While looking online for a current production American made sheepsfoot, I noticed that a Cooper Cutlery company in Ohio is reproducing the aluminum handled Queen Big Chief in sheepsfoot configuration. Anyone have any experience with these? I have an old Queen #45 from way back in the day that has held up to ridiculous amounts of use. Are the Cooper knives similar? Thanks!
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Sailors of the Sheepsfoot Main
- Thread starter Bartleby
- Start date
- Joined
- May 14, 2018
- Messages
- 28,969
Looking at reviews online... it looks like construction quality is hit or miss.
Thanks! This would be in line with the original Big Chief which would never win a beauty contest! The one I have had as a tackle box knife since the '70's was not designed to be made with fine tolerances (indeed the pivot has enough room to always remain gunk free in some nasty marine environments!) It has taken a ridiculous amount of use and abuse and in its old age has become something of a stuntman, stand in and loaner on field trips and expeditions. I have ordered one up from Cooper, since they are available and the design is so simple--a total of four parts, a blade a spring, a handle and a pivot pin. Actually, I kinda admire the pluck of the Cooper Cutlery family for bringing back such an interesting and unique design. Will update when it arrives!
- Joined
- May 14, 2018
- Messages
- 28,969
The Coopper Big Chief seems to have been lost in the mail.
I did pick up a pair of Bear and Son 4" Sheepsfoot Barlows, one in stainless and one in carbon. I must say that the fit and finish on both knives was spot on, which greatly pleased me! As is my way, I got both knives in the laminated wood as this holds up to summertime pocket carry well here in Texas. I was impressed in how well they ride in my pockets. They are not too heavy, but seem easier to find in my pocket clutter than the standard Barlows I have carried. Compares well with my old Case 1199 that had its bail removed long ago.
I immediately was sent to try out the new blade, set to work by my wife trimming vines and reclaiming the yard from the unusually high amount of rain we have had in these parts. The stainless rosewood Barlow never shirked a task! cleaned up easily at the end of the day as well. I like that they chose not to put adornment on this rugged little work horse!
The laminated oak with the shield will be my winter carry this year. I had a Carbon steel blade rust pretty swiftly as a kid and never really got over it (but that's on me). Nice to have one in carbon for old time's sake though! Bear and Son sure are on a roll at this time, and a bargain to boot!
I may re-order the Cooper later on, shame it was lost.
I did pick up a pair of Bear and Son 4" Sheepsfoot Barlows, one in stainless and one in carbon. I must say that the fit and finish on both knives was spot on, which greatly pleased me! As is my way, I got both knives in the laminated wood as this holds up to summertime pocket carry well here in Texas. I was impressed in how well they ride in my pockets. They are not too heavy, but seem easier to find in my pocket clutter than the standard Barlows I have carried. Compares well with my old Case 1199 that had its bail removed long ago.
I immediately was sent to try out the new blade, set to work by my wife trimming vines and reclaiming the yard from the unusually high amount of rain we have had in these parts. The stainless rosewood Barlow never shirked a task! cleaned up easily at the end of the day as well. I like that they chose not to put adornment on this rugged little work horse!
The laminated oak with the shield will be my winter carry this year. I had a Carbon steel blade rust pretty swiftly as a kid and never really got over it (but that's on me). Nice to have one in carbon for old time's sake though! Bear and Son sure are on a roll at this time, and a bargain to boot!
I may re-order the Cooper later on, shame it was lost.
Cooper Big Chief sheepsfoot version has arrived, and is a faithful reintroduction of the Queen knife. I had not tried the sheepsfoot version previously, but did use the heck out of one of the standard Queen 45s as a landscaper long ago. The curvature of the cutting edge of this sheepsfoot pattern should make it a very good knife for vines and lines!