Frame handled Feather.

Fred.Rowe

Fred.Rowe

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
May 2, 2004
Messages
6,848
OAL 8 1/2 inches

Blade steel 220 layers 1084X15n20 feather pattern.

Handle is of frame construction using copper black G10 with snake wood scales.

This is my fourth knife of the year. I'm not noted for my blazing speed.

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Great looking damascus. I don't know what I think about that style knife without a guard, its a little different.

Steve
 
-This post has been edited-

I regret having commented on this knife.

My understanding of this forum has been that when a maker posts pictures or their work, they are looking for feedback.

I made the mistake of assuming that feedback and dialogue were sought here, but it's been made clear to me that this was not the case and that the knife pictured was provided as a sharing of work only.

My apologies for ruffling feathers.
 
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Steve Randall said:
Great looking damascus. I don't know what I think about that style knife without a guard, its a little different.

Steve
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I see many knives of this style, with this raised swedge, designed around a guard or with a guard of some kind. If a fighter, a guard is a must. Is this style blade a fighting style blade or has it just acquired that name [handle]?
To start, I drew the blade with guards; many different styles. None of them was inspiring. Once the blade was ground and hot blued I changed my approach and looked to highlight the feather pattern blade with a handle that was subtle in shape but visually aggressive. The grinds down the swedge and along the primary edge are perfectly executed and I wanted to be able to see the grinds along both edges without interruption. The black g10 lines down the copper spine are meant to highlight the blade symmetry.
I'm glad that I went this way; if I had put together "another" harpoon point fighter with guard, you may not have bothered to look or comment. Stop back and look again; I think you might end up agreeing with me :) "Without deviation from the norm, progress is not possible.
 
Lorien said:
blade looks super. Although the raised clip thing is getting a little common these days, your proportions are good. The feather is very nice.

The handle...I think you'll do better next time :) In fact, depending on how much tang is stuffed in there, you might be able to make some further adjustments that provide favourable results.
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Why would I want to change it, when I worked so hard to make it? You may not care for the design personally, which is fine. But if I had wished to make some other design I would have done that, I possess the skill, I believe, to make most anything.
The "next time" I attempt something other than the boring norm, I'll remember your comments.

Good Day, Fred
 
Fred.Rowe said:
Why would I want to change it, when I worked so hard to make it? You may not care for the design personally, which is fine. But if I had wished to make some other design I would have done that, I possess the skill, I believe, to make most anything.
The "next time" I attempt something other than the boring norm, I'll remember your comments.

Good Day, Fred
Click to expand...

fair enough, Fred. Point taken :)
 
Love the blade and Damascus pattern. Very nice control of the pattern. I like how your feather centerline centers the blade as opposed to wandering all over. I don't care for the handle design.
 
Kevin Jones said:
Love the blade and Damascus pattern. Very nice control of the pattern. I like how your feather centerline centers the blade as opposed to wandering all over. I don't care for the handle design.
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Glade you like the blade Kevin. I have made maybe 20 feather pattern blades over the last ten years and this one was the last and the best of them. I make quite a few patterns but feather pattern is something you learn about as you make more of them.

This is a knife that blooms when its in your hand. Its very simple in its design but there is a great deal to view when its being held.

Thanks for posting, Fred
 
Fred,

You are bold in your choices that is a fact. I think it is beautiful blade. For me the handle appears a little thick to my eye.

I have seen many old classic bowies with no guard and yours choices really stand out.

And you are right I have gone back several times to look at it.

Very custom blade, your skill as a knifemaker comes through in Aces.

Good job buddy.
 
AVigil said:
Fred,

You are bold in your choices that is a fact. I think it is beautiful blade. For me the handle appears a little thick to my eye.

I have seen many old classic bowies with no guard and yours choices really stand out.

And you are right I have gone back several times to look at it.

Very custom blade, your skill as a knifemaker comes through in Aces.

Good job buddy.
Click to expand...
Bold is a good choice of words:) The whole thing is slightly illusive depending on the view, which I was shooting for. The handle measures .56 forward at the shoulders and increases to .78 at the butt. The copper and black g10 stripes make the handle appear wider than it is. Thank you for your comments and thanks for coming back to take a second look. I succeeded
 
Fred,

That really is an optical illusion :)
 
Fred.Rowe said:
I see many knives of this style, with this raised swedge, designed around a guard or with a guard of some kind. If a fighter, a guard is a must. Is this style blade a fighting style blade or has it just acquired that name [handle]?
Click to expand...

If not a fighter, what would you envision this knife, with its raised clip, being used for?
 
I have made a few hunters and skinners with raised clips. The guys using them love them.
 
Hi Fred,

I really do like the feather pattern blade but not the handle so much. I would rather see this knife with a guard, but that’s just me. Thanks for sharing.

Bill
 
Fred, You gotta watch these guys on this forum, they are not too shy about giving honest opinions of knives posted here. Its "their" forum so I suppose they have the right to. Most often makers post here to get a feel for the buying market and can learn a ton if they are not "thin skinned" and will pay attention.

My honest opinion as a maker is nice feather damascus and cool blade shape. I would like it even better with a guard of some type as this blade is a fighter blade.
 
it takes courage to post one's work here, and it's totally worth it from what I've seen during my time in our forum.
 
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