-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is available! Price is $250 ea (shipped within CONUS).
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/
2012 BladeForums Best Bowie - Here are your finalists - Vote for the winner!
- Thread starter RogerP
- Start date
- Joined
- Dec 9, 2009
- Messages
- 459
Merci Will, Even more than another,i must do attention with my words, I'm only one invited "across the pond".
- Joined
- Dec 20, 2009
- Messages
- 4,421
The knives in this thread are some of the most breathtaking to be seen anywhere, truly inspiring. Makes me want to be a better knife maker. Thanks Coop, for allowing me to be seen with them.
- Joined
- Feb 15, 2002
- Messages
- 1,705
I agree there's nothing to criticize in any of these wonderful custom knives. They are all highly desirable and each one is a bonafide stand-out.
But this is where we reveal our preferences and biases. I'm a fool for the perfect curve.
Putting 'perfect' aside for a moment, here's what 'curve' means to me. For purposes of this discussion 'curve' means the main undulating design line(s) that 'flow(s)' from end to end, constituting one of the knife's best ways to get a human brain to focus on it for a minute - get that curve right. Right means right for that particular knife.
No mystery - millions of designers and artists get this. To further understand, think about sword type blades if you've had a chance to handle some. Rap the blade with your knuckles while holding it securely towards the end of the handle. You will quickly pick up the oscillations and accompanying ringing sounds - if it's a good sword blade. This test also sorts out the funky blades that feel deadened when you rap on them. But none of that really explains the allure of a perfect curve.
To me that curve is the volatile border where beauty and danger meet. Beauty and danger - put those two together in the right way and it will drive men wild! Think Corvette, think about that definitely off-limits cutie in the coffee line this morning... I'm just sayin'
Also - to me "Bowie" means a long fighting knife with design features that (to a greater or lesser extent, and subject to artistic interpretation) reference or echo that 19th century period in American history about which we all know.
Using the above mind-set, a clear 'winner' emerged for me: Jason Knight's Best Bowie at BLADE Show - featuring... the perfect curve. :thumbup:
But this is where we reveal our preferences and biases. I'm a fool for the perfect curve.
Putting 'perfect' aside for a moment, here's what 'curve' means to me. For purposes of this discussion 'curve' means the main undulating design line(s) that 'flow(s)' from end to end, constituting one of the knife's best ways to get a human brain to focus on it for a minute - get that curve right. Right means right for that particular knife.
No mystery - millions of designers and artists get this. To further understand, think about sword type blades if you've had a chance to handle some. Rap the blade with your knuckles while holding it securely towards the end of the handle. You will quickly pick up the oscillations and accompanying ringing sounds - if it's a good sword blade. This test also sorts out the funky blades that feel deadened when you rap on them. But none of that really explains the allure of a perfect curve.
To me that curve is the volatile border where beauty and danger meet. Beauty and danger - put those two together in the right way and it will drive men wild! Think Corvette, think about that definitely off-limits cutie in the coffee line this morning... I'm just sayin'
Also - to me "Bowie" means a long fighting knife with design features that (to a greater or lesser extent, and subject to artistic interpretation) reference or echo that 19th century period in American history about which we all know.
Using the above mind-set, a clear 'winner' emerged for me: Jason Knight's Best Bowie at BLADE Show - featuring... the perfect curve. :thumbup:
- Joined
- Dec 2, 1999
- Messages
- 9,910
I agree there's nothing to criticize in any of these wonderful custom knives. They are all highly desirable and each one is a bonafide stand-out.
But this is where we reveal our preferences and biases. I'm a fool for the perfect curve.
Putting 'perfect' aside for a moment, here's what 'curve' means to me. For purposes of this discussion 'curve' means the main undulating design line(s) that 'flow(s)' from end to end, constituting one of the knife's best ways to get a human brain to focus on it for a minute - get that curve right. Right means right for that particular knife.
No mystery - millions of designers and artists get this. To further understand, think about sword type blades if you've had a chance to handle some. Rap the blade with your knuckles while holding it securely towards the end of the handle. You will quickly pick up the oscillations and accompanying ringing sounds - if it's a good sword blade. This test also sorts out the funky blades that feel deadened when you rap on them. But none of that really explains the allure of a perfect curve.
To me that curve is the volatile border where beauty and danger meet. Beauty and danger - put those two together in the right way and it will drive men wild! Think Corvette, think about that definitely off-limits cutie in the coffee line this morning... I'm just sayin'
Also - to me "Bowie" means a long fighting knife with design features that (to a greater or lesser extent, and subject to artistic interpretation) reference or echo that 19th century period in American history about which we all know.
Using the above mind-set, a clear 'winner' emerged for me: Jason Knight's Best Bowie at BLADE Show - featuring... the perfect curve. :thumbup:
I was following you and agreeing completely until the last line. Its the Kyle Royer with the right curves.
- Joined
- Oct 13, 2010
- Messages
- 444
I was following you and agreeing completely until the last line. Its the Kyle Royer with the right curves.
Hear hear!
- Joined
- Feb 28, 2002
- Messages
- 13,348
Aaaaaaand
. Were done!
Congrats to Mike Ruth Jr., JS maker of the 2012 BladeForums Best Bowie!
Mikes Fire Stag Bowie was pushed early by Sam Lurquins Tsavo, and late by Kyle Royers Shadow of the West, but never relinquished its lead, winning wire to wire in what was by far the closest race in the history of the competition.
Congrats again to all finalists, all nominees, and to all paritipants who have made this another fun thread we were one vote shy of tying the most number of votes ever cast thank you all.
Happy 2013 everyone and remember to start filing away your pics for the next round!
Congrats to Mike Ruth Jr., JS maker of the 2012 BladeForums Best Bowie!
Mikes Fire Stag Bowie was pushed early by Sam Lurquins Tsavo, and late by Kyle Royers Shadow of the West, but never relinquished its lead, winning wire to wire in what was by far the closest race in the history of the competition.
Congrats again to all finalists, all nominees, and to all paritipants who have made this another fun thread we were one vote shy of tying the most number of votes ever cast thank you all.
Happy 2013 everyone and remember to start filing away your pics for the next round!
- Joined
- Jul 27, 2003
- Messages
- 5,685
Congratulations Mike! She's a real beauty.
Well deserved First Place. :thumbup:
Well deserved First Place. :thumbup:
- Joined
- Oct 13, 2010
- Messages
- 444
Congrats to Mike Ruth for the first place and Kyle Royer for second!
Big Thumbs up Mike :thumbup::thumbup:
This thread gets bigger and better each year - as does the quality and variety of the knives !
Fantastic job, not only by the 5 "final" makers but by ALL the makers represented - go back and look at the nomination thread - it's a "Who's Who" of contemporary
bladesmithing!
As always, thanks to Roger and Lorien, and to all the great contributors here on BF :thumbup:
Now if there were only some "virtual reality" way to actually "hold" the knives in one's hand.........
something to work on, Roger
Bill
This thread gets bigger and better each year - as does the quality and variety of the knives !
Fantastic job, not only by the 5 "final" makers but by ALL the makers represented - go back and look at the nomination thread - it's a "Who's Who" of contemporary
bladesmithing!
As always, thanks to Roger and Lorien, and to all the great contributors here on BF :thumbup:
Now if there were only some "virtual reality" way to actually "hold" the knives in one's hand.........
something to work on, Roger
Bill
- Joined
- Jun 23, 2007
- Messages
- 2,142
Congratulations to Mike on a marvelous year, and clearly a marvelous future.
Way to go Mike, and way to go to all the nominees for such great knives,
John
Way to go Mike, and way to go to all the nominees for such great knives,
John
- Joined
- Aug 13, 2007
- Messages
- 1,352
Congratulations to Mike.
At least I can say I have 3rd place knife in my hands right now.........
At least I can say I have 3rd place knife in my hands right now.........
- Joined
- Oct 24, 2007
- Messages
- 2,655
Congrats Jr.! VERY well deserved!!!!!!!!!!!
- Joined
- Oct 3, 2002
- Messages
- 12,297
Congrats Mike! Well deserved and a great lookin Bowie!!!
- Joined
- Dec 5, 2005
- Messages
- 28,362
Congratulations, Mike Ruth Jr.!
Your knife enjoyed a consistent lead from the very beginning and throughout the voting.
As an observer of the process, with real time vote counting, I can honestly say that I am not in the least bit surprised that you kicked ass.
Well done!
Your knife enjoyed a consistent lead from the very beginning and throughout the voting.
As an observer of the process, with real time vote counting, I can honestly say that I am not in the least bit surprised that you kicked ass.
Well done!