Making of a bowie and a hunter

Joined
Dec 1, 2003
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267
In this thread I want to display the progress on two of the knives that I already showed on my "health rant"-thread: www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=375076 .

With the advise of Burt I was able to achieve an unbelivable tight fit on my hidden tang knives, without having to split the handle and mortise it. I always hated to mortise my tangs since I disliked the look of an interupted woodgrain at best or a distinctive black hairline at worst, especially on light colored woods.

I just saw no way to accomodate the long tangs I prefer into a block of wood, but as you can see on these pics with some good tips and a lot of practice I found a way. The fit is even so close that I have to use a woodworkers clamp to push the tang into the handle, and it's nearly impossible to get the handle of just by hand.
And as you can see in the thread mentioned above I make no sacrifice in regard to the tang lenght. I'm really glad Burt explained me how he does it, because before using his method fitting tang's had always been a bit of "guesswork" without really having the controll over the process.

So here are the pics, I hope they don't bore you:

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Looking forward to your comments.

Regards Marcus
 
I could'nt help but notice the evident influence of other makers in your knives. I think that shows a skill that is admirable. In other words, you knew what these knives were going to be before and during the process. I suspect you draw sketches of your knives to work by. Thats the only way I be sure of what I will have when I get done. Do I see Ed Fowler's influence in one? Nice work. Lin
 
Thanks a lot for your comments.

The Hunter definitely has a Fowler influence, the original sketch was made by a customer and I just took it from there. As I usualy always drop my edge while forging, Ed Fowler was the only reference for "non-dropped edge", forged knives I head on my mind while forging and grinding the blade. So Iguess that's where it came from :D.

The bowie has no real close influence I'm aware of. Just the normal forged bowie that's around these days by a huge number of makers :).

I'll keep you posted on the progress.

Regards Marcus
 
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