Bruce Bump "Wild Bill" Bowie (Sheath photo added)

Kevin Jones

Kevin Jones

Joined
Oct 28, 2006
Messages
13,363
I just received photos from Caleb of the Bowie Bruce has been creating for me. It's really made it's rounds over the last couple weeks going from Bruce in Wala Wala WA, to Jere Davidson here in Va to be engraved, back to Bruce for final assembly and then on to Caleb in Missouri. This Bowie has a similar, but different "hanger guard" theme as the piece Kyle Royer did for me last year. Bruce used a different method for attaching the hanger guard than I've previously seen used. It's actually built into the guard, as opposed to a "through ricasso" attachment.

Everything turned out very nicely. Bruce is such a pleasure to work with. I also enjoyed visiting Jere Davidson (he only lives about an hour and half from me) to pick up the parts he engraved/gold inlayed. He's really a good guy and so humble. It's absolutely amazing what he can do with a hammer and chisel.

Specifications:

Handle:Premium Amber Sambar Stag w/ a single gold pin. I actually had this stag carver for quite a few years just waiting for the right Bowie project.
Fittings:Stainless guard, hanger guard, spacer and stag fitted butt cap.
Blade: Bruce Bump forged Ladder Pattern Damascus from 1084 & 15n20.
Engraving / gold inlay:Jere Davidson
OAL:14.5"
BL: 9.5"
Sheath: David Seward to create sheath

Thank you Caleb for the fine job on the images.

As always, thank you in advance for views and opinions.

click to enlarge
 
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Wow Kevin, that came out nowhere. Beautiful. Ladder pattern is always a deal maker for me as you know. I am not seeing eye to eye with the hangar shape, but it actually matches the handle/guard and I think I'll get more used it the more I look at it. This thing must be wonderful in person.

The grind looks hollowed out, I like that on this bowie.
 
Nice Knife. I especially like Bruce's take on the hanger guard.

Not sure on the rules, but if it is not too late to be eligible for the Best Bowie 2015 then I would enter it. I would personally vote for it as a finalist at the least.
 
Jon Brand said:
Wow Kevin, that came out nowhere. Beautiful. Ladder pattern is always a deal maker for me as you know. I am not seeing eye to eye with the hangar shape, but it actually matches the handle/guard and I think I'll get more used it the more I look at it. This thing must be wonderful in person.

The grind looks hollowed out, I like that on this bowie.
Click to expand...

I thought you loved a good ladder pattern??
 
The mark of a good hanger bowie is that the looks of the non-hanger side will still carry the Bowie.

click to enlarge


 
Hi Kevin,
I wonder if you or Bruce might have some WIP pic's of the guard/hanger showing some details of the construction?

And before I forget, great piece! Looking forward to seeing the sheath.

Thanks
Steve Hostetler
 
This has to be one of my favourites of all time. :thumbup: Stunning flow.
 
Fabulous knife -- fighter to me. All the workmanship by all the craftsmen involved is top notch and is another great knife in your collection Kevin.
 
Just an excellent piece, Kevin! Everything fell into place wonderfully. The ladder, the grind, the engraving. Congrats! Love the result. :thumbup:

- Joe
 
Kevin, you are a very lucky man! What a gorgeous knife Bruce has created yet again, I'm a little envious!
This is one of the finest knives that I've seen in a long time. Bruce certainly is on the top of his game and one of the very best and I'm proud to say he is a friend.
He will be starting another one for me soon, watch out for "Bat Masterson"
 
Kevin wow, this knife if it's really beautiful, a great addition to your beautiful collection...
I am a fan of Bruce knives, and this is one of my favorites, I love the color of staghorn
Caleb photography is just fantastic !!

Happy New Year!
Claudio
 
SHostetler said:
Hi Kevin,
I wonder if you or Bruce might have some WIP pic's of the guard/hanger showing some details of the construction?

And before I forget, great piece! Looking forward to seeing the sheath.

Thanks
Steve Hostetler
Click to expand...

Sure Steve.
Here's a couple photos of the guard/hanger kinda demonstrating how it's attached into the guard via a slot.



 
Jon Brand said:
I said deal maker, not deal breaker. I meant that I love the ladder pattern on this!
Click to expand...

Oh, I totally missed that. I try reading without my glasses and shouldn't. :(
I knew you were crazy about ladder pattern.
We initially experimented with some mosaic patterns, but finally decided on the ladder. I think it was a good choice as too busy a pattern may not have looked good with the engraving/hanger. It hard to go wrong with a well executed ladder pattern and Bruce sure creates a good one.

Patrice, Jon, Ken, Steve, Joe P, Willie, Murray, Joe R, Justin, Rick, Dozier, Claudio thanks for your comments.
 
I'm not a big fan of a hanger guard but love outstanding craftsmanship and Bruce did it again with this one.

Thanks for sharing.

Gary
 
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