THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE: 2017 Best Bowie Final Vote

Which Bowie Wins Your Vote For Best of 2017?

  • Franco

    Votes: 56 37.8%

  • Lurquin/Sobral

    Votes: 22 14.9%

  • Seward

    Votes: 26 17.6%

  • Sobral

    Votes: 17 11.5%

  • Quesenberry

    Votes: 27 18.2%
  • Total voters
    148
  • Poll closed .
Maybe I am grumpy lately but I'm not going to vote this year, I simply can't choose a favorite. I think the steel on the Franco is INSANE and gorgeous but can't say its my favorite knife as I am not sold on the handle proportions, based on the picture alone. However, i have never heard of him and I am very impressed. The Seward is the most practical, useable and fit to be carried which I like and its beautiful looking. I usually vote for fancy fancy but this one was close to getting my vote as I would love to hold it and swing it. The Quesenberry and Lurquin/CAS are very special knives that I am in awe of. I love Mikes bowies- all of them, but I can't afford a knife like this and for that kind of money I have a different taste in damascus pattern from the one on this knife. The CAS fighter is nice but not for me with the brute de forge look and I prefer many other of their beautiful knives.
 
Really tough choices but I went with Sobral, main reason is it just looks like a very No Nonsense type of bowie, and the grip looks more grippable to me than the others. Surprised that it hasn't garnered more votes, but then, I'm known for voting outside the box ;)

and yes kudos to Caleb on his photography, always like seeing his work too.
G2
 
Last edited:
My first time voting...I went for the Franco...

If I could own any one of the five, that’s the one I would choose...

Cheers/bg
 
My first time voting as well, my vote went to the Franco D guard Bowie. While it is amongst FINE competition it stands out in the crowd.

Personally the Seward Bowie speaks to me, and if I were to own one it is what I'm most drawn to.
 
The steel on the Franco just blew my mind and I really like the Quesenberry dogbone but since my first choice, the Regel frame handle wootz knife, didn't make the cut, I am going to have to go with the Seward. Long clip bowie with checkered wood handle? Reminds me of those unicorn checkered handle Moran ST-24's. Can't beat that.
 
I own the CAS Bowie and I voted for the Lurquin/CAS collab. The first time I saw that blade it blew me away. Exquisite in every way.
 
I went with the Franco. I liked the takedown bowie I posted more but his knives absolutely blew me away at Blade this year.

This was an incredibly hard choice but I feel every other maker on this list has their fair share of plaudits already.
 
Everything I have read that Roger has pointed out I agree with other than I still find my mind separating a Fighter from a Bowie. I know the contest says not to do that but the mind does have a mind of its own. I love the knife and would gladly have it part of my collection but every time I see the Franco, it just grabs me and I had to go with it. Again another piece that I would love to own. Many knives in this years entrees would be wonderful to handle on a daily basis but as they say, "there can only be ONE -- Yup! the Franco is the ONE!!
 
These final knives are truly stunning pieces, the skill of each maker is something to be very proud of and to choose only one winner has proved to be almost impossible. In the end it came down to which knife I would love to carry and use and it has to be the CAS Bowie, I fell in love with it the moment I saw it and that hasn't changed.
Best of luck to the five finalists and a Happy and healthy New Year to all on BF.

Steve
 
white tiger said:
These final knives are truly stunning pieces, the skill of each maker is something to be very proud of and to choose only one winner has proved to be almost impossible. In the end it came down to which knife I would love to carry and use and it has to be the CAS Bowie, I fell in love with it the moment I saw it and that hasn't changed.
Best of luck to the five finalists and a Happy and healthy New Year to all on BF.

Steve
Click to expand...
I was going to write that buy you already did so, and better. They are all amazing to look at, especially the steel on the Franco and Quesenberry, but the one I most want to hold and use is the Sobral
 
I voted for Dionatam Franco's masterful D-guard. The precision-forged mosaic damascus blade and fittings are a sight to behold, and great effort and care was taken to bring out the beauty of the pattern in the finish etch and polish. The tasteful gold inlays accent the stark contrasts of the steel and handle in a subtle, yet powerful manner. The overall lines, shapes and proportions are elegant and harmonious in ways that I find difficult to describe, but the way it all comes together for me makes this piece one of the most stunning expressions of cutlery art that I've ever seen.

The Lurquin/CAS collaboration is an incredibly bold piece with beautiful and aggressive styling all around, but I feel that the beauty of the blade could have been enhanced by a more refined finish. There's a wonderful shimmer in that steel just begging to come out, like a rough diamond before it's been fully polished. It came so close...

The Seward piece works on all fronts. Great lines, outstanding hamon, amazing checkering work and flawless fit and finish. Although it didn't get my vote this knife is a winner in every way and Ben's talent as a maker and artist is to be revered.

The Sobral piece is also a winner. Brilliant lines and proportions, awesome steel, outstanding finish-work and both fierce and purposeful in design. Nothing to be critical of in this knife whatsoever.

And the Quesenberry dogbone, is, well, a Quesenberry, which in our circles has come to mean refined, tasteful, and truly elevated work. Like all of Mike's knives this bowie is a wonder to behold; a true joy for any afficionado and a timeless inspiration for any maker. It was exceptionally difficult not to vote for this knife, but as the title of this thread states, there can only be one.

Thanks to Roger and Lorien for putting this all together, thanks to the great photographers for capturing the beauty of these pieces, thanks to the collectors and enthusiasts for fueling our collective passion, and thanks of course to the exceptionally talented makers who made these knives a reality. It's an amazing time to be a part of this community!
 
Last edited:
I went with the Quesenberry, because no matter how you look at it, that handle, to do "correctly" takes MORE work than making the damascus, and crafting the blade.

Mike makes just about everything "LOOK" easy....but it isn't. Dogbone bowies (not my favorite style, either, don't own any) are a tour de force in any maker's body of work. So that's why I voted like I did....the compelling blade steel is the cherry on top. I've also handled Dogbones by Mike before, and the are sharp, pointy, fast and light. Not often the case.

The Franco gets my # 2 vote, and the Seward # 3.

I dislike D-guards MORE than dogbones, and while the blade is highly complex, I feel the handle needed "more" to complement it.

The Seward is lovely and the one knife of the three I could see myself owning, but compared to the other two is simply not as complex.

Happy New Year and

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Some really nice work exhibited...I'm honored to be in such company:)
I love Sam's handle work on the CAS / Lurquin Collab. So much to like here and no surprise that it took best in show at BLADE.
Mike Quesenberry's work with the Dog bone handle is nothing short if masterfull.
The CAS bowie has great line and flow, exceptional steel and is definitely a Bowie you could use!
That Seward knife isn't bad but it ain't a Bowie!;)
Had to go with Franco...impeccable workmanship, stunning steel and as Bowie as it gets!
 
It's a COWBOY bowie. ;) But seriously. Bill Moran said that the inspiration for the ST24 came from a long clip Sheffield bowie. so bowie enuff for me. :D
Ben Seward said:
That Seward knife isn't bad but it ain't a Bowie!;)
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top