Micro Bowie... My first IBBB (pics)

Bawanna said:
Most people do prefer the longer handle.

For me the short handle was perfect. My goal was as compact as possible on the belt yet a truly meaningful tool.

Bhakta really knocked it out of the park, the first runs were beautiful things.
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I agree, he really did quite a number on the design. I love both of mine. I also have the longer handled version, but for me the long handle is perfect. I also like the mix of lanyard hole and strike plate that the long handled ones have. I suppose if I wanted a shorter one I'd go with no strike plate/lanyard hole and keep the longish handle, but I love both mine the way they are, especially the one from phillll. Really my only complaint is that they don't draw quickly from the scabbard, and that's to be expected given their curves and the limitations of traditional scabbards. I really do need to get some kydex made for them. And perhaps send them to someone with a Swahili honorific for a screenname for bluing. Or would I be better off with Cerakote? No idea.
 
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Scara said:
I agree, he really did quite a number on the design. I love both of mine. I also have the longer handled version, but for me the long handle is perfect. I also like the mix of lanyard hole and strike plate that the long handled ones have. I suppose if I wanted a shorter one I'd go with no strike plate/lanyard hole and keep the longish handle, but I love both mine the way they are, especially the one from phillll. Really my only complaint is that they don't draw quickly from the scabbard, and that's to be expected given their curves and the limitations of traditional scabbards. I really do need to get some kydex made for them. And perhaps send them to someone with a Swahili honorific for a screenname for bluing. Or would I be better off with Cerakote? No idea.
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Ceracoat is tough stuff but I still love the look of blued metal. Ceracoat will look like paint because it is a coating. Bluing still gives the metal depth and beauty
 
One of the Bowies I intended to keep got lost cause of blueing. The officers around here really like it blued and one of them talked me out of it.

I just cold blued it of course but it turned out pretty nice. And it seemed to hold up fine in a kydex sheath I made for it. One would have to take the handles off and rehandle if they wanted it properly hot blued.

Be nice to send one to Birdsong and have their finish applied.

Be fun to experiment with Browning too. Dr. Bookie could no doubt provide some insight into that possibility.

Who has a Swahili Honorific for a screen name?
 
Bawanna said:
One of the Bowies I intended to keep got lost cause of blueing. The officers around here really like it blued and one of them talked me out of it.

I just cold blued it of course but it turned out pretty nice. And it seemed to hold up fine in a kydex sheath I made for it. One would have to take the handles off and rehandle if they wanted it properly hot blued.

Be nice to send one to Birdsong and have their finish applied.

Be fun to experiment with Browning too. Dr. Bookie could no doubt provide some insight into that possibility.

Who has a Swahili Honorific for a screen name?
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You.

And on the subject of bluing and finishes, what is the best method of keeping the blade from rusting or anything similar? And on the same note, what method has the best protection to attractiveness ratio?
 
Scara said:
And on the subject of bluing and finishes, what is the best method of keeping the blade from rusting or anything similar? And on the same note, what method has the best protection to attractiveness ratio?
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Usage and proper preventative maintenance. (cleaning after each usage and oiling if necessary)
 
Spot on as usual Karda.

Hot bluing is somewhat more durable and usually has a better appearance than cold bluing.

The one I did worked really well, a lot depends on the metal. Guns usually being much harder can go either way. Hot bluing if done properly always works. Cold bluing is ok but not great sometimes on guns.

Both are actually a controlled rust process as is Browning as well. Your basically making the metal rust and then when it gets where you want it, you stop the process. Flush with hot soapy water and then oil.

If you've ever bought a new gun and it has white powdery substance at joints or seams, that's where they failed to completely stop the rust process and it's still trying to rust. Usually flush the white off and oil it good and your fine.

Same for a blued blade. As karda said, wash it, keep it clean and oiled and your good. Really not much different than a polished blade.

Cold bluing also can be easily touched up if it gets wear spots and stuff. That's generally what I use the bluing for is touching up bare spots on guns, screw heads, that type of stuff.

I didn't know I was Swahili, been called bawanna since far back as I can remember, usually by my hunting mates. Maybe they was smarter than I figured.

I'm feeling a guilt complex being in Auntie's show room here, don't mind saying so. Waiting for the hammer of karda to drop on me head. I got it coming I'm pretty sure.
 
I have some cold blue markers from Birchwood Casey. They are great for touch up but not so great on complete cold blue jobs. They make markers for anodized aluminum as well.
 
Those are great for small touch up jobs. Probably be ideal for touching up a blade.

Same process on a tiny scale. Need to rinse and oil after the touch up.

Great for touch up wear on like rear sights and that sort of thing too.

I need to get the one for aluminum for aluminum handle pins.

My blued bowie was criticized for shiney aluminum pins. I cried for days but I'm over it now.
 
Bawanna said:
Those are great for small touch up jobs. Probably be ideal for touching up a blade.

Same process on a tiny scale. Need to rinse and oil after the touch up.

Great for touch up wear on like rear sights and that sort of thing too.

I need to get the one for aluminum for aluminum handle pins.

My blued bowie was criticized for shiney aluminum pins. I cried for days but I'm over it now.
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FYI... The Birchwood Casey anodizing touch up pens leave more of a coating than an actual finish. I find the it does not penetrate the aluminum unless you use at least four or five coats. Of course you wipe and clean in between applications. The blue pens seem to work much better for me.

Oh... I just boxed up the IBBB and the Hasyia and will be shipping them out in the morning. Take you time if you are busy Bawanna buddy... or go nuts if you have the time :D
 
Who told you about me going nuts? Is there no privacy these days.

Gotta put ya on hold, getting a message from the little people.

Guess I'll pass on the aluminum pen if it don't work. I know my black felt marker didn't work for beans neither, wiped off pretty easy.

Maybe their actual stuff like the bluing paste works better.

I don't forsee doin many but could happen I guess.
 
Bawanna said:
I didn't know I was Swahili, been called bawanna since far back as I can remember, usually by my hunting mates. Maybe they was smarter than I figured.
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The exact honorific is "bwana", but when I've mentioned "Bawanna" out loud to some people they immediately said "oh that's a Swahili honorific". Or they said it meant mister. My own research says it's a respectful form of address.
 
So I'm sort of tootin my own horn carrying that handle around? And here I thought I was shy and introverted....

I guess I need to toot my own horn, who else is gonna toot it ya know.

Somebody once told me it had something to do with hunters in Africa, great white hunter or some such thing, doubt he really knew and I'd heard it was some sort of respectful greeting or address.

Guess I could go with my super secret alias.......................joe
 
Well GB's first IBBB's mother would no longer recognize it. After a couple long days it can easily go outside without a paper sack over it and not be recognized by anyone.

I'm glad I found this thread as I neglected to take any before I messed with it pictures but I did take a few after I messed with it pictures.

First I hacksawed off a little bit of the tang, I like the tang but it was just a little to long for my taste and GB said do whatever I want so I done it. I also rounded off the back of the blade behind the cho. I did the same thing to mine and I liked it better, no sharp corner to mess with the hands.



Then I sanded and refined the shape of the handle just a bit, it didn't need much. This was a very nice Min to start with, probably the best I've seen thus far.
Then we tackled a double diamond full checker pattern to attempt to match a much loved 1911 grip.



Then for no particular reason I asked if he wanted me to blue it while she was here and he wanted that very much, so we took off the checkering hat and put on the bluing hat.


Then and this is a good one, I figured he was gonna carry this thing and I thought if I had the stuff I'd make an attempt at a kydex sheath for it, kind of a surprise dealy hymer. Well the very same day I get an email asking if I could attempt to make a kydex sheath for it if I had the stuff. Well I got lucky and I had a big enough piece of kydex so we took off the bluing hat and put on the kydex burner hat. I'm still not real proud of my kydex melting abilities, and it's a bit frustrating. I get it where I want, then try to make it better and it gets worse and back and forth in kind of a hit and miss pattern.
He plans to front pocket carry this thing so I tried to make the bottom well rounded so no pointy in the leg etc, and left a couple hooks on top so maybe the sheath will hang up on the pocket as the knife is drawn. No idea if it'll work, I don't stand up much nor wear jeans so I kind of had to wing that part.






So then it was only about 8:30 this evening so I decided to give the little Hasiya he sent me some love, polished the blade a bit, it was really nice too on arrival. I know when Auntie posted it I kind of wanted it mostly since Kaanchi put the antler handle on it and I just thought it was cool. I was right, it is really cool.





So if it looks good the morning after, that would be tomorrow morning I think it'll be ready to go back home, another one that will be tough to say good bye too. And a day ahead of schedule too, it went fairly well.


All I got for now.
 
Gosh durn it, I tracked down this thread looking at GB's post but didn't look to see which area it was in, assuming it was in the Cantina.

I throw myself on the mercy of the moderators and apologize for adding to this in Aunties showroom.

I stand before you (in a sitting sort of way) ready to accept or inflict upon myself any punishment you deem appropriate.

Short of banning me, I couldn't handle that, please, I'm begging, I'm not on my knees but I will be if that helps, just too durn hard to get back in the ride ya know?

I'll be more cautious in the future..
 
OMG!!!!:eek::eek::eek:
It is STUNNING Bawanna, I mean top notch. I can't express my gratitude enough. It will be an heirloom piece that I will pass on to my oldest nephew seeing as I have no children of my own. It's gonna be in my pocket for the next 40 years but he can have it after that :D.

I'm sending you a little something else for such an amazing job and obvious care you put into it. The sheath looks perfect! I should be able to conceal it in the front pocket of my jeans easily. I am going to go through my 1911 grip stash and find some WWII double diamond grips to match the Bowie. The Bowie's double diamonds look to be a spot on match for some walnut double diamonds.

The Hayisa looks really good too. You really know how to make things look like a million dollars. I can't express how absolutely pleased I am. I sincerely thank you from the bottom of my heart. I haven't been more excited about a blade in a long long time. Be on the look out for a package... I will send it out tomorrow... Think of it as a late Xmas present and a bonus for such a great job!

Oh... Go easy on the B man. I should of posted these pictures in the cantina to start with. I take all the blame for messing up a Aunties showroom. I will be more careful, I promise
 
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Super Job Bawanna, that is one masterpiece! GB, you surely got an heirloom piece there for reals!
 
Man! Very nice job as usual Bawanna! Man that aint blue? Thats Black:eek: Awesome! Ive never seen anything blued that dark before. Love it! Nice Checkererin:thumbup:
 
Bawanna said:
Gosh durn it, I tracked down this thread looking at GB's post but didn't look to see which area it was in, assuming it was in the Cantina.

I throw myself on the mercy of the moderators and apologize for adding to this in Aunties showroom.

I stand before you (in a sitting sort of way) ready to accept or inflict upon myself any punishment you deem appropriate.

Short of banning me, I couldn't handle that, please, I'm begging, I'm not on my knees but I will be if that helps, just too durn hard to get back in the ride ya know?

I'll be more cautious in the future..
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this is one of those threads that could be either showroom material or cantina material.
you are ok, babahha. No need for apologies or bonkings on the head.
 
Steve Tall said:
I agree it's awesome.



I see two eyes looking at me, and maybe the third eye of Shiva, too.
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I threw everything I had at em trying to make them pins black but nothing sticks. The center being checkered seems to hold it but I don't think it will last. The smooth ones everything just wipes off.

I know they make a bluing pen for aluminum but I've heard it don't work too good. I knew I was gonna catch heck for that.

Karda,
Thanks for your mercy, I'm only good for about one more head bonking and then it'll probably be all over for me, don't want to waste it ya know?
 
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