crossada
Gold Member
- Joined
- May 16, 2004
- Messages
- 2,657
after i received my mandritta today i thought i would take a couple of pics to show off my collection of fighting bowies.
Bill Bagwell hells belle 10 9/16" blade 16 1/2" oal, african blackwood handle
Robert Newton crossada 11 5/8" blade 17 1/2" oal walnut handle slabs
Rob Patton mandritta 11 1/8" blade 17 1/4" oal, african blackwood handle
all three knives are first and foremost designed as dueling bowies with everything else a distant second. all have trapping guards and sharpened back edges for the back cut.
i will say the Patton has a truly impressive fit and finish that to my eye is flawless. usually i expect some minor flaws on something handmade but not on this one. despite being so big it is very fast in the hand. Rob spent alot of time on the handle design over the years and this is the latest version. the pommel allows for a nice counter balance to make for a very fast snap cut.
after recieving the Bagwell a few months ago i quickly placed an order for a damascus version. most damascus bowies are out of my price range to collect but i figure i can treat myself to one and this one got the vote. there is a reason it is on the short list of best fighting knives. Bill has really fine tuned this design to be something special. the blade is slightly curved like some of the better fencing weapons to make it a true right or left hand weapon. also the coffin handle has very subtle contouring that you can't see but feel when held in the opposite hand. this one is actually different from all others in that Bill put a sun flower design for the top pin. i am getting the damascus version with the same thing i think to match this one. i decided to add an inch to the blade on it though.
i got the crossada from James Keating himself. it has been through many variations over the years with many different makers. this is the rare 3/16" version built for speed. it still feels heavier than the forged knives but has a solid heft to it. i can't imagine how the 1/4" version would feel. the removable quillions actually change the feel of the knife quite alot in my opinion. the butt hook on this model doesn't allow for as fast of a back cut as the other two but it is very accurate on the thrust. i would like to add a Dozier to my collection in the future to feel the original handle design over this one.
questions and comments are very welcome!
Bill Bagwell hells belle 10 9/16" blade 16 1/2" oal, african blackwood handle
Robert Newton crossada 11 5/8" blade 17 1/2" oal walnut handle slabs
Rob Patton mandritta 11 1/8" blade 17 1/4" oal, african blackwood handle
all three knives are first and foremost designed as dueling bowies with everything else a distant second. all have trapping guards and sharpened back edges for the back cut.
i will say the Patton has a truly impressive fit and finish that to my eye is flawless. usually i expect some minor flaws on something handmade but not on this one. despite being so big it is very fast in the hand. Rob spent alot of time on the handle design over the years and this is the latest version. the pommel allows for a nice counter balance to make for a very fast snap cut.
after recieving the Bagwell a few months ago i quickly placed an order for a damascus version. most damascus bowies are out of my price range to collect but i figure i can treat myself to one and this one got the vote. there is a reason it is on the short list of best fighting knives. Bill has really fine tuned this design to be something special. the blade is slightly curved like some of the better fencing weapons to make it a true right or left hand weapon. also the coffin handle has very subtle contouring that you can't see but feel when held in the opposite hand. this one is actually different from all others in that Bill put a sun flower design for the top pin. i am getting the damascus version with the same thing i think to match this one. i decided to add an inch to the blade on it though.
i got the crossada from James Keating himself. it has been through many variations over the years with many different makers. this is the rare 3/16" version built for speed. it still feels heavier than the forged knives but has a solid heft to it. i can't imagine how the 1/4" version would feel. the removable quillions actually change the feel of the knife quite alot in my opinion. the butt hook on this model doesn't allow for as fast of a back cut as the other two but it is very accurate on the thrust. i would like to add a Dozier to my collection in the future to feel the original handle design over this one.
questions and comments are very welcome!
Congrats on Owning Such a Cool set of Big Fighting Knives.