Damascus and Ivory Rifleman's Bowie

Terry,

Point well taken. For some weird reason, I accept patina on bronze, copper, and C steel, and imperfections on natural handle material, and yet I can't stand patina on brass and Nickel Silver. Hm... :confused:

This being said, there's a clear benefit to the forged C blade, the natural material, etc, to offset the potential cost of the material "aging". On the other hand, I'm not convienced there's any such benefit to Ni Silver (as long as the customer's willing to pay for the add'l time and slightly higher cost, but I assume it would be a very small increment on such a high end knife).

JD
 
Joss,
You and I aren't really that far apart at all on our opinions. This may sound like I'm talking out of both sides of my mouth at the same time, but I actually am migrating away from nickel silver completely, unless I really think it's called for on a particular piece. I am in fact doing almost all hardware in stainless now.

There are a couple of reasons. One is that nickel silver is in varying grades so-to-speak. The really good stuff that I used to love had probably at least 18% nickel, sometimes more. It was really silver in color and quite tough.

As you get down into oh, I guess about the 14% range it starts having more of a yellowish tint (though faint). The stuff I used to really like seems near impossible to find.

But another reason I am moving toward the stainless hardware is that it seems to be more resistant to scuffing and scratching.
 
Ah, that makes sense. I didn't know that there were different qualities of Ni Silver, but it makes sense.
 
By the way, I had to jump in here and make a quick edit on that first sentence above. It was supposed to read:

You and I aren't really that far apart at all on our opinions.

Sorry. My darned spell checker doesn't check to see if I typed what I really meant to say. :D
 
Originally posted by primos
But another reason I am moving toward the stainless hardware is that it seems to be more resistant to scuffing and scratching.
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That sums up the sole basis for my preference for stainless steel. Even so, my knives are treated with such gentle care that it is not a particularly strong preference.

I do have a question - is nickel silver more dense / heavy than stainless steel? The reason I ask is that on the big-bladed bowies (10 - 11") it seems that slightly heavier fittings might help balance out the knife by bringing more weight back toward the handle. I'm not at all sure whether there is a difference in weight between the two though.

Cheers,

Roger
 
Originally posted by primos
Oh yeah, Mongo, I started another thread to discuss frame handles. Here's the link: Discussion on frame handles
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I learned something new today Terry. Thanks for the pictorial on this knife. I guess I never thought about how you guys do all the wonderful stuff you do.
 
Incredible knife, Terry. The fittings and ivory really match with the gleam on that blade. A beautiful fighter Bowie!
 
Terry, when I check Sheffield Knifemakers Supply and Texas Knifemaker's Supply they both state that their nickel silver is 18% nickel. Are you having trouble getting this grade of nickel silver even from these suppliers?

One thing I also notices, that nickel silver stuff ain't cheap.
 
Terry,

You already know that I think this knife is superb.

I will echo Roger P's comment that you should definitely enter it for judging, probably in the Fighter catagory, when you get up to Little Rock. Have a real nice trip, AND make sure that Danbo has a roll of paper towels in hand whenever he gets near your table.:cool:

Best,
Peter
 
Originally posted by Keith Montgomery
Terry, when I check Sheffield Knifemakers Supply and Texas Knifemaker's Supply they both state that their nickel silver is 18% nickel. Are you having trouble getting this grade of nickel silver even from these suppliers?

One thing I also notices, that nickel silver stuff ain't cheap.
Click to expand...

Just saw what i think are newly made large bowies from Jim Crowell, he seems to use NS too, so Terry, youre in pretty good company. :)
 
Saw the knife saturday and talked to Terry for awhile, whoever is getting that one has to be happy. I'll be getting with Terry on a similar piece. Again Terry---FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!
 
I got to see this wonderful knife over the weekend. While the pic is great it doesn't do this knife justice. It is truly a magnificient piece! It was also a pleasure meeting Terry!
 
I gotta say, I've seen several of Terry's knives up close(and, owned a few), and all have excellent fit and finish. This ivory and damascus "Rib Tickler" is on another level! I'm a nit picky Bastid, but I couldn't find anything to nit pic about on this one. Great job, Terry.
 
Terry, this may well be your best effort to date! You continue to improve in leaps and bounds. Keep listening to Fisk. I'm sure that this one got snapped right up. Racer Roy
 
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