I don't really think I am qualified to vote, but I do lurk in the custom forum, just to drool a lot. I did not nominate any, specifically because of this. But I do love these threads, and spend a lot of time at the end of the year looking at them (and often looking for other work from the makers nominated).
I am too ADHD to go through the too many to list great knives from this year! (not to mention the time it takes if you don't already have the photo's saved).
I chose to let others nominate (which means I did not see some of my favorites from this year at all in this thread..........but that is ok).
Here are my choices:
Post #2, 5. Harvey Dean Feather Pattern Dog bone Bowie.
I like this one for many reasons. The color of the handle scales. The dark feather damascus (especially the way the feather pattern forms a long straight pattern, and terminates in a feathered uplifted tip. It may not be near the most complex pattern damascus, but it appeals to my eye, and the line and curve at the end of that pattern shows a lot of skill. The top clip is very long, and fits the shape of the blade and handle to my eyes, perfectly. I really like the gold engraving on the knife (something that can turn me on, or off on any specific knife). The engraving matches the dark color of the damascus, and is not overdone. There are a lot of blank spaces that could have been over engraved, but were left blank. (There were a few dogbone bowies I wanted to vote for. Mike Queensbury posted one of his. The grain in the ivory on his almost knocked out the color of the handle and the engraving and gold inlay on this one! The Dagger and D guard bowie combo from John White also knocked my socks off!)
3rd post. 2. Stuart Branson. The combo of as forged flats and distressed/aged handle material really works for me. The different combo of metals in the end cap, and how they are finished works. I love "rustic" knives. This one is just rustic enough for me. No overly deep forge marks to make stress points or weak points, but still looks rough on the flats. The contrast between a nicely finished blade with hammon, and the rough flats appeals to me. The handle carving is great as well. (This knife was nearly "prettied" or "intricate-ed" or "wow-ed" out by quite a few. Some stag, some ivory, all master work. But it was just stubborn!)
Post 68, #1 Desrosiers, Gann, Royer
Wide blade for it's size. Great color combo (by that I mean, the simple Black on Black on Grey. Just a touch of contrast with the pins and the liners). The checkered ebony handle brings this on to the top of my list. The "stub" guard shape is great for this knife as well. Simple, rounded, comfortable looking. Honestly, the matched sheath also really works for me (I think a belt peg would not have gone amiss either).
Post 18, #2 CAS fighter. I love his laminated steel treatment. The guard on this knife is perfect to my eye, color, contrast, and shape all combine, and merge with that perfect handle shape. There are many many knives by this maker that I instantly love. His bigger knives, with wide blades are my idea of a perfect user. (I know that there have been a handful of knives from him I would have nominated for this thread). He entered one he was most proud of, and it looked to be more intricate, and much more work than this one, but I just love his laminated blades and these comfy looking handles so much!)
Post 37 The "Inquisitor " Bowie by Patrice Lemee, Quebec, Canada. I was glad to see this one pop up in the thread. I included this one on my list for a few reasons. It is simply unique. The handle shape is something I can't remember seeing before. I followed this WIP thread, and remember the negative feed back the maker received on the handle shape. He stuck to his guns, and went with the handle he wanted to make. I LOVE the handle shape. This knife may not be the most technically advanced. It may not show the best grind or finish on the blade. It just plain stands out. I can imagine it paired with a matching ebony handled musket pistol, with silver work. It evokes the feeling of sailing to another country for adventure! I feel like it is up to no good, and possibly about to oppress me.........
Post 20, #4 Rodrigo Sfreddo. Any of his integrals would probably be in my top list. I chose this one, even though the fitting of the handle to reveres integral tang is not the most complex. The handle fluting and the addition of the simple gold inlay are simply elegant looking (he has others that I prefer the key hole in-letting of the handle, blade shape, guard etc better, but this one is simply visually stunning).
Post #25 1. Kyle Royer - Shadow of the West Bowie. As others stated, not the most complex. But just plain mean looking! I just kept coming back to it again and again in this thread. (I saw it awhile ago, and it still seemed just as cool now, as then). I am more a fan of darker bowies. High polish often is less appealing to me than acid etched, or with a hand sanded brushed look. This bowie is highly polished, and deeply dark at the same time. Just clean and mean.
Narrowing this down was as hard as naming my children (almost). I really actually got stressed out!
There were knives that I did not include despite their magical eye appeal, because they had already won awards, and did not need my vote in this thread to validate! Even after entering and editing, I am still second guessing.
Master makers, with super intricate and complex builds on this thread............... and I had to exclude their knives to include others that were not nearly as complex, or even as perfectly clean.
