- Joined
- Feb 28, 2002
- Messages
- 13,348
The specific features of the knife wielded by Colonel James Bowie, perhaps the most famous defender of the Alamo, has been the subject of much debate and speculation. What is certain, however, is that the knives which collectively bear his name today exhibit a broad variation in both design and dimension. As a collector of fine forged blades, with a particular affection for the bowie knife, I both embrace and enjoy the diversity which now defines the genre.
Some bowie knives are massive, broad-bladed and intimidating in their dimensions alone. Such blades call to mind the uncompromising broad sword a devastating implement vested with irresistible inertia and utter indifference to any notion of subtlety. The knife pictured below, forged by Master Smith Bailey Bradshaw resides at a different point in the bowie spectrum. It is slender, light and fast more rapier-like in both appearance and feel.
This knife is rendered in the style of the famous knife maker Samuel Bell, though it is not a reproduction. Bailey is an admirer of the distinctive style of Samuel Bell, and drew inspiration from a Bell knife with a similar blade profile and execution of the guard / bolster / ferrule, though the original was rendered with a modified coffin-styled handle.
This Bradshaw bowie sports a 10 inch blade of 320-layer ladder-pattern damascus steel (1084 and 15N20). The pattern is tightly controlled and the blade displays a lovely shimmer. The long false edge starts about 3 ¾ ahead of the guard and terminates at a very sharp point. Overall length is approximately 15 inches.
The handle is formed from a single piece of carved African blackwood a particularly dense, dark and stable hardwood. The area of transition form handle to blade is particularly interesting. There is a collar-like bolster ahead of the small double-guard which looks for all the world to be an integral part of the blade itself. It isnt. The bolster, guard and ferrule are all separate pieces of forged damascus steel. The bolster and ferrule are from the same billet as the blade, while the guard is from a separate mosaic billet. The mosaic pattern is visible on the top and bottom of the guard, but not from the sides, and regrettably, is not captured in the accompanying photograph.
The wonderfully detailed pommel provides the perfect finishing touch to this very elegant blade. It is comprised of mosaic nickel-damascus and inlaid on both sides with 18k gold.
This large knife is perfectly balanced, remarkably quick and extremely sharp. Fit and finish are utterly beyond reproach. It is an exceptionally beautiful and yet very serious blade. My thanks to Bailey Bradshaw for the knife and for the detailed information regarding its construction. Thanks also to Murray White for his valued guidance in the photography of this knife.
Best regards,
Roger Pinnock
Some bowie knives are massive, broad-bladed and intimidating in their dimensions alone. Such blades call to mind the uncompromising broad sword a devastating implement vested with irresistible inertia and utter indifference to any notion of subtlety. The knife pictured below, forged by Master Smith Bailey Bradshaw resides at a different point in the bowie spectrum. It is slender, light and fast more rapier-like in both appearance and feel.
This knife is rendered in the style of the famous knife maker Samuel Bell, though it is not a reproduction. Bailey is an admirer of the distinctive style of Samuel Bell, and drew inspiration from a Bell knife with a similar blade profile and execution of the guard / bolster / ferrule, though the original was rendered with a modified coffin-styled handle.
This Bradshaw bowie sports a 10 inch blade of 320-layer ladder-pattern damascus steel (1084 and 15N20). The pattern is tightly controlled and the blade displays a lovely shimmer. The long false edge starts about 3 ¾ ahead of the guard and terminates at a very sharp point. Overall length is approximately 15 inches.
The handle is formed from a single piece of carved African blackwood a particularly dense, dark and stable hardwood. The area of transition form handle to blade is particularly interesting. There is a collar-like bolster ahead of the small double-guard which looks for all the world to be an integral part of the blade itself. It isnt. The bolster, guard and ferrule are all separate pieces of forged damascus steel. The bolster and ferrule are from the same billet as the blade, while the guard is from a separate mosaic billet. The mosaic pattern is visible on the top and bottom of the guard, but not from the sides, and regrettably, is not captured in the accompanying photograph.
The wonderfully detailed pommel provides the perfect finishing touch to this very elegant blade. It is comprised of mosaic nickel-damascus and inlaid on both sides with 18k gold.
This large knife is perfectly balanced, remarkably quick and extremely sharp. Fit and finish are utterly beyond reproach. It is an exceptionally beautiful and yet very serious blade. My thanks to Bailey Bradshaw for the knife and for the detailed information regarding its construction. Thanks also to Murray White for his valued guidance in the photography of this knife.
Best regards,
Roger Pinnock
.
)
