Bowie Pics: 1084 and Mesquite

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Oct 30, 2002
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Just put the final touches on this one. It's a blade I ground out a long time ago (spring, I think), and I finally got around to completing it. This is my KITH entry this year, and it's also the first bowie, first hidden-tang, and first file-fit guard. :)

The blade is Aldo's 1084 and the handle is Mesquite sanded up to 1000 grit and finished with Danish oil. It has great chatoyance. I'll end up putting several more coats on and then finishing it with a hand cloth buff.

The specs are: 1/4" 1084 stock removal blade; 7-7/8" cutting edge; 8-3/4" tip to guard; 13-3/4" OAL. The blade is just shy of 1-1/2" wide at it's tallest point. The blade is finished with a satin machine finish, and there is a small scuff just forward of the plunge I need to fix from where I sanded the mark to clean the edges. Hardware is 440C. Balance is at the ricasso, a little forward of where I would like it to be (have to get more distal taper next time and not thin the tang as much). I also would have liked more width to the botton of the handle, but the block I had was just big enough to work as is.

The blade is a full flat grind, blended slightly convex towards the edge and finished with an extremely sharp convex edge bevel. I'll throw in a picture of some paper curls. I know that's trite, but this thing just glides through paper, cuts nylon rope without a thought, and can take chunks of carboard without even slowing down.

Sorry for the somewhat crappy pics. It's 12:00 and I only have indoor lighting and no light box. Thanks for looking, and let me know what you think. Critiques always welcome.

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--nathan
 
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Fantastic knife. Has a certain simple elegance about it. Someone is REALLY going to be happy when they receive their KITH package. Just be careful laying something that sharp on the leather couch!
 
Thank you very much, Fred. I have to tell you that your bowies have been some of my favorite knives over the years. The elegance, flow, and balance of your work has always inspired me to do more and do better. So I truly appreciate your words.

Thanks again everyone! Weird as it sounds, I can't wait to give this one away. I look forward to getting another done after the first of the year and maybe forging one out soon after that.

--Nathan
 
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