Bladeforums BEST BOWIE 2014 - Voting CLOSED - Finalists Selected!

So tough to choose only 7. Sadly some of my favorites still had to be left out.

My choices:

Post #3, Knife #1- Ben Seward
Excellent stag, excellent profile, excellent hamon. I like the tiny coined spacers that separate everything as well.

Post #3, Knife #3- Lin Rhea
Truly a beast of a blade. I love all the careful detail work that makes up the really unique handle.

Post #8, Knife #1- Quesenberry
Bold damascus with excellent contrast, killer ivory and all those perfectly precise facets. I also like the long stack of spacers that separate guard from handle.

Post #15, Knife #1- Tembo Bowie
Every aspect of this knife looks flawless. Normally enough said, but for that many people to pull of something of this scale so seamlessly is remarkable. It truly looks as if everyone involved became one mind and had the same vision to bring this piece to life.

Post #37, Knife #1- Dave Lisch
Perfect lines, great stag and the 'Fighting Dragons' has to be the coolest damascus pattern ever! At least in my opinion. :)

Post #49, Knife #1- Weiland
Fantastic profile. I love the sweep in the blade. Very well done carving, interesting textures, KILLER hamon! Elegant and wicked at the same time.

Post #83, Knife #1- Quesenberry
So very clean and simple at first glance. Integral construction so flawlessly executed dismisses 'simple' with any discerning look past first glance. Maybe as close as the human hand can come to perfect. Surgically clean work here.
 
Post 1, #2, kyle Royer-Pearl Bowie
Post 2, #2, John White-Ivory & Damascus Bowie
Post 4, #1, Kyle Royer-Shell Guard anger Bowie
Post 31,#4, Ben Seward-Chequered Ebony Bowie
Post 46,#3, Harold Moeller- Michael price Bowie
Post 49, #1, Weiland-Walrus Ivory Fighter
Post 117, #1, Stuart Branson-Hybrid Bowie
 
1. Post 1 #1 Lurquin Tsavo

2. Post 1 #3 Russ Andrews, MS

3. Post 3 #2 John White, MS

4. Post 4 #1 Kyle Royer, MS

5. Post 6 #1 Wheeler/Paranee Fighting Bowie


Doug
 
Emjoying the votes and the comments, gents. :thumbup:

For some reason, I can't seem to edit my post to add my additional votes, so I'll put them here for now and edit them in when I can.


Post 31, Knife 4 - Ben Seward Checkered Handle Bowie. This knife jumped off the page and made me wish it was mine. I've always been a sucker for a checkered handle and this one is so very well executed.

Post 83, Knife 1 - Mike Quesenberry Integral Fighter. So clean, crisp and perfectly visually balanced. This knife embodies quiet dignity - free from embellishment, it stands on the merits of design and execution alone. And stands tall.

Post 86, Knife 7 - John White Dogbone Matched Set. - If there was a signature style for John White, it was the Dogbone, IMO. He didn't invent it, but he absolutely owned it with numerous superb examples over the years. This pair is clearly among the standouts of the genre, and embody the best of maker / collector collaboration. No doubt John made some dreams come true for the lucky owner, as he did for so many of us over the years.
 
Tough, but not that tough. In the order they appear:

Post #1, Knife 4. Mike Ruth Jr.
Post #3, Knife 2. John White
Post #8, Knife 1. Mike Quesenberry
Post #13, Dave Lisch
Post #46, Knife 6. Brian Chovanec
Post #86, Knife 5. Ben Breda
Post #122, Knife 3. Claudio Cas

It was hard to leave out those matched dogbones by John White and anything by Mike Quesenberry, but something had to give.
 
P- 1, #2, K. Royer Pearl Bowie
P- 8, #2, T. Vandeventer English Bowie
P-37, #1, D. Lisch Fighting Dragon Bowie
P-44, #1, B. Burke Damascus & Musk Ox Bowie
P-50, #1, A. DesRosiers Orc Angel
 
I'm baaa-ack!
 
P1, #3, Russ Andrews Subhilt Bowie
P5, #1, John M Cohea
P42, #2, Claudio & Ariel Sobral
P50, #1, ADAM DESROSIERS
P86, #1, David Lisch
P117, SBranson
p118, #3, DEllis
 
Post 35, knife 2- Sam Lurquin. Creative presentation of complementary materials though dramatic form expressed pragmatically

Post 39, knife 4- Rick Marchand. I designed this knife to epitomize what I think of as a bowie, and filtered that through Rick's aesthetic and practical approach

Post 86, knife 1- Dave Lisch. Curves emanating tangentially, punctuated perfectly by their ball ends, coupled with sinewy flow and expertly manipulated materials

Post 87, knife 6- Kevin Klein. Complex amalgamation of curves, lines and materials resulting in a overall flowing piece, with a majestic, mysterious atmosphere

Post 99, knife 1- Will Morrison. Sweeping, constant curve of the edge, wasp waist profile and hybrid handle construction combine to create a classy piece

Post 111, knife 2- Tad Lynch. Perfectly shaped for bushwork, and wonderfully complementary components forged together through a hammered finger guard

Post 117, knife 1- Stuart Branson. From end to end, this knife provides endlessly fascinating juxtaposition and complimentary lines, like gazing at water
 
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I could easily pick seven more but that is not to happen

Post 83 #1 Mike Quesenberry simple in elegance
Post 37 #1 Dave Lisch Dragon bowie. what can I say that has not already been said on the Damascus.
Post 31 #4 Ben Seward Checkered handle rocks my boat.
Post 15 #1 Tembo so many fine artisans involved
Post 11 #1 Mike Quesenberry great fighter lines Damascus is super nice.
Post 3 #2 John White would have love to own this one for my self.
Post 1 # 1 Tsavo. Damn that many fighters so alike. What a project.

Bing
 
As always the competition made this extremely close.

Post 3 knife 2 White
Post 3 knife 3 Rhea
Post 8 knife 2 Vandeventer
Post 22 knife 1 Sheely
Post 46 knife 1 Henry
Post 87 knife 6 Klein
 
It has been brought to my attention that the ivory-handled John White bowie (1/2 of the matched set) was in fact completed and entered in the 2013 contest - so it is not eligible.

As far as I know, the blackwood handled dogbone is eligible, and will remain for your consideration on its own.
 
Ok, these are my votes based on what I personally like in a bowie. I ruled out swords and fighters because this is for best BOWIE. While I marvel at the off-the-scale complex and embellished pieces, the more distilled and austere pieces push more buttons for me. What a year for incredible work.

Post 1, #1 - Sam Lurquin's Tsavo
Imposing and beautiful it has perfect proportions and attitude. If I had to pick just one from the group it would be the one with the walnut handle.

Post 3, #2 - John White's Ivory & Damascus Bowie
From the mesmerizing damascus to the extraordinary color of the ivory and down to the finest detail this knife just blows my socks off.

Post 6, #1 - Paranee/Wheeler Fighting Bowie
Because it's just the way I like a bowie, clean and mean. And because few people continue to give back to the knife community like Nick.

Post 37, #2 - David Lisch's Ivory & Damascus Bowie
So beautiful and elegant. I love the way the silver gray of the blade and guard bleed into the ivory.

Post 48, #1 - Gerhard Wieland's Big Boy's Bowie
For his unique artistic vision as a knifemaker. The sculptural details and combination of textures and colors make it a feast for the eyes.

Post 117, #1 - Stuart Branson's Hybrid Bowie
Because Stuart is on fire. He's been thinking out of the box and knocking them out of the park. This is the kind of innovative design that keeps this craft fresh and interesting.

Post 26, First Photo - Marc Aldrich's Tiaten:Ro Bowie
Because of it's simplicity, elegance and it's incredible feel in the hand. And because it's the only way in hell it's going to get a single vote in this field of jaw-droppers.
 
The Virginian said:
What is the cutoff date/time for voting?
Click to expand...

We generally play it by ear - when the voting starts to trickle down, we think about closing off and give everyone a heads-up for last call. But I think it's safe to say that voting will be open all day tomorrow.

Great job with the voting guys. Really enjoying reading about what appealed to you about the knives you chose. Some great insights from a very informed and engaged group of forum members here.
 
Post 3, Knife 2 John White Ivory and Damascus Bowie - I love the colors of the ivory handle and the darker colored guard. The orderly yet busy damascus pattern on the blade is unusual and beautiful.
Post 35, Knife 2 Sam Lurquin Raptor XL - The shape and curve of this blade and the damascus pattern tie in beautifully with the handle to make this one mean looking Bowie.
Post 37, Knife 1 David Lisch Fighting Dragon Stag Bowie- I am in love with the tiny little flying dragons that Mr. Lisch is able to magically and skillfully coax from steel. The attention to detail (Teeny dragons even in the bolster!) and the perfect stag handle tie this masterpiece together beautifully.
Post 42, Knife 2 Claudio & Ariel Sobral Godzilla Bowie II - This is probably my favorite knife in this contest. The simple yet elegant handle complements the wildly contrasting textures and colors of the blade on this beauty perfectly.
Post 85 Gahagan Viking Bowie- Very cool knife. The wooden handle is lovely and the knife looks like a solid, heavy piece worthy of a place on a Viking's belt. The substantial, solid hand guard and the Celtic like designs on the handle and the sheath tie it all together.
Post 122 Knife 1 Claudio CAS Persian Bowie the contrast in the blade with the damascus only revealed on the edges and the mean looking shape of the blade, the beautiful and sturdy hand guard and the well shaped handle all complement each other. This is an awesome looking knife.

All the knives submitted were amazing. The craftsmanship and artistry shown in these Bowie knives is mind-blowing. Kudos to all the craftsmen (and craftswomen) involved in the creation of these masterpieces!
 
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Post #1, Knife #3- Russ Andrews Sub-hilt Bowie.
Post #3, Knife #2- John White Ivory & Damascus Bowie.
Post #3, Knife #3- Lin Rhea Southland Bowie.
Post #3, Knife #4- Terry Vandeventer Bowie.
Post #8, Knife #2- Terry Vandeventer English Bowie.
Post #61, Knife #1- John Doyle Redwood & Bronze S-Guard Bowie.
Post #86, Knife #3- Karl Andersen Bowie with Scott Teaschner Sheath.
 
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RogerP said:
It has been brought to my attention that the ivory-handled John White bowie (1/2 of the matched set) was in fact completed and entered in the 2013 contest - so it is not eligible.

As far as I know, the blackwood handled dogbone is eligible, and will remain for your consideration on its own.
Click to expand...

My apologies for the misinformation. The Black handle was/is definitely a 2014 model and they were first photographed professionally together in 2014.

John sent me the knife (black handle) immediately when it was finished and the attached photo taken in my shop when the sheath was finished is date stamped April 5 2014 so it definitely qualifies for this contest.

Paul
 
Easy for me to get to ten. Hard to get to seven.

Anyway, here they are:

Post 1, No. 1 – Tsavo (Sam Lurquin)
Post 3, No. 2 – John White Ivory Bowie
Post 15, No. 1 – Tembo Bowie
Post 29, No. 1 – Bingenheimer
Post 39, No. 1 – Tomberlin Nagabowie
Post 46, No. 6 – Brian Chovanec
Post 86, No. 7 – John White Dogbone Bowie (Black Handle)
 
No worries Paul!

Guys, please remember to put both the post number AND the knife number - it makes the vote counting much easier. Thanks.
 
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