- Joined
- Jul 20, 2002
- Messages
- 4,187
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The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
Just received my custom Hell's Belles
- Thread starter 4 Ranges
- Start date
Outstanding! Tell me, how does it feel when you use the 'righthanded' knife in your left hand and vice versa? Also, can you explain the rationale behind the different size guards on each knife?
This maybe impolite but, how much did the pair set you back and how long was the wait? Also, any idea how much extra the Damascus option would be?
Lots of questions I know but I am excited. You are starting off the new year in style my friend!
This maybe impolite but, how much did the pair set you back and how long was the wait? Also, any idea how much extra the Damascus option would be?
Lots of questions I know but I am excited. You are starting off the new year in style my friend!
- Joined
- Apr 5, 2002
- Messages
- 777
Hey Jockohomo:
Thanks for the well wishes my friend! These babies came to my hands on December 22nd, so they were QUITE the x-mas present!
When I put the righty/lefty knives in their appropriate hands, they feel equally balanced. One doesn't feel heavier than the other.
When I switch them, so the lefty is in the righty, and vice versa, they feel odd. One is so obviously heavier than the other, and one is obviously lighter. Just doesn't feel right.
As for the guards, I noticed that myself. My personal theory is that since the right-handed knife will be more in the line of fire, it needed a bigger guard to defend the right hand. Also, the bigger guard can leverage better for "traps" (if you believe in such things in knife fights). The lefty, in my training, zings in from angles that are outside of the line of sight, so I imagine they need less of a defense. I didn't specify any of this with Bill, but Bill told me that when he was designing them he "knew" what I was going for with them, so I gave him license to add what he felt would make for a great pairing.
As for the price, unfortunately I can't discuss that, as Bill prefers that he discuss these things directly with the purchaser. Not impolite to ask, but I just can't answer it. Sorry bro'. I'll tell you this though: they're not cheap! LOL!!
It was a 3 year wait for me, but I asked him to postpone them another year, which is why it took 3 years.
As for the damascus option, if I remember correctly, Mike Sastre told me it started at $5,000 for a Hell's Belle design.
On a separate note: I tested them on packing boxes this weekend, and it was quite comical. I slashed through several of them, and they cut so cleanly, I didn't notice the cut at first. It was out of a movie, where you have to get closer to notice the cut...then the thing falls apart LOL!!
Sometime in the near future, I'm going to do a tameshigiri (sp?) type test, and see how they go.
Thanks for the well wishes my friend! These babies came to my hands on December 22nd, so they were QUITE the x-mas present!
When I put the righty/lefty knives in their appropriate hands, they feel equally balanced. One doesn't feel heavier than the other.
When I switch them, so the lefty is in the righty, and vice versa, they feel odd. One is so obviously heavier than the other, and one is obviously lighter. Just doesn't feel right.
As for the guards, I noticed that myself. My personal theory is that since the right-handed knife will be more in the line of fire, it needed a bigger guard to defend the right hand. Also, the bigger guard can leverage better for "traps" (if you believe in such things in knife fights). The lefty, in my training, zings in from angles that are outside of the line of sight, so I imagine they need less of a defense. I didn't specify any of this with Bill, but Bill told me that when he was designing them he "knew" what I was going for with them, so I gave him license to add what he felt would make for a great pairing.
As for the price, unfortunately I can't discuss that, as Bill prefers that he discuss these things directly with the purchaser. Not impolite to ask, but I just can't answer it. Sorry bro'. I'll tell you this though: they're not cheap! LOL!!
It was a 3 year wait for me, but I asked him to postpone them another year, which is why it took 3 years.
As for the damascus option, if I remember correctly, Mike Sastre told me it started at $5,000 for a Hell's Belle design.
On a separate note: I tested them on packing boxes this weekend, and it was quite comical. I slashed through several of them, and they cut so cleanly, I didn't notice the cut at first. It was out of a movie, where you have to get closer to notice the cut...then the thing falls apart LOL!!
Sometime in the near future, I'm going to do a tameshigiri (sp?) type test, and see how they go.
- Joined
- Apr 5, 2002
- Messages
- 777
thank you rowdy, thank you fullherh 
.
One of my favorite things about them are the sheathes. Hard to tell, but if you look closely, they're not black. They're closer to a dark, redwood color that actually matches the handle.
I'll try to get a different digital camera and better lighting, so I can post better pictures.
.One of my favorite things about them are the sheathes. Hard to tell, but if you look closely, they're not black. They're closer to a dark, redwood color that actually matches the handle.
I'll try to get a different digital camera and better lighting, so I can post better pictures.
Mike Sastre
Custom Crafted Concealex Sheaths
- Joined
- Mar 23, 1999
- Messages
- 1,919
4 Ranges,
Looking goood!! Bill's doing some of his best work now. I've got five of his knives dating from the mid 90's, so have a good perspective, as well as all the Southern Comforts I've done on the real Bagwells. For a while he was concentrating on his wife's black powder shooting, but now that she is the Women's NRA National Creedmoor Champion, he's full time on knives. Also, you'll want to wear your Belles every day for at least two weeks so the sheaths will break in to your body and they release easily on a speed draw. You can definitely spend 5 grand on a Bagwell, but I think that's a little high for entry level Damascus Belle. As beautiful as they are, the real deal is in the feel when put in motion. Looking forward to handling them at Navajas In the Sand.
Looking goood!! Bill's doing some of his best work now. I've got five of his knives dating from the mid 90's, so have a good perspective, as well as all the Southern Comforts I've done on the real Bagwells. For a while he was concentrating on his wife's black powder shooting, but now that she is the Women's NRA National Creedmoor Champion, he's full time on knives. Also, you'll want to wear your Belles every day for at least two weeks so the sheaths will break in to your body and they release easily on a speed draw. You can definitely spend 5 grand on a Bagwell, but I think that's a little high for entry level Damascus Belle. As beautiful as they are, the real deal is in the feel when put in motion. Looking forward to handling them at Navajas In the Sand.
- Joined
- Apr 5, 2002
- Messages
- 777
Hey Mike:
I'm looking forward to seeing you in VA soon! I'm getting the guys together as we speak.
The hell's belles, when you FIRST hold them, don't necessarily have that "oooooh" factor when you hold them. They feel like regular bowies when you first hold them.
It's when you start MOVING with them that they simply take on a lively characteristic that is uncanny and awe-inspring.
I have a feeling that everyone at the seminar will want to handle these babies.
I'm looking forward to seeing you in VA soon! I'm getting the guys together as we speak.
The hell's belles, when you FIRST hold them, don't necessarily have that "oooooh" factor when you hold them. They feel like regular bowies when you first hold them.
It's when you start MOVING with them that they simply take on a lively characteristic that is uncanny and awe-inspring.
I have a feeling that everyone at the seminar will want to handle these babies.
- Joined
- Aug 4, 2000
- Messages
- 333
4 Ranges-
When we met this afternoon (to do a small knife transaction)
you told me to check out this post on the forums.I am amazed at how
these Bagwells turned out.You have 2 of the finest bowies i have ever
seen.You hit a grand slam home run in a world series game.Congratulations!
Sky
When we met this afternoon (to do a small knife transaction)
you told me to check out this post on the forums.I am amazed at how
these Bagwells turned out.You have 2 of the finest bowies i have ever
seen.You hit a grand slam home run in a world series game.Congratulations!
Sky
- Joined
- Apr 5, 2002
- Messages
- 777
harm:
I just sent you an email buddy.
Sky:
It was a great pleasure meeting you yesterday, and I thoroughly enjoyed our transaction and conversation.
Thank you for the congratulations, my friend. To me, they're not just beautiful as works of art, but also (pardon me for being a bit un-pc here) as true edged weapons. I most sincerely hope that I never have to use them to defend myself or my family, but if I ever have to, I know that I have a pair of the most exquisitely designed edged weapons ever made, in terms of overall design, balance, and sharpness.
Now, I just have to save some clams to get a damascus version!!
I just sent you an email buddy.
Sky:
It was a great pleasure meeting you yesterday, and I thoroughly enjoyed our transaction and conversation.
Thank you for the congratulations, my friend. To me, they're not just beautiful as works of art, but also (pardon me for being a bit un-pc here) as true edged weapons. I most sincerely hope that I never have to use them to defend myself or my family, but if I ever have to, I know that I have a pair of the most exquisitely designed edged weapons ever made, in terms of overall design, balance, and sharpness.
Now, I just have to save some clams to get a damascus version!!
- Joined
- Feb 3, 2000
- Messages
- 796
Great looking Belle's! Made to carry. I love the dog-bone handle. I carry mine (only one) in one of Mike Sastre's Southern Comfort sheaths it feels a little more comfortable than the leather. If I might ask Mr. 4 range
why did you choose the Dog-Bone handles?
Take care,
Ray Smith
why did you choose the Dog-Bone handles?
Take care,
Ray Smith