Spirit of Steel Show Preview - let's see some knives!

RogerP

RogerP

Joined
Feb 28, 2002
Messages
13,348
Okay gents,

One of my favorite shows - Spirit of Steel - is only two weeks away. While I won't be able to make it this year, I sure would like to have a peek at what I will be missing.

Makers please feel free to add your knives to this thread, or if you prefer, e-mail them to me with a brief description and I will post them for you.

Let's start off with a couple from Shawn Ellis:

This bowie features 364 layers of L-6 & W-2 , Random pattern, Blade Length 9 3/8" overall length 13 3/4". The guard , spacer & but cap are made from silia bronze. Handle made of sambar stag.

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And a hunter forged from 52100 recurve, Guard & spacer are made of n/silver .The handle is a motise style made of desert ironwood,with stainless corby screws.

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Don't be bashful now, let's see some more.

Roger
 
This crisp bowie from Shawn Ellis sports a 9 1/2" blade of 5160, stainless fittings and some really sweet black walnut for the handle:

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Roger
 
I really like that knife with the pattern welded blade. I'm not sure, but in your description, I think you meant silicon bronze.
 
Thought you might like that one WWG.

Here is a slick Sendero in Jerry Fisk's signature dog star pattern damascus, complimented by stag handle and engraved fittings:

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Roger
 
RogerP said:
Thought you might like that one WWG.

Here is a slick Sendero in Jerry Fisk's signature dog star pattern damascus, complimented by stag handle and engraved fittings:

Roger
Click to expand...

Are you kidding; that's too fancy for WWG ;):):D
 
WoodWorkGhost said:
Hi Roger,

I really like that carbon steel bowie with the Walnut handle. ;)

WWG
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That walnut bowie is a gorgeous knife, but I have a question for you, Les and anyone else who wishes to chime in. I have heard a number of folks say that they would not buy a knife that does not have a handle pin or some other form of mechanical connection. Yet, I see the is knife and others like the big Crowell hunter that I own that have no pins. I also see anumber of knives, stag handled ones in particular, that have no pin, but merely a buttcap that is held in place by a brazed or soldered on bolt or piece of all thread buried in epoxy and not actually connected to the tang. What is your opinion on that issue?
 
I 'm with WWG,that 5160 Bowie w/Walnut handle is Exceptional to say the least.I LUV IT.
Buddy S.:cool::thumbup::thumbup:
 
jdm61 said:
anyone else who wishes to chime in. I have heard a number of folks say that they would not buy a knife that does not have a handle pin or some other form of mechanical connection. Yet, I see the is knife and others like the big Crowell hunter that I own that have no pins. I also see anumber of knives, stag handled ones in particular, that have no pin, but merely a buttcap that is held in place by a brazed or soldered on bolt or piece of all thread buried in epoxy and not actually connected to the tang. What is your opinion on that issue?
Click to expand...
I want a pin or something more secure than an epoxied butt/pommel.
Matt Roberts uses a hidden pin/rivet as well as pinned tang blades on his knives. :thumbup:

Doug
 
jdm61 said:
That walnut bowie is a gorgeous knife, but I have a question for you, Les and anyone else who wishes to chime in. I have heard a number of folks say that they would not buy a knife that does not have a handle pin or some other form of mechanical connection. Yet, I see the is knife and others like the big Crowell hunter that I own that have no pins. I also see anumber of knives, stag handled ones in particular, that have no pin, but merely a buttcap that is held in place by a brazed or soldered on bolt or piece of all thread buried in epoxy and not actually connected to the tang. What is your opinion on that issue?
Click to expand...

a few years ago i "disassembled" a MS's hunting knife. the pins were ordinary "male" and "female" screws (don't know the english term). of course the grooves were removed. the holes in the tang were much wider than the diameter of the "female" screw. the space was filled with A LOT of epoxy. obviously the "pins" were just there for aesthetics. to press the slabs against the tang while the epoxy is hardening you could also use a vice. i wasn't really impressed by that method, quite the reverse. that is why i love take-down knives so much: no epoxy, no pseudo-pins.

regards,
hans
 
Where did epoxy get such a bad rap? Every time you go out in most of the pleasure boats made totday, even a fair number of the woden ones, you are putting you life in the hands of epoxy, polyester or vinylester resin. Seems like some pretty stong stuff to me if used correctly. I think about Japanese swords being held together with a bamboo plug and wonder how much stronger that is than eopoxy, if at all?
 
Actually Joe, after having to take a handle off that I screwed up. No pins in it, just epoxy. I can say it is a very strong method of attachment if done correctly. I had to use a hammer and chisel, brute force, and blue language. With pins in about the same. The moden epoxies can be stronger than the wood. I usually put some knid of pin in because of customer preference and sometimes because of aesthetics. Sometimes the look of the pin or pins will balance out the look of the knife.
On japanese swords the pin is usually tapered somewhat so it acts like a wedge tightening the whole assembly when you push it or tap it in. Everything fits very tightly on the handle (tsuka) assembly and the pin serves to lock everything in place.

Regards
Brion Tomberlin
 
BRTATCK said:
Actually Joe, after having to take a handle off that I screwed up. No pins in it, just epoxy. I can say it is a very strong method of attachment if done correctly. I had to use a hammer and chisel, brute force, and blue language. With pins in about the same. The moden epoxies can be stronger than the wood. I usually put some knid of pin in because of customer preference and sometimes because of aesthetics. Sometimes the look of the pin or pins will balance out the look of the knife.
On japanese swords the pin is usually tapered somewhat so it acts like a wedge tightening the whole assembly when you push it or tap it in. Everything fits very tightly on the handle (tsuka) assembly and the pin serves to lock everything in place.

Regards
Brion Tomberlin
Click to expand...

I'm from the "old school" too in that I like a pin or some type of mechanical fastener, however the truth is that the "high tect" construction adhesives used these days are stronger that the wood/metal stud or masonry block they bond.
 
A pair from J.W. Randall (with more to follow):

Mosaic Damascus dragons with basket weave
9 1/2" English style bowie
Extended clip
Premium Walrus Ivory handle
File worked nickel silver fittings

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Raindrop Damascus Hunter
Stag handle, nickel silver guard

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VERY nice work J.W. - looking forward to the others.

Roger

P.S. - Brion - let's see yours! I heard rumblings about an interesting recurve.
 
Hello Roger and yes there are rumblings. You have been talking to someone. The recurve is not done yet, but close. I will get you a picture soon.

Brion
 
Here's a look at some terrific hunters, fighters and bowies that will grace the table of Tommy Gann, JS:

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Roger
 
Those are great Roger, thanks. The bottom piece is particularly lovely. Do you know what the fittings are?
 
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