Don Hanson III Bowie

Danbo said:
Ditto to that. I've owned many of Don's knives; some of them were his really old ones. Even those were very nice. Wish I still had that L6 hunter with stag slabs and leather sheath that I got from Don years ago, late Sunday afternoon, about a minute from the St. Louis knife show closing for $50. For some reason, the friend I traded it to won't give it back. ;) :)
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Danbo, you have always been quick to sell or trade. Bet there are a lot of
knives out there you would like to have back :rolleyes:
 
Also, after some thought, I didn't make that sheath, my mom made it. My earlier sheaths were made first by my BIL, then my wife, then my dad, then my mom. I was always looking for somebody close by to make them :)
 
Don Hanson III said:
Danbo, you have always been quick to sell or trade. Bet there are a lot of
knives out there you would like to have back :rolleyes:
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Don't I know it. That's what happens, when you have an addictive personality. Always wanting something new and different. :o
 
Don Hanson III said:
Also, after some thought, I didn't make that sheath, my mom made it. My earlier sheaths were made first by my BIL, then my wife, then my dad, then my mom. I was always looking for somebody close by to make them :)
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I'm starting to understand this:

Kryptonite / Superman
Leather / DH3

Coincidence? I think not.

Coop
 
Kevin Jones said:
A fine 'Old School' ABS Bowie.
Good looking damascus pattern, but not quite as sexy as your current models.
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Some thoughts on this piece. I do see ABS influence, but I wasn't an ABS member back then, had not been to a hammer-in, or around any other smiths either, just a few knife shows. I do see a little Bagwell influence, which is kind of cool, I think.

I'm also thinking it was made early in 97, which would make it some of my first damascus.

It was most likely one of the last fixed blades I did before going head first and exclusively into folders/autos. I don't think I made another 'real' fixed blade until 2004.
 
Don Hanson III said:
I don't think I made another 'real' fixed blade until 2004.
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Would that have been this stagalicious piece you had with you at the 2004 Little Rock show?

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Roger
 
Kevin Jones said:
As I referenced in my previous post, it's a very nice but very typical ABS Bowie from the 90's>early 2000's.
Along the line of the Custom Knife "Golden Age" thread?, it really demonstrates how far, not just Don, but many ABS makers have come in design, embellishment, materials and construction methods over the 7-8 years.
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Actually, Fisk, Hancock, Cook and Fuegen were doing a lot in the mid-late 90's with respect to design and embellishment. There was a lot of file work done to Bowies during that period, especially on guards and ferrules. They put a lot of work into those knives, and were really undercompensated for them. Wish I still had some of the ones I offed back then; I don't think I could ever afford having them recreated by the same makers at today's prices.

As DHIII said, that really does bear a resemblence to the Bagwell "school" of Bowie design during the 90's. Wasn't my cup of tea, but a lot of people loved them.
 
BowieBooster said:
Actually, Fisk, Hancock, Cook and Fuegen were doing a lot in the mid-late 90's with respect to design and embellishment. There was a lot of file work done to Bowies during that period, especially on guards and ferrules. They put a lot of work into those knives, and were really undercompensated for them. Wish I still had some of the ones I offed back then; I don't think I could ever afford having them recreated by the same makers at today's prices.

As DHIII said, that really does bear a resemblence to the Bagwell "school" of Bowie design during the 90's. Wasn't my cup of tea, but a lot of people loved them.
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Very true, there were some ABS makers who were ahead of their time in regard to design and embellishment however many were making versions of the same "Early ABS Bowie" we refer to today. They usually had a wood handle (often maple), flat oval guard (very often fluted even colored dark in the grove or had rope filework) and a 8"-9" carbon steel blade. I agree, there was quite a bit of filework was used on early ABS bowies. Seems like much of it has been replaced with engraving today.

Jerry was making some incredibly innovative knives during that period (some for royalty), however he also made a lot of "Early ABS Bowies". Just like the other makers you mentioned did in addition to their very special pieces.
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Anyway, sorry for the sidebar and back to Don's 90's Bowie.
 
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Sorry, but I just can't help communicating my severe drool issues with respect to Jerry's "Midas Bowie." A simple, traditional design but executed in knockout fashion. Much like DHIII does today with his great damascus, primo selection of ivories and pearls, and wonderful sense of artistic balance.

That kind of subtle creativity is, to me, what separates the true masters from the rest of the pack. Many makers can execute a Bowie near perfection and without any discernable flaws (and I tip my hat to those craftsmen!), but very few can take a traditional Bowie design and make hardened knife junkies scream, "WOW!"
 
I was big into gold, carving, pearl inlays, mosaic damascus and file work with my folders in the late 90s' to mid 2000s'. But when I started the bowies in 2004, I just didn't like all that for fixed blades, just didn't seem right. For bowies / fighters, it's all about the flow and kick-ass ivory for me :D

BTW, I only made 2 or 3 bowies in the 90s'...
 
Its probably a great business move that you mastered bowies as well as folders. Lately I see alot more folders for sale that linger, but your bowies hardly last a minute anywhere. Good on you! Speaking of folders, I am starting to miss mine and need to get back into the swing soon!
 
A couple of Don's older Bowies I picked up shortly after signing up here. :)

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Doug
 
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