"Porca Miseria!" (The Custom "Sowbelly")

[Blues]

"Porca Miseria!" as my paisan Charlie (Waynorth) likes to occasionally utter, is an Italian expression used in moments of vexation and frustration.
(It literally translates to "pig misery" but its meaning is somewhat more colorful.)

Ah, the poor maligned sow. Such a wonderful creature paired with mental images of anguish, gritting teeth and hurled expletives.

Perhaps these images may help serve to redeem the reputation of the cunning, intelligent and dare I say beautiful sow, the inspiration for the following.

(Thanks to Mike Robuck for giving me the idea for this thread when he asked me to post a future group shot when my newest little piggy arrives.)

Please feel free to add images of your own custom sowbellies.

Reese Bose:

Joel Chamblin:

Bill Ruple "Sowbelly Whittler":

...continued...

 

[Blues]

Bill Ruple:

Bret Dowell "Sowbelly Trapper":

Richard Rogers (Incoming):

So, you decide, has the sow been maligned? I don't think I have to tell you what I think.

 

[cnas122]

coulda had a green bone one if you would have listened to my advice on haggling

 

[kamagong]

Those knives are far from being porkers. I'm especially drawn to the Bose rendition.

 

[Blues]

And lastly, a close relative of the pork family by my good friend Jerry Halfrich:

 

[Blues]

coulda had a green bone one if you would have listened to my advice on haggling

Well, I don't recall the advice but things worked out for the best in any case. Thanks though.

 

[texasflyfisher]

Oh yeah! That's a lot of ham! :thumbup:

I've seen several custom versions of this pattern with a great majority of them using the same shield. Is there a particular reason that it gets chosen?

 

[Blues]

Oh yeah! That's a lot of ham! :thumbup:

I've seen several custom versions of this pattern with a great majority of them using the same shield. Is there a particular reason that it gets chosen?

Luciano, I don't know how or where the tradition began but that "swimsuit" shield (or sowbelly shield as its often referred to) has been seen on sowbelly patterns for many a year.

Maybe Dwight or one of the other historians could provide some historical background.

 

[zerogee]

Oh yeah! That's a lot of ham! :thumbup:

I've seen several custom versions of this pattern with a great majority of them using the same shield. Is there a particular reason that it gets chosen?

I don't know *why* they started using this particular shield way back, but it was essentially the standard shield on this pattern, even across manufacturers (though the precise shape would vary a bit, it was quite recognizable as the same basic concept).

Remington:

New York Knife Co:

HSB&Co:

There were of course a lot of exceptions, but when the various sowbelly patterns from various companies had a shield in common, the swimsuit shield was it.

I've also just realized that the various sowbelly patterns usually had single threaded bolsters - even more often than that shield.

 

[comoha]

Elliott, that Bret Dowell barehead oinker is IT.
Elegant as all get out. :thumbup:

 

[wagglebee]

Elliott, how are you liking the ebony on the one you just got from Bret?

 

[Blues]

Elliott, how are you liking the ebony on the one you just got from Bret?

I've got to say that its won me over. I thought I didn't like wood very much on slipjoints but I was obviously wrong.

 

[wagglebee]

I've got to say that its won me over. I thought I didn't like wood very much on slipjoints but I was obviously wrong.

Thanks for helping me make up my mind.

 

[Dr Bill]

Elliott - that's quite a collection!

I have two, both with only one blade. After seeing your photos I may have to rectify that situation!

Ken Erickson
A bit unusual as it has a half-stop.

T Bose

 

[Mike Robuck]

I started to write which one was my favorite, but there was a lot to like on each one. (Plus I think they need to be handled in person to even come close to picking a favorite.)

I like the pen blade on Joel's and the grooved bolsters, the threaded bolsters on the Ruples, the brown bone on the Reese, the ivory on the Rogers, etc. etc. I will say that Bret's knife is in some very good company and is holding it's own at the feeding trough quite well.

 

[Blues]

I started to write which one was my favorite, but there was a lot to like on each one. (Plus I think they need to be handled in person to even come close to picking a favorite.)

I like the pen blade on Joel's and the grooved bolsters, the threaded bolsters on the Ruples, the brown bone on the Reese, the ivory on the Rogers, etc. etc. I will say that Bret's knife is in some very good company and is holding it's own at the feeding trough quite well.

Well said, Mike. (Oink!) (And Bret's work not only holds its own, it struts its stuff. )

As you well know, you have a standing invitation here!

 

[Blues]

Elliott - that's quite a collection!

I have two, both with only one blade. After seeing your photos I may have to rectify that situation!

Bill, those are both awesome knives by a couple of my favorite makers!!! :thumbup::thumbup:

 

[mckgreg]

Some real Jim Dandy's !!
Greg

 

[black mamba]

I have several productions which I really like, but no customs. Might have to do something about that at BLADE next year!

Only a slight detour, but from those of you who have customs, what length do you prefer? 3-3/4" seems to be the most common, but I've seen them from 3-1/2" on up to well over 4 inches.

 

[Ken44]

Now thats some great looking sow's right there !!!



Thanks for the pics Elliott:thumbup: