Stacked Leather Bowie

[Will Morrison]

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]

Really nice and clean work Will !

 

[Karl B. Andersen]

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

 

[David Stifle]

I like it!

 

[hardingknives]

OUTSTANDING! Great piece

 

[RogerP]

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

 

[john april]

impressive guard / blade joint !

 

[lwrhea]

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

 

[i4Marc]

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

 

[CaptainPicardX]

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

 

[Del Raso Knives]

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

 

[wdtorque]

Lovely.

 

[Omega Leather Works]

Oh that's just beautiful.

I have a couple of questions.

Is it sharpened?

How did you finish the stack? CA maybe?

 

[Will Morrison]

Thanks for the comments guys!

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]

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]

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

Again, beautiful work.

 

[Dawkind]

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

 

[Toni Oostendorp]

Very nice

 

[gregorio]

That is a great looking knife.

 

[2knife]

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