2016 John White MS Memorial BEST BOWIE - FINALISTS SELECTED!!

Post #6 Knife #1 CAS- somehow all the juxtaposed angles work together to move the eye around in order to see all the little details of the materials used

Post #13 Knife #6 Bouchonville- bonus points for innovation, but the story this knife tells me has a plot where flow is the undercurrent

Post #25 Knife #1 Lurquin- such a bruiser of a blade, with so many complementary angles and proportions, like Andre the Giant as a ballet expert

Post #26 Knife #3 Hanson- some linearity, some curves, some great materials tie together a tidy package which looks exactly as it should

Post #36 Knife #0 Lisch- seriously intense blacksmithing skills on display, innovative as can be and bold materials, but not at the expense of flow

Post #56 Knife #0 Seward- another innovative and signature piece with sexy curves that looks to feel amazing in hand

Post #63 Knife #1 Quesenberry- elemental, clean, classy and just about perfect to my eye, simple but not
 
These are my choices, inn order of Posting;
Post 05, # 01: Jean-Louis –Multi bar Damascus and Stag Bowie

Post 14, # 02: Markman, Erik JS –Spalted Oak Fighter

Post 30, # 04: Morrison, Will –Bowie with Ringed Gidgee

Post 60, # 04: Fuegen, Larry MS –Damascus Bowie with carved ivory handle, etc.

Post 61, # 06: Chang, Chun-Wei –Bowie with hamon and sculpted handle

Post 72, # 02: Tomberlin, Brion MS -12” Recurve Bowie with hamon

Post 73, # 03: Burns, Robert –Musso Bowie
​
 
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This thread is a highlight of BF every year, and this year is no different. Fantastic nominations overall... and Roger P started it off in style from Post #1 with my #1 pick.

Post #1, Knife #1: Mike Q Dogbone - From tip to butt, this was my easiest pick. The integral damascus appears to be perfectly designed and executed... but the things that really push it over the top for me are the gold accents, particularly those pins. They -- along with everything else -- are just so CLEAN. That attention to detail just blows my mind every time I look at the photos.

Post #14, Knife #1: Will Morrison Cutlass Bowie - This knife has a very pleasant form to my eye. The execution looks good, but mainly I like to imagine swinging it around. :D

Post #34, Knife #1: John Doyle Shell Guard Bowie - There's something unique about John's knives that's hard to describe. It's one of those things that folks might not notice from a photo if they've never had one of his blades in-hand... but once a person has handled one, it just jumps out of the images. I think it's something to do with the weight and balance; but in my mind, it all comes back to the handle and ferule area. This knife tickles that part of my imagination.

Post #50, Knife #1: Breda/Seward Collaboration - I really like the guard and handle on this one. I had little love for Ben's early handle checkering, but with practice, he's really come into his own... to the point where the stylish checkered walnut(?) handle is one of my favorite features. The guard also flows beautifully into the handle.

Post #55, Knife #2: Phillip Patton Loveless inspired - I won't question what is or isn't a Bowie ;), but the pattern in this steel is excellent. I'm usually more of a sucker for handles (as is probably apparent from my other votes), but on this one, it's all about that blade.

Post #57, Knife #1: Ben Breda - This knife just pops. Every time I see this photo, I find myself eyeballing it for longer than seems necessary. The overall shape is very pleasant and proportional. The sheath is great. But I think a lot of what I like is in the handle. The brilliantly sculpted Koa just works for me. Great overall package that is very well balanced visually.

Post #60, Knife #4: Larry Fuegen - This knife in many regards is not my particular cup-o-tea... but I REALLY appreciate the fine detail work, particularly in the sculpting of the creamy handle scales.


Erin
 
These descriptions are like reading a compelling non-fiction narrative. :thumbup:

Really good thought processes derived from the visuals. Exciting to read and follow.

You guys are good. I'll chime in later.

Coop
 
Post #1 #1- Mike Quenesberry Dogbone bowie
Post#3 #3 Jean-Louis, take-down
Post #67- Robert Burns #1 the Musso Bowie
#2 Erik Markman, JS, 'Spalted Oak Fighter
 
Post #3--image #3 Jean-Louis
Post #26--image #2 Bill Buxton
Post #50--image #1 Ben Seward/Ben Breda
Post # 52--image #1 CAS
Post #60--image #1 Jay Hendrickson
 
Post #1 #1- Mike Quenesberry Dogbone bowie
Post#3 #3 Jean-Louis, take-down
Post #67- Robert Burns #1 the Musso Bowie
 
Post 74 - #3, Burns, Musso - This is just a classic shape for me. It has a lovely weight forward appearance that almost seems as if it was captured mid-swing(Great photo, Caleb)
Post 13 - #3, Lurquin - This up-swept version is wicked cool. The hamon is gorgeous and the overall look has great flow.
Post 10 - #1, Hanson, Slim Fighter - My ribs feel a sharp pain just looking at this piece. Always clean and full of Hanson Goodness.
Post 14 - #1, Morrison, Cutlass Bowie - I love the perceived simplicity of this piece. I say "perceived" because I know how much work it takes to achieve "simplicity".
Post 50 - #1, Ben Squared, Collaboration - Love the checkered handle and the hamon. I imagine it feels and handles as good as it looks, too!
Post 60 - #2, Hogstrom, Crazy-assed Lookin' Sweet Bowie - I'm not usually attracted to this style, but I have to be honest to myself and admit that I kept coming back to this one. Well done!
 
SharpByCoop said:
These descriptions are like reading a compelling non-fiction narrative. :thumbup:

Really good thought processes derived from the visuals. Exciting to read and follow.

You guys are good. I'll chime in later.

Coop
Click to expand...

I wholeheartedly agree!
 
1-2 Lurquin Subhilt Tsavo

2-2 Bump

13-2 Sam Lurquin

36-1 David Lisch

50-1 Ben Squared

52-1 CAS

74-1 Burns Labrea bowie
 
It is very complicated to choose from the excellence that is proposed, my heart capsizes towards the cutlers too, the man who makes these wonders has its importance
Congratulations to all and especially to Roger for his investment ...

post # 1 knife 2 -Sam Lurquin Tsavo subhilt
post # 5 knife 3 -Jean louis Regel wootz and ironwood
post # 2 knife 3 -Lin Rhea shining time bowie
post #57 knife 1- ben Breda bowie knife
post #30 knife 6-will Morrison cutlass bowie

Sorry and thank you sinceres to all the others ...
best regards
 
1,1- Quesenberry. Because, seriously... integral dogbone. So many complexities to this one, and so well done.
3,3- Regel takedown. More than any other piece in this year's competition, the lines and flow of this piece appeal to me. It's exactly the shape I see in my head when I think "bowie."
36,1- Lisch pierced D ring. I have no idea how he makes so many parts visually flow and mechanically lock together.
50,1- Ben Squared. Well executed, classic lines, young guys I've met.
56,1- Seward. The handle treatment with the kind of reverse-keyhole treatment has become a bit of a Seward trademark. This is the best one of those I've seen yet.
71,1- Fisk. Because it's Jerry Fisk. The lines, the materials, the sole-authorship engraving. The Fuegen competes on those same merits, but I like the Fisk better.
52-1- CAS. So many good CAS pieces. I picked this one because Claudio said it was their favorite.

I feel bad leaving out so many quality pieces. There's no Bump, Hanson, or Lurquin on my list, which is a bit crazy considering the quality of their work shown here.
 
Post 1 # 1. Mike Quesenberry Integral Dogbone Bowie

post 1: #2 Lurquin subhilt tsavo

Post 13 #3 Sam Lurquin

Post 14 #1 Morrison cutlass bowie

Post 19 #2 Ben Tendick trench bowie

Post 52 #1 Cas Bowie

Post 62 #1 Claude Bouchonville
 
Not too much diversity in my selection but who gives a f**k? I don't!

1 #1 Mike Q. -dogbone
10 #1 DHIII -slim fighter
26 #3 DHIII -Bark Bowie
45 #1 Mike Q. -Samuel Bell
57 #1 Ben Breda -Awesome fighter
60 #4 Larry Fuegen -Very Fuegeny bowie
 
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Post 1 #2 Sam Larquin Subhilt Tsavo Powerful!

Post 2 #3 Lin Rhea Shinin Times Bowie Classic Bowie with tons of Mountain Man Detail

Post 5 #1 Jean-Louis Multi Bar & Stag Sleek with appealing and dramatic Damascus.

Post 14 #1 Will Morrison Cutless Bowie Like Erin said, can imagine swinging that around.

Post 26 #3 DHIII Hanson Effect Bowie The Mammoth Bark scales and the Damascus just do it for me.

Post 28 #1 Tad Lynch Bowie One of my favorite makers, this knife has a most interesting blade profile and materials.

Post 74 #3 Robert Burns Musso Bowie I like the materials and the weight forward design.
 
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Great posts all around - thanks everyone

#1 - Post No. 60 #4 Larry Feugen Carved Damascus Bowie
#2 - Post No. 1 #1 Mike Quesenberry Integral Dogbone Bowie
#3 - Post No. 14 #2 Erik Markman - Semi integral Spalted Oak Bowie
#4 - Post No. 44 #1 J.R. Cook - Damascus 'Razorback' Bowie
 
So many great entries again this year. I chose 4 that really jumped out at me.

post 1 #1 Mike Quesenberry integral dog bone. In the spirit of John White's great dog bones, and taken to another level being an integral!

post 26 #3 Don Hanson. Hanson effect bowie. Understated elegance, yet still looks powerful. The stag like mammoth makes me drool on my keyboard!:p

post 45 #1 Mike Quesenberry Samuel Bell inspired. That pique work is mind boggling. Love the historical look.

post 60 #4 Larry Fuegen. Another incredible, sole authorship, work of art from one of the best smiths alive. So ornate......but if I owned it, it would get carried. At least on special occasions:D

Darcy:)
 
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