Bowies,...market survey

Hi Bailey,

Great idea.

Steel: carbon tool
Length: 10" sounds good
handle: deep, dark colored hardwood, perhaps exotic [ I prefer them ]

From your description, I get the feeling it will be more of a camp bowie [ chopper ]than a fighter [ sleek and fast ], thats fine.

I'd stay away from Micarta type materials, they are too slippery most of the time, especially on a big bladed knife. No finger cutouts, no double guards, etc [ which probably fits with pretty close to your testing bowie. Full tang preferred.

Looking forward to the day my name comes up on your list for that custom I ordered earlier.

Stay sharp

Brownie
 
What I would want in a bowie:

Blade:
9 1/2 - 10 inches with a finger choil

blade shape similar to CS Trailmaster (as I feel it has substantial weight and girth, yet still isn't so wide towards the tip as to hinder significant penetration)

blade steel:
1/4 inch 3V (good edge holding, tough as nails, good impact resistance, and a modicum of corrosion reistance), although, wouldn't it be cool if you could have a laminate with a 3V core and some kind of stainless side slabs?

Hard chrome or titanium carbo-nitride finish

Handle:
Some type of injection molded material like zytel with kraton or micarta inserts to improve grip (I like this idea because it is very durable and offers some protection from electrical accidents).

Guard:
definitely single guard with, possibly, a slight thumb ramp.

Price:
300 bucks (or less) would be nice (although, more than likely, not feesible)!


There's my input for ya'! :D
 
Details are coming together favorably. Next is to tackle the big hurdle of funding. One of the many lessons learned from my Whitewing efforts was not to start out too slow.....or too fast. BTW, this project wil resurect my Whitewing label. I will make reference to my involvement with a new blade mark.

I have been looking at steels to use. Considered CPM-3V, as it is my favorite steel overall, but a little too pricey for the first run. I will do a run with 3v should this project do well. A-2 is another consideration. Anyone have any experience with it? Let me know the good, bad and ugly.

Useing Bubinga for the handle is a go, and I will use other woods as well on subsequent runs.
 
Mr. Bradshaw, if you are interested in 3V but concerned about the price you may want to look at S7. It should be cheaper and while it doesn't have the wear resistance of 3v (by a long shot) it has amazing c-harpy test number even at a relatively high hardness 125 ft/lbs at 57rc or 85 ft/lbs at 58. I am a big fan of this steel and made my first knife from it.
 
Wow, a Whitewing bowie, why didn't I think of that? Sounds like you're right on track Bailey in terms of design and materials. I can't wait to see the final product. Do show us some pics when the time is right.

Roger
 
I have a few blades in A-2. Hell of a steel IMO. Takes a great edge, keeps it long enough and with proper heat treat as you'll give it, tough enough for most everyones needs.

Robin Brown
 
Any more news on this project? I am hankering for a good high end using bowie for 2005, and I thought Bailey's project sounded great!

TSHyde
 
Bailey, this sounds great. I always wanted a bowie that was more tool oriented than the current offerings. Most current offerings are leaning towards the weapon aspect. A bowie should be able to cover both bases I think, but I am more inclined and likely to use one to build a lean-to with, or do some other light to medium wood cutting chores, than to duel with it. I would want carbon steel, wood handle, and brass fittings. If I liked the profile of the knife and it would perform well with wood and other chopping duties, I'd go up to around $300.00.
 
Without reading the other replys my big gripe about Bowies in general is the cheap stainless steel found in so many knives marketed as Bowies. Check out Ontario's Bagwell Bowies. One site calls the steel "QS13 proprietary steel", another calls it 440A; my guess is that "QS13 proprietary steel" is 440A. How about differentially tempered 1084 or 5160?

If I was to have a Bowie made it would look like The Fortress but with a straight hilt and 5160 steel.
 
Think thin.
There are plenty of prybar/axe bowies out there.
Think thin.
Ubersteel should make for a good thin knife
Think thin.
But then again, I might be the only one to buy one!
:D
 
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