- Joined
- Feb 28, 2002
- Messages
- 13,348
Greetings all,
The knife has been shown before - in Blade Show updates and in Caleb's excellent pics and thread.
The knife has since passed through the hands of Paul Long and Coop, before finally landing in mine, so I hope you will indulge a second look and some additional thoughts.
First, here are Sam's own words about the piece, as posted on Facebook:
"OK,
this knife is called "Maximus Bowie"...
this knife has alot to me
it represents me on several levels
it is not really a knife and can be orthodox it will not please everybody
but I promise that it is a war machine!
this knife is really my favorite model
hehehe of course it bears the name of my dog because he really looks like him
strong, nasty, aggressive and effective
it is the fifth that I make this model
this one was intended for the MS exam
compared to the original release, I have to add a fuller
I saw it on my brother's fantastic knives Jason Knight
I found it a great idea to have Jason
it gave a really modern look with a knife
So, I asked her permission to do so
he was kind enough to tell me yes (thanks Brother)
for details of the knife
ected to the forged blade in my special damasscus motif "BadasSam!"
the guard and shock twisted his damasscus
the handle in ancient oak
thank you all"
By way of context, here is an example of what the original versions of the Maximus looked like:
As you will clearly see from the pics below, the addition of a full length fuller, together with a dramatically elongated single guard are the two most significant evolutions in the design:
As you will recall, this knife was to be one of Sam's MS test pieces - a test undone by the loss in transit of Sam's MS test dagger. The remaining 4 pieces were all spectacular examples of the art of bladesmithing, but this one really jumped out at me. Actually, it felt more like it grabbed me by the lapels and gave me a vicious shake.
But if I were to distill the primary appeal of the knife, it would come down to the two words that passed my lips when I first saw it: "That's Sam." Sam has made many terrific knives, and if we are all very lucky, he will make a great many more. But for me, this one will always stand out as a truly unfiltered example of self-expression in steel.
Like Sam, I appreciate that this is not a design that will appeal to everyone. But the raw, visceral emotion that this piece communicates is something that I find utterly compelling. When you hold it, you know you possess a true battle blade - one that eschews the mundane and embraces bedlam.
There was never any doubt in my mind as to whose services I would seek to sheath this beast, and Paul Long came through - as he always does - with the perfect package. All black, with ostrich inlay:
All that I need now is the perfect display case for this knife.
Thanks for reading, gents.
Roger
The knife has been shown before - in Blade Show updates and in Caleb's excellent pics and thread.
The knife has since passed through the hands of Paul Long and Coop, before finally landing in mine, so I hope you will indulge a second look and some additional thoughts.
First, here are Sam's own words about the piece, as posted on Facebook:
"OK,
this knife is called "Maximus Bowie"...
this knife has alot to me
it represents me on several levels
it is not really a knife and can be orthodox it will not please everybody
but I promise that it is a war machine!
this knife is really my favorite model
hehehe of course it bears the name of my dog because he really looks like him
strong, nasty, aggressive and effective
it is the fifth that I make this model
this one was intended for the MS exam
compared to the original release, I have to add a fuller
I saw it on my brother's fantastic knives Jason Knight
I found it a great idea to have Jason
it gave a really modern look with a knife
So, I asked her permission to do so
he was kind enough to tell me yes (thanks Brother)
for details of the knife
ected to the forged blade in my special damasscus motif "BadasSam!"
the guard and shock twisted his damasscus
the handle in ancient oak
thank you all"
By way of context, here is an example of what the original versions of the Maximus looked like:
As you will clearly see from the pics below, the addition of a full length fuller, together with a dramatically elongated single guard are the two most significant evolutions in the design:
As you will recall, this knife was to be one of Sam's MS test pieces - a test undone by the loss in transit of Sam's MS test dagger. The remaining 4 pieces were all spectacular examples of the art of bladesmithing, but this one really jumped out at me. Actually, it felt more like it grabbed me by the lapels and gave me a vicious shake.
But if I were to distill the primary appeal of the knife, it would come down to the two words that passed my lips when I first saw it: "That's Sam." Sam has made many terrific knives, and if we are all very lucky, he will make a great many more. But for me, this one will always stand out as a truly unfiltered example of self-expression in steel.
Like Sam, I appreciate that this is not a design that will appeal to everyone. But the raw, visceral emotion that this piece communicates is something that I find utterly compelling. When you hold it, you know you possess a true battle blade - one that eschews the mundane and embraces bedlam.
There was never any doubt in my mind as to whose services I would seek to sheath this beast, and Paul Long came through - as he always does - with the perfect package. All black, with ostrich inlay:
All that I need now is the perfect display case for this knife.
Thanks for reading, gents.
Roger
:thumbup:
I'm happy to see that mind blowing knife in the hands of a gentleman that truly appreciates it. Talk about Holy Grail...
Leave some treasure for the owner. 
