[Re titled] Designing 2 custom Bowie's to be built

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Most big bowies were carried as a deterrent; think a coffin handle does that fine. The big Bowie was a back up weapon to the unreliable firearms of the age, and more portable than an ostentatious sword. I don't think anyone would have thought of orientation if they were to drop their knife! A combat knife fight was going to be a brutish ugly affair and no one wanted one, or went looking for one. Deterrent ruled, and a fast horse.

Historically, it was common for cutting weapons to be only sharpened up in times of war, for active duty, as keeping sharp weapons all the time can get their owners cut. The Bowie is a style of weapon and some models are set up for a back cut so should have the upper tip sharp. Many were left with a blunt edge as it makes them safer. Technique for single and double edge differ greatly. There were "fighting schools" for the well off as part of their education. Very similar to martial art classes today. Depending on the proprietor depended on what they taught, most were sword drill. Some even taught Bowie fighting when it was in vogue.
Most bowies were made and bought as a big knife, as a utility big knife. The style originated from big butcher's knives. As a fighting knife that came later and incorporated other similar styles of fighting knives. Loads of variations.

Anyhow, there is some fun to be had in the exercise of working out what is "best". When it comes to practical application I always end up with a Glock or Sig.
 
When it comes to practical application, I always end up with steel toes and bowies.

 
What I have read says that while the bowie was a multi-purpose tool, when it was used for as a defensive weapon, it basically replaced the smallsword which had been the upper class civilian weapon of choice for over 100 years. The big bowie's run as a weapon was relatively short much like percussion firearms. Once reliable repeating firearms became available to the general public after the Civil War, the big bowie shrank to what we sometimes call the cowboy bowie, which is essentially a large hunting/utility knife. That pattern is still with us to this day.
GREENJACKET said:
Most big bowies were carried as a deterrent; think a coffin handle does that fine. The big Bowie was a back up weapon to the unreliable firearms of the age, and more portable than an ostentatious sword. I don't think anyone would have thought of orientation if they were to drop their knife! A combat knife fight was going to be a brutish ugly affair and no one wanted one, or went looking for one. Deterrent ruled, and a fast horse.

Historically, it was common for cutting weapons to be only sharpened up in times of war, for active duty, as keeping sharp weapons all the time can get their owners cut. The Bowie is a style of weapon and some models are set up for a back cut so should have the upper tip sharp. Many were left with a blunt edge as it makes them safer. Technique for single and double edge differ greatly. There were "fighting schools" for the well off as part of their education. Very similar to martial art classes today. Depending on the proprietor depended on what they taught, most were sword drill. Some even taught Bowie fighting when it was in vogue.
Most bowies were made and bought as a big knife, as a utility big knife. The style originated from big butcher's knives. As a fighting knife that came later and incorporated other similar styles of fighting knives. Loads of variations.

Anyhow, there is some fun to be had in the exercise of working out what is "best". When it comes to practical application I always end up with a Glock or Sig.
Click to expand...
 
If indexing the symmetrical handle in the dark were of paramount importance to me some aggressive jimping under the thumb would certainly work.

Bagwell explained the clip point's advantage by comparing it to having your 100lb wife step on your foot barefoot and then stepping on your foot with stiletto heels on.
All the pressure is focused on one tiny little point.

The Bowie was a weapon first and foremost and morphed into other roles as time passed.
It was the southern equivalent to the tomahawk. Another weapon that has morphed into other roles as the years went by.
 
XtianAus said:
Post the 7" one too :D
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XyLi50U.jpg


Not set in stone but this is pretty much how I want it.

Proportions/scale is slightly off.

I have drawn a 12" bowie design too although it was a scaled down version. I need a bigger piece of paper.
 
It's been said, but bears repeating: Bill Bagwell is THE Master of the Fighting Bowie!

(On the other hand, the DIY suggestion about the Western 49 is intriguing . . .)
 
The Bowie was a butchers knife that morphed into a defensive/offensive tool. It became more elaborate as time went on. There had been all sorts of big blades from Europe; from Spanish fighters, Scottish Dirks (used with a shield), to hunting knives. High class fighting equipment was expensive, so general ironmongery knives like butchers knives were bought and improved upon. It is thought the first Bowie was such a knife. Most ironsmiths could knock up a blade, further enlightened by the Bowie legend as he had one made to his specs.

Bill Bagwell certainly has passion and a whole lot more knowledge on this blade style than I. Certainly a formidable weapon in skilled hands. However, even in their heyday there were rather specialised and a swordsman of any ability would have the advantage, just as someone with a gun.

Have to admit some just look fantastic, which is reason enough.
 
EBP, that looks great!
The only change I'd make is to raise the point to the center line of the handle.
And make the blade 8".... 7 is still in that not big not small in-between gray area ;)

Have to admit some just look fantastic, which is reason enough.
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Can't argue with that.
:cool:
 
w.t. anderson said:
(On the other hand, the DIY suggestion about the Western 49 is intriguing . . .)
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Do it!
I got the W49 above for $65 or so here on the FS forum.
They are out there... Come to think of it I just missed a second one for a little bit more.
A matched pair would be kind of cool.
 
All as per your specs Bacon, with one mod... the tip height set as per Ebbtide's suggestion... he knows what he's talking about. And if you want to make the blade 8".... let us know.



2dkfyja.jpg



EDIT:

I'll leave this template file here in case anyone is interested in the knife with a thinner blade. The template file containing the 1.5" depth blade of this knife is on the following page.


And here the template file set to 100% SCALE ready for printing onto A4 paper, download here:


http://s000.tinyupload.com/index.php?file_id=49662743674007769639





And this is what the template file looks like:




2s9bt39.jpg
 
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BTW Bacon... if there's anything you want altered... even the tip dropped as you originally had it... or if you want me or anyone else here or otherwise to make suggestions, let me know. It's your knife, so we shall do as you wish.

Did the burger shop up your way stay open till all hours last night? LOL!!
 
Coke said:
All as per your specs Bacon, with one mod... the tip height set as per Ebbtide's suggestion... he knows what he's talking about. And if you want to make the blade 8".... let us know.
2dkfyja.jpg
Click to expand...

Good looking knife. Not to derail the thread but could I ask you to produce the following variant...........?

As the main blade grind line is on the centre line of the blade and handle, superimpose the bottom main grind onto the top to create a symmetrical dagger.
Then alter the guard/hilt to be symmetrical, with the gentle rear curve of the bottom guard.

Can you show a 7" and 8" version?

I hope you don't mind. I know it's not a bowie but I love daggers!:)
 
Coke, it looks gorgeous. Thanks for drawing up those graphics mate, very much appreciated.

I wanted this 7" blade Bowie to be very slender and pointy as opposed to the 12" blade Bowie i'm also looking to get made. I'll print out what you've made and have a play around with it and make any necessary changes. If you have any suggestions/criticism, please let me know, I'd like to hear it.

Thanks again mate.

(P.S The burger shop was closed but the home BBQ with family and friends was OPEN :D)
 
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Steven65, I don't mean to be a control freak in any way but if you could please keep other builds and such to a different thread or PM for the sake of keeping this thread clutter free it would be very much appreciated. Thank you.
 
Coke, I've scaled the image to 100% and printed it out. I'm having some difficulty here. The blade length, handle length, OAL and guard are all correctly scaled but the blade and handle are lacking 1/4" in width. Not sure if it's my wrong doing or the template. Any help appreciated.

Cheers
 
ExtraBaconPlease said:
Coke, I've scaled the image to 100% and printed it out. I'm having some difficulty here. The blade length, handle length, OAL and guard are all correctly scaled but the blade and handle are lacking 1/4" in width. Not sure if it's my wrong doing or the template. Any help appreciated.

Cheers
Click to expand...

I see what you mean, I know when it happened to, I tried something and forgot to revert it back to 1.5". Will fix.
 
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You know, what's funny is that when I was almost finished on your knife, I kid you not, I had a look at it and thought to myself that it looks a lot like HALF a dagger. I can see why Steven65 asked what he did. I've done what Steven asked, it's ready to post, but I want be sure you're ok with posting it. Let me know.
 
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