John White MS Memorial BEST BOWIE 2015 - FINALISTS SELECTED!

post 1, knife 3- Lisch
post 4, knife 2- Sobral
post 28, knife 2- Lurquin
post 43, knife 7- Bouchonville
post 57, knife 1- Lynch
post 70, knife 1- Mozolic
post 86, knife 1- Quesenberry
 
Post 1 #3 Dave Lisch
Post 27 #1 Harvey Dean
Post 43 #5 Steve Randall
Post 47 #3 John Doyle
Post 62 Bill Burke
Post 86 Mike Quesenberry
Post 94 Bruce Bump
 
Post 1 Knife #2 Sam Lurquin
Post 1 Knife #6 Steve Nuckels
Post 41 knife #1 Russ Andrews
Post 55 Knife #1 John Doyle
Post 57 knife #3 Tad Lynch
Post 62 Knife #1 Bill Burke
Post 85 knife #1 Lin Rhea
 
Last edited:
Man, this was one of the hardest things I've had to do in a while! There are obviously so many others I wish I could have chosen, but I tried to chose my favorite knife per a specific genre. Also, just a quick heads up that the words "love" , "beautiful" and "perfect" have probably been overused below. :foot: :D


Post #1 knife 2. Sam Lurquin Musso Bowie: This one is pretty much a given lol. The size of this beast, it's aggresive profile and the hamon make this a mean looking (and performing) weapon. At least from my (limited) experience, this is such a unique and very creative piece. The using of damascus for the spine "protector" along with his easily recognizable super smoky hamon style was ingenious, IMHO. I love the W's pattern he chose for the damsacus as well, it goes perfectly with the overall look and theme... "agressive". :cool:


Post #2 knife 1. Karl B Anderson take-down: I love the rich and dark contrasting colors this bowie has to it. The overall profile, material choices, guard and handle sculpting, seamless damascus pattern and of course the fact that it's a take-down make this one of my favorites.


Post #2 knife 5. Nick Wheeler fighter: The perfect design & execution of this pure perfomer, with it's perfect fit & finish, it's beautiful looks and (I'm sure) extremely "fast" & ergonomic feel, make this bowie also one of my favorites.


Post #42 knife 8. Jean Louis Regal Wootz: I love the size and proportions of everything on this bowie. The blued frame, fittings & the etched blade are so beautifully contrasted with the light, creamy ivory. The fact that he made this beautiful, high perfoming blade steel from scratch takes the term, "sole aurthorship" to another level. I also love how the integral bolster is oblong, it almost looks as if it's just a very beefy, nicely rounded ricasso.


Post #53 knife 1. White tiger knives Brut de Forge: I have a soft spot for brut de forge knives and this is one of the nicest I've seen. I love the blued bolsters and pins with the nicely polished, light colored wood scales. The perfectly mirror finished bevels with the rough forged flats remind me of a gemstone that has been cut in half with the front face polished, while leaving the back side of it in the raw to show it's original state. I also love the blade's aggresive profile.


Post #62 knife 1. Bill Burke SS san mai: Another absolutely gorgeous bowie. The rich browns, deep blues and streaks of cream in the walrus handle are pure eye candy. I love the overall profile and I also have a super soft spot for Stainless/Carbon (actually all types) san mai, and the way the stainless covers so much of this big blades surface with just a touch of the dark core showing is perfect, IMHO. Also, I have another big soft spot for wrought iron, especially when it's deeply etched! For some reason, to me, this bowie has snowy, wintery, acrtic type feel/look to it which I enjoy very much. :thumbup:


Post #86 knife 1. Mike Quesenberry Integral: This bowie is jaw dropping :eek: . The damascus pattern is so stiking and just so fun to stare at, especially with the way the pattern carries over into the curly koa. From the very crisp ricasso to guard transition, to the tapered tang & the "proud" fit scales, the skill level and fit & finish are just incredible. The fact that it's a full integral also helps. ;)

Well, those are my seven and I'm stickin' with 'em! Thanks again for taking the time to make & manage such an awesome thread, Roger!! :)

~Paul
My YT Channel Lsubslimed
... (It's been quite a while since I've posted any new vids)
 
Last edited:
Great job on the voting gents! Extra thanks to those, as in the post above, who took the time to say what they liked about the knives they voted for. I find it fascinating to hear what appeals in particular to individual members.

Keep 'em coming!
 
What a year for the Bowie Knife! A lineup like I have not seen before.

Just listing my top 7. My head is spinning too much to add comments at this time. Will try to recover by finals. :-)

1) Post 1, #2. Sam Lurquin Musso

2) Post 1, #5. Russ Andrews Compact beauty

3) Post 28, #8. Sam Lurquin Ceberus

4) Post 47, #1. Don Hanson supersized

5) Post 57, #3. Tad Lynch bowie

6) Post 62, #1. Bill Burke ICCE

7) Post 85, #1. Lin Rhea staglicious

- Joe
 
1) Post #1, knife #1: Fisk, George Washington Bowie
Everything about this Bowie is just stunning to me. The damascus, the wood, the proportions. Marvelous.

2) Post #1, Knife #2: Lurquin, Musso Bowie
This knife just feels like a fundamentally faithful but sublime rendition of a classic Bowie knife. It seems that others have already said a lot about this one, so I'll leave it there.

3) Post #29, knife #1: Ellis, Companion Bowie
I'm not usually a fan of brut de forge, but on this knife it looks perfect. I love sole authorship. And I just love the way that this knife is beautiful and refined, but also rugged and functional. And the guard and pommel seem so just-right.

4) Post #42, knife #8: JL Regel, Wootz Bowie
I followed the making of this one during the WIP. I thought that the taking of this from crucible through the end was just astounding. I like that it is wootz steel, rather than pattern welded. And I think that the aesthetics of the knife are fantastic. (But I almost wish the handle were see-through so that you could see the internal construction of the handle, because even that was gorgeous)

5) Post #43, knife #3: Knapp, Persian Fighter
I have to admit that I don't think of this knife as a Bowie, and it really isn't my style, but I just found it to be one of the most amazing displays of knife-making that I saw this year. The WIP is something else.

There were so many other great knives, and so many that deserve to be finalists, but those are my top 5.
 
Post 30 #1 Bruce Bump

Post 41 #3 Bruce Bingenheimer

Post 42 #7 Dave Lisch

Post 47 #3 John Doyle

Post57 #1 Tad Lynch

Post 66 #2 Ben Seward

Post 94 #1 Bruce Bump.
 
post 1 #3 D Lisch - The guard is a tour de force of serious skill and flow. Then add flying dragons and stag=:eek:

post 1 #5 Russ Andrews- Such great color in the walrus, and understated elegance. This knife is much deadlier than it looks.

post 6 # Sobral - The shell hanger d-guard, awesome steel and stag. Flow is spot on.

post 49 #1 Montenegro- Sleek, and dark. Really unique and beautiful steel.

post 53 #2 Bill Buxton Looks like it's ready to go to work, but still classy as can be.

post 77 #1 Sobral Stag Dogbone. Original take on a classic style.

Darcy:)
 
Post #1 knife 2. Sam Lurquin Musso Bowie

Post #2 knife 5. Nick Wheeler fighter

Post #67 knife 3 Will Morrison fighter
 
Post 1, knife 2 Sam Lurquin Musso bowie.

Post 1 # 4 Kyle Royer Black Beauty fighter.

Post 6 # 1 CAS Lever Action

Post 6 # CAS D Guard Hanger



Post 2, #2. John Horrigan MS - Pearl Bowie

Post 79
#1: John Doyle 1075, Damascus, Bronze and Ironwood.


Post 70 Milan Mozolic
2) Damascus ring guard bowie (13.5 inch blade) with creamy walrus handle:


This was very hard. Much harder for me, than voting for the final.
 
Last edited:
#1 Post #1 J. Fisk
#1 Post #3 D. Lisch
#2 Post #1 K. Andersen
#2 Post #2 J. Horigan
#4 Post #1 JR Cook
#16 Post #1 "Van Helsing" -- don't know the maker as a "nic" is used
#22 Post #1 Lin Rhea

All some fantastic knives. Hard to choose but those selected to me point to being Bowie whereas many I loved also point to being fighter and while I know the category is broad, maybe a Fighter thread could be in the future as at least for myself I found I just had to restrict my vision. All wonderful knives and the owners and creators should be proud of these wonderful works of art.
 
Post 1, #2 Sam Lurquin Musso Bowie: Bad @$$ says it. Simultaneously classic and modern. A real man’s knife that screams “Dangerous”. A knife I’d be so proud to own.

Post 2, #3 Ben Seward: I remember how much this knife caught my attention the first time I saw it. Love the blade, all sweepy and what a clip! The guard is cool and the ripples of steel into that fabulous wood…that’s design that is different and appealing.

Post 42, #6 David Lisch: The damascus just hypnotized me. Flowing water in steel. That damascus just sings all the way through the handle and the guard. Love how the ring peels off of the center of the guard.

Post 47, #1 Don Hanson III: Immediately identifiable as Don’s work, but a little different. Handle of premium material with stunning colors…shaped a bit different than his norm, works great here. The blade has a pattern I find incredibly attractive, looks sharp on top, and has a nice width. High end and tough enough at the same time.

Post 47, ## John Doyle: Sleek, smooth, and rich in appearance. Love the clam shells and the details behind the guard and on the butt. Wish I could hold that carved handle! A sophisticated look in a serious knife.

Post 57, #2 Tad Lynch: A beast with just the right amount of discrete “extra” to set it off. The blade shape is thick where it counts and the transitions where the shape shifts is hot lava smooth.

Post 57, #3 Tad Lynch: Proportion plus, looooong clip, pointy like I like, damascus that makes me weep (because I don’t own this knife), and that wood…mama, that’s beautiful. Whoever owns this knife, you must sell it to me or surely there is something in my collection you desire!

So many other knives here that make me drool. Another great bowie year! Roger, you are still THE MAN for making this happen!
 
Post 1.... #3... Dave Lisch
Post 4.... #2... CAS
Post 29.. #1... D. Ellis
Post 47.. #1... Don Hanson
Post 47.. #4... Mike Craddock
Post 53.. #2... Bill Buxton
Post 77.. #1... Claudio Sobral

Mike Krall
 
This was so much harder than last year or the year before. I can't believe I had to eliminate a frame handle split ring by Dave Lisch from my lineup! What has the world come to? A wonderful time for bowies, it seems. Here goes:

#1, 1 - Sam Lurquin Musso. Not much to say about this one that hasn't been said, but it makes you wonder--if Jim Bowie had had this knife at the Alamo, would the Mexicans have won?

#11, 1 - Lin Rhea "frame handle integral." These deserve a category by themselves purely for innovation.

#66,1- Ben Seward. Absolutely lovely

#67, 1 - Ben Breda. As clean as clean

#86, 1 - Mike Quesenberry. Fully integral! Mike has helped define a new category with this and other recent works. This one is exemplary.

#94,1 - Bruce Bump "Wild Bill". We can't not have a Bump in the running, and this one is the best of the year.

#97, 1 - Sam Lurquin frame handle. Nearly left this out by accident, which would have been a shame. I imagine this knife as the one that would be in my hand when boarding another ship as a pirate.
 
Last edited:
Many works deserving of praise.

Post 2, #1--Karl Anderson--something special about this smith--constantly, consistently excellent. Adheres to his own vision of function and rock-solid construction. Not usually sexy, but definitely is on this occasion.

Post 22, #2--Rhea--I don't love Brut de Forge, but this one keeps drawing me back. Always a new twist from this bladesmith. Pure function, but with a flower or some other gold thing, peeking out from rustic sheephorn

Post 28, #1-- Lurquin Cerberus--marvellous photograph of a sinister blade

Post 31, #1--Bump Eastwood --maker executes all skills with something new.

Post 41, #1--Russ Andrews Walrus--this man will always have an annual candidate or several in this contest. Clean, simple, perfect.

Post 42, #8--Regel MS Wootz--stunning steel skill-neat to see this style from a European Mastersmith.

Post 97, #1--Lurquin Frame Handle-- His Musso is iconic and will be remembered by the members here even after dementia sets in, but I want to hold and swing this frame handle bowie more than the Musso. Master of handles (also of blades)

Excited about newer smiths Breda, Seward, Morrison, Doyle, and Lynch.
Hanson and Lisch never stray from superb--they begin to fly under my radar.

Chris

Chris
 
Travis Fry said:
This was so much harder than last year or the year before.
Click to expand...

I find it gets harder every year - which is a testament to the pursuit of excellence by makers of all levels. From newer makers to living legends, guys are pushing their personal envelopes. And it is so rewarding to see.

Keep those votes coming in gents!
 
Just like every other year, this is SO tough to pick 7. But here are mine in order of first posted.

Post #1, Knife #4- Kyle Royer: Kyle's bowies are most always just about flawless. The clean graceful lines and subtle but beautiful embellishments belie it's wicked and sinister intentions.

Post #2, Knife #1- Karl Anderson: Karl has the precision nailed in his takedown knives. Awesome steel and a knife that seems 'simple' to the untrained eye. A beautiful knife in very much 'less is more' fashion.

Post #22, Knife #1- Lin Rhea: This knife has very appealing lines and a blade that screams 'Classic Bowie' to me. Lin's use of many materials, so well blended so as not to be cluttered, but so warm and rich and appealing is excellent.

Post #41, Knife #1- Russ Andrews: I love the lines and the construction of this knife. The color of the ivory is sweet and the fittings are nice and classy. Another 'less is more' knife. I'll bet that steel really shines and shimmers in person.

Post #57, Knife #3- Tad Lynch: Tad hit a home run with this one. Beautiful colors and textures, awesome materials and that long sleek pointy blade could sure do some damage.

Post #67, Knife #1- Ben Breda: This is exactly my kind of knife, excellent lines, materials, colors, shapes, hamon all beautifully finished....this one has it all for me.

Post #86, Knife #1- Mike Quesenberry: This to me has become Mike's signature style. Lines that I love, excellent steel pattern and nice Koa handle expertly left proud of the tang. Mike's forging skills really shine here, with the integral guard and tang being no easy feat to pull off correctly.
 
Lisch, 1-3. Dramatic damascus, excellent ring guard.
Royer 1-4. Slick, and a great photo really shows it off.
Horrigan 2-2. I never vote for southwest style bowies, and am not a fan of the big curved clips, but the gold inlay on the pearl won me over.
Dean 27-1.
Bump 31-1. I got to see this knife at ICCE. So many points of detail, and I like the innovative replaceable leather.
Regel 42-8. I like the contrast of the dark fittings and ivory, and the wootz.
Breda 67-1. The shape of this one is just right. I got to see some of Ben's work in person. VERY clean!
 
Post 1 #3 D Lisch

Post 2 #1 K. Andersen

Post 6 #1 CAS

Post 22 #1 L. Rhea

Post 31 #1 B. Bump

Post 43 #5 S. Randall

Post 94 #1 B. Bump
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top