Terry Vandeventer Shell Guard Bowie

HTMD

HTMD

Joined
Feb 15, 2002
Messages
1,705
Terry Vandeventer MS (Jackson, Mississippi) is a dude you can't just sum up in a sentence or two. He's a heck of a knife maker who takes the forged blade, sole author path. He's exacting by nature and sets an incredibly high standard for his knives (and his sheaths - also excellent in every way). He's smart and has a beautiful wife. He's a big-time snake guru - a muckity-muck in the academic herpetology world - 50 years and many intense field expeditions in far-flung places. Terry is a natural teacher too. He can't talk and not explain things. Terry was one of the invited makers at the Jerry Fisk Micro-Show in October. That's where I got lucky and was drawn for this knife:

orig.jpg


OAL 12 in., blade 7 7/16 in.
1084 and 15n20 feather-pattern welded steel blade
Mammoth ivory scales over interframe handle
Fittings are damascus but for two silicone bronze liners
The sheath, not shown above (but I'll shoot it later and post it in this thread), is deer skin lined with farm-raised Nile Crocodile inlay.
The guard is a bit unusual and I was unsure how I would like it over time. The real surprise, after living with it for a while, is how perfectly it works with the hand, thumb and fore-finger to guarantee a comfortable, safe and secure grip under using conditions. There's a little extra protection afforded by this guard and a nice confidence bump when handling the knife.
 
That is beautiful. Personally, from an aesthetic standpoint, I like the guard very much. And it does look like the guard would work "right" in the hand.

How does the handle feel? I don't have any knives where the handle has that kind of profile.

Congratulations!
 
That knife is classic Terry - I'd spot it for his without a label of any kind. And it's a beauty. Congrats Buddy, and thanks for the quality look.
 
Beautiful knife, indeed! Fantastic damascus, amazing Ivory!

Kind regards,

Jos
 
AWESOME Buddy. CONGRATS!!

I've had the opportunity to handle some of Terry's knives and he does top level work consistently.

Peter
 
Beautiful feather blade, and some fantastic Mammoth in a perfectly fashioned frame handle.

Vintage Vandeventer, and you can't say better.

John
 
This is possibly the finest bowie I've looked at for awhile. The ultra fine feather and swelled framed handle really takes to to another level. Its a candidate for the 2012 Best Bowie award.
 
Thanks guys! I know Terry will appreciate your comments. Here's a shot of the sheath with the knife not secured. If you're me you better remember that when you go to pick it up off the shooting table. ;)

orig.jpg
 
I love the knife alone, but especially love it with the sheath!

The details are fantastic!

Steve
---------
Potomac Forge
W.F. Moran Jr. Museum & Foundation
 
Together with Terry's MOP handled SF Bowie (the one with the cross on the handle) this is my favourite of his!! Great package!! You did good Buddy.

Marcel
 
One of the best things a REALLY good knife includes, is interest on every single surface and material.

Check.

You have to study this knife, not just admire it. Well done.

Congrats, Buddy! Wonderful, Terry!

Coop
 
Thanks guys. And a special thanks to Buddy! That piece was really a pleasure to make and I was truly joyed to see Buddy get it at Jerry's show. I have another virtually identical blade forged from the very same feather billet. Don't know how I'll haft it yet but I hope to have it at the Little Rock show in February.

Again, thanks Buddy and I'm so pleased that y'all enjoyed his post.

Cheers,

TV

Terry L. Vandeventer
ABS MS
 
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