New Bowie finally finished

E

Erik Fritz

Joined
Aug 6, 2002
Messages
1,115
Just finished this one up for a customer. this was a bugger it took 5 weeks it just seemed like one of those projects i would never finish. it has a 180 layer blade of 1084 and 15n20. cocobolo handle mild steel guard and spacer with decorative pins and n/s escutcheon plate and cocobolo handle. let me know what ya think.........Erik
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I really like the Damascus beautiful work. I also like the lines and the woodwork on the handle..Clean simple efficient...

But the guard seems funny to me. Was that at customers request? I personally would not like a guard that way on a bowie ( or any knife really) but that is no reflection of your work sir which is superior...I would love to see some shots of the tang and handle and closeups of the pins...they look awesome...not a easy task..

overall :thumbup::thumbup:

not that I am any judge...
 
Erik,

This is a classic. I love the tacs, and I do like the coffin-shaped handles.

There are 3 points that throw me off though:
1 - Personally, I like a longer blade on this style.
2 - Might be a trick of the pic, the escutcheon looks off center to me - too high.
3 - Not a fan of C-guards generally, but here the asymetric-ness makes it even more weird to me.

JD
 
thanks for the replies everyone. Jos, the escutcheon does look off in the photo i am gonna ship this one off to coop to get some better photos hopefully it will look better comeing from him. as far as the guard i have to agree not really a big fan of the aesthetics of it but it does function like intended and this is a true function based knife it is .230 at the guard and tapers to nothing at the tip. the customer wanted a Bagwell style hell's belle and i gues that this is my rendition of said design.
 
Hi Erik.
Like the overall look and I usually don't care for that style guard.
The photo is weird as it doesn't depict the lower handle angles thus making
the pins and escutcheon look "off". Glad to hear you say "it's the photo". ;)
 
Nice blade. Not fond of the guard at all. Re the photo --- bit of light coming from the front onto the handle will help show the bevel which will then allow the escutcheon to show correctly.

The biggie for me is the pin placement. the rear pins I think would be better with the front 2 a bit more forward so they are opposite the widest point on the handle prior to the taper to the butt. this would help out the balance to my way of thinking.
 
Nice piece. Where did you get the domed pins? I would like to try them, but I am not comfortable trying to grow my own, so to speak.:D
 
jdm61 said:
Nice piece. Where did you get the domed pins? I would like to try them, but I am not comfortable trying to grow my own, so to speak.:D
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crazy crow tradeing company they have a website. but be aware they still need to be worked over. i chuck them up in either a drill press or a mini lathe and square up the back side of the dome so they fit flush and look good when used.
 
Yes ! :thumbup:
Very nice work, Erik.
Striking Damascus pattern and I love cocobolo, as Joss said, I'd prefer a longer blade on this style Bowie but it looks great.
Coop'll make it shine. :)

Doug
 
It is really hard to try and improve on a Helle's Belle from a fighting bowie perspective. It took Bill Bagwell 30 years to develop that knife and I think it got it mostly right from a practical standpoint. I understand the homage, but I am not sure it is an improvement in any way. But hey, its a customer order, right? the customer is sometimes right!
 
Bladeandbarrel said:
It is really hard to try and improve on a Helle's Belle from a fighting bowie perspective. It took Bill Bagwell 30 years to develop that knife and I think it got it mostly right from a practical standpoint. I understand the homage, but I am not sure it is an improvement in any way. But hey, its a customer order, right? the customer is sometimes right!
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Never said anything about trying to improve upon the Bagwell concept or design. Bill is a very close and personal friend of mine and i would never attempt to do anything in his style that would not be practical.
 
Erik very cool. Is this the first coffin style handle you have done? I like the big pins I see how it would take some time.
 
That is a work of art, Erik. A stunning and unique rendition of a Bagwell. I wish I could afford one!
 
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