Bladeforums BEST BOWIE 2013! Voting Thread

Vote for your favourite bowie of 2013!

  • Bump

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • CAS (Sobral)

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Feugen

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Lurquin

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Marchand

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Rhea

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Royer

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    0
  • Poll closed .
Coop - great post! Joe - great idea! Everyone - great voting - whattaracewehave!

Random observation - and I'm not sure that too very much can be read into it - anyone else notice how many wood-handled knives made the final versus ivory?
 
Different photographers for each finalist, Roger's wood observation, the archived past winners with counts, Coop's "most creative" automotive post...this is quite the different, entertaining and difficult process.

I hovered over each of the selection buttons as I struggled to make a final pick. Had to deal with a level of ambiguity as I thought through conceptual questions (as others here did)...classic/traditional bowie, hard core "I'd take it into battle" bowie, fine art knife with less traditional bowie design elements...?

Ended up voting Bump not only for a blade that took my heart and soul but more for a handle and guard combination that keeps me staring. The shape, details, and contrast of materials & texture in the handle of the Roy Bean are unique and beautiful. A real gem in someone's collection! If ever up for a new home, first dibs, please!

Oh, Jason, I'd love a chance at your Lurquin bad boy also :)
 
Last edited:
This was my first experience voting and following the thread on Best Bowie of the year. It has been a fascinating and educational process enhanced all the more by the incredible variety of knives and the loose "criteria" for ranking. The many thoughtful and heartfelt comments have provided tremendous insight into the souls of knives and collectors alike. My knife didn't win, but I understand why and am very comfortable with it. Thanks to all of you.
 
Thank you for noticing guys. I have been working heavily on my blacksmithing skills and feel this is a natural element that belongs in my work and has introduced a new level of excitement for me as the maker. I wont always push it to the fore but it will certainly influence the "look".

I feel honored to have one of my knives included in this group what ever the outcome. Thank you.
 
Lots of stag winning over the years. Fortunately my favourite (Bump) doesn't have that material. If it had I wouldn't have voted for it :):)

Coop, great car analogy!! As for cars I would go for the Dellahay every time!! I love design in cars, that's why I have driven Italian cars (mostly Alfa's) for the most of the last 30 years or so.

Marcel
 
Coop... that post made my day. As I scrolled down, my thoughts were fixed on what my favorite cars are. YOU NAILED IT BUDDY! I love Rat Cars, bikes... anything raw and purpose driven. Perhaps, it is because those other amazing vehicles are just out of my league. I figure, if it looks like I can make it, it's not completely out of reach... Ha!
 
Wow! Thanks so much for all the nominations and votes! I am truly honored to have a knife I made here in the final seven. You all make knives fun and enjoyable to make, own, talk about and use. Thanks so much again for all the support. I hope everyone here has a great and happy new year! :)
 
This is so unbelievably hard to pick a favorite, all the makers are at the top of the food chain. This may be more info than you care to read, if so just pass down to the next post (STeven ;))

Bruce Bump's blade is pure magic and as elegant a Bowie I have ever seen, as expected. It would be easy to plop my vote on his and walk away happy.

I have built a personal relationship with Claudio Sobral over 2013 and this is definitely my favorite of his work (Not counting my personal blade). His laminate blades can be spotted from miles away but he went a different route with the rest of this one and nailed it!

Unfortunately I am not as familiar with Larry Fuegen's work as I should be, after STevens comments I will be doing some research.

I had the privilege of spending a little time with Sam Lurquin at Blade, and was gifted a Tsavo... one of my grail knives. I was also able to purchase one of his hunters. This blade is all Lurquin and beautiful.

I was able to handle Rick Marchand's Bowie at Blade and fell in love immediately. Something about Rick's work screams to me, I have a few of his pieces and use them regularly. I would buy every blade if able.

Lin Rhea has been on my list for a very long time. He is another maker that I was able to meet for the first time at Blade (Blade was amazing if you couldn't tell). This one hit me in the gut and is a perfect balance in every way.

Kyle Royer's work and this blade in particular falls in the same group as Bruce Bumps. Pure elegance and finished to gem grade, no punches were pulled on this one, a definite knock-out.

I decided that I would pick one that was visually pleasing, with enough practicality that I would want to put it to use at the ALAMO. After battling some personal demons I went with..... Lin Rhea's (would love to see the sheath). Thanks to the makers, photographers and those that make this one of my favorite threads every year!
 
All are fantastic, but it came down to Bump and Royer for me.

I ended up choosing the Royer bowie because I really like the blade shape.
 
Congrats Bruce! That terrific knife jumped into an early lead and never yielded to a determined field.

I have to say that this is likely my favourite group of finalists over the years. Each compelling in a slightly - or significantly - different way.

As a third-time winner, Bruce has definitely demonstrated the ability to keep turning out superb knives with very broad appeal. Well done Bruce!
 
Congratulations Bruce and to all the finalists.
I agree with Roger that this years finalists were the best yet. I hope this is a trend towards next years Best Bowie Thread.

Chris
 
Congratulations again to Bruce. It will be my pleasure to send him this years Blade Forums Best Bowie plaque.
Here's an image of the award he'll receive.



Thanks again to Roger for allowing me to contribute in a small way to my favorite thread of the year.
Thanks to everyone else for making this something to look forward to.

Congrats again to Bruce Bump,

David
 
Congrats Bruce! This was an amazing experience for me. It's crazy... both humbling and empowering at the same time!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top