Long-handled Primal/Tactical Bowie with Kydex

[Storm Crow]

I taught a three-day knifemaking workshop a couple of weekends ago and one of the students bought this from my inventory of waiting-to-make-sheaths-before-posting-pics blades. While we were waiting for the Minwax Wood Hardener to dry on our paracord handle wraps, I took the opportunity to demonstrate making a simple foldover Kydex sheath.

The knife was forged from 3/4" round 5160, bevel and false edge were hand filed, and the blade was given my typical triple normalize/triple harden/triple temper heat treatment. The handle is a bit longer than I typically do, and would make for good extended leverage for chopping. The underlay is a bronze/gold paracord, with a black paracord overlay and two-strand Turk's head knot, all sealed with Minwax Wood Hardener.

The customer is a professional knife sharpener who works from home and also a member of a primitive skills group, so he should have an appreciation for a quality blade. He kept picking up different knives in my inventory box and liked them all, but always gravitated back to this one. It was shaving sharp when he got it, but I'm sure it has his own preferred edge on it now.

 

[Daniel Fairly Knives]

Very cool knife! Interesting on using the hardener. Looks great!

 

[Shaw Blades]

Your work is awesome. I've been browsing your blog, good stuff.

 

[Steve Nuckels]

Cool Knife! Very Cool!

I just can't get used to Kydex, still love leather!

Steve
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Potomac Forge

 

[SleepyBadger]

I really like the longer handle on this one, well done sir.

 

[Storm Crow]

Thank y'all!

Steve - I'm no leatherworker, but Kydex I can do.

Daniel - I started doing paracord wraps around the beginning of the year and was using superglue to begin with. The wood hardener sucks into the fibers better, dries with a more matte finish, doesn't make fumes that wreak havoc on my sinuses, and most importantly is not affected by weather conditions when applied nearly so much as the superglue. I'm essentially making a composite material in situ.

s2f - Thank you!

SleepyBadger - The longer handle was a happy accident. I make my handles long anyways, this one just ended up a bit longer still. The customer liked it, and it does add to chopping ability out of a smaller blade (around 7").