Is this Bowie even possible to forge (my 1st knife design ever)?

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Yifei Wang

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Apr 18, 2026
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This is my first design of a Bowie knife. Just want something really from myself.
I made the design graph and the rendered version is generated by Gemini.
Design:


Rendered version:


Welcome your feedbacks on the suitable materials and way of crafting!
 
Absolutely possible. depending on your price range as it will likely require forge welding in order to get the spine you want. Because its sculpted so, a smith will possibly want to use a softer material in that area so he can work it with bur grinders and small wheels. 1776525014983.pngthis area right here- you might want to have the guard be more 90 degrees instead of more acute, because when you choke forward on the grip it will press into your pointer finger and possibly pointer finger knuckle. I know from training with various daggers several times per week for over 13 months that these edges matter quite a bit. Did you have a smith in mind for commission?
 
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KnightAspirant said:
Absolutely possible. depending on your price range as it will likely require forge welding in order to get the spine you want. Because its sculpted so, a smith will possibly want to use a softer material in that area so he can work it with bur grinders and small wheels. View attachment 3163306this area right here- you might want to have the guard be more 90 degrees instead of more acute, because when you choke forward on the grip it will press into your pointer finger and possibly pointer finger knuckle. I know from training with various daggers several times per week for over 13 months that these edges matter quite a bit. Did you have a smith in mind for commission?
Click to expand...
Thanks for your feedback. I got similar feedbacks from others regarding the angle of the guard area you circled out here. It is really a valid point though I may not use this for real battle or training. I also had some conversations with a local vendor, and according to him, the powder steel like CPM154 with CNC cutting, heat treatment and polishing is more preferable than forging traditional carbon steel. But this anyway requires quite a lot laboring.
 
KnightAspirant said:
Absolutely possible. depending on your price range as it will likely require forge welding in order to get the spine you want. Because its sculpted so, a smith will possibly want to use a softer material in that area so he can work it with bur grinders and small wheels. View attachment 3163306this area right here- you might want to have the guard be more 90 degrees instead of more acute, because when you choke forward on the grip it will press into your pointer finger and possibly pointer finger knuckle. I know from training with various daggers several times per week for over 13 months that these edges matter quite a bit. Did you have a smith in mind for commission?
Click to expand...

I added a small piece of curve here to somehow mitigate the issue,wondering if this will be better. Cause I don't prefer to change the angle of the outer curve of the guard to affect the overall shape...
 
Are you making the knife or looking for someone to make it?

I don't think he's posted here in awhile, but kuraki kuraki might be able to help. He also can be found on IG at fimbulvetrknifeworks.

He's a very talented machinist, knife maker, tinkerer....
 
Mk-211 said:
Are you making the knife or looking for someone to make it?

I don't think he's posted here in awhile, but kuraki kuraki might be able to help. He also can be found on IG at fimbulvetrknifeworks.

He's a very talented machinist, knife maker, tinkerer....
Click to expand...
I dont make knives. I am seeking someone who can make it. But as I am in China, I wonder if the delivery is possible at all...
 
Yifei Wang said:

I added a small piece of curve here to somehow mitigate the issue,wondering if this will be better. Cause I don't prefer to change the angle of the outer curve of the guard to affect the overall shape...
Click to expand...
Also, the part of the guard on the spine side with the scroll, bend that down and open up that 1/8" gap into a 1/4" gap or greater to make it more functional. There are some talented smiths in China, good luck! AI designed blades are honestly great if the AI is halfway decent. Endless ideas for competent smiths.
 
KnightAspirant said:
Also, the part of the guard on the spine side with the scroll, bend that down and open up that 1/8" gap into a 1/4" gap or greater to make it more functional. There are some talented smiths in China, good luck! AI designed blades are honestly great if the AI is halfway decent. Endless ideas for competent smiths.
Click to expand...
Yeah just checking with someone here to confirm the specs. Thanks again.
 
Can you explain the rationale behind that really abrupt spine cross section? Looks counterintuitive to me, and like it would limit cut depth.
 
David Mary said:
Can you explain the rationale behind that really abrupt spine cross section? Looks counterintuitive to me, and like it would limit cut depth.
Click to expand...
You are correct. I made this mainly for visual effect. I have an original design which is more regular and practical, but less visually attractive to my view.

 
Fair enough. But I like the look of the one you just posted better. It's cleaner.
 
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