Bladeforums BEST BOWIE 2014 - Voting CLOSED - Finalists Selected!

This was tough!!! Another year, another bevy of fine straight knives. I always look forward to Best Bowie and again extend huge "Thanks" to Roger and Lorien for their M.C. roles. Great to see the knives and the impressions they've made on those of us who collect.

Post 3 #2 John White Ivory & Damascus Bowie - Two of my favorite materials served up right by a master of the art. RIP.

Post 4 #1 Kyle Royer Shell Guard Hanger Bowie - I absolutely love the design, execution, and materials. I lust for this knife.

Post 6 #1 Nick Wheeler - Wheeler/Paranee Fighting Bowie - Clean, tight, ready for a fight. A modern and pragmatic interpretation of a classic design

Post 6 #2 Sam Lurquin Killer Instinct - Sam's work is all cool but this particular knife is a great size and my view of the 21st century fighting bowie.

Post 50 #1 Adam DesRosiers Orc Angel - Big & Beefy with class. Nice belly, too.

Post 56 #1 Ben Seward Carbon Fiber Bowie - I Love Carbon Fiber! I Love Hamon! I Love This Knife! Whoever owns it must sell or trade this knife to me!

Post 87 #5 Don Hanson III Stag & Damascus - Damascus that calls out to me. Super Stag a la Hanson. Perfect form & flow.
 
Post 1 #2 Kyle Royer
Post 3 #2 John White
Post 15 #1 Tembo
Post 37 # 1 D Lisch
Post 31 #4 Seward
Post 46 #1 D.E. Henry
Post 86 #7 John White
Paul
 
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I've certainly been thinking about this from the onset.
I found I just have to stay true to myself and not vote for popularity.
It's supposed to be about the knives. After all - it's about the knives, not the makers.
I was only going to put one vote up here, as there is a slew of 2nd and 3rd place knives.
But in respect for all the amazing knives showcased here, it's my responsibility as a Blade Forums member to give credit - where credit is due.
There can be only one:
1.) Post 4 - knife #1 Kyle Royer Hanger Bowie.
The degree of complexity on this knife and the level of execution puts it head and shoulders above any other knife in the thread. I base this not only on observing the photos, but by speaking to one who has seen it in person and - in his words - it is flawless.

2.) Post 3 knife #4 Terry Vandeventer Ivory Bowie.
Just something in my gut. This knife speaks to me. The choice of ivory and how it plays with the remaining knife components makes it one of my favorite knives of all time.

3.) Post 15 - Tembo.
I've seen this knife as well in person. In addition to the precise 'manufacture' of the knife, it has qualities to it that exceed the physical mass of the knife. It's what it stands for. A knife should have meaning and a 'life'. And this one has it.

4.) Post 8 #1 Mike Quesenberry MS Bowie.
This knife draws me in and grabs me. And I have to fight to be released from it.
Mike nailed it.

5.) Post 3 #3 Lin Rhea Southland Bowie.
It is everything a Bowie should be, and leaves no questions unanswered. Another knife I have observed and fondled personally. And I watched Lin's progress on forging the guard assembly. Pure genius.

6.) Post 31 #4 Ben Seward.
Everything works on this knife. The proportions give me a feeling of comfort. I can look at the knife and have a sense of how it feels. The handle creativity puts this knife in its own category.

7.) Post 35 #2 Sam Lurquin Raptor XL.
I'm more inclined to vote for what are the more traditional styles of "Bowies" since this is the Best Bowie thread - right?
But this knife stands alone. It is the product of some very creative thinking and just has flow and character that has no end.

Those are my 7.

Good luck to everyone.
 
This was an interesting year for these knives, it would seem. Here's my votes:


Post 31 #4 Seward
Post 44 #2 McGhee
Post 48 #1 Weiland
Post 56 #1 Seward
Post 105 #2 Patton
 
Post 3, #3- Lin Rhea, Southland...a Bowie through and through, superb execution.
Post 1, #2- Kyle Royer, pearl handle
Post 4, #1- Kyle Royer, hanger Bowie...both of his knives are amazing, this one is stunning.
Post 3, #1- John White, gotta love that Damascus!
Post 13 #1- Dave Lisch
Post 37 #1- Dave Lisch...What can I say? I just love Dave's work...the flow, the Damascus, and it keeps getting better:eek::thumbup:
Post 122 #1- CAS, Persian fighter. Great lines and amazing execution.

So many amazing knives this year. So much talent, artistry and hard work represented here. More I would have liked to vote for but you gotta stop somewhere!
 
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Post 6 #1 Wheeler/Paranee fighter. A clean machine marvel. Flawless in design and execution!
Post 6 #3 Jason Knight fullered bowie. This is the one knife that I covet the most. What a beast! I think though it would take a bear to wield it!
Post 35 Raptor XL Sam Lurquin. an absolute beauty; form function ferocity
Post 40 Sam Lurquin. 'All business fighter' stunningly beautiful and most desirable.
Post 117 Stuart Branson. 'East/West' All the accolades are justified IMO. It is the best meld of a Japanese/ Bowie I have ever seen!
Post 31 Ben Seward. I've been attracted to ben's work all year. This knife shows a whole lot of form function moxie. Great knife!
Post 49 Wieland. ´Big Fighter with Walrus´ Awesomeness exemplified. This is the 'art' side of knife making on a very high level!

Thank you Roger for spear heading this incredible 'coffee table book worthy event.' Lorien thank you for your valued time and effort!
 
it's a nail biter! 3 knives tied for second place...although there is definitely a clear winner.

This year's voting has been the most focused in my memory. There are a great many knives that have received surprisingly few or no votes, with many of the votes clustered about 9 or so different knives, (10+ per knife)

Makers- if you got 3 or more votes, you've done exceedingly well already!
 
Really tough this year......

Post #1 - 1 - Lurquin Tsavo

Post #3 - 3 - Rhea Southland Bowie

Post #39 - 4 - Marchand D guard

Post #49 - 1 - Wieland Big Fighter

Post #56 - 1 - Seward Carbon fiber

Post #117 - 1 - S.Branson Hybrid Fighter

Post # 118 - 3 - D.Ellis Ivory Coffin handle
 
A lot of great knives again this year. This year the theme seems to be long, sweeping clips, which I found re-looking through the thread makes many of the knives look similar.
My votes reflect some of the blades that bucked the trend:

Post #2, Knife #3 - Lin Rhea Southland
Post #2, Knife #4 - Terry Vandeventer Bowie
Post #8, Knife #2 - Terry Vendeventer English Bowie
Post #57, Knife #1 - Don Hanson
Post #87, Knife #1 - Logan Pearce
 
This has been a very difficult one for me as there are quite a few knives posted that I own and I find myself not being able to cast a vote for them !

Post #3-1 Subhilt. Ben Seward. I like everything about this knife from the execution of the subhilt thro to the Damascus.

Post #3-2 Ivory and Damascus. John White. Again what is there not to like about this one !

Post #4-1 Shell guard hanger Bowie. Kyle Royer. I have looked at this knife over and over again, it is faultless.

Post #8-1 Dogbone Bowie. Mike Quesenberry. One of the best Dogbones I have seen and again faultless.

Post #31-1Bowie from Will Morrison. This to me epitomises what a Bowie should be. So well balanced too.

Post #56-1 Carbon Fiber Bowie Ben Seward. A real nice knife,photos do not do this knife.

Post #122-1 Persian Bowie. Claudio and Auriol Cas. Another classy knife.
 
^^^ Sorry my friend - nominations have long been closed - though it would otherwise certainly have been welcomed.
 
First..happy new year,all the best for 2015
so here's my choice
post#1 knife# 1 Lurquin Tsavo
post#6 knife#2 Lurquin killer instinct
post#35 knife#2 Lurquin Raptor
post#39 knife#3 Knight Damascus Fullered Bowie
post#50 knife#1 Desrosiers Orc Angel
 
Thanks lieff - and Happy 2015 to you and to all.

I'll be signing off for the year now, and will check in with the thread and with Lorien tomorrow morning to see where we are with the voting. If it looks like things have slowed to a crawl, we will move to the next phase.

Don't sit on those votes gents - post 'em up!
 
In order they appear

Post 1-1 Lurquin Tsavo - just a great classic bowie

Post 11-1 Mike Q fighter with bog oak - classic look, exceptional execution

post 15-1 Tembo - just a fantastic collaboration

Post 37-1 Lisch fighting Dragon Bowie - I have a "fighting Dragon" knife myself, and this Bowie is just perfect to me

post 57-1 DH3 fighter - just love the shape and the way the handle works with the blade

post 86-1 Lisch ring/ball fighter - another winner from Dave

post 117-1 Branson Hybrid - Killer concept, execution and HAMON!

Bill

( I could EASILY double my picks - there are SO many great knives this year!)
 
My votes are below...

#34. #1 Rhea. Southland #3
#34. #2 Lurquin. XL Raptor
#1. #1. Lurquin. Tsavo
#3. #3 Rhea. Southland D Guard.
#4. #1. Royer.
#57. #1. Hanson.
#86. #8. Fisk
 
Post 1 / #1 • Lurquin Tsavo - All about sleek and openly dangerous. Any one of them. Norbert's photo is KILLER.

Post 1 / #4 • Mike Ruth Jr. - Dreamy materials, artistic subtleties, lethal presence. Caleb brought ALL of that out.

Post 3 / #3 • Lin Rhea - Ivory D-guard with the polished fittings just exudes refined skills. ^^ Same thing.

Post 4 / #1 • Kyle Royer - Elegance, skill, and a classic design maxxed out. Undeniable visuals.

Post 39 / #4 • Rick Marchand - This knife has open exhaust and a swagger that the elite boys step back from.

Post 86 / #1 • Dave Lisch - It's got a little accent of everything, but none of it too excessive. Subtle, and it all works.

Post 117 / #1 • Stuart Branson - I love the theme, the execution, and the juxtaposition of ancient and new aspects.

I regret having to make decisions which exclude friends and clients. I appreciate the allowance.

Coop
 
Post 1, #3 Russ Andrews Sub Hilt
Post 3, #3 Lin Rhea Southland Bowie (my favorite)
Post 3, #4 Terry Vandeventer Bowie (wonderful handle)
Post 8, #2 Terry Vandeventer English Bowie
Post 117 Stuart Branson
 
My, choices in order that they were nominated:

Post 3 / #1 – Ben Seward Sub-hilt Bowie ~ Complex and difficult to build, yet executed to perfection. Beautiful hamon and stag. And like all Ben’s knives, a beautiful sheath by one of the finest sheathmakers, David Seward.

Post 3 / #2 – John White Ivory & Damascus Bowie. ~ One of the most beautiful Bowies I’ve ever examined. I would love to have this piece in my collection.

Post 3/ #4 – Terry Vandeventer Bowie ~ Terry has been making fine Bowies for years, however this one is one of his finest. Outstanding execution and ivory.

Post 4 / #1 – Kyle Royer Shell Hanger Bowie ~ Quite frankly, the finest ‘all around’ Bowie I have ever examined, and I’ve handled a few. Kyle covered all the bases here, excellent execution of an extremely complex and difficult Bowie. Every detail is perfection. I still can’t believe this was his first Scroll Engraving.

Post 8 / #1 – Mike Quesenberry Dogbone Bowie ~ Mike is doing amazing work. This piece is Perfection in the form of a Dogbone Bowie.

Post 86 / #7 - John White Dogbone Bowie ~ What a beauty, being a set knife just makes it all the more special.

Post 86 / #8 – Jerry Fisk Bowie ~ Jerry is one of the very top Bowie Makers in the world and this piece is a fine examples as to why. Absolutely beautiful. Damascus, handle, engraving all top shelf. And then there’s the special theme materials that make this piece all the more interest and special.

I wish everyone a Happy and Prosperous New Years!
 
If I can vote too I will add my thoughts. So many fine knives. The display of grit and skill is staggering. I applaud each and every one whose knives have been nominated.

Post #4 photo #1 is The Royer Hanger Bowie. I have to say, this is the one for me. I have never seen a finer knife which is really saying a lot considering what has been shown. My hat is off Kyle.

Post #3 photo #3 is my Southland Bowie D-Guard. Just because.

Post #1 photo #1 Russ Andrews subhilt. Gorgeous knife, impeccable work.

Post #1 photo #1 Sam Lurquin Bowie. This is a man's knife. Love it.

Post # 31 photo #4 Ben Seward. Ben should get high marks for guts as well as skill with line and flow on this one.

Post #50 photo #1 Adam DeRosier. I have much respect for the skill it takes to make this big knife. Great forging.

Post #87 photo #9 Aaron Wilburn. This knife epitomizes what a Mastersmith would aspire to make. Skillful use of materials.
 
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