Big Bowie.

Will Morrison

Will Morrison

Joined
Apr 25, 2009
Messages
329
Finished this one up a little while ago. Rather a big knife, I think.

Specs
Blade steel: 5160
Blade length: 250mm
Blade thickness: 6.2mm

Handle Material: Stabilised figured maple.
Handle length: 137mm

Guard material: 304 stainless. 10mm thick
Pin material: 316 stainless. 1/16"

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Critique welcome.
 
Very, very nice work, fit and finish look excellent. Love the shape of the blade and a nice piece of wood too.
 
It is apparent that you have built a very crisp and clean knife. The quality of the handle material is good but its figure is nothing special. The design of the handle and overall balance is hard to gauge without actually holding the knife, but I am seeing all the key elements for success, particularly the nice palm swell. The guard is as classic as they come and beautifully executed. The blade profile appears to be a pretty standard Southwest pattern, which is OK, but frankly not very exciting to my eye. I would disagree that the knife is "rather big". The 10" blade and 5" handle is a very tried and true design ratio for Bowie knives.

You have the skill set of the craft well in hand, now you need to work on developing your own sense of style and flow, if you want to take yourself to the next level.
 
i love that blade with this upward nose, the handle is very elegant and very wellcrafted, very very well done mate excellent knife!!!!
 
Really liking that one. Love the looooong clip :)
 
ptgdvc said:
It is apparent that you have built a very crisp and clean knife. The quality of the handle material is good but its figure is nothing special. The design of the handle and overall balance is hard to gauge without actually holding the knife, but I am seeing all the key elements for success, particularly the nice palm swell. The guard is as classic as they come and beautifully executed. The blade profile appears to be a pretty standard Southwest pattern, which is OK, but frankly not very exciting to my eye. I would disagree that the knife is "rather big". The 10" blade and 5" handle is a very tried and true design ratio for Bowie knives.

You have the skill set of the craft well in hand, now you need to work on developing your own sense of style and flow, if you want to take yourself to the next level.
Click to expand...

money where your mouth is!
Good to see some critique up in this place :)
 
I really enjoy that long, sweeping blade and the great form on the guard/handle.....nice job. :)
 
Nice clean work. I like it.
I have to disagree with the comment by ptgdvc " The quality of the handle material is good but its figure is nothing special."
I think his opinion would change if he saw the knife in person. and...not every knife has to have the super bold figure to look good. Myself, I like subtle as well as bold.
I like the way you matched up the grain pattern with the shape of the handle. Looks to be well thought out.
 
Great to see you finally posted these pics Will although they don't do it justice. This piece has to be held to appreciate the level of work Will is producing at his age and on a shoe string budget.
 
Excellent work. Personally I am not so much a fan of the blade shape but thats just a personal thing nothing at all against your craftsmanship and work. Ya did a great job on this guy. The handle I have to agree with Mark. I am pretty sure that wood in person really stands out alot more. Plus I am one of those that like the more subtle look alot of times not that in person that is anything but really subtle. I am sure all those tiger stripes come alive when your moving it around.
 
Thanks for taking the time to comment, guys:thumbup:.

ptgdvc- Thanks for the honest and comprehensive critique. Food for thought.

Mark- I'm glad you mentioned the matching of the grain pattern with the shape of the handle. The block I started with was well oversized, so it allowed me to choose the nicest figuring at the nicest angle. So much waste, though!:o

Peter- Thanks for letting me have a go with your light box. Even with proper lighting I still managed to bugger up all but a few photos.

Quint- Thanks mate. I can't fault the wood (from Burl Source). It's not a really crazy piece, but I like it.

Cheers guys.
 
I'm uber-impressed by you Will. :)

I can only imagine what you'll be making in another 5-10 years.

If you had dropped the handle just a hair, and ground the clip to a much wider bevel and sharpened it--- I bet you would have sold Senator Gill. ;) :)

Keep up the great work Will! :thumbup:
 
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