Bladeforums BEST BOWIE 2013! Voting Thread

[Lorien]

In alphabetical order, your 2013 BladeForums Best Bowie finalists are:

Bruce Bump

CAS

Larry Fuegen

Sam Lurquin

Rick Marchand

Lin Rhea

Kyle Royer

 

[RogerP]

Thanks Lorien.

Chuck had sent me a larger version of the Rhea image - e-mail me at pinnocr@hotmail.com and I will forward it to you for inclusion here.

Remember to say a few words about which knife you vote for guys!

 

[Kohai999]

I voted for the Fuegen.....imo, Larry is the best knifemaker alive.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

 

[ptgdvc]

I voted For the Lurquin. But I must admit, the Bump Bean is an absolutely fantastic knife.

 

[Bladeplay74]

So hard. The Bowie it seems by definition rejects refinement in favor of practicality. But as a custom knife collector, I feel obliged to give props to artistry and function in somewhat equal measure.

The Sobral bros have really done something with their rustic Bowie. Handle and blade treatment, lines, drama all demand attention. But it lacks the requisite refinement for me, as purposeful as their decisions are.

Royer is one of the great talents of our age. For everything this knife has going for it, it doesn't scream Bowie to me. Love to own it, I would.

I thought I'd vote for Bump's piece from the beginning. Refinement, craftsmanship, Bowie-ness in almost equal parts. The checkering, engraving, and sheath all build allure.

But that Fuegen upended my plans. The carving of wood and Damascus, the fittings, the classic profile, the ergonomics, and the carved sheath! My god.

Sole authorship at its best. It gets my vote. Just exquisite.

Seth

 

[Dawkind]

They are ALL wonderful examples but I voted for the Marchand Bowie, far from the most elaborate but, it's masterfully constructed, has superb detail, fine balance, is exceedingly sharp, and feels great in-hand for a piece of it's extraordinary size.

 

[RussW1]

All absolutely incredible on different levels. Gentlemen, thank you for putting your heart and soul into everything you create. It shows.
Feliz Nuevo Ano.

Russ

 

[Marcel54]

Three of my favorite knives are represented in the finals, Bump, Fuegen and Royer. After some deliberation with myself in the end I chose for Bruce's Judge Roy Bean. Great steel, love the spine and that handle has it all, except for ivory

Marcel

 

[Chris Montgomery]

All these knives have things going on that make them outstanding, which would be why they are featured here at this point. That being said I have a mental image of what the "Bowie" is to me so I vote with that in mind. Both Bruce and Kyle's knife are visually stunning and have an artistic flair that is undeniable but I couldn't see either one as what would have been carried that day on the sandbar.

The CAS has wonderful steel with great line and flow, very much a contender and would have served that moment in time well.

The Fuegen, just WOW, but as beautifully designed and executed the handle would be less ergonomic. No doubt still could be best of show anywhere.

Sam's knife would certainly do it with line and flow the evokes a visceral desire to use it.

The Marchand, what a beast! But that is still edged out by the one that closest fits my mental image.

I voted for the Rhea.

Chris

 

[Doug C]

There are no losers here !

I threw logic and rationale out the window, as well as the finely done embellishments on some, and went with the visceral response
elicited by Samuel Lurquin's Peck Award winner.
Just one guy's opinion on what a Bowie knife stands for.


Doug

 

[2knife]

Tough contest!

The one that suits my taste best is the Marchand Bowie. Its overall form and rustic elegance is truly magnificent! Even with a cord wrapped handle, and no embellishments, its not missing a thing against the others.
Nice job to all!
David

 

[SBranson]

My thoughts pretty much echo what Seth wrote about the Fuegen piece. That it's sole authorship and the sheath are why it bumps the Bump for me.

I love that Marchand piece and would love to own it but as far as "best"... well that whole Fuegen package gets my vote.

The CAS handle and guard are fantastic but I don't find that the blade matches them enough to sway me.

 

[parfums95]

For My Friend Sam, I've grown up with him through his work "that the force be with you"
and, the work of Lin

 

[AVigil]

Bruce Bump all the way

 

[Jason Fry]

My thoughts were similar to Chris Montgomery's. The Bump, Fuegen, and Royer pieces are most excellent, but don't say "bowie" to my gut. I voted for the Rhea.

 

[Big Rick]

Bruce Bump got my vote. Absolute stunning knife and work by a true craftsman it just flows from butt cap to tip. He is also fantastic guy to deal with.

 

[gthouse]

Larry Fuegan is at the top of my list. But the CAS is outstanding. Fuegan is #1 for me
Gary

 

[Jon Brand]

I went with kyle because his knife has all of the things that visual appeal to me. It was tough though because I love that fuegen!

 

[Jester60]

I'LL TAKE IT!! ... oh, wait ... ummm .. voting huh? Well, if I were a tad wealthier than I am I would have all of them in my display case, but alas I think the one that speaks to me would be the Lin Rhea with CAS second mainly because of the slightly recurve blade.

Just my 2 cents worth, and worth every penny!

Jim

 

[Gary W. Graley]

Tough choices, but Cas took my vote, just so much going on there with the blade/guard/stag/butt cap, amazing package in total...
G2