Micro Bawanna Bowie Folder concept.

Love the "melted" look... Very slick. I prefer a smooth type of handle on a knife opposed to a texture. I know slipperiness isn't a good idea in a knife handle design, but your handle shape provides plenty of purchase on the knife. My favorite knife balance wise and handle feel wise is my Bravo 1 with smooth G10 scales. Very slippery yet very comfortable. It melts in the hand and won't leave cuts and abrasions on the hand like just about every TOPS knife I have used.

The swell in the middle of your design looks very comfortable. I want one!
 
You mean like this!

9db1dd7fc13e062f3d39b9e094738e82


Thats exactly what im looking for. Im cutting a 45 degree then dissecting that again on each side with a file then hitting it with 220 grit to shape it.
This photo is what a 4.6 liter DOHC Mustang Cobra engine looks like when you bake it at 2500 degrees for about four hours. Kinda lost its temper didnt it:D
 
Dude, it's winter time, put some shoes on would ya?

Was that engine in the car when it melted. I suspect it didn't do the car much good neither huh?
 
Yep! There was a puddle underneath each wheel and where the transmission and rear differential were too. I got lots of cool art out of that car:rolleyes: Thought id make a table or light fixture out of it or something?. Maybe hang my Khuks off of it?
Shoes? I have my Special Secret Nepali Woolen Hat on the other end so Im plenty warm:cool:
 
I'm gonna nail me one of the secret Nepali woolen hats one of these day. I have such a fat head I'm afraid it wouldn't fit but my youngest son would dig it if it don't work for me.

Right now I'm on cloud nine in anticipation of the arrival of my Gelbu scored yesterday. The more I look the more I like and the rest of yall with them speak pretty highly of them. Another lucky score for ME!. And so far the missus don't know yet neither and that boys and girls is a very good thing too.
 
That was a great score! Grats Bawanna! And that price was nice. I may just nab one of them up too if I see another. I dont have anything with a second gen Tirtha Kami mark. Hate to scuff up my Rajkumar GS since hes gone now.
 
I still hold hope that he will someday return. I'm blessed to have several of his blades and they don't call him the prince for nothing.
 
davidf99 said:
This is a fantastic piece of work. It's even more massive than I expected.

I'm pretty fuzzy about how the locking mechanism works, even though you posted a few early pics of the pieces. I don't own any locking folders and don't know the terminology, so I'm having trouble visualizing how it locks and unlocks. Maybe in your next set of photos you can have one or two that illustrate this feature on the finished knife.
Click to expand...
Her ya go man!
Theres a lockbar along the back or spine of the handle that has a pin near the middle. It runs from the blade to the back to the but end. (Black bar along the top in pic)

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The spring in the but end is loaded when the blade is out keeping the notch in the locking bar mated up to the lock cut in the blade while in use.

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When you push on the back of the lockbar the notches disengage or unlock and the blade can be closed. If you harden the lockbar then spring temper it then it will have some spring action against the blade so that it holds the blade in closed position so you dont cut your nads off. Notice theres a stop pin where the blades pivots that prevents the blade from closing against the lock bar. This keeps your edge from getting damaged. Theres a ridiculous amount of trial and error and error and did I say error in getting all this stuff positioned correctly so it will work properly. All those angles that make up the notch have to be exact or the blade will pop out, not close, have too much slack... Really a pain to get right. Wish I could pour it in place:D Hope that helps explain the torture im putting myself through:D
 
Thanks, that's very clear. I can appreciate the amount of work involved and the difficulty getting the notch and other curves at the end of the blade just right.

The slabs in the first picture look terrific with all the curves and wood grain.

I sure hope you can figure out a way that the kamis can do this, given their incredible metalworking skills but lack of precision equipment. I'm sure some modification in the design will be necessary, especially in the locking mechanism.

One problem is that every AK bowie blade is a little different in dimensions, since they are hand-forged, so whatever locking mechanism is used will have to match each particular blade, unless you can come up with a more forgiving mechanism that's not as sensitive to the position of the notches and pins.

I wonder if there is some custom knifemakers event in your area where you could enter this as a one-off custom folder. Bet it could win a prize, unless they have rules that would exclude it. You didn't make the blade yourself, so that might be an issue. A way around that would be to enter the knife as made jointly by you and Bhakta (or whatever kami forged the blade). That might appeal to some judges.
 
LOL, Shark week almost done! But still a bit of time left, sounds like you haven't eaten too poorly. Ribeye and brussell sprouts (which are one of MY favorite veggies) sounds like a meal fit for a Guiness. Agree with GB, that wood already looks awesome! A great choice for the scales for what is shaping up to be one incredible knife. Also agree with FlowerofLife, this is one of my favorite threads, I start over at the beginning and walk through the whole thing set of pictures quite a bit instead of jumping to the new page every time there is a new post. I enjoy seeing it come to life, from cardboard to steel and brass and wood. Another example of the insanely talented folk we are lucky enough to have as fellow forumites. Thanks for sharing the journey with us.
 
Hit those slabs with a polishing wheel and a little wax or rouge after sanding em baby backside smooth and you'll cry.

That stabilized wood just pops! Wish I could afford a truck load of the stuff. Pricey stuff but very tough.

Two thumbs up by B & B (bawanna and bookie)
 
Shavru said:
....sounds like a meal fit for a Guiness. ...
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Oh absolutely! Every toolbox needs a half yard of Guinness and a well tempered wench...uhh..i meant wrench of course;)

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davidf99 said:
...
I sure hope you can figure out a way that the kamis can do this, given their incredible metalworking skills but lack of precision equipment. I'm sure some modification in the design will be necessary, especially in the locking mechanism.
One problem is that every AK bowie blade is a little different in dimensions, since they are hand-forged, so whatever locking mechanism is used will have to match each particular blade, unless you can come up with a more forgiving mechanism that's not as sensitive to the position of the notches and pins.
...
Click to expand...

Unfortunately I dont think this is something the Kamis would even consider taking on. Just too labor intensive and complicated for the tools they have. A more simple slip joint might be possible but still labor intensive. I think it would be like asking a Khukri manufacturer to start making lawn mowers. Im with ya though. It would be super cool. Once this project is done I may try to make my own blade that will fit this model and then I can call it my very own. Im still a bit aways from making my own blade though as I figured out last night. I tried hammering out a Tako hiki (one sided sashimi) knife last night figuring it be easier than a two sided knife but torch and lack of forge aint getting it.

B: I need some tong recommendations brother! Theres guys that make and sell sets of five or so on auction. Ill send ya some info and see what you think. They are spring tempered and such but might be trash? Dont know myself. $100-$150 budget works for me at this point. Dont need thirty six inch ones or anything like that as I doubt ill be doing swords or anything like that for a while. Probably short blades and close up work stuff.

and B: I have them shaped at 220 grit now. They are not even close to polished yet. Cant wait to get through each polish stage. Im trying to make micro adjustments in the lockbar and such to minimize stock removal of the frame before i proceed to further polishing. I really think ill remake the lockbar (urrgggh) eventually. I just dont like the thickness of the one in there now. Id also like to use a thicker stronger spring. Thats later tho. Im gonna finish it with what i got now for sanity reasons.
 
A friction folder version would be interesting! Simple enough for the makers to do straight out of their work place.

I wonder how secure a friction folder could be made to perform? I mean, clearly a little choppyness may occur with any folding kuk/bowie so it would need to not be responsible for any loss of digits.

Reckon you could wrack your mind on a tank friction folder?? You're clearly very skilled. ;)
 
Thanks Samon. Maybe my terminolgy aint right? You mean basically set a pivot pin just tight enough so that the knife opens and closes with only friction between the blade and frame and pin. I guess as it wears down and gets broken in you could tighten it up by hammering the pin a little tighter? That would be the way to do it! I think the Kamis could do something like that. Sure would be a heck of a lot easier. If it wasnt for this being a lock blade i would have done that a long time ago on this one. Not knowing what im doing pretty much mandates having to make this one where I can completely disassemble it for repairs and adjustments. I like the idea of less moving parts as well. No screws, spacers, springs, etc:thumbup:
Might have to put a surgeon general warning with it "caution sharp pointy object..do not eat!" ;)
 
I was thinking more of something like this..




Sorry about the large pictures, I'm not sure how to shrink them..

The elongated tang acts as a sort of pressure lock in your grip. As long as your hand is firmly in place the tang will stay firmly seated in the handle by the stopping pin in the handle and your obvious grip.

I don't expect to see a pink ribbed one like mine though lol! ;)

But a solid blade, longer tang than my ones and a good ergonomic handle to make sure your hand never finds its way accidentally out of the proper grip. I love finger choils on friction folders, I find they give great choking grip for fine stuff, while the standard in hand grip keeps the blade secure for everything else I'll need.
 
I got ya! I think a friend recommended something like this early in this thread somewhere maybe even same brand. Those are really cool little blades. I thought the extension was to assist opening but its really to stabilize it when in use. For a big knife like this I wonder what it would be like when your carrying it closed with that tang sticking out? Its already 6" long when closed. Full length open dont matter. OK when I hold it in hand it would need 2.5" of that tang from the pivot point being about half inch from the front of the frame. That would make the knife 8" long when closed:eek: Thats a big dang knife:D Giant straight razor maybe? Thanks man I really appreciate these kind of suggestions.
 
ndoghouse said:
I got ya! I think a friend recommended something like this early in this thread somewhere maybe even same brand. Those are really cool little blades. I thought the extension was to assist opening but its really to stabilize it when in use. For a big knife like this I wonder what it would be like when your carrying it closed with that tang sticking out? Its already 6" long when closed. Full length open dont matter. OK when I hold it in hand it would need 2.5" of that tang from the pivot point being about half inch from the front of the frame. That would make the knife 8" long when closed:eek: Thats a big dang knife:D Giant straight razor maybe? Thanks man I really appreciate these kind of suggestions.
Click to expand...

What I did with mine when I was really into them and wanted to carry them everywhere was to modify a Buck 110 sheath. It statred like this,



and ended like this..



my Svord fit good into this but I fought with it after disposing of my faulty 110's and decided to cut a hole in the bottom of the sheath for the tang to fit through, leaving the body of the knife almost identically in the wet forming of the 110 model knife.

With simple cuts, snips and modifications, even a lengthy tanged friction folder can be modestly carried on the belt!

I'm always in the market for 3" and under non locking knives for my collection (to comply with UK public carry law) and always in the lookout for something different out there for my general collection! ;)

I reckon you may just be the man to fulfill both those niches. :D
 
ndoghouse said:
You mean like this!

9db1dd7fc13e062f3d39b9e094738e82


Thats exactly what im looking for. Im cutting a 45 degree then dissecting that again on each side with a file then hitting it with 220 grit to shape it.
This photo is what a 4.6 liter DOHC Mustang Cobra engine looks like when you bake it at 2500 degrees for about four hours. Kinda lost its temper didnt it:D
Click to expand...

AHAHHA I think it lost its temper to say the least. That's what I call the melted look. Man that's a cool puddle!
 
Soon as I get a chance ill PM ya a few links and see what you think. Vise grips are a pain because they dont stay adjusted and channel locks are ok but only give ya two funky directions to hold stuff. Not that I know what im doing anyway but I figured you might know what I need;) to get started.
Almost done with the folder btw. Pics soon. I cant believe how well that brass and stabilized wood came out. Polishing up the last of the parts now.
 
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