A folding bowie - project underway

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William Rogers

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I've been working on making a folding Bowie, that starts off as a nice vintage style fighter in the sheath and then opens up to a 16 inch Bowie. One issue I trying to resolve is how to lock both knives firmly in position. If any of you have any photographs of similar knives or suggestions about this type of knife feel free to share. The pictures are of what I am using as a reference with sheath and several of a rough working prototype. I want to get a good working prototype before I start using expensive materials. I'm going to make two eventually - one with an ivory handle, one with black stained stag antler. All thoughts and suggestions appreciated. Thanks.

foldingbowie.gif


This is the reference I am working from


Prototypefoldingbowie3.jpg


Folded down to a fighter size, which will fit into the sheath.


Prototypefoldingbowie2.jpg


Opening


Prototypefoldingbowie.jpg


Fully extended to 16 inches.

Also wondering whether to make it in Damascus or just 01 Carbon steel.
 
Never actually handled one of these, but my understanding is that the shield on these is actually a button that unlocks it from both "closed" and open positions.
 
Ah! Now that makes sense. That's really very helpful. Thanks. I didn't want a obvious button. You have solved the last part of the jigsaw for me. Just got to work out how to make it work now.:thumbup:
 
I had this German folding hunter/bowie a while back but with no sheath:

foldinghunter002.jpg


I see them in the various Henckels catalogs I have.
 
There are also modern makers making this. Laci Szabo designed a very similar like it call RAD. I believe that Muella also had something like it.

God Bless
 
This should be a neat project. Feel free to keep us posted and show us some WIP (Work in Progress) pics as you are making the knife.
 
You might contact Harvey Dean for some help - he's made some amazing folding bowies.[/QUOTE]

Jeez! I've got a long way to go! His work is amazing. Thank you for the link. I'll contact him s you suggest and see if can point a young guy in the right direction. Thanks.
 
Hmmmm... looks like a cool idea, and yours is pretty neat so far.
Anybody know how these are in terms of actual usability? Seems to me that the pivot pin wouldn't hold up to much real use (maybe the weight of the blade would even damage it?)...
 
Thanks. It's one of the issues I am working on to resolve. The navy folding bowie from Joseph Rogers above has lasted from around 1890. So it is obviously possible to make them to last. Having said that they are pretty rare. This is either becasue not many were made or they break!? Only time will tell I guess. I'm certainly going to make the final two I produce to be pretty rugged.
 
:thumbup: Very cool project! I have been intrigued by these large folding Bowie's for a while now also. Looking forward to seeing the finished knife.

Ken
 
Thanks. I'll add updates as the knife develops. In the end I plan on making two real pretty knives but I want to work out the construction properly first. Thanks for all the feedback and suggestions.
 
my name is pobber i have a foldingbowe knife made w.h.wragg his when folded it has a hole in the bade to lock it place
 
Marbles have one made in China, which is inexpensive, and might serve as a useful pattern.

4722.jpg
 
Pobber, I'm going to close this thread as the OP no longer accesses BF. Feel free to start a new thread about your knife. Pictures are always appreciated!
 
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