Another one by Graymaker and Wild Rose

Wild Rose

Wild Rose

Joined
Aug 23, 2002
Messages
1,398
The knife is a copy of an original (circa 1840) variant style Bowie by maker A. Pradel. Originals by Messr Pradel, a surgical knife maker from New Orleans, are rare (one currently went at auction for $35,000.00). This very nice copy is by Graymaker aka Dan Gray (www.grayknives.com).
The sheath has the traditional braintain cover over a rawhide liner. The beadwork is mine using 8/0 (this size was commonly used from the 1820's-50's rather than the smaller seed beads) "old time color" beads and is done in the style of the Crow tribe of the Northern Plains. The rest of the deco consists of tin cones, old style 7mm copper trade beads, and brass headed tacks. The whole thing has been given a patina of age.
This was one of those real fun sheaths where I got to let out all the stops. The second photo is a picture of the original.

beaded-2.jpg

pradel-bowie.jpg
 
Looks like you nailed that replication pretty darn well. Very nice work, for sure.

Roger
 
Thanks folks. As always getting to sheath one of Dan's knives is a joy.

Mickey it's one of the commericial Metis sashes. My wife is interested in learning to do finger weaving so maybe soon I'll get one of the real nice wool ones like CJ's
 
:eek: That's eye-poppin! Beautiful work guys, I can't wait to meet you at Blade. Hope you bring lots more stuff like this to look at! Chuck, you coming too? Dan, that's a great job of aging this piece, not sure I've ever seen it done so convincingly. Wow, this is great, thanks for sharing.

Dave
 
The Man Dan is making some exception pieces. At the past Hammer-In, he brought with him a gorgeous Bowie.:) :) :)
But, He is still UGLY.:p :p :p
 
Wild Rose can you give a tutorial on your sheath work? The tin cones? Thank's DanL
 
Thanks guys and thanks to Dan for having such a nice piece to work with.

Dave D - nope won't be at Blade. Even though I'm a Mississippi boy by birth I haven't been East of the Rocky Mtns since 1971 and don't plan on changing my record :D.

DanL-
The beading method I normally use, and what is used here, is called applique. Couple of different ways of doing it. With one you use a single needle and thread. You stitch part way through the leather when using real braintain or the imitation stuff (both are really true oil tanned hides and the processing is what makes them perfect for beading on- you sew all the way through when using regular smooth sided commercial buckskin - and it's much harder to work with) string three beads (depends on size), stitch back under two of the beads come up and run the thread through the two beads again. Add three more beads and repeat. The other style is to use two needles and threads. String a bunch of beads on one thread and then tack down every second or third bead with the other needle and thread. Either method makes for
very strong bead work.
With 8/0 beads like these I use a #9 sharps needle and button or 25-30 weight all cotton thread.

And I'm sorry, but it would take way too much time for me to post a complete tutorial on how to bead and besides there are several good yet inexpensive books on how to bead. If you or any one else is interested let me know and I'll post some titles that I can recommend. Still I'd be glad to offer any advice or help.

As for the tin cones they are a commercail trade item just like way back when. I get mine from www.crazycrow.com. Most Indian crafts stores/website sell them as well. They come in various length from 3/4" to 1 1/2". One way to attach them is to tie an overhand knot in the fringe as a stop and then pull the cone down over it. The bigger beads are 7mm copper ones just like the originals. I get them at Crazy Crow too.
 
Thanks Chuck
and the rest of you
I just opened up the tread WOW chuck I didn't
expect this.
Pete sent me a picture of it sheathed today.

Chuck why does the Bowie look like it's got
lines down the sides of the middle
and the double edges? did something happen to it
or is it just the photo?:confused:
that sheath is some awesome friend...talk
to you guys at The Blade show. :D can't wait:)
 
Dan the picture is accentuating the lines but they were there when I got it. I swear I didn't do anything to it! Well maybe drooled a little bit. I don't know - maybe the changes in altitude and dryness had an effect??? Even so it is a looker and I really didn't see anything that was cause me to throw it away :D

Glad you liked the sheath. It's one of my favorites - at least til the next one anyway.
Told Pete if he didn't like it I'd come back there and kick some heinie! But he was thrilled. I've got another one of yours (the IXL curved balde) I'm working on but it will be a little while longer. Completely different from this one.
 
there you go Chuck... maybe drooled on it :D :D
Hey,, guy I know you didn't do anything to it.
I just didn't recall the lines so dark.:)
it suppose to have the worn look to the highs
anyway that's what is accentuating it in the photo
I'll guess..
what did you think of the sharp
edges (both)?
I cut myself more then once on that one. :eek:
thanks again for the ...everything :)
 
Well usually my drool just etches deep pits into blades.
I did a sharpen the image in Photoshop and that probably accentuated the highs a bit more than usual. And I know you were just wondering.

Sharp edges? What sharp edges. Naw just kidding.:rolleyes: I was extremely careful handling it. Made a scrap leather sleeve to keep it in while handling it in fact. Most of the time though I just had to handle it by the grip.
 
OK guys, I think we should call you guys the dynamic duo.. Wait, that one's already taken. Nice job to both of you. I really need to know what and how you antiqued the knife. I'd ask how to make a sheath like that but I think if I ever make a knife that deserves a sheath like that I'll send it on down to Durango. Better yet, I'll bring it down myself. I kinda like that town anyway, especially around Labor day.

Nice work boys!
Rick
 
Rick thank you, I use many ways to antique, I'm not limited
to just one because of
different steels and different looks wanted, just the
patina from a
heat treat and being very careful how it's cleaned
up is a good way, fine
sand papers steel wool, cold bluing acid even salts
from your hands, combinations of these gets different results.
we know what causes ageing it's age it self in the elements so you
need to think about how to accelerate it. if that makes
any cents.. :)
 
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