- Joined
- Feb 28, 2002
- Messages
- 13,348
Among the many varied blade shapes and designs embraced by term bowie the spear point has long been a favorite of mine. This is a recent addition from Don Fogg which presents a rather unique combination of subtle beauty and uncompromised strength that I find quite appealing.
There are many features to delight the eye. The fittings are fire-blued steel with nickel silver spacers. The pommel shows a range of colours including blue, bronze and copper. The blade displays a striking contrasting finish: there is a wonderfully executed hand-rubbed finish (taken to 600 grit then wiped with 1500) set off against a forge texture on the flats. This latter aspect is forged in using texturing dies under a hydraulic press. It is a distinctive aesthetic element which Don describes as containing the memory of the fire. The blade displays a subtle wavy hamon which has thus far eluded my camera. The octagonal handle is of carded African Wenge wood and is likewise rich in colour and texture.
Why the beast? Because of the clear sense of strength and toughness that this knife communicates the moment you pick it up. Its a large bowie with a 9 ½ blade of hand-forged 1095 and overall length of 14 ½. The blade is a shade over ¼ thick at the ricasso and carries a good deal of this thickness forward to the serious-looking spear point one of the oldest and strongest of knife point designs. Even the choice of handle material speaks of strength and solidity. Wenge is an African hardwood that is extremely dense. As Don explains, the Africans had to resort to burning and scraping it when using it for ceremonial masks. It is also sometimes employed in the making of boken wooden swords because of its toughness. The carded texture is both attractive and functional as it assists in providing a secure grip. All aspects of the construction of this knife speak to its intended use for heavy-duty chopping and cutting.
Id like to thank Don both for the knife and for all the additional information provided regarding its creation.
Best regards,
Roger
There are many features to delight the eye. The fittings are fire-blued steel with nickel silver spacers. The pommel shows a range of colours including blue, bronze and copper. The blade displays a striking contrasting finish: there is a wonderfully executed hand-rubbed finish (taken to 600 grit then wiped with 1500) set off against a forge texture on the flats. This latter aspect is forged in using texturing dies under a hydraulic press. It is a distinctive aesthetic element which Don describes as containing the memory of the fire. The blade displays a subtle wavy hamon which has thus far eluded my camera. The octagonal handle is of carded African Wenge wood and is likewise rich in colour and texture.
Why the beast? Because of the clear sense of strength and toughness that this knife communicates the moment you pick it up. Its a large bowie with a 9 ½ blade of hand-forged 1095 and overall length of 14 ½. The blade is a shade over ¼ thick at the ricasso and carries a good deal of this thickness forward to the serious-looking spear point one of the oldest and strongest of knife point designs. Even the choice of handle material speaks of strength and solidity. Wenge is an African hardwood that is extremely dense. As Don explains, the Africans had to resort to burning and scraping it when using it for ceremonial masks. It is also sometimes employed in the making of boken wooden swords because of its toughness. The carded texture is both attractive and functional as it assists in providing a secure grip. All aspects of the construction of this knife speak to its intended use for heavy-duty chopping and cutting.
Id like to thank Don both for the knife and for all the additional information provided regarding its creation.
Best regards,
Roger
