Bladeforums - Best Bowie 2007 - Here are your finalists!

[RogerP]

Once again, thanks to all for your particpation in what has been a fun and informative exercise. The assembly of fine bowies in the previous thread: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=520666 was a truly memorable visual treat. Narrowing down the top pics from that fine field was no easy task - I am sure we all struggled with some choices. All of the knives presented were winners in my book - reflecting the diversity of blades within the "bowie" umbrella and demonstrating the depth of talent among makers turning out such knives.

Okay - the tribe has spoken. The 5 finalists, in alphabetical order, are as follows:

Andrews, Russ - Stag and Damascus

Dean, Harvey - Feather Damascus

Foster, Burt - Mammoth Laminate

Hanson, Don - Guild Show Winner

Knight, Jason - Maple / carbon

NOW - a few notes on final voting:

Those that have a paying membership:

You MUST vote via the poll. You MAY also state on the forum which knife you chose and why (and I hope you will - the process is much more interesting that way), but your comments will not be tallied.

Those with a basic membership:

You MUST vote by stating in the thread which knife you chose. You can't contribute to the polll, so your entries will be added to the poll results once voting is closed. I would be grateful if you would preface your post with "FORUM VOTE" in block caps - this will help make it stand out as an entry to be counted in at the end.

Now just give me a minute to figure out this poll thing and add it to the thread.

EDIT

I have heard from a couple "Registered Users" who say they have been able to vote on the poll. So please disregard the above and evryone vote via the poll. If anyone finds they are unable to vote on the poll, please let me know.

Roger

Plese note: Voting ends when 2007 ends. Happy New Year all!

 

[muddy672]

Roger, do you want our comments on which we voted for here or in the original thread?

 

[RogerP]

Thanks for asking.

All comments on "poll votes" and all "forum votes" in this thread, please.

Roger

 

[John M Cohea]

Tough choice between the Hanson and Foster,But I like the Foster the most:thumbup:

 

[Culpeper]

Jason Knight - A well made Southern Bowie that can get dirty in more ways than one. Jason makes knives that can be used.

 

[Peregrin]

Anyone of the 5 finalists, or for that matter, any of the originally submitted knives are deserving of being selected.

I think my choice might be different if I had the chance to handle these beauties.

Having said that, I pulled the lever for Burt Fosters Mammoth Laminate. The knife is so visually striking and the lines so perfect. If I was in a knife fight and my opponent whipped that one out, I think I'd I run for the hills.

 

[ryan9977]

i voted for the burt foster.....definately one of the most wicked knives i've seen.....period.......ryan

 

[Ken C.]

Burt's knife is just plain awesome. That blade, man, what can I say about it? It definitely has some character to it. It looks almost "ghostly".

 

[JParanee]

congrats to all owners and makers of knives that made the cut. I have narrowed it down to 2 I will let you know

 

[muddy672]

I voted for the Hanson. All of these are amazing knives and I would happy to own any of the knives shown in the original thread.

I'm always impressed with Don's work and I'm always drawn to his knives in threads like this or show threads etc.

I like the hamon on this blade, the "simple" damascus guard and the creme ivory ending with the darkened break point for added interest and texture.

The Knight is so clean, the laminated blade on the Foster is outrageous, the feather damascus on the Dean is amazing and flows well with the engraving then into the mosaics pins and the Andrews is beautiful .. the Damascus blade and fittings work well with the dark brown/amber stag.

Great threads Roger!

 

[jdm61]

Gotta go with my main man DH III and his Guild show pinniped gingivitis special. This was a tough one. Hell, getting it down to 5 finalists was tough, I'm sure

 

[Charles M]

For the purposes of voting I picked the Don Hanson III fossil artifact piece. But the Foster laminate is right up there. 1A and 1B. Both are immaculate in design and execution. Wild hamons, carbon steel blades, premium ivory, damascus fittings, domed pins.. it doesnt get much better

 

[D lisch]

I voted Foster everything about the knife says well done, But they are all very nice.

 

[JParanee]

All of these knives are fantastic and I have really enjoyed following and particapating in this over the holiday's. Great timeing it is my slow time Hunting season is coming to an end and fishing is kinda slow this time of the year. All of the finalist are great and it would be an honor to own any. But in the end I picked what I would enjoy carrying the most. The Andrews is just a great looking classic bowie that you could use in the real world as a fighter or an all around bowie. But I had to go with the Dean a definate fighter vs all around bowie but that steel and stag speaks to me.

 

[RogerP]

PLEASE NOTE

I have heard from a couple "Registered Users" who say they have been able to vote on the poll. So please disregard the earlier instructions and everyone vote via the poll. If anyone finds they are unable to vote on the poll, please let me know.

Thanks,

Roger

 

[RogerP]

I wanted to walk away from this for a bit and come back fresh. This IS a tough choice.

The DEAN may well be my favorite damascus of all time. Seriously. That pattern is nothing short of magical. And the Diablo is one of the best-looking fighters on the planet no matter what materials are used.

The ANDREWS happens to be sitting on a display stand right by my computer - and just about swayed my vote with its presence. It is truly sublime in all respects.

The HANSON is Don's awesomeness at its best. Amazing that just a few years ago he wasn't really making bowies. Now he is turning out some of the very best anywhere at any price, with a particularl talent for turning out very big blades with unique elegance.

Nick Wheeler's comments on the KNIGHT piece in the original thread were spot on. Jason nailed this one. Everything is RIGHT.

Which brings me to where I cast my vote: Burt FOSTER's Mammoth Laminate. Unique, striking, gorgeous. It has a truly unique and utterly captivating presence.

Roger

 

[Kevin Jones]

A very nice group of five from a very nice group of 60+.

A very diverse group too, from the plain sleek & sassy to the subtlety embellished to the versatile in between.

Something for everyone.

 

[flava]

I hesitated between the Andrews and the Hanson... and the Hanson got my vote :thumbup:

 

[Bladeandbarrel]

I voted for the Foster Laminate. Its a very complex knife but not busy or cluttered.
It is really spectactular and showcases Burt's talents well. Its the whole package.

 

[Kevin Jones]

OH! I voted for the Dean EL Diablo.
For no other reason than I love fighters and I have never handled a better designed fighter than Harvey's.
And the feather pattern is my favorite damascus and this particular one in that the pattern center line is perfectly straight from guard to the point not distorted at all. Very difficult to do.

The Foster and the Hanson were very close behind.