Opinions Please from Bowie Makers

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I have my own ideas of what to do with this piece, but I wanted to hear from those of you who make bowies and fighters before I cut this up. What I think is right can be different from what you guys think is best. So I thought I should ask first.

This wood is not for sale. It still has to be dried and then sent out to be stabilized.

Which way do you think the blocks should be cut?

#1 The outline at the top would follow the grain with the blocks showing horizontal grain and vertical figure.
#2 The outline at the bottom would have the grain running at an angle with the figure at a right angle to the grain.

002-1.jpg


Bear in mind this will be cut into larger blocks for those making larger knives.
I thought the grain going at an angle would look good on knives with a dropped butt.

Thank You in advance for your opinions.
Mark
 
Nice looking block. Since I make quite a few dropped butt knives I can see a real beauty in that bottom block.

Happy New Year Mark! Hope you guys enjoy a great year.

Fred
 
I think the top block would be my choice too. To my eye the stripes should run the same direction as the guard. One thing you could do is make bowie sized (tapered) blocks. That way it gives you a dropped butt but stripes run paralell with the guard.
 
I prefer the bottom block. It looks more "active" to me.
 
I don't think there's a wrong answer - but I'd go with #1 if the choice were mine. A dropped handle would still look good with the vertical grain - the reverse, less so. IMO.

Roger
 
I'm all for following the grain, Mark, especially if the blocks are a little larger and allow leeway to orient the grain as desired. Interrupting the grain theoretically makes for a weaker piece of wood.
 
i like the bottome one cause witha drop in the handle you can follow the grain (look at it upside down) and have a nice flaired but for the handle all the time having the curls follow the drop
 
Definitely the top one. The bottom one is too limiting. There's nothing wrong with a curve if the grain is parallel and the figure perpendicular to the centerline of the knife as a whole but it gets too busy and confusing if you start introducing odd angles. I think the angled grain and figure could even ruin the visual effect of a shaped handle as symmetry is both pleasing and easier to ignore.
 
I think the bottom one is the way to go, I find that if the grain follows the handle the overall flow of the knife is better is better
 
When I have a block similar to that, I cut it as you have it marked. That way I get straight pattern blocks, angled grain blocks, and tapered blocks for Moran style handles (Bowie Blocks).
 
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Thanks for your input everyone.
I think I have figured out a way to cut this to meet both ways mentioned.
 
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