Old School Badass Southwest Bowie by Mike Williams, MS

RogerP

RogerP

Joined
Feb 28, 2002
Messages
13,348
American badass.

That was the phrase that sprang immediately to mind when I opened the package from Coop earlier today.

No knife is more American than the bowie. And no bowie more badass than the Southwest. And this is the Southwest bowie that other Southwest bowies are reluctant to make eye contact with.

I've been a fan of this knife since I first saw it posted here on the forums some 12 or so years ago (anyone else remember Ari - "Megalobyte"?). The broad, bold, sweeping curve of this big blade just appealed on a visceral level. Not to mention the sweet stag and the bold damascus pattern that you almost see being pulled and spread by the blows of the hammer.

I believe this is the knife that collected the Best Bowie award for Mike at the 2003 Spirit of Steel show - but I will seek to confirm that.

I happened to notice this knife recently - rendered in miniature in the avatar of a fellow forumite. Even in thumbnail there was no mistaking its unique lines Inquiries were made, and agreement was struck and I am pleased to have this one relocate to the north.

This is a beast of a knife. A shade under 12" of blade length as the crow flies from tip to guard - but effectively longer due to the curve. 2 1/4" wide at its widest point. Yet, like all great bowies, it doesn't feel unwieldly in the hand. The palm-filling stag provides solid purchase, and the beefy blade dances willingly to whatever tune your arm and wrist care to play.

This knife had, to this point, lived its life shoeless. But that was rectified in typically excellent Paul Long fashion.

My thanks to all, and my thanks to you for reading.

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Very nice, big bowie by a great maker, not to mention an all around great guy. Cool damascus blade. Congrats
 
Awesome knife! I really like the feel of Mikes handles with the mortise tang stag. It is a totally different feel then a frame handle with stag or a full stag roll.

It was good seeing you this weekend.
 
What a great score, Roger. That's a commanding piece and a beauty of a sheath and image--Congrats.

Nice that it was in Ari's collection. I'm sure he would have enjoyed the story and that you ended up with it--he is missed.
 
what a great score, Roger! To my eye, this piece has something of an Asian influence in there somewhere as well.
 
Roger, I remember this knife & Ari. Very cool piece!!!

I've been on a southwest kick lately, love the style.
 
My thoughts, in order of how they hit me...

American Badass...at first expected a pic of Joe Paranee.

Pic 1: love the sweeeeeeep of the blade, the damascus, and the guard is catching my eye.

Pic 2: love the damascus even more. In the third, larger pool from the left there is a panda-like creature wearing a hat and Dracula's cape. He's looking over his right shoulder at me!

Pics 3 & 4: love that guard! Clean, simple, almost a little Asian flavor goin' on.

Pauls' work is always the icing on the cake!

Congrats, Roger! Always extra gratifying when you land one that has been on the radar for years. Oh, and I remember Ari (landed a few Hanson's off of him when he was selling).
 
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Wow! Gratzee.
I see an Oriental curve in that blade also.
This is one of the nicest knives I have seen.
rolf
 
Mike has a flare for big Bowies and this is an excellent example. I love the way that he kept the belly of the blade flowing all the way to the tip. Nice score! :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Thanks for sharing.

Gary
 
Remember Ari well, Roger.
He loved his big honkin' Bowies.

Agree with Rob about Joe Paranee..American Badass.

Incredible coup snagging it, Roger, fantastic piece.
Masterpiece sheath to complete it and Coop to display it in all it's glory.
Lots of Win in this thread !

Doug
 
Beauty, Roger. Love the steel and the big belly, and the proportions seem just right to my eye. Fabulous!
 
Yes, that's a beauty.
Mike's always made a bad-ass Southwest Bowie and this is certainly no exception.
It's appears very proportionate for a piece with such mass. The Stag & High contrast Damascus really
contribute to making this an exceptional Bowie. The grooved/file-worked guard is very typical of a ABS Bowie of this
era. It' really great seeing older pieces changing hands, renewing awareness and excitement around them.
 
r connally said:
Pic 2: love the damascus even more. In the third, larger pool from the left there is a panda-like creature wearing a hat and Dracula's cape. He's looking over his right shoulder at me!
Click to expand...


That's just fricken scary - I see him, too!!!!


Gorgeous knife, but it's the belly that does it for me. Yow!!!!
 
Thank you, Roger. ESPECIALLY for your ability to create and share the essence with words. Telling, interest-inducing lines. :D

I am more impressed with it now than I was in person: I thought it was made in the last few months. I though it rather outdated. Well.... it IS!

Comfortable? You betcha. And such a good idea to chase it to a proper taylor for a suit.

Coop
 
Superb bowie! Ari had one hell of a collection at one time. Glad to see this one end up in your hands, Roger. It has found a home where it will live like a king. Congrats!

- Joe
 
Thanks very much for the comments, gents.

James – good seeing you at the show too – keep up the good work!

Will – I am heartened to see that so many here remember Ari and his enthusiasm for the big blades – he is missed indeed.

Don – I would love to see the results of your Southwest kick!

Rob – OMG – that PANDA! Hilarious. I might never have noticed it, but now it’s the first thing I see.

Doug – yes, Paranee is the personification of American Badass.

Coop – cheers – and thanks for the great pics!
 
Roger,

What a cool knife and a cool story.

It is hard for me to think of a better example of what it means to have a passion for knives.

There are a few knives out there that have struck me the way this one obviously did to you 12 years ago. Maybe someday . . .

Thanks so much for sharing the pictures and your story here.
 
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