- Joined
- Feb 28, 2002
- Messages
- 13,348
Of the many varied shapes and styles of knives that today bear the name bowie, I have long been an admirer of a particular style that, thankfully, is not shrouded in veils of mystery as to its design and construction: the Searles Bowie. This style of knife takes its name both from the bladesmith who made it (Daniel Saerles of Baton Rouge, Louisianna) and the man who commissioned it (Rezin Bowie, brother of James). An original Searles knife can be viewed at the Alamo Museum in San Antonio, Texas that particular example having been presented by Rezin Bowie to one H.W. Fowler (and is so-engraved). The knife pictured below, by bladesmith Craig Camerer is not a reproduction but is nonetheless faithful to the hallmarks of the Searles style.
I first met Craig at the Arkansas Custom Knife Show in Little Rock earlier this year. I was very impressed with the quality of his work, particularly having regard to the fact that he had only been making knives since early 2000. Later, I came across a picture of a Searles-style knife that Craig had made and contacted him about forging a similar knife for me. Craig who is also a big fan of the design and history of the Searles Bowie was happy to oblige. I am quite delighted with the result. This knife sports a 9 ¼ blade of 1084 that is 1 3/8 wide an ¼ thick at the guard. Overall length is 14 3/8. Craig has applied a superbly-executed handrubbed satin finish (taken to 800 grit) and the blade displays a nice hamon which regrettably, is not that evident in the photographs. The entire cutting edge is razor-sharp, just the way I like it.
There is a lot of detail work in the African blackwood handle, and it all comes together very well. The various components include nitre-blued mild steel spacers and pommel; file-worked nickel silver spacers; decorative pin-work and inlaid escutcheons. The sheath, pictured above, is an elegant complement to the knife itself. It is created with 8/9 oz. leather and then wrapped in black garment leather that has a soft, luxurious suede-like nap. A nickel silver throat and tip round out the presentation-grade package.
Craig strives to keep the balance point of his bowies close to the guard to give them a quick feel in the hand. This isnt always easy with a larger blade, but can be accomplished through balancing the distal taper with the weight of the fittings. Craig certainly met that design goal with this knife which balances right at the guard provides that great combination of both quickness and control.
The deceptively simple style of this knife actually presents of number of challenges to the maker. Its no walk in the park to keep that top grind along the spine of the blade even throughout its length. And the fitment of the guard is far from simple - the guard slot has to be filed at an angle that matches the bevel of the blade, as there is no ricasso.
Craig has come a long way very quickly in the craft of the forge and is looking forward to testing for his ABS JS stamp at his earliest opportunity. I certainly look forward to seeing what is yet to come from this talented young bladesmith.
My thanks to Craig for the knife and for the detailed information regarding its construction.
Roger Pinnock
I first met Craig at the Arkansas Custom Knife Show in Little Rock earlier this year. I was very impressed with the quality of his work, particularly having regard to the fact that he had only been making knives since early 2000. Later, I came across a picture of a Searles-style knife that Craig had made and contacted him about forging a similar knife for me. Craig who is also a big fan of the design and history of the Searles Bowie was happy to oblige. I am quite delighted with the result. This knife sports a 9 ¼ blade of 1084 that is 1 3/8 wide an ¼ thick at the guard. Overall length is 14 3/8. Craig has applied a superbly-executed handrubbed satin finish (taken to 800 grit) and the blade displays a nice hamon which regrettably, is not that evident in the photographs. The entire cutting edge is razor-sharp, just the way I like it.
There is a lot of detail work in the African blackwood handle, and it all comes together very well. The various components include nitre-blued mild steel spacers and pommel; file-worked nickel silver spacers; decorative pin-work and inlaid escutcheons. The sheath, pictured above, is an elegant complement to the knife itself. It is created with 8/9 oz. leather and then wrapped in black garment leather that has a soft, luxurious suede-like nap. A nickel silver throat and tip round out the presentation-grade package.
Craig strives to keep the balance point of his bowies close to the guard to give them a quick feel in the hand. This isnt always easy with a larger blade, but can be accomplished through balancing the distal taper with the weight of the fittings. Craig certainly met that design goal with this knife which balances right at the guard provides that great combination of both quickness and control.
The deceptively simple style of this knife actually presents of number of challenges to the maker. Its no walk in the park to keep that top grind along the spine of the blade even throughout its length. And the fitment of the guard is far from simple - the guard slot has to be filed at an angle that matches the bevel of the blade, as there is no ricasso.
Craig has come a long way very quickly in the craft of the forge and is looking forward to testing for his ABS JS stamp at his earliest opportunity. I certainly look forward to seeing what is yet to come from this talented young bladesmith.
My thanks to Craig for the knife and for the detailed information regarding its construction.
Roger Pinnock
I think this is the finest knife I have seen yet from Craig Camerer. The detail and workmanship in this knife is exceptional, as is the sheath. Roger, I sincerely hope you and I meet one day... and I hope that you bring this one for the show and tell. Craig... this is one heck of a knife that you created, and you should be proud of your baby. Better get a bib on Danbo... I know he will be drooling on his keyboard, as I am.
