BladeForums Bowie Stage 3: Brainstorming

[Stephen F]

Well voting slowed down on the second stage, and opinions where more divided with only one vote tipping the scales in most cases.

Heres what was chosen:

Blade D: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=451699
Guard B: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=451702
Handle D: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=451704

What I have done is bring those 3 elements together in the drawings below (Knife 3).

I have also tried to start the brainstorming discussion by adding 4 variants with subtle changes in blade, clip, handle, choil, gurd, ricasso etc.

As you can see subtle changes create a very different knife.

What I ask for here is to look at the drawings, and vote for the knife you like the best. BUT THEN, add a post explaining how YOU would change it, handle, choil, blade shape, clip etc etc. Choose elements from th other knives, or even better suggest something else. I'll then try, and I mean "try" to pick out some common or appealing change requests i.e. other members say "I agree with .....", "hey thats a good idea".

Even if you can't vote due to memebership restrictions feel free to thow in a comment or two ... as long as they are polite ... STeven

Cheers,

Stephen

 

[huugh]

I missed the previous threads however I dare to comment here

Of the shapes provided I like #5 best, mainly because curved transition at ricasso. I'd also place the point closer to the middle of the blade's height.

IMHO 10" blade is way too much, 7"-8" sounds more reasonable to me. But it's just me

I like blade shape of following bowie a lot (though materials used are different story):

 

[Jose Reyes]

I voted for knife 1 mainly for the shape of the blade, but I would definitely like to see a little more ricasso with less dropped edge, more along the lines of blade 5 but more rounded off. I'd also prefer a little more drop to the back of the handle and the standard top guard. I have to admit I'm in Steve's camp on this one, as I probably wouldn't buy the knife myself, but I'll continue to play along.

Now the Dean I would buy...

 

[OldPhysics]

Overall, preferred #5 due to slight recurve plus that nice transition at the ricasso. Believe I'd also like the point to be a bit lower (with respect to the handle).

I, at least, have no problem with a 10" knife...but that could be my Busse addiction talking.

I'm enjoying the process.

 

[Kevin Jones]

Good stuff Stephen.
Thanks for starting these threads.....

 

[xuesheng]

I like #5 the best - no need for any changes!

 

[jdm61]

Overall, preferred #5 due to slight recurve plus that nice transition at the ricasso. Believe I'd also like the point to be a bit lower (with respect to the handle).

I, at least, have no problem with a 10" knife...but that could be my Busse addiction talking.

I'm enjoying the process.

I agree on the point being closer to the centerline of the handle

 

[jdm61]

I missed the previous threads however I dare to comment here

Of the shapes provided I like #5 best, mainly because curved transition at ricasso. I'd also place the point closer to the middle of the blade's height.

IMHO 10" blade is way too much, 7"-8" sounds more reasonable to me. But it's just me

I like blade shape of following bowie a lot (though materials used are different story):

As for the size, I think that 10" is the MINIMUM for this type of project. So Stephen. Will you be making the knife solo? What kind of steel will you be using? I don't remember what you said in your first post. The chosen design is strting to resemble a Robbin Hudson type bowie. Not a bad guy to get some inspiration from:thumbup:

 

[rosconey2]

if you are into antiques roadshow-watch the philly one-
they have a 1840's sheffield bowie in great shape-estimated value 25grand--
the blade grind is wicked-

 

[RogerP]

#5 for me, but with the point brought down some and without the curved plunge line (a feature I like, but not on this particular knife).

Roger

 

[ggfh666]

I 'd go for n°5 but without he upswept blade.
I prefer it with a straight back and the point more to the centre.
Personally I also would like to see more symmetrical flat guard, like the Harvey Dean posted above.
The handle shape as such is the best I think. Both in looks and practicality with a big knife.

 

[peterinct]

I vote for #5 also...but those Deans are simply beautiful knives.

Peter

 

[Broos]

Good threads - Thanks. I like #1, with a longer choil. I agree that 10" is minimum - I think #5 would be better at 11" than 10".

 

[RWS]

I like #5 as well, but like others, I'd want the point brought down with little to no upward swoop to the spine of the blade. I like the guard/ricasso transition on this also.

I really like the semi-"S" shaped curve of the blade edge in this blade, also in blade #3. However, IMO, that makes the blade look a little more skinny/narrow on the knife. Blade #3 looks especilly narrow to me, maybe just an optical illusion....but, like I said, I like a little "S" shape in a Bowie blade and this looks good as long as it's at least 9 inches in length.

At any rate, I'd want a little wider blade for this pattern.

The Harvey Dean knife shown is gorgeous, but I think the blade looks too straight and somewhat narrow/skinny. It could have used a little "S" curve in it and a wider blade, IMO.