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- Jan 21, 2000
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If this should go in the gallery, please feel free to move it, but besides some nice images, I hope this gives a sense of a maker and his evolving craft. As such, I thought it might qualify for placement here.
The example shown below is a damascus bowie I recently received from Dennis Riley. Dennis has a growing national reputation and enjoys a truly impresssive following in his home state of Arkansas--cradle of so many top bladesmiths and so much history of the American forge. When it was decided to use forged presentation bowies as awards to participants in Arkansas' Southern Governor's Conference a couple years ago, Dennis was chosen as the smith to craft them, which is quite an honor considering the other stellar makers who call Arkansas home.
On the example below, the blade is 1/4" X 1 5/8" X 8 1/2" with an overall length of 13 1/2". Riley-forged ladder pattern damascus with 196 layers of 1084 and L-6 steel, stainless steel fittings.
Some of the most impressive aspects of this knife cant readily be seen from a photo, however. The tang is not the typical "rat-tail" construction, but is forged flat from 1/4"x5/8" at the guard to 1/8"x1/4" at the butt, where a threaded clevis is pinned. A 1/4" square piece 1/2" long is brazed to the butt cap. When the handle is filled with epoxy, the butt cap is screwed into the clevis, making a very strong handle. The blade is hardened throughout and tempered at 400 degrees for two hours, three times. Rc hardness is 57-59. With the combination of 1084 and L6 steel chosen for his damascus, Dennis is obviously building his knives for performance as well as looks.
The stag is from the black forest in Germany. Dennis also made the tooled, heavy leather sheath.
This is a much nicer piece in person than even the photo can show. The damascus pattern on both sides is consistent and gorgeous, the blade profile every bit as evocative as the picture indicates. One of the nicest pieces of stag I've seen in terms of quality and shape for a knife handle, and if it has been dyed it's even more impressive--looks to me just like natural elk horn. Fit of ferrule and pommel cap to the stag is smooth and precise. Even the craftsmanship on the heavy leather sheath is impeccable.
If you see Dennis' work for sale, you'll be at least as impressed with his affordable prices as you are with the quality of his knives. IMHO, his work represents some of the best value currently available. Definitely a maker to watch.
-Will
The example shown below is a damascus bowie I recently received from Dennis Riley. Dennis has a growing national reputation and enjoys a truly impresssive following in his home state of Arkansas--cradle of so many top bladesmiths and so much history of the American forge. When it was decided to use forged presentation bowies as awards to participants in Arkansas' Southern Governor's Conference a couple years ago, Dennis was chosen as the smith to craft them, which is quite an honor considering the other stellar makers who call Arkansas home.
On the example below, the blade is 1/4" X 1 5/8" X 8 1/2" with an overall length of 13 1/2". Riley-forged ladder pattern damascus with 196 layers of 1084 and L-6 steel, stainless steel fittings.
Some of the most impressive aspects of this knife cant readily be seen from a photo, however. The tang is not the typical "rat-tail" construction, but is forged flat from 1/4"x5/8" at the guard to 1/8"x1/4" at the butt, where a threaded clevis is pinned. A 1/4" square piece 1/2" long is brazed to the butt cap. When the handle is filled with epoxy, the butt cap is screwed into the clevis, making a very strong handle. The blade is hardened throughout and tempered at 400 degrees for two hours, three times. Rc hardness is 57-59. With the combination of 1084 and L6 steel chosen for his damascus, Dennis is obviously building his knives for performance as well as looks.
The stag is from the black forest in Germany. Dennis also made the tooled, heavy leather sheath.
This is a much nicer piece in person than even the photo can show. The damascus pattern on both sides is consistent and gorgeous, the blade profile every bit as evocative as the picture indicates. One of the nicest pieces of stag I've seen in terms of quality and shape for a knife handle, and if it has been dyed it's even more impressive--looks to me just like natural elk horn. Fit of ferrule and pommel cap to the stag is smooth and precise. Even the craftsmanship on the heavy leather sheath is impeccable.
If you see Dennis' work for sale, you'll be at least as impressed with his affordable prices as you are with the quality of his knives. IMHO, his work represents some of the best value currently available. Definitely a maker to watch.
-Will
