Max Burnett Bowie

stab1

stab1

Joined
Jan 27, 2000
Messages
517
About 2 years ago(just kidding Max)
wink.gif
A couple of months ago I sent Max a chunck of English Red Stag I had and ask him to make me a Bowie when he got the opportunity. About the only thing I told Max was that I wanted a slim profile on the blade, more of a fighter/bowie as opposed to a wide blade. Other than that I just said, "Get creative, have fun and do what feels good."

After suffering through a seperated shoulder, a major ice storm and 4 days without power here is what Max came up with.

The blade is a forged doubled blued, gozillion etched, hand finished to 2000 grit cable Damascus (this is Max's discription). The Damascus billet was forged by Russel Scheringer from Mary Ester Fla.(yep, L6's neighbor) and Max forged the blade from it. As is Max's style, the blade was about 90% done on the anvil and the remaining finishing work was done by hand. He calls it neo-tribal, I call it a LOT of work.

The guard is a half-penny quillion style in nickel silver. The first spacer(black) is buffalo horn and the second spacer is a sandwich of nickel silver and copper with filework.

The handle is English red stag with a nickel silver pommel and construction is solid hidden tang.

I was wanting a period type piece to put with some other things I have and Max must have read my mind.

The blade is 9 1/2 inches and OAL is right at 14 inches. (this puppy ain't no neck knife)The Damascus pattern is subtle due to the nature of the steel, but is definately there and should improve with age.

While this one is going to go in a display, knowing Max's work from previous knives, I am sure if I need to chop down a few cedars or cut the bed off of my pickup this beauty will handle the task.

Thanks Max, another jewel. I like it and now having said that in public I guess I will have to pay for it.
smile.gif


maxbowie2.jpg


------------------
Rs
Don
Medicine Man of the Extinct Fugowee Tribe

[This message has been edited by stab1 (edited 01-21-2001).]
 
Wow, alot of work indeed! I fully blame YOU for Max's shoulder trouble Don.

That is a very sweet piece. I think you did the right thing by telling him to let the creative juices flow. Max does astounding work when he gets in the Zone.

I wouldn't hesitate to chop a car in half with it. Max shipped a chef's knife up here not long ago that I would just about carry as a survival knife. No worries when using a piece of his work.

Congrats Stabby, and nicely done again, Max!
 
Hey Don, thats a really nice looking bowie. I know what ya mean about letting Max use his imagination. I tell him basically what Im looking for, and let him make his idea of what it should be like. When I ordered my Aardvark, I said I just wanted a big wharncliffe. He took it from there, and came up with a real winner.

You should see what I have on order now!!! But, I think i'll wait until its done to tell ya
smile.gif
Suffice it to say, its gonna be a real cool and interesting knife.



------------------
Richard Todd - Digital knife photography
icq 61363141
My WebSite
Do your site a favor, get quality digital images!!!
New photos added!!!
 
awesome!
i was visiting max yesterday,this old man (
smile.gif
) obviously knows what he is doing.i got to see my knife (coming soon) come together in front of my eyes,that was incredible to see.
he also made a little chainsaw damascus neck knife for me (thanks max!),and it was his first attempt.after forging the blade out,he took it to the grinder to clean it up some,finished it up,sharpened it and gave it to me.ill post pics on my next day off.although we didnt have time to etch the blade with acid,he told me how to do it,and ill post pics,before and after.this is a cool little knife,and i cant wait for my drop point.
 
Hey MO, don't forget to neutralize the acid with baking soda or dish soap. Just scrub it up real good with a stiff brush and warm, soapy water. That's the way I do it. If you use baking soda, just get the brush wet and dip it into the soda and scrub the piss out of it! Real fine steel wool will smooth out the finish after that. Or, for a mere $79.95, just bring it back and I'll put the finishing touches on it.
biggrin.gif
Hey, I gotta buy groceries and beer you know??
 
Hey Don, can I borrow that knife back for the cutting competition at the Moran Spring Hammer-In? Hey, I promise not to break it. If I do, I'll buy you a new one. He he.

By the way, since you were so nice to me in your post, you can knock off $1,000.00 from the price I originally quoted you. $2,900.00 is enough. Hey, I'm a nice guy. After all, I realize you have to buy groceries and beer too. But, the next one's gonna cost ya!
tongue.gif
 
That is a gorgeous bowie Max!!!!!

------------------
Take care!! Michael

Always think of your fellow knife makers as partners in the search for the perfect blade, not as people trying to compete with you and your work!
http://www.nebsnow.com/L6steel
Buzzards gotta eat, same as worms!!!
 
Beautiful knife Max. If it was me I am not that sure I would have done that nice a job for Don
biggrin.gif
, but what the heck.

------------------
" The real art of living is too keep alive the longing in human beings to become greater versions of themselves." Laurens Van der Post.
In memory of James Mattis
 
Vel, I love you man! And Gus, I just couldn't help myself. I didn't have anything else to do, so I fixed him up. As a side note, it could have been lots better if I'd known what I was doing. He he. I'm still just a novice, after all. Maybe someday I'll get it all figured out and make someting really special. Until then, Don's knife stands as my best work. Hey, I can do better, but it'll take some practice. I'm going to the Moran School of Bladesmithing for the whole meal deal this spring. Maybe then I can make a knife to remember. Or, maybe not. Don has a keeper, in any case. I wish I could have kept it. You know how it is Gus.
 
Thanks Jason. Yours is much sweeter though. Don's is cool, but yours it the cream of the crop. I wish I'd kept yours. It breaks my heart to think of all the work I put into that knife. But, I'm proud that you have it and you're proud of it. Makes my whole year. Thanks for your thoughts Jason.
 
max,that giant d-guard and the straight razor i looked at are pretty cool too!
(how much for that razor again
wink.gif
)
 
Ok Sky, but first you have to order one. Place your order and yours will be the first one after my classes. I'll do you proud Sky. Not hungry, just willing.
 
hey max beutiful knife
smile.gif
im glad the steel worked well.i was real curiuos to see what would come of it.damn fine work
Russell Scheringer
 
Yeah, I had my doubts Russ. I guess most makers just grind a damascus billet, but I needed a larger blade than the billet would have made. It worked out great. Actually, I think forging it out helped to add variety to the pattern. I don't know for sure, but it turned out ok. Thanks for the billet. I'd like to order another one now, if you're still doing that. Hell, I might make one for myself, but I just don't have time to play right now. If you feel like it, crank out a 12" X 3/16" X 1 1/2" billet and we'll work out another deal on it. I have lots of cable left.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top