Arthur Washburn
Knifemaker and AMC Freak
- Joined
- Jul 15, 2000
- Messages
- 1,653
I thought I'd share my first Bowie knife with everyone.
This knife is destined for the OKCA Show next month. Every year there is a grinding competition. The knifemakers then take their ground blade home and finish it. The following year it is returned to the OKCA Show where it will be given out as an award knife. Last years blade grind for me was this Bowie. It started out as O-1 but after heat treat I tried to straighten the blade and snapped it in half.
I recreated the Bowie provided by the OKCA in ATS-34. It is flat ground with a 600-grit finish. The guard and pommel are of copper and nickel silver mokume created in my shop. The handle is ironwood.
I probably will not make another Bowie. I have great respect for the makers who do them regularly and that level of respect increased 100 fold after doing this knife. It also caused me several stitches in my forearm when the blade pierced me. It didn't bleed much after I sutured it but the blade has seen "First Blood".
I think I'll stick to folders, as I seem to get more satisfaction doing them.
This knife is destined for the OKCA Show next month. Every year there is a grinding competition. The knifemakers then take their ground blade home and finish it. The following year it is returned to the OKCA Show where it will be given out as an award knife. Last years blade grind for me was this Bowie. It started out as O-1 but after heat treat I tried to straighten the blade and snapped it in half.
I recreated the Bowie provided by the OKCA in ATS-34. It is flat ground with a 600-grit finish. The guard and pommel are of copper and nickel silver mokume created in my shop. The handle is ironwood.
I probably will not make another Bowie. I have great respect for the makers who do them regularly and that level of respect increased 100 fold after doing this knife. It also caused me several stitches in my forearm when the blade pierced me. It didn't bleed much after I sutured it but the blade has seen "First Blood".
I think I'll stick to folders, as I seem to get more satisfaction doing them.
