Damascus and stag Hell's Belle

JParanee

JParanee

Joined
Dec 23, 2006
Messages
15,020
Hi everyone. Just wanted to post some pics of a new knife Bill Bagwell just sent me. According to Bill this is the only All Damascus (blade and fittings) stag handled Hell's Belle he has ever done. The blade is ten inches of Bill's satan's lace damascus. The guard and pommel are also his damascus. His stamp is gold filled. In person the tip of the blade looks like it is on fire. The piece of stag is kind of squareish at the guard so you can always feel where your edge is. The Knife has some weight but when it is put in motion it is very quick and fast in the turns. The knife was made for me and it feels that way. Bill makes his knives right or left hand and this knife aligns and indexes extremely well. balance is right on and I couldn't ask for a more fearsome fighter. I am very pleased with this blade and the knife in person is beautiful and scarey at the same time. If the devil carried a bowie this might be it. I am rather new to the forums and would love to hear what you all think. Thanks for looking .. Joe

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Bagwell. :)
Damascus Hell's Belle. :D
Made for you. :cool:

Gorgeous Stag.Wicked blade.
Congrats,Joe. :thumbup:

Doug
 
Very rare. Very cool. :thumbup:

A true classic from one of the founding pioneers of the ABS.

Nice clear images also. Very smart!

Thanks,

Coop
 
Have not handled a Bagwell, curious as to the handling quality.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
YIKES!
You own the knife I ask Santa for each and every year.
Wonder how he confused us :D
 
Kohai999 said:
Have not handled a Bagwell, curious as to the handling quality.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
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i have an older stag handled Bagwell that is a bit longer than this one. It is one thick mother...3/8ths at the ricasso, but it handles pretty well. i bought one of the Ontario Hells Belles just for pattern ideas. The proportions are close and although it is a heavy knife, that LONG coffin handle really balances it out pretty nicely. It is quick for such a big thick knife. I'm sure that the real ones are better. The blade on the Ontario is rather narrow. there isn't really much taper to it. Yet it still balances right at the plunge cut. i would think that if I tried to make one, I could make the blade a hair wider, give it a goodly distal taper and that long handle made from a heavy wood and it would balance near if not right at the guard.
 
Bagwell HBs are awesome blades to begin with. That one is just tremendous!!! Congrats!
 
Just as a follow up comment, this one has some of the best proportions that I have ever seen on any Helles Bell. Is the handle on this one real long Joe? If I could at some point make half of a living making nothing but big "art/user" fighting bowies of that general type, I would be content.
 
Thanks for all the nice remarks. I really apreciate it.

Originally Posted by Kohai999
Have not handled a Bagwell, curious as to the handling quality.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson[


Like Mr. Mandt said it is a hefty knife when you hold it but when you get it going it changes direction very quickly and the weight does not seem that noticeable. The balance point is perfect at about an inch from the guard. Bill has seen me in person and really nailed the handle and thats when the magic comes into play. I don't mean hocus pocus kinda stuff but well thought out handle to blade angle and shape size texture of handle. Like I said Bill makes right and left handles. It feels a bit weird in your left hand but it feels o so right in the right hand. Spine of blade seems to line up with the center of your forearm and line up with your elbow when your hand and wrist are in a very natural grip. Due to this piece of stag being kinda oblong with a slight twist you always know where your edge's are and the shape lends itself to fasilatating a back cut. You probaly can't see this in the pics but you can see it when you hold the knife up and look down the handle. You can definately feel it. Due to the way the handle widens to the rear and the texture of the stag the harder you swing it the more it bites in to your hand. The handle seems to draw you to the same grip hence same blade orientation which I love. I am really happy with this blade and Bill was fantastic in every way. Kept me informed and really tried like only some guy's can due to give me my dream fighting bowie. Bill"s Lovely wife did the sheath and I can't say how honored and pleased I am to have gotten to know them. If ya can't tell. I like talking about this knife so ask away.. Thanks JP
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Mr. Mandt the handle is a little under 5 1/2. The blade is 10 1/4 inches long and 1 1/2 wide. Thanks for all your nice comments and you should spend your time making cool fighting bowies and I would love to see your work. thank joe
 
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