Looking for input on this Bowie in process

Does the handle shape/color work on this Bowie?

  • Shape is very fitting

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Change the shape (suggestions?)

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • African Blackwood looks good

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Naw, make it a lighter material

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    0
Matt Harildstad

Matt Harildstad

Joined
Oct 5, 1998
Messages
243
I'm working on this bowie. 5160 blade, 14.5" OAL, recurved with spanish notch. Guard and buttcap are Jim Ferguson twisted nickel damascus. The idea was to make something with a Spanish/Mexican flavor that would be appropriate for a Cowboy Action Shooter. This is a fighting Bowie, not a tree chopper, and has a sharpened clip.

My question is, how do you like the handle? It still needs finishing and it is not yet permanently attached to the knife. Have I captured that Mexican/Spanish feel? It is a very comfortable and practical shape with a palm swell. The handle is African Blackwood and the spacers are nickel silver. I think the handle works, but it does not look like the typical southwestern bowie.

Also, the African blackwood is very black, should it be something lighter? I'd rather not use stag because if I did, it would look too much like a regular southwestern Bowie (except for the angled rather than straight plate guard. I like african blackwood, but from any distance looks a little like phenolic to me.

I'm asking these questions because I've been looking at this knife too long, and need some outside opinions.

Thank you for your help. Larger views are available on my webpage.
bowiemexsmall.jpg

larger view
bowiemexspinesmall.jpg
larger view
 
Matt,
That is sure one sweet looking Bowie! The wood handle looks good to me. I really don't think you will have anyone complaining about it's looks.
 
It looks just fine like it is.Since you are not after that south western look I,think you have got it !!!!
Bruce
 
Matt, had to look up "phenolic" first but agree it might be "too" clean. Great lines and I think it stands on it's own but since your asking...how about some checkering or maybe some small pins?
 
Thanks for the input folks. Hmmm ... pins, why didn't I think of that. Once I did think about it, many blackwood handled knives are carved, pinned or checkered. Not sure what I'll do yet, but the input is very helpful.
 
Matt,

That is a Beautiful knife. The blade shape, handle shape, and grind will make it an outstanding liteweight and fast fighter. GREAT work.
 
Since I have had the chance to hold this knife I can say that for me this handle works very well. It felt great in the hand, very comfortable.

Along with my vote for liking the handle shape. I also like the African Blackwood very much, but you can only vote once.

Matt, thanks for spending the time with me to talk knives. I enjoyed it very much.
 
I think it looks great! Maybe a bit of filework, but I don't know how authentic that would be.
 
If you're interested, you might do a version with Black canvas micarta grip, 416 fittings. Then bead blast the whole thing real good, It would appeal to a different group of customers. Just a thought.
 
HJK,

The guard has filework and the buttcap will too.

Jim,

It's a possibility, but this is a light bowie with a sharp, relatively delicate blade. My impression of the black micarta and beadblast market is that it wants big knives that will be useful as a prybar and woodchopper first, cutter second. That just has not been where I have been concentrating. Do I have this wrong?
 
You have it right. Ues the same outline, just go 1/4" thick leave the edge thicker, drop the file work.
It would be a different version. You might have a demand for it. The way things are going, you might open yourself up to the military & police market.
Make both versions, and see.
 
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