Here are the two he just made for me Vince. First is a new pattern that him and I spitballed together. OAL is 7 3/4" with a blade length of just over 3 inches.
The second one is what calls the "small drop point" pattern that is 7 inches in length with a 2 3/4" blade length.
bret sure does good work, i should have one by christmas, i'll put up the pics when i get it. rd, i saw those before they got sent out, man that one with the brown micarta was top shelf, well they all were but it was my pick of the litter
bret sure does good work, i should have one by christmas, i'll put up the pics when i get it. rd, i saw those before they got sent out, man that one with the brown micarta was top shelf, well they all were but it was my pick of the litter
that one sure has some nice color to it, would you trade it for a inch of rain right now? how you doing eremy, i hear there going to play your game in Guymon this year, dont knw the dates but i figured you might want to know since its close
No but I am trying for a Dowell group buy here ,after the newyear,maybe.
I'll say it now....I'm in!!!
Josh
Ditto.
I love the camp knife. I feels very good in the hand. A serious piece of steel but very well made with exceptional fit and finish. You do great work Brett.
How about a group buy on this model (without the jigging)? I like the jigging a lot...but I realize how much extra work it is.
Thats a nice looking knife Antlers but I vastly prefer the handles on the knives Roy posted. Any model with that handle is easily my vote for the group buy...
My preference is the handle on #1 that seems to flow better with a drop point and the round butt of #5 with a skinner.
I like the yellow Micarta a lot but Vince said that probably would not happen, second would be green and third brown. Jigged Micarta does not look like antler to me, so I prefer smooth.
And since I am saying what looks good to me, I think the hollow grind and swedge is much nicer than the flat grind of #4.
#7 and #8 looks like a smaller blade version of #1, may just be my eyes.
All in all, I just think #1 in Micarta is a bad to the bone knife!
i might be wrong but i think 1,2,3,and 8 are the same pattern, 5 and 6 are the same, 4 and 7 are different, matter of fact i think 7 is a blend of 1 and 4, 4 is hollow ground, he just took it way up
i might be wrong but i think 1,2,3,and 8 are the same pattern, 5 and 6 are the same, 4 and 7 are different, matter of fact i think 7 is a blend of 1 and 4, 4 is hollow ground, he just took it way up
#7 is the new pattern I had Bret make-up. I asked him to take the handle of the semi-skinner and combine it with a drop point blade almost the same as the one pictured in #8, but with slightly less drop. Mine also has a cut swedge and the DP's pictured all have file work.
Yes, I discussed this with Bret, and when we do the group buy, we are going to have three spots,three lucky guys will get a knife with a choice of 96 combined posibble options.
i talked to him today vince and he said he would do a group buy of 25, he picks the pattern but you could have any other options you wanted, let the fun begin, ha
on a side note i picked up a prefect little folder from him today that he made for my boy, i'll try to get pics of it after christmas
i talked to him today vince and he said he would do a group buy of 25, he picks the pattern but you could have any other options you wanted, let the fun begin, ha
To be delivered at an undetermined time in the future, right ?
Yes, I discussed this with Bret, and when we do the group buy, we are going to have three spots,three lucky guys will get a knife with a choice of 96 combined posibble options.
Yes!!! Roy nailed it with the combination. In all honesty, I would be very happy with one of the 1-3 and 8 (same) pattern or the RDFinn special pictured in #8.
Just let me know when the list of 96 options is available Vince...
Yes, I discussed this with Bret, and when we do the group buy, we are going to have three spots,three lucky guys will get a knife with a choice of 96 combined posibble options.
If you use my pattern I get $25 per knife over and above the group buy prices plus one of Bret's slipjoints....
well bret gave my boy a fixed blade acouple yrs ago so i decided to get on his list and get him a slip joint, bret got it done just in time for christmas, he did a great job on it as always. larry made the sheath
Now that's one lucky kid right there. Life's pretty good when you're starting out with one of Bret's slipjoints. My name must be coming up on Bret's list soon and I can't wait.
mtnman, bret wont make me one, if it hadnt been for the boy he wouldnt have even let me on the list, laugh while a guy gets run over by a hog and he holds it against you forever, go figure
Yes, I discussed this with Bret, and when we do the group buy, we are going to have three spots,three lucky guys will get a knife with a choice of 96 combined posibble options.
If you use my pattern I get $25 per knife over and above the group buy prices plus one of Bret's slipjoints....
I know you guys like your fixed blades but here's a few folders I finished up lately. Got a couple fixed blades on the bench going. I'll try to post pics of them in a few days.
Cra1 told me a story on Brett yesterday. GW Gross , Ryan and his son came to the KGA knife show. Ryan told me that when his turn came up for the folder, he was going to get a micarta shadow for him but Brett said no way. He did the bolster and bone to make sure the boy got a NICE one. That shows you the character of Brett.
My buddy got a folder from Bret one time,a shadow. We were at Home Depot lashing down a load of material's & my friend left the folder on the fender of the trailer...GONE....
Anyhow,Bret made him another!! Awesome Good Guy ,makes a pretty good knife I hear,too
shot that smith combat maggie on okinawa. sweet ,light, & fast. i did'nt know if it was still in the offered inventory. that smith 19 was bill jordans fav. that 6.5 looked wicked fast.--cranky72
Its 4''closed.Blade is 3 1/4'' Drop Pt. Handle is black and orange g-10 with canvass micarta for the cover. I've been carrying one with a lanyard in my back pocket for awhile and really liking it.
It has ats-34, half stop, with medium/strong pull and yes the thong hole is encased within the spring. It will be for sale on my table at the blade show next week.
This is about as many knives as you'll see at one time at my place. Thought I'd snap a shot. I'll try to get some better pics of the fixed blades later. Its actually been raining here the last few days.
Only about 18 more months before my number comes up!!!! The six months has been a looong wait. 18 more may just kill me. I can't wait to get one of Brett's folders.
Man and just how I was imagining it to look too. Had Bret make me this 4" (closed) shadow pattern with carbon fiber scales and a drop point blade made from CPM-154. Can't wait to get this one in my hands. This will be my first ever custom slipjoint !!!!!!!
Thanks Vince. It came in the mail today and I'm blown away by every aspect of this slipjoint. Spring is dead flush in all three positions, blade is frickin razor sharp, zero gap around shield and the fit and finish is absolutely flawless !!!!
That's a good question and I honestly don't know the answer as to how they (Westinghouse) made that micarta look that way. It actually has a interwoven look to it meaning depth unlike any other micarta I've ever seen. I believe it was Westinghouse that made it, but I'm not positive. Hasn't been made for awhile either.
Just got my Bret Dowell " RF Hunter " in carbon fiber today and wanted to post up a pic for you all. Blade steel is CPM-154 and features a tapered tang and thin red liners. Man this thing is sharp !!!! Thanks again Bret !!!
I bet this knife would be sweet in a white, antique or light yellow linen Micarta without the shield, brass hardware with the yellow scales and stainless with antique or white scales.
An amazing knife Bret made. Tony Bose slicer pattern. Going to a friend of ours,who is a professional butcher.
Now that is a knife!!!
The slip joint with brown micarta with orange liners is one that may be on my list when my name finally comes up in Brett's book. Only 16 months to go!!! Lol
Here's a blade I found in a drawer that I forgot about. I made a couple of these for a friend several years ago. Its M4. He sends the knives back every so often for me to sharpen and swears there the best steel he's every had. So I decided to put a handle on it and give it to my boy. It sure got sharp but I'm curious as to how it holds up. Any of you guys have much experience with M-4
Bret I use CPM-M4 quite a bit,its my favorite steel.The guy's I've made M-4 knives for rave about its edge holding!and toughness. I'm going to be making fillet knife's soon out of it.I'll let ya know what the guys think about them.I send my M-4 blades to Peters to be heat treated to 65RC.
I sent this to Paul Boss. That's probably been 6 or 7 years ago. I know he retired from buck but is he still doing any custom heat treating? Seems like this was 64rc. It sure eat up the belts.
Here's a blade I found in a drawer that I forgot about. I made a couple of these for a friend several years ago. Its M4. He sends the knives back every so often for me to sharpen and swears there the best steel he's every had. So I decided to put a handle on it and give it to my boy. It sure got sharp but I'm curious as to how it holds up. Any of you guys have much experience with M-4
I see you figured out how to post the pic, ha. good thing the steel is that tough, if chase treats it like everything else he will sure test it in afew years
I sent this to Paul Boss. That's probably been 6 or 7 years ago. I know he retired from buck but is he still doing any custom heat treating? Seems like this was 64rc. It sure eat up the belts.
Paul retired but his business continues at Buck. I use their heat treatment because I can just drive over there and I can't see buying all the equipment and learning the science/art being cheaper than having the pros do it. As long as you're doing 10+ blades at a time the price isn't bad.
My wait is 16-18 months now, I try not to think about it but every so often some funky lucker bumps this thread to the top or posts photos of a new blade
Got a few finished up on the weekend. I like this one so I thought I'd post it up. Its a smaller knife about 7 1/4'' Its got some nice iron wood burl. My favorite wood but man it gets to my allergies.
Here's another. Blade and spring are A-2. Handle is bone micarta with canvass micarta and black G-10 liners. I'm actually gonna hang on to this one. Been carrying it for a couple month and really liking the A-2.
Here's another. Blade and spring are A-2. Handle is bone micarta with canvass micarta and black G-10 liners. I'm actually gonna hang on to this one. Been carrying it for a couple month and really liking the A-2.
Bret, I can see why you are keeping that one, very nice! Adam
Here's another. Blade and spring are A-2. Handle is bone micarta with canvass micarta and black G-10 liners. I'm actually gonna hang on to this one. Been carrying it for a couple month and really liking the A-2.
Very attractive folder. I am really thinking of making some slip joints myself. All the lines and materials really compliment each other. Could you share some dimensions?
Here's another. Blade and spring are A-2. Handle is bone micarta with canvass micarta and black G-10 liners. I'm actually gonna hang on to this one. Been carrying it for a couple month and really liking the A-2.
Man that's so pretty it would bring a tear to a glass eye
You guys are probably tired of seeing folders but here's one more I finished up this weekend. A 3 1/2 swayback with some real nice elephant ivory. As a side note I did get some work done on a few fixed blades. I'll try to get some pics of them later in the week. Thnks Bret
Here's one I just finished up. A 3 5/8'' trapper with bark elephant ivory. Hope you guys like it. Thanks Bret
It's almost like you can read my mind Brett. This is what one of the spots for my order is gonna be. If you could please PM me the specifics of this one.
BTW. The swayback is killer man. The ivory on it makes me jealous. And I have a few with El ivory on them. It has an awesome color and grain to it.
Don't worry. There's plenty more were that came from. Doesn't seem to matter how much ivory I got stashed away every time I see another piece I like I buy it. Its a sickness, I know. That knife is a little over 3 5/8 closed with a 2 3/4 blade by the way.
That knife is a stunner, very ergonomically pleasing to the eye, looks like a perfect hunter and the jigging is killer, whats the dimensions of that knife.
That knife is a stunner, very ergonomically pleasing to the eye, looks like a perfect hunter and the jigging is killer, whats the dimensions of that knife.
I think 7" OAL with 3" blade That is the knife Bret did a group buy here once
It certainly does look good. Real good...! I'm certain there's a whole lot of work that goes into a custom folder that those of us who aren't knife makers aren't even aware of...!
Dang...! Looks pretty damn good...! Love those bright blue liners against that black. Is that paper micarta...? That jiggin' looks real sweet. That's just a beautiful knife. Excellent work.
Trading material. Had to have some 22 mag shells and since its impossible to find I did some trading with a buddy. Hurry up Ryan and dig them shells up. I went through my last box last Friday. Steel is A-2. Handles are antique micarta with black liners and black micarta pins. Hope you guys like it. Thanks Bret
Bret the only thing that could have made it nicer was to make the thong hole a little bigger and use a piece of carbon arrow shaft fot the tube. Awesome!
their in the pickup, i'll bring them when I bring the hog trap. knife looks good, if I can keep jr from getting it I will finally have a dowell of my own, ha
Thanks guys. Put in an order today for some more ivory. Cant wait to see it. Just not the bill. Should of bought more ten years ago. Guess its all headed to China now.
you going to let me pick through it next time I'm over, it would be easier then trying to get one set at a time while your not looking like I been doing
I had Bret make me a Lanny's Clip not long ago, and stupid me, while trying to take some photo's, I dropped the knife on a concrete basement floor and part of the jigged bone scales cracked as it should have. I called Bret, sick to my stomach, and asked if he could repair/rebuild the original work of art and he graciously said he would. Here are some pics of what I received today.
I saw the bottom a-2 knife yesterday, man it was nice and fit the hand real good. one of the prettiest set of scales I have seen, a little different color then any thing else
I am having Bret make me a fixed blade based on this pattern.
With that block of Honduran Rosewood and a foot of Damasteel Bjorkmans Twist, I'll have enough material left over to make a Lanny Clip with just the blade and spring made from the Damasteel with SS bolsters and a SS shield. That's the plan.I was talking with the USA rep/distributor of Damasteel yesterday and I was pretty impressed with what this material will do. It's not intended just to look pretty and I was told it had all the qualities of any other high performance "super steel" out there today. They even make gun barrels out of this stuff..........damn !!!
Both are killer but the stag,real nice one there! Thanks for showing them Jamie & nice work,as usual Bret. Safe & Happy Holiday weekend to All of you's out there
Finished this one up today. Scaled down the camp knife pattern about 1 1/2''. This ones 9'' oal with some real nice iron wood. Anyways hope you guys like it.
I'll let you know how the edge holds on this one holds up Rick. LOL, Just kidding. That's a beautiful knife to be cherished. Somebody is going to be real happy. Keep up the good work Bret.
You're welcome. This will be my first Damascus knife ever. Not sure if Bret's ever made a slipjoint from Damascus either so that might be a first for both of us.
Like Vince said Holy cow!!! That is incredible Bret is a Master and his work is flawless what a talented guy, congrats on that baby, what are the dimensions of that knife.
I'd tell you, but then I'd have to kill you.....lol. The scales on my knife I found at a place called Exotic Burl Wood and they have a store on ebay. Another one, also on ebay, is called CA Hardwoods. I picked this set for a friend from Exotic Burl Wood also.
No doubt. Don't remember if it was you or another Campfire member that turned me onto them and when I was on an Amboyna Burl kick, they had some of the very best blocks I've ever seen any where. Very fair prices too.
Been a long wait and a lot of searching to find thick enough scales for it but here it is. Thanks Mike for the scales and Bret it looks exactly as I had hoped.
This is Roy's "RF Hunter" pattern with 3/8" Westinghouse Micarta, red liners and tapered tang.
Been awhile since I've posted anything new. Here's a few I finished lately. I'll try to get some pics of a few more I finished over the weekend. Two are little M-4 knives that I'm really curious about and two more in stag hunters.
Yep, just got a few more pieces in last week too. Good stuff.
Bret those hints of violet color in the white...John said something like the way the PP reacted I've seen it on quite a few sets of his stag I've fooled with,it is pretty looking
Bret I been making knive's out of M-4 for about 4 years now. It"s KILLER steel!! once I talk a customer into it they don"t want anything else.I send mine to Peter"s heat treat and have it heattreated to RC65. My personal knife I ground to 10 Thou.It's like a freakin scalple!! YOUR GOIN TO LUV IT.
Pretty spectacular. Razor sharp work in every way. Beautiful knife. That stag is unreal...almost looks like that stuff that Uncle Henry used to put on their good knives back in the day. Those thin red liners are classy too.
That is an exceptionally good lookin' blade. The whole knife is outa sight...but that blade is a real piece of work.
I've not been bitten by the folder bug...I've seen guys here say that it's a whole other addiction. I do like the Lanny's Clip that Rick and Bret make though. I think one would float my boat best if it had no bolster, no shield, and was made in the 'shadow' pattern, with canvas or paper micarta scales.
That is a beautifully crafted knife, in every way.
well bret finished this one up for me the other day, he might never make me one again after this. had a few things try to go wrong but he ended up making it just the way I wanted. m-4 blades, carbon bolsters with a mustard finish, butterscotch handles, and proud hammered carbon pins. soon as the pens dry up I will try it out on a set of calves that need worked, turned out great bret, thanks
well bret finished this one up for me the other day, he might never make me one again after this. had a few things try to go wrong but he ended up making it just the way I wanted. m-4 blades, carbon bolsters with a mustard finish, butterscotch handles, and proud hammered carbon pins. soon as the pens dry up I will try it out on a set of calves that need worked, turned out great bret, thanks
That is a super looking knife....that'll take their minds off arse and put it on grass....
Came home after lunch to find a trapping buddy of mine trying out my Dowell fixed blade. His words were " this thing cuts like a dream". Watching him ge through that beaver as quick as he did I'll have to say I agree.
Came home after lunch to find a trapping buddy of mine trying out my Dowell fixed blade. His words were " this thing cuts like a dream". Watching him ge through that beaver as quick as he did I'll have to say I agree.
huntsman, never liked a table much but been getting in some little 250 to 3 weights, have ran about 2 or 300 through it and have gotten to where I like it
Looks like some shade of G-10 perhaps. Bret needs to call that combo the 1-2 punch.
Mine was sided in carbon fiber. I have the identical folder, kinda like what Rick called the Western Trapper and the only change I asked Bret to do was to round off the butt/heal/toe or whatever Vince calls the back of the knife.
White stuff is g-10. It seemed to be a little cleaner than white micarta.
That's cool...I've never seen white G-10, I've seen white paper (sometimes called ivory paper) micarta and white linen micarta. Of those two, I like the ivory paper micarta the best. But white G-10 sounds pretty cool to me.
Brets knives are as fine as any I own. Pretty sure that the RF pattern above is the one that RDFinn sold me last year. Works for me as my initials are RF as well!
I agree that his Bird and Trout design is great looking. Wish I had one to match the RF.
Vince, what would you call the micarta on the bird and trout, butterscotch?
Jason that is a vintage micarta Bret got from a knife maker friend of his. It is an ivory color,almost a bone white. I have seen a few others with that micarta from Bret,it is very nice
Beautiful knife. Bret's wait list is so long that when I asked him to put my name down for a knife I told him I hoped that I was still alive when I came up. Easy to see why the list is long.
The blade is 3 3/4", the total length is 8", and it weighs 3.9 oz. It has red liners under the antique micarta. It's a standard model that I picked off his website. I am really impressed with it.
Two just finished. Bird n trout claimed but the boning knife will be available as soon as Larry Parsons makes one of his excellent sheaths for it! Update boning is claimed.
Two just finished. Bird n trout claimed but the boning knife will be available as soon as Larry Parsons makes one of his excellent sheaths for it! Update boning is claimed.
Larry Parsons made up sheaths for these. This is a nice simple but effective hunter. 3/32" D2 ground thin,it is literally scalpel sharp. My kinda knife
Thank You Bret Dowell and Larry Parsons ,your work is very much appreciated
I had a busy winter and didn't get much shop time. Finally getting some knife work in. Thought I would show off these two skinners I just finished. Both cpm-154 with tapered tangs.
Last I heard he went hunting . I sold JGeis a nice one though ,maybe he'll post it. Boning knife is listed in classifieds & on my site. Great price on it,my cost.
On top is my version of that one. Every year I bring a different knife with me opening day for deer. This year I'll be bringing that Dowell. I like smaller knives for field dressing
That's a nice one too Vince. I gutless debone and quarter my deer and backpack them out. I have no doubts about the abilities of Brett's M4 steel on my B&T. Looking forward to working it out this season...
That's a nice one too Vince. I gutless debone and quarter my deer and backpack them out. I have no doubts about the abilities of Brett's M4 steel on my B&T. Looking forward to working it out this season...
That knife is D2. So is the boning knife I have listed FS. I have one of the boning knives in my kitchen set at home,he ran the Rc hardness up to 62 I think he told me. I use mine as a personal steak knife,I cut right on the dinner plates & yeah,it eventually dulls it,but not so fast. I never was a big fan of D2 but after actually using one,I can see why so many knife makers use it. Stuff is dam good
I like D2, it's a hard working steel that does a lot of things well. My first D2 knives were from Bob Dozier. I think he runs his to about 61 Rc and gives them a high thin hollow grind. They'll cut, no doubt. I have an Ingram D2 knife to wring out this fall along with my Dowell B&T. Brett had that M4 knife already made up when my turn on the list popped up. That M4 is at 65 Rc and Brett offered to make me one just like it in D2 if I wanted instead of the M4. I guess some guys have trouble sharpening the M4 but so far so good for me. I expect good things from it!
Thanks guys. It'll have a Parsons double stitched right side belt loop sheath. I call these " boning" knives,but they are just about perfect for many uses,at home,camp,or afield.
That's a beauty Woodson! Nice seeing it at work. If Photobucket would let me upload a picture from my phone I'd post a picture of my M4 steel B&T getting ready to debone and quarter a big doe for the pack out on Sunday morning. The M4 was interesting to me, Brett finished that at Rc 65 and it has been fantastic in use.
Taylor wanted me to post her latest knife. Handle material is burlap covers over natural canvass micarta and white g-10 liners. Pin and thong hole is natural micarta also. Blade is etched A2.
Just went through every page of this thread... Absolutely stunning knives. I've been on the list for a while but am now more confused/covetous than ever..
Just went through every page of this thread... Absolutely stunning knives. I've been on the list for a while but am now more confused/covetous than ever..
Well both those knives by Bret's daughter Taylor will be available soon. I'm waiting on sheaths.
Bought a Bret Dowell out of the classifieds here a few months back and was so pleased with it that I just purchased a Taylor Dowell and am equally pleased with the work.