First Bowie WIP...Tips?

Eric, Don't you worry about Spike Mangler...you should be worried about how close Virginia is to ConnectiCUT!:D

Nahan, I like that size file jig...where did you get that one?
Mace
 
Mace,

I got that one from Rudy Joly a while back in the sale section here. They're O1 and work ok, but my better files bite into them a bit, and I've got some grooves in them.

--nathan
 
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That cleaned up very nicely. The smallest adjustment, especially in the area of the ricasso down too and intersecting the blade edge, can make a great difference in the final appearance.
If I can make one more point, in reference to designing and building a big bowie or fighter; when laying out the tang, position it above the center of the ricasso instead of centering it. I think you will find that the fit up of the handle itself goes much easier and gives you more options when you are shaping the handle material itself. Doing this lessens the chances of grinding into the tang from below.

I am looking forward to seeing the finished knife.

Fred
 
Fred, that is something that I've come to find out on this blade, and I will definitely do on the next build. Ideally, I'd like slightly larger stock to work with for stock removal, or I'd like to forge it to shape from the same stock to have a bit more width. That will really open up options for tang placement and size a bit more. It was really tempting to try a takedown construction on this one, but I figured I have enough to deal with on this first bowie. Perhaps the next will be a take down.

Thanks again for the tips.

--nathan
 
Thanks, Andrew. Don't speak too soon. We'll see how many guards I muff up trying to get it all to fit right :D.

--nathan
 
Ssssssshhhhhh....The trick to a WIP is only showing the one that works out right :D
 
Well, so far it's working out right. Just an update, unfortunately no pics of the progress. I'm kind of combining two things at once, but currently I am hand sanding the blade (almost done...ricasso is basically done, just a bit more to do on one side of the blade and the finishing strokes to blend it all). At the same time, my first try at fitting a guard is going well. It's about 90% done at this point, I just have to clearance a bit more at the ends of the slot to fit the radius from the tang to ricasso. The fit looks really good to my unexperienced eye. Nice and even. Definitely not perfect, but a snug fit for sure. I'll post some pics once that's finished. Next will be to drill the slot in the spacer and the hole in the handle block, and then index the spacer and block with pins to keep it all lined up.

I'll keep you posted. Oh, while I was working, there was a heck of thunderstorm just a mile or two north of the shop that blew through. I'm posting pics in the Around the Grinder area. Check em out.

--nathan
 
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