Bowies, the mastersmiths series

[Joss]

In this thread I am going to show off my nicest pieces - my MS bowies. I've been working on trimming and upgrading my collection for the last 2 years, and it's starting to pay off.... I'm going to post at least 1 a day.

HOWARD CLARK
1086M forged blade, Jpz-style heat treatment, but with all the modern equipment and knowledge. Blade is stamped with his seal, and a nice little "For JD".

Most of the pieces I'll post are collector items, but I commissioned this one to be used. I have 4 other pieces by him, so he accepted, although he mostly does Jpz-style stuff nowadays.

Handle is stag and wrought iron, and the tang is peened over the butt plate.

 

[RogerP]

Dang - only one per day? Well, you can be sure I'll stay tuned when the subject is Master Smith bowies This is a real nice example. Congrats on actually using a stag handled MS bowie.

Cheers,

Roger

 

[SharpByCoop]

You got my attention. I think I am going to pull up a chair....

I've been describing the term 'mastersmith' to my knon-knife-knowledgable buddies , and I liken the term to having a 'doctorate in bladesmithing', because of the trials and many years of practice to earn the title.

First one is a hit. A man's on base. Who's up next...?

Coop

 

[Bastid]

I am pulling up a chair with Coop and am gonna buy a nice stick and savor it during the "weekend review."

The show certainly got off to a fantastic start .

 

[Joss]

I'm not sure I'm going to be able to use it as is. In fact, it's too heavy for my needs. I can either get it rehandled, or I can make it a purely collectable item.

Allright, here is #2:

ROB HUDSON
Large bowie. Damascus blade, octogonal handle carved out of some gorgeous walnut, and wrought iron fittings. The tang is, again, peened over the buttplate. This is one of my very top pieces, and also one of the best designed one in terms of handle and guard geometry / placement.

The first pic below (the nice one...) is Jim Cooper's work.

 

[Joss]

EARLY KEMAL (Don Fogg + Murad Sayen)
Rare, rare piece. Got it on eBay for $1,000, which is a steal. Damascus blade by Don Fogg, and Sterlin Silver fittings and escutcheon by Murad Sayen. Murad also carved the walnut handle. It's a Searles bowie, kinda sorta. The double axe logo was only used by Kemal for a short while.

 

[Keith Montgomery]

This is certainly fun. Keep those pictures coming.

 

[Robert Marotz]

Nice taste Joss

Been a while, how you been?

 

[Wulf]

Ooooh this is great!

MORE MORE MORE!

Oh, and I'd love to see your other Howard Clark pieces too

 

[Grapevine]

Great idea for a thread series and great knives. I'm lovin' that Fogg/Sayen.

 

[swissdagger]

A fine collection... keep them coming!
QUESTION: In the first thread about the Clark bowie you wrote that Howard Clark "mostly does Jpz-style stuff".
Someone may explain to me what Jpz-style is

Thanks a lot!

 

[Joss]

Originally posted by swissdagger
QUESTION: In the first thread about the Clark bowie you wrote that Howard Clark "mostly does Jpz-style stuff".
Someone may explain to me what Jpz-style is

Jpz = Japanese

 

[Burchtree]

More please.

 

[swissdagger]

Darn!!!!
Have lived many years in Japan and speaking fluent japanese.... but didn't know about that "jpz"!!!
There is always something to learn

Thanks, Joss

 

[Joss]

DANIEL WINKLER

Gorgeous little cowboy bowie. I admired this knife for a long time on Nordic Knives, before seeing it on Daniel's table at the ABS show in Reno last year (he changed the concho on the sheath). First pic is from Nordic Knives.

 

[golok]

A magnificent bunch, Joss. I am green with envy!

 

[Joss]

KEVIN CASHEN

Kevin is one of those MS who is firmly grounded in metallurgy science. His knowledge of what happens to steel at different temperatures, and during heat tratment, along with his attention to details, makes him one of the best knifemakers out there, in my opinion.

His prices are extremely reasonable too, and all this combines to give him a 3 year backlog...

Fancy bowie:
Damascus (O1 and L6 I think) blade and fittings, mastodon ivory handle.

Stag bowie:

Marquenched L6 blade, beautiful F&F, solid stag handle, sharpened clip, and deadly balance....

 

[RogerP]

I'm enjoying the heck out of this thread. That damscus Cashen bowie is particularly stunning. Thanks again for sharing the pics!

Roger

 

[Wulf]

Love that Cashen damascus!

Joss - regarding Kevin's three-year wait, I think it might be a bit longer now. He wouldn't even accept an order from me

 

[Danbo]

He wouldn't accept an order from you? Maybe it's because he has standards to uphold! Bwahahahaha! (just kiddin, everybody knows Wulf is my bud. At least he WAS)

That Cashen stag fighter looks mighty familiar!

I commissioned Kevin to make me a Randall-ish stag fighter and boy, did he nail that request. How did I ever let that one go?

Those pictures don't do either of the Cashen bowies justice. Especially the walrus ivory and damascus bowie. Those are gold fittings too.