Bladeforums BEST BOWIE - 2009 Edition

This is way difficult, but here are my choices. That said there are so many more deserving pieces, so many talented bladesmiths.

Post 1
#4 John White First Legacy Series - Amazing Damascus, Ivory, Engraving. This knife has it all.
#7 Kyle Royer Ring Guard/Clam Shell Kyle is how old? You would think he has been making knives for 20 years. Interchangeable guards, gorgeous ivory

Post 2
#2 Bruce Bump I cannot stop looking at the damascus on this knife. It is just perfect.

Post 5
Larry Fuegen Gentleman’s Dress Bowie Beautiful lines, ivory and carving second to none. It is no wonder that he has a piece in the Smithsonian

Post 31
# 2 Larry Fuegen This knive had some incredible carving, graceful lines. The sheath and S-Guard alone speak volumes of his talent.
# 5 Ron Newton I just love everything about this knife. The steel and ivory are off the hook.

Post 35
#1 Don Hanson 3rd Subhilt He selects some of the, if not the nicest ivory available to man. And now he is making Subhilt's? Look at the hamon on this blade.

This is my list in no particular order. I have left off way too many knives but there has to be a limit. I know I would like to own them all let alone one.

Thanks for this great thread, I know you have a lot of work still in awarding the winner.

Jon
 
my favourites:

- post 2, #2: bruce bump
- post 2, #8: burt foster
- post 78, #1: jason knight
- post 92, #1: russ andrews
- post 99, #1: larry fuegen
- post 99, #6: adam desrosiers
- post 130, #1: russ andrews

best regards,
hans
 
Sorry! I can not choose only one. I like knives too much ;)They are all incredible:thumbup:
 
stabber said:
Sorry! I can not choose only one. I like knives too much ;)They are all incredible:thumbup:
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At this point, you can choose as many as seven - which is hard enough given the choices.

Thanks for the votes so far guys - interesting reading for sure.

Roger
 
Post 1, #1 Broadwell/Foster
Post 1, #8 Hanson
Post 78, #1 Knight
Post 14, #3 Bagwell
Post 29, #2 Burke
Post 97, #1 Foster
 
Thanks, Roger, great thread. :thumbup: It was hard to narrow it down but these are my favorites. Kudos to all the makers represented, '09 was a good year for knifemaking. My picks:

Post 2, #2, Bruce Bump "Best of Show"

Post 2, #8, Burt Foster "Laminated Persian"

Post 14, #2, Don Fogg "Oriental"

Post 23, #3, Jerry Fisk "Brain Coral"

Post 29, #2, Bill Burke "Popcorn Stag"

Post 40, #2, John White "WIPChop"

Post 130, #1, Russ Andrews "Redoubt"
 
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I was so enthraled with all of the great knives this year that I neglected to read the rules. I have always been more of a visual guy and not much for reading hence posting my thread that did not fit the criteria of this post. My apologies but I hope you enjoyed the pics. I can not pick my favorites for these are all excellent pieces of craftsmanship. Good luck to all and Happy New Year.
 
All great!


Post 1, #5 Ron Newton
Post 1, #8 Burt Foster
Post 22, #1 Tad Lynch
Post 78, # 10 Jay Hendrickson
Post 28 Don Hanson
Post 78, # 1 Jason Knight
Post 104 Kevin Evans
 
Ben B said:
Having said that ^ I'll post up my Burt Foster Kitchen Bowie for consideration.

It is rumored that Col. Crain, as he helped carry away Jim Bowie, commented "that's a sweet octagonal integral hidden tang on that knife, sir"

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That is a sweet knife. Burt is the laminate master.
 
What a fabulous assemblage of Bowie style knives. These are my choices:
1. Post #1 knife 1 - Broadwell/Foster Subhilt - A totally sexy blade with a terrific sheath. I am not worthy.
2. Post #2 knife 1- Bill Buxton Fighter - Watch out, it's loaded. This would be my 'tactical Bowie' for special ops like going down to the Glendale post office after midnight.
3. Post #31 knife 5 - Ron Newton - Finally, a Bowie for red heads, the chosen species! I love the colors, the lines and how Ron turns strong design elements into elegant simplicity. I'd make this one my 'Dress Bowie.'
4. Post #99 knife 1 - Larry Fuegen - For the same reasons as everyone else... also my choice for 'EDC Bowie.' Larry scaled this one down to Cowboy Bowie size meaning it's easier to carry. It's more than easy on the eyes too - a masterful blending of beauty and danger.
5. Post #99 knife 3 - Fred Ott - This is a wonderful reminder that many tributaries flow into the big river of modern knife design and execution - in this case 19th century Northern French and Indian influences. The Cache La Poudre is a river in Colorado containing a 62 mile section protected in perpetuity for it's beauty, it's trout and its historical significance. I appreciate it when the maker creates a knife with a certain context - the 'backstory' so to speak.
6. Post # 99 knife 6 - Adam Des Rosiers - Alaskan Beast Bowie - The blade is large and scary. The handle inspires confidence. Pick it up and feel the power. This would be my 'Bedside Bowie' and back-up to my Springfield XDM 40 pistol. C'mon, make my day.
7. Post # 99 knife 7 - John Perry - Possibly the most Bowie-like blade in the bunch - and with one of those 'best ever' stag handles - this would be my 'Parade Bowie.' I like how John can execute a very wide blade without it being chunky and awkward. The guard is much more than a guard in this case - it's also the knife's signature. Nice touch.
 
Post 1,
#8 Don Hanson III
#9 Jason Knight

Post 2,
#2 Bruce Bump
#8 Burt Foster

Post 5,
Larry Fuegen

Post 14,
#1 Bagwell Alamo Bowie

Post 130,
#1 Russ Andrews

Doug
 
Lots of great knives for sure.
1. Post #1 Knife #1 David Broadwell/Burt Foster
2. Post #1 Knife #4 John White - Legacy
3. Post #1 Knife #7 Kyle Royer - Ring
4. Post #2 Knife #2 Bruce Bump
5. Post #2 Knife #6 Josh Smith
6. Post #2 Knife #7 Terry Vanderventner
7. Post #5 Knife #1 Larry Fuegen

many other superb knives but these ones fit most to my taste
 
I found only three Bowies that really did it for me from
the visual point of view. No prefered order...

1. Post #2.... Knife #2 by Bruce Bump
2. Post #5.... Larry Fuegen's Gentleman's Bowie
3. Post #26.. Tim Hancock #2

All the best,
David Darom (ddd)
 
I know it's late to be adding knives but think that these from Jimmy Chin (MS testing knives) should be considered.

3652269065_e490b1751d.jpg


Number 4 was an award winner at The Branson Hammer-In and probably has other awards as well.

Gary
 
There are some great knives here, making a selection very difficult. I used a 3 point approach in my selections. Choosing a piece that appeals to me from an aesthetics prospective, pieces that represent a high degree of difficulty in design and execution and last but not least a visual inspection of the knife’s ergonomics and likeliness to be able to perform to the high degree that’s expected of a custom made knife.

Post #1-Knife #4: John White, Legacy Bowie – Beautiful bowie that’s extremely well executed from design, construction and material prospectives. The engraved and inlayed damascus supplies just the right amount of embellishment to make it an outstanding knife and work of art. It also represents a great join project between maker, engraver and collector.

Post #1-Knife #7: Kyle Royer, Ring Guard Bowie – One of the most incredible knives I have ever had the pleasure to examine with every detail receiving the utmost attention by Kyle. In regard to complexity/difficulty, the forging/grinding/filing of the ring guard alone took as much skill and effort to complete as some knives.

Post #2- Knife #5: Ron Newton, Alamo Bowie – Ron really demonstrated his outstanding and versatile abilities as a knifemaker at this year’s ABS San Antonio Show. This beautiful piece, along with an outstanding matching folder and the ivory and damascus bowie that’s also doing well in this thread adorned his table. Even though there’s quite a bit of detail/adornment all the way down to an image of the Alamo which can be viewed behind the state of Texas in the butt cap, this piece has the feel that it could perform/cut with the best of them.

Post #2- Knife #7: Terry Vandeventer, Shell Bowie – Terry’s knives are SO clean and SO well executed and this bowie is a great example of it. One of those pieces where you can’t put down as you keep discovering elements that amaze you such as the filed liners, ferrules, shell guard, I have to stop.

Post #23- Knife #2: Shane Taylor, Batwing Bowie – Don't know that I have ever seen a better executed Theme Bowie than this one. The stag and damascus are absolutely outstanding as is the fit/finish. And it feels so good in hand like there’s no tasks it couldn’t handle.

Post #23- Knife # 3: Jerry Fisk NLT 09 #2 – This bowie has a beautiful and unique Brain Coral Handle and an amazing 11-1/2" modified Dogstar damascus blade. Jerry IMO, is the master of the clamshell guard as demonstrated on this piece. And even his most embellished pieces are made to a standard that they could be used HARD everyday.

Post # 23- Knife #4: Jay Hendrickson, Dress Bowie – The handle on this amazing bowie is a work of art in my opinion yet looks to be as comfortable as any you will ever pickup. Actually fits my definition of what I look for in a custom knife. A work of art that performs to function at a high degree.
 
These are all exceptionally beautiful knives , but the one that made me say what I cant type in this post was the David Broadwell / Burt Foster Collaboration Subhilt...

My goodness. :)

Tostig
 
Post #2 - Knife #2 Bruce Bump. Beautiful damascus, nice guard, great stag and the engraving is just right.

Post #2 - Knife #4 Burt Foster Camp knife. Loved the WIP, great damascus and it got used!

Post #2 - Knife #5 Ron Newton. Super clean and I love the Texas theme.

Post #6 - Knife #2 Bruce Bump. I love his guards, the engraving, the handle, everything.

Post #23 - Knife #1 Tom Ferry. Stunning overall package.

Post #31 - Knife #5 Ron Newton. Love the shape of the blade. Wonderful attention to detail.

Post #127 - Knife #1 Burt Foster Kitchen Bowie. The proud poppa syndrome. But it is a sweet knife and I'll wager that in one day it cuts more than all the rest of the knives in the thread have cut in their lives!
 
My seven choices for BladeForums Best Bowie-2009 Edition:

Post #2, pic #2-Bruce Bump Damascus Bowie-Bruce has really come far, and this knife loooks like it would handle wonderfully, and it is beautiful.

Post #2, pic #8-Burt Foster Persian-don't think there is a more attractive and innovative Bowie in the offering this year, and I hope this knife gets #1.

Post #5, Larry Fuegen Gent's Dress Bowie-Would tie for number 1, what a tour-de-force!

Post #14, pic #1-Bill Bagwell Alamo Bowie-At the end of the day, if I was carrying this, it would do all that I asked of a knife, and show great style.

Post #28, pic #1-Don Hanson Stoned Ivory Bowie-I thought this was super when I first saw it, and it is still stunning at the end of the year, great use of an artifact, so clean, with great flow.

Post #29, pic #2-Bill Burke Stag Fighter-Got to hold this one at Josh Smith's show in Montana, and it is beautiful, well balanced and a joy to behold.

Post #68, pic #1-Harvey Dean Feather Pattern El Diablo-IMO, there is not a better fighting bowie made, and the Feather Pattern damascus looks to be just about perfect.

This year seemed like a somewhat lean one for truly exceptional and innovative knives, but what has been offered up in this thread shows some really top-quality work, and the makers and collectors lucky enough to have gotten these knives are truly fortunate.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Happy New Year Folks
Haven't been around as much as I like Been busy on a Project
What a line up...

1. Foster Broadwell Subhilt (Post 1, Knife #1)
2 .Hanson Stag Hamon (Post 1, Knife #8)
3. Bagwell Alamo (Post #14, Knife #1)
4. Burke Stag Fiighter (Post 29, Knife #2)
5. Redoubt By Andrews (Post 130 Knife #1)
6.Vanderventner Clamshell guard (Post 2, Knife #7)
7.Foster Ivory Damascus Camp Cleaver..(Post 2, Knife #4)

Royer,White, Bump, Newton,Knight ...Made this Hard I could interchange anything they did with one from the list above.
 
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