Schatt & Morgan Sowbelly

texasflyfisher

texasflyfisher

Joined
Aug 17, 2007
Messages
1,911
As a anniversary/Christmas present for myself, I am on the verge on purchasing one last knife for the year and have been considering a sowbelly stockman pattern (Blues is a bad influence). So far, I own a reverse gunstock stockman, equal end stockman and would like to add a sowbelly to the EDC mix. I really like stockman patterns.

So, what do folks think of the Schatt & Morgan Sowbelly? Particularly from their Series XVIII ? The little I read about them is that F & F is very good. What about the springs on these knives? Pretty strong? Good snap? I like strong springs and gator like snap (which is why I like the GEC cigar stockman a lot).

I welcome comments from folks that have S & M knives and any that have this particular pattern of theirs so I can make a decision soon (would be nice to slice the Thanksgiving turkey with it).
 
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I do like this pattern Tex. It was released with this years annual reproduction series. They call it "Brown Berry" wormgroove bone, at 3 & 3/4" with lined & pinched bolsters she's kinda fancy.;)

Dave
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I have the Series XVIII sowbelly, and I love it. It's one of my favorite knives. The fit and finish is, in a word- perfect. The bone is lovely, the jigging is crisp, bone to bolster is as good as I've ever seen. The blades are all mirror finished, and they are all swedged (the spey blade has just a hint of a swedge on it). All of my blades came sharp, and the grinds are perfectly even and symmetrical. The master blade is centered, and the secondary blades are staggered well- they do not touch each other, the spey blade just barely touches the liner (right near the tip, there is maybe a .5 mm contact point, you have to look hard to see it). The springs are perfectly flush open and closed on all three blades (I just checked, I have it right here). Like most stockman knives, there are no half stops on the S&M sowbelly. I have tried to find something wrong with this knife, tried to be critical of it, and the worst indictment I've been able to come up with (besides the blade steel) is that the dye on the bone is the tiniest bit blotchy, and one of the pins has been slightly overspun. Other than that, it is literally perfect. However, if you're looking for a knife with strong springs, this is not the knife for you. In terms of toughness, I'd say they're a 3 or 4 on a scale of 10- maybe a hair tougher than a Buck 301. I have no problem with this, I'm kind of sick of abusing my thumbnails on "beartrap" backsprings.

Overall, the S&M sowbelly is a great looking, classy, well made traditional folder. And it's a perfectly sized EDC. It's probably not the knife you want to use to dig bullets out of stumps with, but for general everyday use, it is a pleasure to own and carry. And it's probably a nicer knife than most people ever see.
 
Thanks Moon for the detailed review! I do like a blade with a good snap though. I wonder if it is the curve of the spring that lends to it being weaker? I may want to look at one in person. There seems to be one Queen retailer in San Antonio, so next time I go there I will try and stop by that shop for a looksee. Thanks again!
 
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