Balancing Bowies

Ebbtide

Ebbtide

Gold Member
Joined
Aug 20, 1999
Messages
7,961
Where do you like your bowie to balance?
Keep in mind...9-10" blade...and NOT a chopper. I'm thinking about quickness and "light"
Also where are the Balance points on your bowies...
I picked up a Fisk bowie at a show. It was amazing, weighty until held properly and then it seemed to come alive... like it wanted to move
smile.gif

I should've checked the balance point, but I didn't know better, way back then.
Thanx,
Ebbtide
 
Right at the guard. A balance point there gives excellent point mobility while still retaining some mass in the blade for impact.
 
I'll second Steve. For the Bowie right in front of your hand and for most swords about 3 inches further out.
 
That is normal for Jerry Fisk's knives.He is a great knifemaker.If I get half as good as he is I will probably be happy.Dave
 
Thanx for the replies!
I too was thinking about right in front of the guard...that's where my recon scout balances...
I'm surprised this didn't get more traffic. Maybe it would have done better in another forum (prac/tac?). I'd like to hear from gaucho and sing...
Thanx again,
Ebbtide
 
IMHO, the point of rotation for all knife movements is the forefinger. The closer you can get to it with the balance point the lighter and more ALIVE the knife will feel. Once a knife gets beyond about 7-8" that's gets increasingly difficult and tends to move forward.

One of my favorite makers is Rob Patton, who in creating his 12" Arch Angel Fighting Bowie, adds some counterweight to the pommel to bring the balance point back towards the forefinger. While he is adding weight, the effect is to make the knife feel lighter and extremely fast. I think his is the best fighting bowie made, and I make fighting bowies too.

Most of my 12" fighting bowies balance at the front of the guard. Anything 8" or less dances on the forefinger.

------------------
Jerry Hossom
www.hossom.com
The New Tom & Jerry Show
 
Thank you Jerry ! I hold your opinions in high regard.
I'm still curious where some of those old sheffields and bowie #1 balance...
 
My Dozier Crossada balances just between the guard and quillions. The thing seems to float in the hand.
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Steve
 
Ebbtide,

I can't believe that I didn't see your thread until now.

You guys have pretty much said it all at this point. Let me just add what I've discovered from playing with bowies from several different makers over the past year or so.

Where to place the Point of Balance really comes down to how you intend to use your bowie.

If you fight using mostly the tip and the primary edge, placing the Point of Balance as close to the forefinger as possible gives the bowie that incredible feeling of 'aliveness'- speed, maneuverability, and redirectability- that Jerry spoke of
smile.gif
.

If, on the other hand, you fight using a lot of backcuts, placing the Point of Balance at the leading edge of the guard or even 1/4"-1/2" further forward will give the blade more momentum to flow through backcut combos. The bowie will still feel alive, just not quite as effortless in the hand as it would if the Point of Balance were at the forefinger. This principle becomes more important the shorter the blade- 10" or less. Short bladed bowies need to be balanced ahead of the guard, IME, to be able to flow well through backcuts.

Mario




------------------
Gaucho

Tuvo muy mala suerte...se callo en mi cuchillo.


 
I guess I should add that, IME, a bowie with an 11"-12" blade and a Point of Balance at the leading edge of the guard blends aliveness, reach(both offensive and defensive), cutting, and backcutting ability optimally.

Mario

------------------
Gaucho

Tuvo muy mala suerte...se callo en mi cuchillo.


 
Most bowies in that length I make with a balance of approx 1/2"-at most 3/4 in front of the guard. More forward if heavier chopping is required. I do not like to go over one inch in front of the guard. This makes it slower. Design and drop of handle plays a big part in speed as well.

When the bowie dances on your finger you are limited to how long you can use it before tiring your hand. As well as you are limited with some cutting chores.
 
Which brings up another line of thought. Why do people keep naming their knives Arch Angel of death, Blood squasher from Hell and stuff like that. We have enough trouble in the business without people giving their knives vicious names. Not just the people posting here but all in our industry people are doing this thinking it will bring them business. Well, it will one day effectfully put us out of business. Makers need to be more responsible for this.
 
GEEZE THIS PLACE IS GREAT
smile.gif

Excellent feedback, thanx!
Mr. Fisk, as far as outrageous names go... I think that is what sells (or what 'they' think will sell). "Dyed in the wool knifeknuts" will not fall for such drivel...and most advertisers shoot for the lowest common denominator. Sad but true...
I remain, Ebbtide "The Enlightened"
 
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