a bone thing

Raymond Richard · Mar 8, 2003

Not 100% done with it, I've got a few suttle changes to make plus darken everything a touch. 11" hand forged 1065 blade with elk leg bone handle with a total length or just over 16". This was my first attempt with an S guard that flairs on the tips, I also inset the butt cap. One of the changes is going to be a shorter ring nut. Any suggestions?

Got the changes done.....

Disco Stu · Mar 8, 2003

I wouldn't change a thing! It's perfect. You are an absolute inspiration. I've been meaning to forge a couple like this and after seeing your last three, I think I finally have the incentive to do so.

shappa · Mar 8, 2003

Looks great. The "s" gaurd looks good. A lot of times the "s" gaurd is too large for the blade/handle blance. Nice lines. I really like the slight flare at the pommel end. I would shorten the ring nut. I don't know about darkening it, but I don't know just how dark you want it. Post another pic when you finish it. Really improving here!

L. Uebelein · Mar 8, 2003

Great job Ray! This knife has a very sinister look to it which I find refreshing.

L6steel · Mar 8, 2003

Beautiful bowie Ray!
Looks like it coulda been dug up at the Alamo or someplace like that. Amazing period piece!

Raymond Richard · Mar 8, 2003

Hey Mike, This is the first time I've seen you posting for quite awhile. Glad to see you back....Ray

tony moyer · Mar 8, 2003

That is a GREAT looking Bowie

.Where do you get your steel there in Portland??

Tony

Raymond Richard · Mar 8, 2003

Tony, I get most my spring steel in Portland at Pacific Machine and Tool Steel. They have most the 10 series steel and also 5160. Only problem is when you buy form them you have to buy whole bars, they'll cut it for you so you can get it home. The bars average 20 to 25 feet in length. If you wanting a 2 foot piece and you can't find it in the rems your out of luck.....

Fox Creek · Mar 8, 2003

You got it right the first time Ray! Looks good to me. I just realized that your blades dont have a "plunge cut" at the back of the edge, but rather are ground with the edge bleeding off into the ricasso. I hope you understand what I am saying. I grind my blades the same way, originally because I have a crappy grinder, but I always suspected that hard to do plunge cut might be a weak stress riser also, and have come to prefer it. Which is probably why I like your blades so much.

L. Uebelein · Mar 9, 2003

I always suspected that hard to do plunge cut might be a weak stress riser

Ive suspected that as well. I own one of Rays knives a large Bowie and I have to say its convex ground amazingly not a stress riser on it what so ever. Its ground, almost like a traditional Japanese sword except the Bowie has distal taper and a secondary bevel. Its hard to describe you have to hold it to appreciate it but is awesome and thats no lie.Thanks Again Ray!

Raymond Richard · Mar 9, 2003

Leo, Your words are much appreciated...... As for the lack of a plung cut. I've got my reasons I no longer do one. One is I'm lazy and don't like cleaning up the scratches that get generated there and I also feel there is no need for it. I like smooth transitions and also feel it is a stress riser plus everyone else does one......

Gib Guignard · Mar 9, 2003

Ray, I feel the same way as you about not having a plunge cut, it results in a much stronger blade. Also us Old Farts need all the labor saving tricks that we can find. As to the knife, that is a fine example of the classic Bowie. Gib

Bruce Bump · Mar 10, 2003

Nice bowie Ray. Will you have it in Eugene?

Keith Montgomery · Mar 10, 2003

Every time I see one of your knives I like it better than the last one. This is a real beauty, Ray.

Raymond Richard · Mar 10, 2003

Bruce, I'm planning on having this one with me in Eugene unless an offer is made that I can't refuse.

Keith, I think I got your number. I don't think I've made a knife that you haven't liked......

Will52100 · Mar 11, 2003

Absolutly beutiful! Everything just flows from one end to the other! The bone realy work well with the pattena on the blade,

Very smooth!

J. Neilson · Mar 11, 2003

Great looking knife, Ray. I think you got it right, all the way 'round.

Raymond Richard · Mar 11, 2003

Thanks, you guys. I've got to admit after all the knives I've made that this is my favorite to date. I forged out four smaller blades yesterday with the hopes that I can capture some of the lines of this knife in a smaller version. May have something new in a few days....Ray