Opinions On This Bowie Finish?

Hank,

There are several ways to do it. I use a torch and keep he cutting edge in a pan of water and the color will spread from the spine right down the blade.

You can also heat some heavy tongs or a steel block in the forge and hold it to the spine and it will give the same effect. I have seen guys temper blades this way too.

Greg
 
Greg I love the finish, the heat bluing really sets that beautiful blade off. I'm scared of that handle though! It looks like it might break under a heavy load - the direction of the grain is almost perpendicular with the angle of pressure from the heel of your hand on a back cut. Just my sense, I could be way off. Anyway, it took me a couple days to figure out what threw me, cause it's a beautiful piece. I like the shape of the guard too. Thanks for sharing, I'm looking forward to more.

Dave
 
One more comment, and a question.

I like the curved handle a lot- I think that, not only would it give great leverage, but I think it facilitates a natural "pointing" position; which is adventageous for a fighting knife, IMO. Dang tootin'!

My question is about the heat coloring. I understand that puting the edge in the water should effectively keep the edge safe, but could the temper be ruined a littel higher on the grind? My point is that I would like to experiment with this but I'm a little worried about ruining the blade.

TANKS!
 
Kumdo,

The handle was made like that for two reasons: Ease of manipulation and leverage during the backcut stroke. I did not design it to be a chopper or a survival knife. So you hit the nail on the head.

Heating the blade with the cutting edge in water and having color spread down the blade will, in my opinion, benefit most blades...especially if they have been fully hardened rather than edge quenched. I edge quench most all my blades so the heat blue is more for looks.

When I have seen some bladesmiths tempering their blades in this manner, they watch for the edge to go to a straw color. So blue or purple in the middle of the blade down from the spine would be nice and springy.

Greg
 
Well Greg, I don't know I just well...
you know... I think you made one that just adds to
the many different styles, I like it.:) .:cool:
OK Greg now I'll Be Brutal:grumpy:
I don't Bead many of the non stainless blades because
of maintenance needed
by the customer but for myself I don't
have a problem with it. :DBrutal, Take that:D
 
Greg i like the knife alot. It would also look good with a hand rubbed or for that matter a 400 grit belt finish.
 
Beautiful knife. I am one of the tribe that favors a slight drop in the handle on a large knife. I like the heat coloring too.

But I'm not a big fan of the bead blast finish, especially on carbon steel.

I bet that knife feels alive in your hand...awesome work.
 
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