Birth Of A Helle's Belle

Every time he posts something like this, Joe calls me to complain that I have not commented on his post yet....he is worse than a woman, I swear!

Anyway, Paul has made a superb sheath as always...killer hide, killer work.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
That P. (Pappy?) Long sheath just rocks! :thumbup: No two ways about it! Cool package with lots of choices. Very special!

- Joe
 
Too cool, Joe.
The croc belly looks especially nice with that awesome blade. :cool:

Doug
 
I got to see this this combo yesterday. All I can say is awesome! Craftsmanship at it's finest.
 
Very cool Joe!!! Was great to see the pics of Bill in his shop working on your blade!

Bill's sheath looks like it matches the knife in construction and quality very well! No way of NOT loving the Paul Long leather though! :) :thumbup: :cool:
 
Outstanding, Joe! Paul's sheath really compliments Bill's work.
 
just caught this....incredible knife...my first choice in forged bowies

RL
 
Now that is a sidearm! Since most civilian gunfights in North America take place at less than 20 feet and a healthy average man can move 14 feet in 1 second from a standing start I don't see a knife like this as a big disadvantage. Also someone who carries a Hell's Belle as a sidearm probably has worked out what to do if facing a gun to the point of it becoming muscle memory while even most trained police officers do the exact wrong thing when facing a knife.

What do you think has more "stopping power" ,a 9 1/2 inch hells belle or a .45 cal bullet? According to the FBI knife wounds are twice as likely to be fatal than gunshots and those knives are probably not made by Bill Bagwell.

I think the real "advantage" of guns over blades is the person is removed from the horror of violence. They imagine that shooting someone is as easy as pulling the trigger.

Someday I would love just to handle one of those customs especially like this "stealth" model. For a sidearm that you actually plan to carry daily a sheath is so important.
If it can match how well thought out the blade is and look as sweet as it does you have a real winner worth more than whatever you paid.
 
Just got this back from Pappy Long and what can I say he is my friend and a leather god and just a fantastic person to boot. He knew this piece was important to me and he said he had something special in store but I will tell you he really nailed this one.. I have alot of Long leather and this one just might be my favorite. He used Crocidille belly that is a rich dark brown with black highlights the picture's really don't do the color of this skin justice I was in a hurry and just could not get the lighting right that and the lint on the blade make these not my best pics. Back to the sheath the fit is fantastic and I can tell he really tried to give me the look and fit that I really wanted and for that I am thankful. Lestor my gunsmith turned the stud which I blackened the flutes of. This whole package really means alot to me Having one of my favorite Bladesmith's ,Leathersmith's and Gunsmith's work on it and more importantly all are good friends. Thanks guys and thanks to all for looking ... I have also enclosed a pic with Bill's most excellent sheath and Hand carved stud. Thanks Pappy Long:D
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FANTASTIC! FANTASTIC! FANTASTIC!
WHAT A THREAD!
GREAT PICTURES!
THANKS FOR SHARING, SWEETIE!:thumbup:
 
Thats just awesome Joe... interesting write up, just gotta admire hand forged blades. They really are something else
 
Thanks everyone. I have done a bunch of work with a swat cop and up close I can definately skin a blade quicker than he can draw a fire arm and that is from an open top holster no retention. But the knife for me is a backup and for times when I can not carry a firearm. I' ve got as many holsters for my 45's as I do sheaths for knives but lately I have been useing this speed rig and the knife balances out the weight of the Wilson Combat and makes a great carry package.
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:D Just placed my first order with Bill for a carbon Hell's Belle. Delivery Nov 2010... Lord give me patience to see it through...

Opt for Bill's legendary coffin handle instead.

I am absolutely wrapped with happiness.

A world of thanks to Joe, for helping me make contact with Bill.
 
:D Just placed my first order with Bill for a carbon Hell's Belle. Delivery Nov 2010... Lord give me patience to see it through...

Opt for Bill's legendary coffin handle instead.

I am absolutely wrapped with happiness.

A world of thanks to Joe, for helping me make contact with Bill.

Dan congrats and I know you will be more than pleased
 
:D Just placed my first order with Bill for a carbon Hell's Belle. Delivery Nov 2010... Lord give me patience to see it through...

Opt for Bill's legendary coffin handle instead.

I am absolutely wrapped with happiness.

A world of thanks to Joe, for helping me make contact with Bill.
that was my first Bagwell too:D despite being a fighting bowie i have been using it for utility tasks just to get a feel for it and see what it can do in that department. the curved blade catching guards do get in the way more so than a conventional guard but i have learned to work around it some what. i hope to take it camping this summer and put it to more work such as batoning and shelter construction. all in all it is a great knife and i'm constantly thinking up stuff so i can play with it more.

Mark
 
Mark I love that you are useing it. Far to many knives never see the light of day let alone batoning. :D Every know and then I feel guilty useing them but what the hell I got a buffer and they clean up well.:thumbup:
 
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