Southland III

That turned out beautiful Lin. I am trying to get a bigger picture of this one to post but am having issues with my service.

Chris
 
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I love the profile! The guard proportions are just right and there is a sublime unity underlying everything, (like most Rhea works). The control shown in the patterning of the blade is phenomenal and flows perfectly. The forged guard is almost unbelievable, that must have taken some hours. Same for the knotwork spacer. Stag is obviously off the charts.
I do have a problem with the handle though. Personally, I think that a secondary knotwork spacer at the butt would have completed this knife a little more fully. Regardless, that is one of the most impressively well thought out and well crafted knives I've seen in a while.
 
Lorien said:
I love the profile! The guard proportions are just right and there is a sublime unity underlying everything, (like most Rhea works). The control shown in the patterning of the blade is phenomenal and flows perfectly. The forged guard is almost unbelievable, that must have taken some hours. Same for the knotwork spacer. Stag is obviously off the charts.
I do have a problem with the handle though. Personally, I think that a secondary knotwork spacer at the butt would have completed this knife a little more fully. Regardless, that is one of the most impressively well thought out and well crafted knives I've seen in a while.
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Lorien, I enjoy reading your critiques especially in regard to design and I usually agree with you for the most part as I do here.
However, even before your post, I found myself appreciating the fact that Lin didn't use a secondary knotwork spacer at the butt as I feel it would have been just "too much".

I find that one of designers (of anything) biggest dilemmas is knowing when to stop. Some time back, I was into custom motorcycles and can't even tell you
how many times I saw bikes that went from extremely "classy" to extremely "trashy" just because a designer included one or two features or design element that he should
left off. It can be a 'fine line' and often that line is a matter of opinion.
 
I agree with you, Kevin. We often see knives that try to incorporate too many disparate elements and the result is either gaudiness or flowlessness.

To illuminate my thought process more fully, I feel that either the knotwork spacer should have been left off, OR repeated. As a design element/embellishment it stands out due to its singularity, whereas a repeated element could have the effect of actually toning it down. Leaving it off completely would have been the safest choice, so I give Lin a lot of credit for being ballsy enough to try it out.

It should be renamed the 'Ballsy Bowie' :)
 
Lorien said:
I agree with you, Kevin. We often see knives that try to incorporate too many disparate elements and the result is either gaudiness or flowlessness.

To illuminate my thought process more fully, I feel that either the knotwork spacer should have been left off, OR repeated. As a design element/embellishment it stands out due to its singularity, whereas a repeated element could have the effect of actually toning it down. Leaving it off completely would have been the safest choice, so I give Lin a lot of credit for being ballsy enough to try it out.

It should be renamed the 'Ballsy Bowie' :)
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I like your name as it's very fitting, and you make good points above.
I appreciate 'uniformity' in design and I feel Lin accomplished this by repeating the 'balls' and 'coined-edged' spacers at both ends of the handle.
However, I feel there can also be too much uniformity in a design which may have been the case if he had also repeated the knotted spacer.
I'm curious as to if Lin ever considered adding another knotted spacer. I always find it interesting when makers share their thought processes in
developing their designs.
 
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Thanks Kevin. I tried but Hughes Net is being an issue.
I appreciate the discussion on the knotted spacer. I do tend to agree with Kevin on this one though. I think it would have been just a bit much. The knots on both ends with the forged balls would have been over the top. Knots at both ends without the balls would possibly work.

Chris
 
Thank you all for taking the time to comment. I really appreciate the conversation about the design. I designed this Bowie from paper drawing to finish product. I DID consider the knot work in some form in the back as Lorien suggested. BUT, I was afraid that might move the visual balance away from the guard/ricasso area. The center of the knife. The purpose of the balls and the knot work was to give it a bold appearance providing gravity to the middle. How's that for an explanation? :)
 
works for me :)
 
When i saw the comment about additional knotwork my reaction was that it would be too much going on.

I think it's pretty darn good looking as it is. What's the sheath going to be like on this beauty Lin?
 
I'm not sure yet Pootsy. I was thinking black and brown with stainless accents. There will probably be an inlay.
 
I like the uniform patterned blade and the central attention to the knotted spacer right in the middle of the knife. A similar spacer would draw the eye to the pommel but it wouldnt remain there, it would still go back to the center. Those hammer finished balls are nothing but cool and a feather in the cap of the maker.
 
really like everything about this one, Lin. Forging the blade to fit the stag so you didn't have to do any removal of the beading is really a demonstration of your mastery to my way of thinking- I know it's a chicken and egg thing, but still know that was part of the overall planning, and I am with everyone on the 'less is more' in many cases on the rope fittings.

It's why I want to be you when I grow up, Sir!
 
I agree with Kevin for the most part that one spacer is enough although personally I would think that none at all would have been equal to the task particularly with the intricacy of the guard. A second beaded spacer would work perfectly too. It is a wonderful knife Lin and would make a great addition to any collection.
 
Bruce Bump said:
A similar spacer would draw the eye to the pommel but it wouldnt remain there, it would still go back to the center.
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exactly my point :)
 
Thank you Murray.

Lorien, I would be interested in hearing or seeing what you have in mind. Who knows where it might lead? I know you are good with design so I would not be very smart to discount your thoughts.
 
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