Bowie Dimensions

J

Jrmysell

Joined
May 18, 2014
Messages
546
I'm looking for some info on Bowie knives. I know they can kinda be all over the place but when you generally think of a bowie a certain knife comes up in your mind (mine is usually any of Nick Wheeler Bowies). I read the thread talking about 13ish inches long and doing handle vs blade as fibonachi's number and the clip, and the tip etc. How thick do you normally start with for a 13ish" bowie? And how wide is the blade? I'm planning on it being out of 3V so it should be plenty tough so I'm thinking a little thinner than most (mmost I've seen/looked at seem to start at .2-.25". That seems overly thick too me. Any body else have some numbers for me?
 
There are many interpretations of the profile and it is worth studying lots of photos to understand which elements you like. SharpbyCoop's website has a gallery that is a good place to start.
As far as thickness, on a large stock removal Bowie, most people would start with 0.2-0.25. Bagwell's are often 0.3 or slightly thicker. This sounds very thick, but with a strong distal taper and high bevel grinds, they are only that thick where the spine reaches the guard and are actually very lively. I made a pair last year with that initial thickness and it was amazing to feel them come to life as I did all the grinding.
 
Also a question on this knife. The guard is it actually a 2 piece that they just fit together perfectly? Otherwise how does it go around the butt?

Untitled.png
 
That's most likely a frame handled Bowie as shown below.

Frame Constructed Handles I like them. You?

Yes, I like the frame or cased constructed handles. Makers have been using them for quite some time. I think the initial reason the process was developed was to create a better, stronger way to hold a handle on to the Bowie. Also by utilizing slab or scale cut handle material in the frame...
www.bladeforums.com www.bladeforums.com
 
Jrmysell said:
Do you start with them about 2" tall as well with that thickness?
Click to expand...
I made mine in the Bagwell style with 9" blades. That particular profile is fairly narrow, around 1.5" tall. I own one by Seward that is more than 2".
 
That frame construction makes so much sense. I’m like they could make the seam small but I feel you could still see it especially with Damascus. And I’ve looked through the best Bowie threads. My friend wants a full tang though and it seems so much easier to do a full guard with a hidden tang. I gave him the options: notched single guard full tang, hidden tang or the frame construction
 
Jrmysell said:
I’m like they could make the seam small but I feel you could still see it
Click to expand...
This is where paying attention to "fit and finish" comes into play, and often separates "high" from "low" quality knives.
 
There's an article on frame handle construction in this month's Blade magazine. I know, because I wrote it, lol. Features work by Salem Straub, Karl Andersen, and a few others.
 
image0.jpg


I think he's ok with a hidden tang. How does this tang look? long enough? It's 13" total, blade 7.75" with 4.8" handle. For buying a piece of 3V this thick I can get a 12" piece and make it work as is. If I need to lengthen the tang at all there won't be enough material. I don't plan on making a bunch of 3V knives this thick. Should the 12" work as in the picture?
 
The tang as drawn looks plenty big enough.
Mostly a matter of taste, but I would add a few subtle curves. For example, the heel of the blade, the blade-tang junction, perhaps the guard.
 
I plan on having a radius from heel to ricasso. I'm open to other ideas as well for the guard. This'll be a few firsts for me. Bowie, guard, hidden tang, longest knife I'll have done, tallest as well.
 
Take a look at some knives from Sam Lurquin. His work has some really interesting curves in the guards and handles that you might like.
 
Dang. He's got some beautiful knives. I saw someone with a guard similar (it may have even been him) but when I tried to draw it out I couldn't get it to look good. But I may try for one of his more delicate curve styles. Any other big name bowie makers I'd love to look at their stuff. I've been looking at Nick Wheeler stuff so far and Matt Roberts.
 
It's too easy to miss some great makers, but if you combine Coop's gallery and the best Bowie threads you should have enough inspiration to make half a dozen. Bruce Bump's website is must see.
 
R Ruger 44 Redhawk Thank you that's a Fancy Hunter with a 4 5/16 blade and 8 11/16 overall. J Jrmysell when you said 13 inch Bowie my response would be very different than a 7.75" blade keeping in mind how much styles vary I would say 3/16 to 1/4 inch and under 2 inches tall. You could dress it up with a spacer of the same material your pin is made of if your guard is the same add a couple G10 spacers.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top