Hell's Belle Bowie

Congratulations on your new knife. I hope it serves you well and you never have to use it for its intended purpose.

You're living what I can only dream of.

I'm looking forward to the photos.


Mitch
 
alaska guide said:
Well a ? i ask all my hunter's sooner or later during there hunt.What is you life worth to you!I see guys come up cotton clothes in camoflage,boots what are not broke in for sheep/goat hunts.Rifles they have shoot very little-pratice with.Rain gear that leaks,even thou we send them a gear list some of the hunter's think what work's down home will work up there.My life is worth something,I like myself so there for i have and buy the best gear i can.Be it my rifles are .They have been worked on to work in any condition and to go bang when you want them to.My clothes i can live in and survive if i can't make it back to camp overnight. My optics are Leica and Swarovski so i can spot game afar an decide weather if it's worth going after/trophy for the hunter instead of walking far to get closer only to find out it is not. I have 2 buddy's both guides who have been bear bit,if it was not for the one who's hunter shot the bear off him, and Lynn's buddy who shot the bear off Lynn,who know's what would have happen.Had a bear in 2004 up in unit 14 tear a tent while another guide and i were sleeping in it.The bear,found out by track's cub must have leaned on the tent and fell in.That was enlighting to say the least.I carry 24/7 a S&W329 in a chest rig,even sleeping and had Bill's bowie with me always.This one i just got will replace the older knife,I have knives i use for skinning and caping.This HELL'S BELLE could do it all, but it is a just in case all else fails.Thank's....I MAKES ME SLEEP BETTER AT NIGHT...
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Sir, congratulations for getting a knife from someone who has spent a lifetime using knives on the field in any and all possible ways a field knife can be used. You deserve that knife like no one else, I'm perfectly certain you know exactly why you want that knife the way it is and how to use it. I wouldn't dare second guessing your or Mr. Bagwell's judgment. May it keep you safe and serve you right for as long as you carry it. Again, congratulations.
 
Really looking forward to the pics! Could you tell us the width and thickness of the blade? How far back is the clip sharpened on yours? Was there a reason to go 10" rather than a bit longer?

I agree--if I HAD to poke a bear I can't think of a better CARRIABLE implement with which to do so.
 
JParanee said:
Jim congrats and I anxiously await your pics and will post them as soon as I get them


Bill was very pleased with this knife and when Bill gets excited about a blade it usually means that he would like to keep it which is a hell of a complement for any knife.

As for the comments about Jim's choice in a dedicated fighting Bowie

I am sure Jim has an axe and a saw and everything else an expierenced Guide that is working from a base and different Spike camps has at his disposel.

So I doubt he will be useing it for bushcraft althought it would perform up to any task that would fall upon it.

I have spent some time in remote far away places and the confidence a well made and special to you blade gives you is priceless and life is to short not to carry what makes ya happy.

I remember when Jim ordered this knife and Bill suggested for a bush knife maybe one of Bills other variations would serve him better. Jim explained he was not going to be beating this knife up batoning wood and doing general camp chores this was to be a last ditch save my ass blade and something that he really wanted and could get alot of personal satisfaction out of. I believe from talking to him this has been achieved in spades.

I was in the Yukon hunting with Chris Widrig the year after he was mauled by a sow and believe me he is and was an expierence bushman. he was walking ahead of a group and came around a corner and ended up between a sow and her cubs. The Bear hit him hard and his rifle was on the horse he was leading. Believe me Chris knows to take his gun off the horse when he was not on the horse but sometimes no matter how much expierence you have ya get lazy and make a mistake. He was badly mauled and could not be moved and would have died if by luck he was not guideing I believe a doctor who stayed with him why others rode for help and they choppered him out. I believe it was a few days before he actually got to a hospital . This was back when sat phones weren't so commen. He has the scars to prove it and I am sure if he would have had a big knife he would have tried to use it.

The point is Jim got what he wanted and if he ever has to use it it will serve him well and for that I am happy and I know Bill is very pleased to of made a knife for a guy of Jim's caliber and expierence.

Can't wait to get the pics and again congrats on a special blade hope ya never need it but I know it will bring you alot of confidence and pride of ownership and not let you down no matter what task you put it to
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Fascinating.:thumbup:

Plus ... I have never seen a Helle's Belle that wasn't a superb example of knife-making. [Translation: they are all great knives!]
 
Sidehill Gouger said:
Well I kind of know what a "mall ninja" is but is there a subspecies we should call "bush ninjas?" ;)
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Sorry, have to give you a big :thumbdn: on this comment. Anyone who can actually survive out in the wilds of Alaska is the antithesis of a "mall ninja". A bit more gruelling then traversing the aisles down at the local mall... :p

Hope you enjoy your new blade and it comes to use and brings you some peace of mind as well as enjoyment! :thumbup: It might not be of much use against a Kodiak but the most fearsome creatures to look out for are the ones that walk on two legs... :D
 
Here's Jim's HB

Pictured with his other Bagwell and an excellent P Long sheath

Thanks Jim and great Bear skull

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Hmmm, de ja vu... Both knives are great. I like the field knife a whole lot as I can relate. The lanyard hole is a practical addition which I also like. The Long sheath is great because it can be worn "Bagwell-style" or the more common way hanging (flapping, Mr Bagwell...?) from the belt. It's good to know that May comes after April :D

By the way, there is a new (to you) rifle somewhere in that picture, ain't it, Joe?
 
Erik good eye, I895 TAKEDOWN ,405 Winchester i've used it to take elk.But hasn't took a bear yet.Load a 350grn fngc bullet behind a good dose of H4895, chonry 2145 fps. Brown bear i killed in 2001 skull would have made 3 year B & C 27 3/16" on skull
 
alaska guide said:
Erik good eye, I895 TAKEDOWN ,405 Winchester i've used it to take elk.But hasn't took a bear yet.Load a 350grn fngc bullet behind a good dose of H4895, chonry 2145 fps. Brown bear i killed in 2001 skull would have made 3 year B & C 27 3/16" on skull
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Outstanding i have been looking for a 95 in 405 for a couple of years now it is one of my favorite cast bullet cartridges out there.
 
Cool bowie - not hard to see why you're so pleased to have it at your side. It looks to have an extra-long handle - is that the case, or is it just the photos?

Roger
 
OUCH! Some in the ABS will not like this thread...no, not at all!:confused:

My first custom was/is a Bagwell hunter/w sheath I purchased at H&H Sporting goods in Texarkana,Texas.

Ron, the owner, (closed now) said Bill had traded it toward some sporting gear.

My wife (ex) at the time, spent 135.00 for it for Christmas. I WAS THE MAN!!!!

That must have been in 1992...a few years later I met Fisk...history.;)

My son, Naaman, will get it along with some other of my favorites: Walker's #1, Massey D-guard, THE first Fitch (it's a shame) , and several Fisk's.
 
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