Ben Seward Bowie WIP

M

Mhael

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Joined
May 25, 2001
Messages
480
Hi all,

So I recently decided to switch from mostly collecting “tactical” custom knives to now solely focusing on forged blades. As I tried to play catch up and learn about all the different makers in this genre I heard Ben Seward’s name being mentioned over and over again for a new smith to be watching. After I was able to track Ben down and have a few phone conversations I knew he was a maker that I wanted to work with. I always think its important when trying to do a custom project, that it is a partnership with the maker and it fits their style. I want the maker to be as excited about the project as I am, and Ben definitely was!


So onto our first build. I told Ben that I was looking for a mid size bowie that would be a good general use knife. We determined we were going to use W2 steel with a variable heat treating process to allow it to be harder at the edge and softer on the spine and it will be finished with a nice Blackwood handle and file worked spacer. After going back and forth a bit more this was our starting sketch.


Ben is calling this knife “'Talisman'. That's a charm you carry to ward off evil...I'd say this beats a charm any day”. Now to take the sketch and bring it alive in metal.

Ben started to heat up some 1 1/2”x3/8 W2 to get started


Forge it pointy!


Then to shape


Then rough grind and heat treat. The blade is clay-coated, thermal-cycled, and quenched in Parks 50 quenching oil.


More to come in the next post
 
Here it is after two tempering cycles @ 425 degrees (notice the blue color). Then it is finish ground.


The edge is rolled then sharpened...


A little edge retention testing--3/8 inch sisal rope cut 200x..


And after all that cutting, Still cutting hair..
 
Chopping on a pine knot. This is to test the edge toughness and geometry.


Has good bite on yellow pine...minus the knot.


Hacking some junk in the back yard...this was one stroke.


Chopping some white oak...not bad for a little guy.
 
Oh, and it still slices paper.


Now that I'm happy with the performance it's on to the hand sanding.


After hand-sanding I cut the shoulders for the guard fit-up.


Then I put my John Hancock to it...


And the journeyman mark.


After a bunch of etching and polishing you get this.


This is where we are at for now, more to come soon!
 
awesome!
 
Mhael said:
So onto our first build. I told Ben that I was looking for a mid size bowie that would be a good general use knife. We determined we were going to use W2 steel with a variable heat treating process to allow it to be harder at the edge and softer on the spine and it will be finished with a nice Blackwood handle and file worked spacer. After going back and forth a bit more this was our starting sketch.
Click to expand...

I like how you two are thinking! This is a great project and can't wait to see it finished. :thumbup:

- Joe
 
Great WIP! That will be a sweet knife when it's all done. Keep up the great work Ben. :) Looking forward to more of the WIP.... :D
 
I appreciate it y'all. Thanks as well to Trevor for being so good to work with. Got the file work done today...been awhile since I've done that:eek:
 
Ok sorry for the delay Ben has been moving along but I've been slacking, here is the next parts.

Starting the Guard:


Connecting the Holes


Filing the slots to connect the holes, a lot of work without a milling machine (Ben needs to sell some more knives so he can buy a milling machine!).


Grinding. After this the S is bent, then more finish grinding.
 
Convexing (technical term) the lugs. This is something that Ben does to give the appearance of a delicate slip of a guard...without compromising strength.


File-working the spacer. The alignment holes have already been drilled.


Here's all the pieces...S-guard, alignment pins, bronze spacer, stainless spacer.


Here it is together. We are getting close!



Ben is working on the handle now and his dad Dave is going start working on the sheath soon, the project is making progress! I can’t wait to see the knife done and get it in my grubby hands!

Thanks for the comments I'm glad you guys are enjoying it! Thanks to Ben for taking the time to take all these photos, I love seeing it be created. I've had a great time working with Ben on this project. This is hopefully just the start of things to come and we'll be able to share some other projects in the future. More to come!
 
Great work!

Can't wait to see how Ben does the handle.

Love your style, Ben!

Thanks for taking the time to photograph your process.
 
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