Stacked Leather Bowie

Will Morrison · Jul 2, 2015

Just got this one finished up today.

I was inspired to make a leather handled Bowie after seeing this excellent piece by Stuart Branson: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1244477-Bowie-with-Stacked-Leather-Handle I've had it as my desktop background for months. Glad to finally have it out of my system!

This was my first time doing a buttcap, and I owe my thanks to Shawn McIntyre MS for his help with that part of the process. Thanks Shawn!

The blade is 80CRV2, 12" long, and 15/64" thick at the ricasso. Handle is stacked leather, with 416 stainless guard and buttcap. Overall length is 17 3/8".

Milan Mozolic · Jul 2, 2015

Really nice and clean work Will !

Karl B. Andersen · Jul 2, 2015

Sweet Bowie. Ya' done good. :thumbup: :thumbup:

David Stifle · Jul 2, 2015

I like it!

hardingknives · Jul 2, 2015

OUTSTANDING! Great piece

RogerP · Jul 2, 2015

That's a very sleek and handsome blade. Finish looks immaculate.

john april · Jul 2, 2015

impressive guard / blade joint !

lwrhea · Jul 2, 2015

That's very fine work. It hides nothing and has nothing to hide.

i4Marc · Jul 2, 2015

Beautiful. I don't know why more people don't do stacked leather. It's so handsome.

CaptainPicardX · Jul 2, 2015

Im not a huge fan of stacked leather.. but that looks like a great fighter bowie.. or even a pig sticker

Del Raso Knives · Jul 2, 2015

Very cool Will, super clean work. Those monster hands if your make it look smaller than it is.

wdtorque · Jul 2, 2015

Lovely.

Omega Leather Works · Jul 3, 2015

Oh that's just beautiful.

I have a couple of questions.

Is it sharpened?

How did you finish the stack? CA maybe?

Will Morrison · Jul 3, 2015

Thanks for the comments guys!

Omega Leather Works said:
Oh that's just beautiful.

I have a couple of questions.

Is it sharpened?

How did you finish the stack? CA maybe?

Thank you!

The blade is not sharpened in these photos.

I finished the leather by first sanding to about 800 grit, then coating with danish oil. Once the oil had soaked in and dried I re-sanded the whole thing with 800 grit again. I find that the leather cuts more consistently, and to a finer finish when it's slightly 'hardened' by the oil. The last step is a coat of renaissance wax and hand buff. I've never tried it, but I don't like the idea of hard coatings like CA on leather (or wood); I'd hate to lose that leather feel.

David Stifle · Jul 3, 2015

Will, the idea of hard coatings is to waterproof the leather. It's a soft, absorbent material that readily soaks up water. I'm not sure wax will be sufficient.

Omega Leather Works · Jul 3, 2015

Thanks for the reply. I case, then compress, the leather. Very tough to cut after.

Again, beautiful work.

Dawkind · Jul 3, 2015

Great job my friend....I know the knife well.

Toni Oostendorp · Jul 8, 2015

Very nice

gregorio · Jul 8, 2015

That is a great looking knife.

2knife · Jul 8, 2015

Looks amazing! Some makers are starting to stabilize leather. Anyone heard of this?
David