Bladeforums Best Bowie 2008 - Here are your finalists!

Please select a single knife as your choice for Best Bowie 2008

  • Russ Andrews Stag Subhilt

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Harvey Dean El Diablo

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Jerry Fisk Bandolero

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Don Hanson III Crazy Hamon

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Rodrigo Sfreddo Spearpoint

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Total voters
    0
Joined
Feb 28, 2002
Messages
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A tough job just got tougher.

Thanks to all who helped narrow the list down to this impressive assembly. For reference, that thread can be found here: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=607599

Your 5 finalists, in alphabetical order, as as follows:

Russ Andrews Stag Subhilt

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Harvey Dean El Diablo

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Jerry Fisk Bandolero

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Don Hanson III Crazy Hamon

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Rodrigo Sfreddo Spearpoint

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Please cast your vote via the poll, but I invite everyone to share their choice and the reason fot it in a reply to this thread. The reasons behind the choices are every bit as interesting as the actual choices themselves. It's not a requirement that you share your thought process - it's just that it makes for a more intersting and informative thread.

Happy voting!

Roger
 
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These are all spectacular bowies and choosing one was not an easy task, even for a non-bowie collector like me.

The artistry and engraving on the Fisk knife is incredible and it was hard not choosing that as my favorite.

I chose the Hanson bowie. The shape and sweep and hamon on that blade is just phenomenal to me. The marriage with the Damascus guard and mammoth ivory handle just seals the deal in my eye.

Lotta fun guys. May you all have a peaceful and happy 2009.
 
For me three knives jump out for many different reasons. Those three are the Andrews Subhilt, the Fisk Bandelero and the Sfeddo Spearpoint. After some soul searching I've decided to go for the Andrews. That blade is super clean and the handle and the way he made those spacers:thumbup::cool:

Marcel
 
I had to go with the Sfreddo--proportions are exact, precisely enough detail where it needs to be (and none where it doesn't), and most of all I'm a sucker for that really tight damascus.
 
They're all great,but I voted for the "Harvey Dean El Diablo"

....it just spoke to me:o
 
That was a tough choice as all 5 are stellar bowies. The Sfreddo bowie has that old world damascus that is so controlled and knowingly difficult to achieve that it gets my vote. There is no engraving but just pure beauty from a high level of skill that puts me in awe.
Thanks so much for this wonderful thread.
 
I have handled and examined 3 of the 5 entries and don’t know if that makes my decision easier or harder. :confused: ;) All are outstanding.

Before posting my 7 nominees I had already decided on the Hanson as my first choice as I really didn’t expect the Fisk to make the final five considering it’s degree of embellishment.

So I actually had to go back to the title of this thread to help with my decision. If the title were “favorite” bowie of 2008 I would have gone with the Hanson, however as it’s “best” than I had to factor degree of difficulty as one of my considerations which tilted the scale towards the Fisk.
 
The Fisk - just gotta be the Fisk. For me, it has the greatest "WOW" factor.
 
For me it was difficult
The Sfreddo is probale IMHO the finest finished knife in the lot definately the richest looking (maybe just the pic though) what I mean is the darkness of the pic is very rich. But I am not a big spear point on a bowie fan.

The Don Hanson is incredible and if his 9 inch fighter would have made it that is probale where my vote would have gone. I am not a big recurve fan in my bowie's

The Edwards is just super well done the more you look at it the more you notice how well done it is and the subtle way he has matched the shape of the stag to the fittings is my kinda detail. But not a big fan of sub hilts on a bowie.

This leave's me to my two finalists The Fisk and the Dean. AS perfect as these knives are the only one that I would not change something on is the Dean so thats where my vote went.. Thanks to everyone especially the makers and owners of these fine blades this contest is always enjoyed by me. Happy New Year
 
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It wound up between the Dean El Diablo and the Sfreddo Spear Point for me with the El Diablo winning out in the end. The Bandalero was close but it just had too much embellishment for me, and it would have been a sure winner had the category been more to the art knife side because it's surely perfect. I don't think it's possible for Don Hanson to make a bad knife so it was hard to pass on that entry, and finally I'm just not a fan of sub hilts, but as sub hilts go Russ' knife is as good as it gets.

Paul
 
There isn't a single knife here that I wouldn't feel proud and fortunate to own. Each has very strong appeal from the standpoints of design and execution. My congratulations go to all the talented makers and to the proud owners as well.

I voted for the Russ Andrews subhilt. I think the overall lines and proportions are fantastic, and the execution of separate and individually contoured ferrules is as striking as it is flawless. It's distinctive, a bit different and flat out gorgeous. And this specific knife was good enough to pass the very close and vigilant scrutiny of a panel of ABS Master Smith test judges. All in all, an exceptional piece.

The Hanson - what a devastatingly beautiful knife! That hamon has to be one in a million. The slender elegant lines are signature Hanson, as is the the use of exceptional ivory.

The Dean - a reminder that I simply MUST add an El Diablo to the stable some time soon. Superb lines, gorgeous damascus.

The Fisk - Jerry's execution of the handle on this piece is something else. Evidence of what happens when a top-tier maker refuses to rest on his laurels and continues to challenge himself with innovative designs - to the benefit an delight of us all. Photographs almost never do Jerry's damascus full justice, as they are but a single frame of what is subtly shifting motion picture.

The Sfreddo. I was grousing earlier about not seeing enough spear-point bowies these days, and this gorgeous knife underscores my point. As with all of the knives in the finals - sound lines are the foundation of success. Exquisite damascus also really helps in a very big way. Overall, just a wonderful knife.

Roger
 
All stunning knives. Since I had to pick one I went with the Sfreddo. These threads are always lots of fun. Thanks.
 
Every one of these are spectacular. It's difficult to find fault with any of them. The Fisk is amazing but felt more like an art knife. The Diablo was crazy, very very nice. The Andrews knife is one I'd love to look at in person. That blade looks nearly perfect. The subhilt just doesn't feel "bowie like" to me though. Of all of them, the one I keep coming back to look at is the Hanson. I am amazed by that knife and could stare at it forever.

These are all about as close to perfect as you can get.

SDS
 
Roger,
Thanks for putting up this "Best Of" thread,these are all an inspiration. Can't publicly cast my vote, 'cause it just shows whos' talent I envy most.

John
 
They are ALL really nice knives, but the Sfreddo Spear Point gets my vote, integral, twist damascus, masterfully executed....I had the opportunity to own one of the 2007 finalist knives, also by Sfreddo, and the knives he produces are light and lively with excellent attention to detail and well executed grinds.

Enjoy, Mr. Foster!

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
The Andrews subhilt is slayin' me. I really like subhilts that flow and have great proportions. The design is so easy to botch. Kudos to Russ. Would love to have that knife residing in my collection.

My vote goes to Hanson's Crazy Hamon. It takes a concerted effort for me to pry my eyes away from that blade. The only thing that can move my eyeballs is to get them over to the incredible ivory...then they get stuck there!

When I muster the willpower to back up off the page a real appreciation for the total package hits. Baby, that's smoooooth!!! She just flat out flows. The proportions and geometry are spot on, materials extraordinary...this is art that is function and form in the purist sence.

I must have the Crazy Hamon!!!!!!! I must!!! So much for my New Years resolution to control my lust and envy.

Excuse me, I have to go take a shower.
..:D
 
Five fantastic knives by five fantastic makers. This really was a special year for custom fixed blades. All five finalists are favorites that appeal toward my taste.

Every since I handled Don's Crazy Hamon bowie before it left his shop, this one has completely blown me out of the water. As mentioned, the unbeliveable hamon activity, the damascus guard design Don has elevated to, the amazing ivory that Don is known for flowing perfectly with his blades...all sway me. But, for a large blade (over 13-inch blade I believe), the magical feel I know this long bowie has makes my tally fall with this beauty.

- Joe
 
First off, I'll go ahead and acknowledge that I have no business voting. I say this because Bowies are really just not my thing, even though I do appreciate and admire them from time to time... I'm more a custom slipjoint kind of guy.

Anyway, I was a little torn and almost voted for the Rodrigo Sfreddo Spearpoint, because Rodigo's work has alway blown me away, but in the end I voted for the Hanson Crazy Hamon. I think in this case the colors of Rodrigo Sfreddo Spearpoint are a little too dark for my taste.

Great Giraffe Bone, Don:D:D
 
Many of the bowies had 1 or 2 one spectacular features, but my winner would be the one that put them all together best. Hopelessly deadlocked between Fisk and Hanson; the coin flip went to Fisk, which surprises since I'm neither attracted to engraving nor white ivory. A perfect object lesson of the whole being greater than the sum of the parts.

Many others displayed remarkable work, Sfreddo especially, but flow and form were not my style.

Non-finalist (and my top 5 with 2 exceptions were different than the group's 5) superstars in my book go to Ray Richard (#28-2), Kyle Royer (#96), Tai Goo (#65), and Brion Tomberlin (#68-22).

I was hopeful for some Wheeler dazzlers, but all in vain. Does Nick still makes knives?

ken
 
All are amazing. I went with Hanson, love the clean lines and the hamon is unbelievable.

Robin
 
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