- Joined
- Aug 23, 2002
- Messages
- 1,398
It's still in the works but here are some in the works pics - after a bout with the flu (at least flu like symptoms :barf: ) and tearing up my Achilles tendon again, I finally got to get some work done.
Things to do are: add a 1" or so wide buffalo rawhide wrap/ferrule just above the guard edged with brass nails, carve the end cap into a Texas star with a poured pewter center circle since I need to add just a bit of weight on the back end to bring it into balance, maybe add some checkering on the grip behind the ferrule, and then age everything. The guard has three wrought iron inserts on both sides - you can sort of see them, they'll show up better after I finish it out.
And yes it has a brass guard - reasons....
1) brass was the most common material used on 19th Century AMERICAN made Bowies. English made Bowies were mostly fitted with German aka nickle silver....
2) Not all brass is the same - it comes in a plethora of alloys including red brass which is high in copper and whihc I used on this. Seems that most folks are familiar with one of the high zinc content alloys that patinas sort of pukey......
3) Customer request - always important.............
These pics show the progression so far......
The 12 1/4" x 2 7/16" blade as received from the inimitable Tai Goo....
Elk antler crown courtesy of Ray Richard
In the works - assembly by yours truly.......
then comes the sheath - this is a working drawing - the sheath will be rawhide over a bark tan liner, with brass tacks (the brownish circles), and lots of beadwork - some danglies too, but they're not shown - and yes I know the tip is missing - my scanner isn't big enough!
Things to do are: add a 1" or so wide buffalo rawhide wrap/ferrule just above the guard edged with brass nails, carve the end cap into a Texas star with a poured pewter center circle since I need to add just a bit of weight on the back end to bring it into balance, maybe add some checkering on the grip behind the ferrule, and then age everything. The guard has three wrought iron inserts on both sides - you can sort of see them, they'll show up better after I finish it out.
And yes it has a brass guard - reasons....
1) brass was the most common material used on 19th Century AMERICAN made Bowies. English made Bowies were mostly fitted with German aka nickle silver....
2) Not all brass is the same - it comes in a plethora of alloys including red brass which is high in copper and whihc I used on this. Seems that most folks are familiar with one of the high zinc content alloys that patinas sort of pukey......
3) Customer request - always important.............
These pics show the progression so far......
The 12 1/4" x 2 7/16" blade as received from the inimitable Tai Goo....
Elk antler crown courtesy of Ray Richard
In the works - assembly by yours truly.......
then comes the sheath - this is a working drawing - the sheath will be rawhide over a bark tan liner, with brass tacks (the brownish circles), and lots of beadwork - some danglies too, but they're not shown - and yes I know the tip is missing - my scanner isn't big enough!
