Stag Clam shell bowie {Big one for the OKCA show} Sheath pics added.

BenR.T.

BenR.T.

Tanto grinder & High performance blade peddler
Moderator
Joined
Apr 18, 2011
Messages
4,925
I have showed some work in progress pics on this one here...
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...A-2014-knives-(watcha-bringin)-WIP-pics-added
But I thought this knife deserved its own thread IMHO.
They are doing a bowie theme at this years OKCA show next week, so I thought I should do something nice. I was fortunate enough last year to bring home best bowie, and this will be my entry for this year.

It has a very nice piece of natural stag, with great color and texture. The fittings are blued mild steel and the spacers are copper.
OAL is 15 1/4. The blade is 9 3/4" and about .260" at the ricasso. It has a nice distal taper down to a fine point and balances right at the ricasso. The blade steel is 1075. I still need to make the sheath, hopefully I will have time next week.

Let me know what you all think. Any and all comments are welcome as always.
Thanks for looking!







Finished up the sheath this morning.
 
Last edited:
Great Job Ben. Hope I get to finger that one at the show. Will have to stop by this year. See ya next week.
 
I really like this one! I need to add a clamshell guarded stag-handled Bowie to my collection someday!
 
Dang Ben!
You are making some great looking knives.
I hope to see this and the others at the show next weekend.
 
Very clean and good looking Bowie. Stag's nice too. To my eye, the guard is slightly long but that's just my opinion. :thumbup::thumbup:
 
I agree that the guard seems a tiny bit too long, especially up top. That being said, this knife would look fabulous with my tiara:D
 
Lorien said:
I agree that the guard seems a tiny bit too long, especially up top. That being said, this knife would look fabulous with my tiara:D
Click to expand...

I think from a design perspective, the length is one of the most difficult aspects of creating a 'dead-on' shell guard. One too short can even look worst than one that's too long.
Kyle Royer is making me a shell guard bowie and we were just discussing the design and shell guard length the other day.
 
Lorien said:
I agree that the guard seems a tiny bit too long, especially up top. That being said, this knife would look fabulous with my tiara:D
Click to expand...

It needs more jewels on it for the Queen of Canada. :D

Kevin Jones said:
I think from a design perspective, the length is one of the most difficult aspects of creating a 'dead-on' shell guard. One too short can even look worst than one that's too long.
Kyle Royer is making me a shell guard bowie and we were just discussing the design and shell guard length the other day.
Click to expand...

As for as length goes on the guard. I am not sure if there is a traditional length/size that qualifies as a clam shell?
I agree Kevin, I have seen ones that are too short, that just doesn't look right.
I guess this one is more of an S guard with clam shells on it. :)


I do appreciate the input guys!
 
BenR.T. said:
As for as length goes on the guard. I am not sure if there is a traditional length/size that qualifies as a clam shell?
I agree Kevin, I have seen ones that are too short, that just doesn't look right.
I guess this one is more of an S guard with clam shells on it. :)
Click to expand...

I don't believe there is a traditional length/size either, that's what's make them so difficult. A size/length/shape clam shell guard that works on one knife may be totally wrong for the next.

I don't believe I've ever seen a shell guard that wasn't also some degree of a "S" shape. I may be wrong, but doubt it, as I don't think a 'straight' clam shell guard would be very appealing from an aesthetic perspective.
 
Nice one , Ben. Very tastefully done!:thumbup: Good luck at the show. So you've joined the gang of 1075? It's some great stuff.
 
Kevin Jones said:
I think from a design perspective, the length is one of the most difficult aspects of creating a 'dead-on' shell guard. One too short can even look worst than one that's too long.
Kyle Royer is making me a shell guard bowie and we were just discussing the design and shell guard length the other day.
Click to expand...

I draw tangential lines from various curves to find where things should end in space. Thinking from a mindset that concerns itself with negative space can be very helpful with things like guards, and with everything else.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top