatalk
Click to expand...



The owner told me I had already missed tons of choice knives (which is a good thing, because I have weak will power, and I had already spent too much money on folders this Christmas!!!!). He had tons of more modern manufacture like the F&W, but a lot of older knives that were great. It was decades and decades worth of collecting!




I would bet money that those scales are original. Nothing changed about that knife.

The collection it came out of had tons and tons of knives. The owner of the shop fished them out for me, and in addition to the knives he had out under the counter he had a crap load more in rolls that he has not cataloged yet, or set out for sale.

Most of the knives in the collection he had out looked new. A very few looked used.


You are very lucky to live by that shop. They are nice people, and will take time to actually talk with you, and let you coon finger and chicken finger everything.

I make a point of buying something there every trip, even if I have to ship it home, because I like the place.

It is family run, and even the little girls know about knives. The little granddaughters in that family have Custom Bose knives!!!!! If I remember correctly, one little girl collects MOP handled Bose, and another only likes Stag? Can you imagine how cool a mom has to be to buy her daughter a MOP handled Bose? (can't remember it they were Reese Bose, or Tony Bose knives......I want to say Tony). The kids had pics with him at a knife show holding their knives!
 
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