bowie making ?

  • Thread starter Thread starter -
  • Start date Start date

I want to do a long blade Bowie (Old time style) but want to keep it light and fast.
Any suggestions on steel thickness!
Carbon steel. I plan on doing a patina.
The 5160 I have is 3/16 too thick I think.
It will be a flat grind with 8-9" Iron Mistress style blade Stagg crown handle.

------------------
RHankins Available knives
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumList?u=205453
 
For a long bowie I'd stick with the 3/16ths stock. To make it light & fast I'd make a clip point pattern with a false edge to lighten up the blade. Also, making a hidden tang knife instead of a full tang will take a lot of weight out. With a big blade and a hidden tang, I'd plan on putting a couple of pins through the tang for safety.

John Ownby
 
This, my first one, was made out of 1\4 inch 5150 with a stag handle. It's 15 1\2 inches and weighs a pound.
View

Take Care
TJ Smith

[This message has been edited by TJ Smith (edited 04-01-2001).]
 
It will be a stick tang that goes all the way thru and threads to the back of the pommel. Maybe I will use a piece of 1/4" brass for the pommel and filework it. Adding a ferule might help also.
I agree the balance has to be at the index finger for it too feel right to me.
Thanks for the help! Any other ideas, I'm listening
biggrin.gif


------------------
RHankins Available knives
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumList?u=205453
 
Hey bH,
The bowie that Bruce Evans made for me is
10" x 1.5" x 3/16"
It weighs about 12.5 Oz and is lightning quick. It has a hidden tang and false edge that keep the weight down...
Granted this is no chopper, but it was never meant to be. There is a thread a page or 2 back about it...
Take a look at his tutorials, if you haven't already.
I guess the real question is do you want to make a "sharpened pry bar" or not...not that there is anything wrong with SPB's
wink.gif
There is a place for them too
smile.gif

Ebbtide out.

[This message has been edited by Ebbtide (edited 04-02-2001).]
 
If you want quick,the 3/16 inch stock is fine.The hidden tang and threaded on pommel is also fine,but I would suggest that you make it a little bigger than 1/4 inch thick or you wont get your balance point where you are wanting it...I feel that a hidden tang when done properly is just as strong as a full tang,Just think of how the old swords were constructed and then what they were put through.You can always take some of the pommel off if it is to heavey but you cannot put it on if it is to light,You can construct any size pommel by using me shell buttcap methode on my tutorials,only shape it to the shape that you want,You can solder in a nut if you want it threaded so everything is tight.You may also need to consider how thick you are going to make the guard and any bolsters or ferrules that can add weight to the knife...
If you want a chopper you will need a little heavier blade but it can still be light weight just make it a little blade heavey so it gets more momentum in the chop.
Hope this helps some,
Bruce

------------------
Bruce Evans Handcrafted Knives
The soul of the Knife begins in the Fire!!!!!
Member of,AKTI#A000223 and The American Bladesmith Society
asmallpicofbruceforforums.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top