finally finishedsmall Bowie--Shiny Damascus

Bruce Evans

Bruce Evans

Joined
Sep 26, 1999
Messages
4,486
Well I finally finished it...The pictures are not the best but I couldnt wait to show it off.Tomorrow I will spend the day taking pictures untill I get it figured out and get some good pictures taken...to get the shine off the blade so you could see the damascus I had to nock the sun off and darken the handle.

Next can you guess what kind of grind I did on this blade? I will give the answer later after a few guesses..

Any and all comments welcome,thanks for looking,
Bruce

4 7/8 inch random pattern damascus blade
4 1/4 inch handle of Black Walnut Burl
hand carved nickel silver buttcap,collar,and escution plate
Ladder pattern Damascus guard

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Well, I put on some heavy duty sunglasses... I'm guessing convex grind?;) Nice knife Bruce, glad to see ya cranken 'em out again.
 
This is actually a hollow grind..It is ground on my platen with a 6 foot grinding wheel radious.It is so close to flat it isnt funny,but it is the traditional grind for the 1800's perioed English Bowies...I like the look and it is something different so I think I will just leave it on the grinder unless someone wants a different grind.

Does the shiny Damascus look bad?should I leave it as is or resist the handle and etch it real good.

Personaly I like the shiny blade better.
Bruce
 
Outstanding work Bruce:thumbup:, but then again, we expect nothing but outstanding:eek: from you! What kind of sheath do you plan for this one,one of your fabulous silver throat and tipped sheaths I hope?
 
That is one neat little bowie. I look forward to some better pics that will show the finish of the damscus.

Roger
 
Thanks for the kind words everybody...

John,I think it deserves a throat and tipped sheath,but am posting it for sale with choices on the website.

Keith and Roger,IKnow I need better pictures and am setting tomorrow aside to learn how to get a clear shot with the new camera,I just couldnt help it and had to post a quick pic.This one really does deserve a nice picture.I am hoping that now that I am getting back in the shop I will soon be able to get some proffesional pics taken of some,but for now I am going to have to learn and do the best I can.

Bruce
 
Bruce Evans said:
Keith and Roger,IKnow I need better pictures and am setting tomorrow aside to learn how to get a clear shot with the new camera,I just couldnt help it and had to post a quick pic.This one really does deserve a nice picture.I am hoping that now that I am getting back in the shop I will soon be able to get some proffesional pics taken of some,but for now I am going to have to learn and do the best I can.

Bruce
Click to expand...
Hi Bruce,

I'm going to be frank and direct: You are making a common, classic mistake. I sure love your work, and I really believe you are doing the best you can--but, you are shooting yourself in the foot.

In your exuberance to show off your work, you are accepting of images that are sub-prime. In the world of custom knives SO MUCH of the impact comes from emotional response. First impressions are critical.

Yes, you need to learn this skill set along with your other myriad of skillz. It's paramount. You do NOT need a professional, you just have to be patient and learn some lighting and editing skills.

By the time you arrive back with decent images, the power of your work will be dilluted. I want you to come first out of the gate SLAM BANG WOW!!! That's what a savvy maker will do.

Let me know how I can help in advice.

Be well.

Coop
 
Thanks Coop...Patience is a virtue....will need to used here also.

The days of being so excited that you cant wait to show off what you finally got finished and settling for crappy pictures are gone,The pictures will have to show the reason for the excitment.

I have had to learn to slow down and pay attention to get to were I am now making the knives so it is time to do the same with the pictures....

Digital cameras let you take hundreds of pictures to find that one good shot without spending a fortune on film develping...So I agree it is time to figure this out and be patient about showing it off..

Thanks and yes I am listening,Glad you like it,
Bruce
 
Here are a couple of shots I tried today,Donna said she will help me tomorrow,she was helping tonight and seen the problems I was having so between the 2 of us maybe we can get a really nice pic.I am also starting to think it may be this old photo program I am using.
Bruce
This first pic shows a shadow at the guard but it doesnt have any discoloration on the blade,not sure what I did to get it...I will keep trying
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Nice knife.
Coop is right. Listen to him!
Remember just say no to digital zoom.
 
I like the green back ground best..It is not going to be easy for me to get a clear picture of the knife and the Damascus at the same time...I will keep trying....Have shot over a hundred pictures thgis weekend of this knife using different setting and light sources and then trying to learn the photo editor I have...

Bruce
 
The close-up of the blade from yesterday at least gives me a look at the damascus pattern and an idea of the blade finish.

The knife is still much better than the pics - :p - but keep at it!

Roger
 
Thanks Roger,The blade has been tough to get the Damascus to show in as it is a mirror,I can read the letters and numbers on the light bulb 2 foot above the bench in the blade with it setting on the bench.I agree the knife is much better than I am getting in the pics.About ready to ship it to someone and let them take a pic....

Murry,I will read it.I think I am having computer and hardware problems as the pictures look good on the camera but come out different when I download to the computer.Time for a upgrtade of the whole system to match the new camera I think.Gotta move something first.
Bruce
 
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