Guard width for Bowie??

R

rlinger

Joined
Mar 29, 2002
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Getting ready to re-handle the Bowie I asked some handle questions about a few days ago.

Before I begin the guard I would like to get advise from you Bowie makers about the guard width (from tip to tip). I want to make it to traditional width (assumming their is a traditional width).

The blade length is 9 1/2 inches to the guard face. The maximum blade width is 1 3/4 inches.

I will be using nickel silver for the guard.

Please advise. Thank you; RL
 
I just eyeball it. Go with the flow. Every blade has a different profile and I just do what I think fits...but with the general rule that too much guard is better than too little.

Most of my fighting Bowies will have the top tine of the guard a little shorter than the bottom.
 
Thanks XRAYED.

I did not consider having the top a bit shorter but it does make sense to do so. For function and balance it probably should be.

I am Bowie ingnorant except that I believe it was named after some fellow named Jim.

RL
 
They are usually 3 inches to 3 1/2 inches then add on the ball quillions which are between 1/4 and 3/16 inches...if this is any help.I have seen allot with smaller guards that don't look like they would protect the hand at all,but then again I have seen some that were so big that it was just over kill and a hinderence when drawing the sheath.The bottom of the huard will be made longer to compencate for the riccasso cut out also,this way the guard looks centered on the blade..
Hope this helps out a little.
Bruce
 
One thing that will be really helpful for Bowies and all other knives is an elipses template. A good one will have many different sizes in terms of both length and width. These are great not only for guards, but for handles as well.

John
 
Ball quillions?

Is that the round design I sometimes see at the tips of the Bowie guard?

RL
 
RL,yes the ball quillions are the round balls on the ends of some of the antique Bowies.
Bruce
 
Greg and Bruce are right on the money.
I usually keep the bottom of my guards about 1/4 to 1/3 longer on the bottom. Helps keeps it looking balanced. I always fit my guard first before doing any shaping and keep it oversized. That way I have plenty of wiggle room to adjust.
 
I have found that a bowie dose not have to have a
large guard on the top of the blade on some 1/2" to
1" is ok on some blades and on others it is a little
more on the bottom than on the top. I all depends
on the blade, don't be afraid to do something
different. Gib
 
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