- Joined
- Aug 23, 2002
- Messages
- 1,398
This Bowie is by an up and coming maker: Chris Daigle of Houston, TX (DAIGLES@sbcglobal.net). This was the knife that triggered my Mexican Loop Tutorialback in January. This particular sheath is a variation on the traditional Mexican loop theme - a narrow belt loop with a riveted cross loop to eliminate the bulk of the traditional skirt. After I got the knife I realized that the finished rig would have looked sort of wide and stubby with such a big skirt and Chris agreed. Good lines are the main parameter of my work. Chris is the best kind of customer - he gave me a general outline of what he wanted and then let me take it from there.
Here are the specs on this very nice, well balanced Bowie - 5/32" thick 5" blade- ATS-34 stainless- flat ground- hand rubbed to 600 grit.
416 SS guard- satin finished, Copper ferrule, Mosaic pins
Coffin shaped African Blackwood handle.
Sheath specs:
The back and belt loop are of 7/8 oz vegtan with the cross over loop made from 4/5 oz. The welt all around is made of 3/4 oz which is more than adequate. With a period sheath of this design the blade must be fitted snugly as there are no retaining straps and when made with a thinner welt it works very well for retention without being too tight (leather always has a certain "give" to it).
The front is actually two thickness - an inside layer of 5/6 oz covered with a 4/5 oz layer that makes the arched throat cover that aids in retention by lightly gripping the crossguard. The outer layer is glued to the inner face and then the whole thing is sewn using Barbour's Redhand 5 cord linen thread using the traditional harness maker's/saddler's stitch.
Note the two small tacks that prevent the body of the sheath from pulling up through the loop when drawing the blade. I've come to use these on almost every sheath of this style because no matter how tight you get the cross loop eventually it will stretch a bit and loosen up.
The color is my favorite medium dark, aged russet. Unfortunately the rich nuances in the color aren't fully apparent in these photos, although the backside photo gives you a taste. I started to do this one plain, but it just cried out for some deco and this fairly plain style of incised carving that I really like fit the bill perfectly.
This whole rig, knife and sheath, is one of those rare but very pleasing gems that just came together without a lot of effort. Hope you like it as much as I do.
Chuck
Here are the specs on this very nice, well balanced Bowie - 5/32" thick 5" blade- ATS-34 stainless- flat ground- hand rubbed to 600 grit.
416 SS guard- satin finished, Copper ferrule, Mosaic pins
Coffin shaped African Blackwood handle.
Sheath specs:
The back and belt loop are of 7/8 oz vegtan with the cross over loop made from 4/5 oz. The welt all around is made of 3/4 oz which is more than adequate. With a period sheath of this design the blade must be fitted snugly as there are no retaining straps and when made with a thinner welt it works very well for retention without being too tight (leather always has a certain "give" to it).
The front is actually two thickness - an inside layer of 5/6 oz covered with a 4/5 oz layer that makes the arched throat cover that aids in retention by lightly gripping the crossguard. The outer layer is glued to the inner face and then the whole thing is sewn using Barbour's Redhand 5 cord linen thread using the traditional harness maker's/saddler's stitch.
Note the two small tacks that prevent the body of the sheath from pulling up through the loop when drawing the blade. I've come to use these on almost every sheath of this style because no matter how tight you get the cross loop eventually it will stretch a bit and loosen up.
The color is my favorite medium dark, aged russet. Unfortunately the rich nuances in the color aren't fully apparent in these photos, although the backside photo gives you a taste. I started to do this one plain, but it just cried out for some deco and this fairly plain style of incised carving that I really like fit the bill perfectly.
This whole rig, knife and sheath, is one of those rare but very pleasing gems that just came together without a lot of effort. Hope you like it as much as I do.
Chuck
