I'm handing out cigars; it's a PRIMOS! My very first custom

Happy Camper

Happy Camper

Joined
Jan 8, 2000
Messages
311
A large box was awaiting me on my doorstep when I came home from work today. I opened the tape with my beat up Cold Steel Voyager, and peered inside...

Terry had gone out of his way to warn me that the blade was coated with Rennaissance wax and wrapped in plastic wrap, and would look bad until I wiped it off with WD-40. But I was already in awe just looking at the Redwood Burl handle.

The other thing that struck me was how light and trim it looked and felt in real life - as if it didn't know it was a 10 1/2" blade (Terry, did you lie to my knife?)

My wife took this picture:
 

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The sheath is heavy duty to say the least; the leather is so thick, there's no way the knife is going to come through it if I fall on it. I can barely bend it empty!

I took my knife to some of my friends, and while they were drooling over it, I rummaged in the car for some paper to demonstrate that it wasn't just a wall hanger. I found a Wallmart Tire Center receipt, and proceeded to slowly slice down through the paper. I drew the knife towards me during the cut, but as I got to the tip, I turned it sideways and pushed it straight out and the cleanly severed paper fell to the floor. Surprizing, since Terry said the partially rolled edge was about 30 degrees.

The seam on the mortised handle is barely visible under good light; it looks like it grew around the knife. Balance is about an inch in front of the guard, and the feeling is light and agile. The countours of the handle fit into my hand like a mold, with a slight swell to fill my palm, and another swell at the dropped end to help it stay during centripital action.

Now how am I supposed to get over my TGTBU complex with this?

Great job, Terry. Magnificent.
 
Happy Camper,

I just knew that you would LOVE that Bowie. All of the questions you asked and all of the study you did really payed off BIG TIME. You did VERY WELL my friend.

I guess you really are a Happy Camper.:p
 
Most excellent big bowie.
I'm not a burl kinda guy, but that handle is beautiful.
All of your research has paid off.
Now for the bad news...
There is no going back!
This is just the beginning....
BWAAHAAHAAAHAHHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAAAA
 
Thanks, guys; I'm absolutely beside myself! I even forgot to mention the details to those who didn't see my preview of the half finished knife.

Stumpy, the knife is made from one inch stock 1084 steel. It's forged, tripple quenched, and hand sanded to a satin finish. The perfectly fitted solderless guard is handmade from nickel silver. Although Terry offers a differentially heat treated option with bold temper line, I chose a fully quenched blade to keep a more traditional look (I'm planning on wearing this to Cowboy Action Shooting events). Overall length is 16", and the mortised tang is expoxied on the inside, finished with stainless corby bolts.

Before he mounted the handle, Terry chopped a couple of two by fours in half, then shaved his arm to ensure his heat treat had gone according to plan. It had.
 

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That sure looks sweet from where I am sitting HC. Looks like you made a great decision ;). Congratulations!
 
I'll tell ya, all BS aside, I'm really happy to see a fellow forumite get the knife that he/she was looking for...and to have said knife meet their expectations!

"Good on ya guys!" That, to both owner and maker! This, this is what knife collecting is all about! :D

Outstanding knife, too cool! Nicely done!

Now, on a side note...I like good cigars, so, please email for my shipping address... ;)

Mel
 
That is one bad MUTHA...."SHUT YO' MOUTH!!!

Ya gotta believe! That is one very fine knife. I just got a smaller Bowie from Terry (pics sometime soon)and the fit and finish and overall lightness is superb.

And I have to tell ya'--even with a darn 7" blade, it somehow is the sharpest knife in my whole collection. He's a genius.

Yours is the most wicked piece I have admired from Terry, yet. Be proud. Great job!!

Coop
 
Happy Camper,
I am so glad you like the knife. I hope it will serve you well. I need to make one small correction on the specs you gave. The blade was forged from 1-3/4" stock. 1" stock is what I use on my standard hunters. Here's a shot of the knife before assembly, beside one of my standard hunters -- BIG difference.

bowie_and_hunter.jpg


Happy Camper and I worked hard together on the creation of this knife. There were many phone calls and lots of email. I thoroughly enjoyed it and have made a great friend in the process.

I really appreciate all the kind words from everyone.
 
Nice knife. Terry does superb work and is a real pleasure to deal with. I can't wait to start working with him on my bowie. Might just have to test him alittle ;)
 
OOOH, my heart! Where's my nitro pills? :)

Seriously, I have YET to see one of Terry's knives that I dont like!
 
Happy Camper and Terry, that is one great looking knife. The redwwod burl looks awesome:eek: Welcome to the world of never having anymore money:p
 
Really gorgeous knife.., thanks for posting the picture! Boy that redwood is simply beautiful..., congratulations!


"Hunters seek what they [WANT].., Seekers hunt what they [NEED]"
 
Thanks everyone, I feel like a proud papa. And now that I have a custom knife of epic quality proportions, I can turn my attentions to less expensive hobbies... Oh, who am I kidding? :eek: Ebbtide was right, there is NO turning back!

Melvin, your cigar is in the mail; my connection for Cubans fell through, so you'll have to settle for a nice "cuban seed" cigar from Honduras. The rest of you non cigar people will get Grenadiers since ya wouldn't know the difference (he he).

Terry, if you charged me for the time you spent explaining to me the science and craft behind knifemaking, I'd owe you more than I paid and have no knife. I'm just glad I got in while your lead time is still short and your prices are still a steal. Remember us little guys on your way up! :)
 
That my friends is what IT is all about.
 
Great knife and good choice for your first custom! Looks like you did your homework before deciding what to buy.
 
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