John White S-Guard Bowie

Will York

Will York

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Jan 21, 2000
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Full-dress exhibition grade bowie from one of the ABS’s most impressive bladesmiths.

Forged 1084 blade is 9” long, OAL 14”. Highly polished giraffe-bone scales, nice leather sheath by maker.

Extensive rope filework throughout, including the intricate pommel assembly, ferrule/spacers, clamshell hilt, top of spine--even the casing on the tang is delicately fileworked. Spanish notch and long swedge-ground clip (unsharpened).

SEE CLOSE-UP PICS IN POST BELOW.

>>>>>>>>>>SOLD<<<<<<<<<<
 
Beauty. I got to see John's work up close at Blade - his execution is VERY clean as his multiple recent awards would suggest. His wait time is already up over a year...

Roger
 
Thanks, Roger!

I agree--John's work is world class.

Two things that may not be immediately obvious from the pics:

First, all of the rope filework is blued for additional contrast with the german silver furniture, and the effect is stunning. Filework not blued include the blade spine and the tang encasement.

Secondly, in pic #2 of the handle you can see some of the sculpting John did on the giraffe bone, but the pic really doesn't do the handle contours justice. Swells subtley back from the guard to a nice, smooth man-size mid-point, and then tapers back beautifully toward the pommel. Handle is broader on top, with the underside a little slimmer for a great feel in hand. The high polish really brings out the colors in the bone, too.

Will
 
Will is the steel on the knife changing from 1095 t0 1084 :D :D .Ooops just the price change :),sorry.
Very nice knife.
 
I can't believe this has been up a week now and at under a grand no one has grabbed it. A smokin' deal for someone new to customs. i really like Johns work.
 
This would be a tremendous center piece to build a new collection around. Actually, the interest I've had so far has been from veteran collectors--still waiting for an "I'll take it".

Thanks,
Will
 
John is getting $1100 for this knife, which is a bargain in my mind compared with what better-known smiths would charge for such a creation. I've seen knives with less work (and certainly less quality work) bring more than $2000. You can bet John won't be selling this kind of quality this cheap for much longer.

I've been buying too much lately, and need to scale back. This was such a handsome blade I couldn't resist, but I'm not really a collector. Unless I intend (or at least think I might) use a knife, I don't hold onto it. Obviously, this knife could be used but it would be a shame, to me, to reduce it from its pristine state. At present it has one very small tarnish spot on the left clip, which is what I would call definitely pristine for 1084 steel. The blueing in the rope filework has a nice antique finish. It's just as nice or nicer than it appears in the photos--absolutely beautiful. Sheath is a rich dark brown with beltloop and keeper strap, handmade by John.

What's it worth? I'm asking for opinions/offers.

Thanks,
Will
 
Well, the consensus seems to be that the knife should be worth $1,000 plus, and there are several opinions as to why it hasn't sold--mainly that we seem to be in a "buyer's market".

I'd still like to move it rather than holding onto it for an extended period.

$895 shipped in USA
 
Incredible workmanship and styling for this value. I'm surprised a Bowie fan hasn't jumped on the opportunity.

Good luck!

Coop
 
Mr. Mauser,

I'd look at custom hunters in the 5" blade range, custom bowies especially from ABS members, and possibly slipjoint or lockback folders from better known custom makers. But I have to say there's not much I'm interested in trading for, even from these categories. You'll likely get the best deal from me with cash.

Thanks for your interest,
Will
 
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