Bladeforums Bowie Stage 4: Critique and Refinement

Stephen F

Stephen F

Joined
Sep 28, 2003
Messages
1,235
Well it was a pretty overwhelming vote for knife 5 in the thread linked below:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=452096

Thanks for the input, a running remark was the dropping of the point, retaining the ricasso and moding the handle a touch.

In the drawing below I have tried to do this, but I am not happy with the handle contouring and also unsure if the blade should be wider.

Have a look and throw your comments into the pot to see if we can get a few ideas on how to refine it further, especially the handle shaping.

BFB-Final-modified2-.jpg


Cheers,

Stephen
 
I'm think that the handle is just a bit too narrow, particulary as it approaches the guard. I like the blade profile althought maybe it could be just a bit thicker in the belly?
 
xuesheng said:
I'm think that the handle is just a bit too narrow, particulary as it approaches the guard. I like the blade profile althought maybe it could be just a bit thicker in the belly?
Click to expand...

I think I'm with you on both points!

Stephen
 
I think the design is great, and I agree with xuesheng, though I don't quite like this clip style I see the majority of the votes and respect that.

Will there be pools for materials? Such as one for blade material, handle material, guards and spacers, and so forth? If a blade material pool is started, might I sugest a further pattern pool if damascus is the chosen material?

This game is very exiting. Thanks!
 
xuesheng said:
I'm think that the handle is just a bit too narrow, particulary as it approaches the guard. I like the blade profile althought maybe it could be just a bit thicker in the belly?
Click to expand...

I agree as well, except I'd run the little thicker/wider suggestion throughout the length of the blade, not just the belly....just a little wider though.... a little goes a long way.

Also, I'd want to see what a thin spacer or two transitioning from the handle to the guard would look like.

Just a side note: I'd probably get the guard engraved eventually.:D

A beautiful knife there!
 
I also think a little more belly to the blade would look good, especially up toward the tip. The handle looks too skinny to my eye as well and the dropped edge is too pointy. Nice work, Stephen...:thumbup:
 
Here I go bucking the trend, but I don't think any more blade width is needed. Wider is just wider, not better. If you look at Fisk's Southwest bowies, for example, they tend to be a little bit on the slim side for the genre, but wickedly fast looking and fast feeling. Hogbelly type Southwest blade profiles can be very cool, but my preference would not be to head in that direction.

What's more, I think the handle could actually be thinned out a touch toward the butt cap. Look at your hand for a minute - your pinky is your shortest finger, right? It's going to have a hard time contributing it's share of providing a secure grip if it has to wrap around the thickest part of the handle. Having a butt cap swell behind that point is fine.

But this is a pretty cool looking knife just as it is.

Very interesting excercise.

Roger
 
BrB said:
Will there be pools for materials? Such as one for blade material, handle material, guards and spacers, and so forth? If a blade material pool is started, might I sugest a further pattern pool if damascus is the chosen material?
Click to expand...

Jeff, when we think we have a good to go design we'll do a poll on materials .... I'm guessing brass and giraffe bone won't be favourites though.:D

Cheers,

Stephen
 
I'm guessing brass and giraffe bone won't be favourites though.
Click to expand...

And what in the world would drive you to that conclusion? :confused:

I was dearly thinking of utrageous damascus patterns and the green/blue shades of mastodon ivory and also some gold engraving as well... :D
 
I am with RWS ... pretty much point for point.

Except (isn't there always an except): I'm not so unhappy with the width. I could take it exactly as it is.
 
I like the width of the handle at the guard to be the same as the width of the ricasso, which seems to be pretty well the case here. Possibly a bit more belly, but not much. I think a couple of very thin spacers would look good. I like the sharp point on the dropped edge. I don't think that the blade needs to be any wider.

I agree that Jason Knight would be an excellent choice to make the knife.
 
Just a thought guys. :confused:
Perhaps after the total design is completed we could vote on a maker and actually have this piece made. Chip in to pay for it, sell it and donate the procedes to a worthwile charity.
It would be very interesting seeing it completed step by step via the Forum, and we could actually help an agreed upon worthy cause.
 
It would be more fun if it was "makers." The more the merrier. A collaboration ... for charitable purposes ... is fun and will probably bring in more geld. Besides, why deny our many makers the personal satisfaction of participation?

Most of us can only contribute cash.

Now, if someone wants to sponsor a BladeForums Mathematical Equation for charity...perhaps then I could contribute in a more personal way!
 
Kevin Jones said:
Just a thought guys. :confused:
Perhaps after the total design is completed we could vote on a maker and actually have this piece made. Chip in to pay for it, sell it and donate the procedes to a worthwile charity.
It would be very interesting seeing it completed step by step via the Forum, and we could actually help an agreed upon worthy cause.
Click to expand...
Great idea. I'm in!
 
I would make the arms of the guard a tiny bit
longer, particularly the top one. I would also make the ricasso maybe 1/8 longer. Handle looks decent. Maybe thin out the butt by taking a bit off the top and making it appear to have a bit more drop. As for who would make it, how about anyone who wants to and then those who participate bring their knives to Blade if they can make it.:D :thumbup:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top