Guardless coffin handle question

[Tad Lynch]

Maybe some of you traditional bowie guys can help me out regarding the construction on the James Black style coffin handle-like on the Carrigan bowie-where the front of the handle is wrapped in silver. Is the silver wrapped under the wood or does it just butt up to the ricasso and stop? Also, is that type of handle a full tang or is the "tang" you see on top and bottom a false tang or liner of some kind? Any help with reproducing this type of handle would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

 

[LRB]

Contact Mike Roberts. He is an expert on the Carrigan knives, and even has kinship to the family. He has studied them hands on, close up. mroberts@palmerpetro.com

 

[Fox]

There is a good tutorial here, by Bruce Evans describing the process, but with a different handle shape.

 

[Tad Lynch]

Thanks guys, I appreciate it. I viewed the Black "Carrigan" and "Bowie No. 1" knives yesterday in Little Rock, but the details of how they were constructed were tough to see through the glass. I appreciate your response.

 

[Ebbtide]

sk ol'Bruce...he made this one for me

 

[Mace]

I think the top and bottom of the tang you see IS the tang...with rope file work and maybe silver plate(what I heard anyway).
Mace

 

[Bruce Evans]

The easiest way is to use a framed handle as I did on Ebbtides Bowie..The original is a full tang and was actually silver overlay of the tang,what they used to call silver plating.Then the silver twisted wire was attached to that along with the piece over the front of the handle and around the butt.If you look real close at the ones in Arkansas you will also notice that they were tapered from spine to cutting edge all the way through the handle.It is a really cool knife and fun to try and figure out....The best thing I can tell you is to look at the original real close then come home and make your own version of it.If you use stainless fro the frame it will look like it has the silver wrap.
Bruce

 

[Tad Lynch]

Thanks, guys, for the info. I appreciate it.

 

[Bruce Evans]

You can also contact Jim Batson or Alex Daniels as both of these men are a wealth of great knowledge on these types of Bowies.
Goos Luck,
Bruce

 

[Mace]

I thought these pics might be cool.
Mace

 

[Ebbtide]

Thanx Mace...filed away for future reference