Watchman Brother Knives

[WillyCamaro]

Looks like some purty good lookin' steel gents. By what I'm reading here, and comparing to said RR's, I'm definitely choosing these over said other 'un's.
Like the saying goes, "You get what you pay for". Same thing with guitars...
I'm not out of luck, there's some resellers/dealers on ebay, so that's who I'm going with.

[Railsplitter]

I don't how I missed this thread but I just received this 1503 yesterday. Took it to work today and tried it out on some cutting tasks that I encounter on a regular basis. Cutting cardboard, shrink wrap, bubble wrap, and opening boxes.

I know a lot of knife enthusiasts dislike blade grinds that are too thick and understandably so. The grind on this model does appear fairly thick but it did well under actual use. I like the blade shape and I've got no complaints so far after using it for a day at the workplace.

It snaps into the open position with a loud THWACK. No complaints there either.

The last picture is edge on for a good look at the taper of the grind.

[QTCut5]

Great review, Rick, spot on.

I bought the 1508 & 1503, one of each model in both Natural Bone and Carbon Fiber
Note: all have shields except the Natural Bone 1508NB (and what would you call that shield anyway...torpedo?? )

I love the geometry of the Wharncliffe blade and graceful swaybelly handle on the 1508. Also, the snap on ½stop, open & close is nice and crisp: stronger than the typical Case, but not as stiff as an early GEC, for example, IMO.

The 1503 "Cowfish" Lockback has what I can only determine is a "modified Wharncliffe" blade...although that's also the name used for the blade on the Kershaw Leek...and they are nothing alike...so...I don't know...you make the call, cause I don't know what to call it...swaged spear? The long pull is nice and the lock mechanism is super smooth and super tight. And the release is perfect. Hold the knife out at 90 deg (or slightly more...just to protect your finger) and press the release bar and the blade drops smoothly...so sweet...it's almost as much fun as playing with a switchblade...only in reverse!

Fit and finish on both the 1503 & 1508 in both handle materials is top notch and comparable to any made-in-China AG Russell knives. One noticeable, and possibly "telling" characteristic is the interior striker pin that keeps the blade from ever touching the backspring when snapping closed. This is a feature on many Chinese AG Russell knives. There has been speculation that the reason for the apparent similarity in appearance is because Brother knives are actually made in the same Chinese factory as the AG Russell knives---a rumor I can not confirm with any evidence other than the Brother knives themselves which bear remarkable similarity to China made AG Russell knives (of which I have owned more than a few over the years.)

[Railsplitter]

Wow ~Q~! That's quite the haul!

One of my major pet peeves is when I buy a brand new knife and the tip when closed sits so high in the blade well that I can catch my finger on it if I'm not careful. Then you have to file the kick and keep an eye out for blade rap. One should not have to do that on a brand new knife.

Whoever the manufacturer is, they took that into account on the 1503. Hopefully on their other models as well. It will take a lifetime of sharpening to raise the tip high enough to be a problem.

Same deal on my A.G. Russell.

[Railsplitter]

Great review, Rick, spot on.

I bought the 1508 & 1503, one of each model in both Natural Bone and Carbon Fiber
Note: all have shields except the Natural Bone 1508NB (and what would you call that shield anyway...torpedo?? )
P2170016.JPG

I love the geometry of the Wharncliffe blade and graceful swaybelly handle on the 1508. Also, the snap on ½stop, open & close is nice and crisp: stronger than the typical Case, but not as stiff as an early GEC, for example, IMO.

The 1503 "Cowfish" Lockback has what I can only determine is a "modified Wharncliffe" blade...although that's also the name used for the blade on the Kershaw Leek...and they are nothing alike...so...I don't know...you make the call, cause I don't know what to call it...swaged spear? The long pull is nice and the lock mechanism is super smooth and super tight. And the release is perfect. Hold the knife out at 90 deg (or slightly more...just to protect your finger) and press the release bar and the blade drops smoothly...so sweet...it's almost as much fun as playing with a switchblade...only in reverse!

Fit and finish on both the 1503 & 1508 in both handle materials is top notch and comparable to any made-in-China AG Russell knives. One noticeable, and possibly "telling" characteristic is the interior striker pin that keeps the blade from ever touching the backspring when snapping closed. This is a feature on many Chinese AG Russell knives. There has been speculation that the reason for the apparent similarity in appearance is because Brother knives are actually made in the same Chinese factory as the AG Russell knives---a rumor I can not confirm with any evidence other than the Brother knives themselves which bear remarkable similarity to China made AG Russell knives (of which I have owned more than a few over the years.)


P2170001.JPGP2170004.JPGP2170011.JPGP2170009.JPG

Thanks ~Q~. It looks like all of your knives with shields have pinned shields. That's good to see. The A.G. Russell models lack that feature, I'm sorry to say.

[dlr110]

I'm envious ~Q~ I have the 1508 and I have the 1507 ordered. I think they are very good knives.
At their current price I put them up against the Rough Ryder Reserve series. I think they are
both quality made knives, but I like the pattern and blade combinations better in the Watchman.
I plan on collecting all of them along the way.

[kootenay joe]

I cannot find a "Watchman Brothers" website. Does anyone know if this is a USA company ? or UK ? or any information about who is behind these knives ?
kj

[Railsplitter]

I cannot find a "Watchman Brothers" website. Does anyone know if this is a USA company ? or UK ? or any information about who is behind these knives ?
kj

At 0:07 in this video you can see the label on the box that reads "Ming Hong Tools & Hardware Co., Ltd".
https://youtu.be/x2QXBWbblXo

[dlr110]

Go to this link and scroll almost to the bottom.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000107518921.html

.

[dlr110]

We finally got mail and I received this one today
The Brother 1507. I'm really starting to like these knives.
.

[Mumbleypeg]

Fit and finish on both the 1503 & 1508 in both handle materials is top notch and comparable to any made-in-China AG Russell knives. One noticeable, and possibly "telling" characteristic is the interior striker pin that keeps the blade from ever touching the backspring when snapping closed. This is a feature on many Chinese AG Russell knives. There has been speculation that the reason for the apparent similarity in appearance is because Brother knives are actually made in the same Chinese factory as the AG Russell knives---a rumor I can not confirm with any evidence other than the Brother knives themselves which bear remarkable similarity to China made AG Russell knives (of which I have owned more than a few over the years.)

It’s highly probable these could be from the same factory as AG Russell knives. It’s a very typical example of what the Chicoms do. You teach them how to make the product, then they produce an identical or very similar product and go into competition with you at a lower price. Exactly why a company I worked for never gave them any contracts to produce products using leading-edge technology. They still eventually copied our products, it just took them longer since we did not teach them how to make them.

Ken

[kootenay joe]

David, thank you for the link. This is really neat, a company that makes their own knives. "Watchman Brothers" was started by 2 guys in China in 2013. Both are passionate knifers and they build their own factory to make their own knives.
I had thought is was more like Rough Rider, e.g. businessman in USA or UK contracts with an existing factory in China to make knives to specifications given.
I am impressed & neat pictures of their factory and 'team'. Their motto is something like "Everybody deserves one good knife that will last a lifetime".
Now i know i need one.
kj