Type of Bowie guard?

Clydetz

Clydetz

Joined
Dec 1, 2001
Messages
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My bills are almost all paid & I'm ready to start drawing up some plans for a custom Bowie to be made by my friendly knifemaker in the year 2003! Just looking for some input on a guard - there are a load to look at out there! Take a look at my crude illustration & let me know your preference. What is your preference for guard metal - brass, nickel silver or ????
 
A

Oops...I forgot to list the material; stainless (440C) steel.
 
Personally I like B and F in nickel silver. But it would depend on the blade design of course. Make sure to post some pics when the day comes where this baby is reality
 
I like F the best in a classic Bowie...:D

Of course the blade lengh and steel would decide what metal to use for the gaurd...
 
Thanks for the input, guys! I've got a drawing almost done using (B) guard in nickel silver but a lot goes on between my ideas and the knifemakers input & ideas. Still a long way to go before I submit my drawing to the experienced maker!

TheBadGuy - If I get a chance to 'snap' a pix of whatever drawing I get done, I'll post it here for what the finished knife might look like or at least what it looks like on paper!
 
My preference is for A and F. I also like a blade-catcher guard like C, except I like it to curve towards the tip rather than to have a right angle bend like the one pictured.
 
OK, seems like most of you guys like (F) as a guard. I still prefer (B) as something a little different, but I definitely know (F) will be my 2nd choice; thanks to all! Here's a rundown of my possible specs. for my proposed Bowie:

Blade:Forged O-1; 10" in length; 2" wide; 3/16" thick; satin finish; false edge
Guard: nickel silver
Handle: 5 3/4"; crown stag with embedded pop-out 1907 50 cent piece in butt; 2 - brass spacers; 2 - water buffalo spacers; thin nickel silver spacer; 2 - 1/4" brass mosaic pins

Just to let you know - the pop-out coin was something I found while cleaning out a 'junk' drawer & when I sent a picture of it to the knifemaker, he suggested: "Bowie time!" The 'idea' was born, so now I'll have to see if we can get it to reality!

Here's what the pop-out coin looks like:
 
Well, I got it on paper - what do you think?

(edited- sorry for the crummy pix; didn't realize it was so toned?)
 
I think it looks really good. I am not sure, but I think I would like it better with a little more width to the handle. That is a big knife and for me the handle looks just a little too slim. I suppose the diameter of the piece of crown stag will determine the final size of the handle.

I think that the two brass and two buffalo horn spacers are going to add greatly to the overall look of this knife and I think that fifty cent piece is a real nice touch.
 
Thanks, Keith! The handle at the guard is (on the drawing) about 1 3/16" wide & the blade is about 1 3/4" wide, but like you said - actual width depends on the piece of crown stag. I'm choosing brass spacers & brass mosaic pins to tie in with the golden color of the coin in the butt. I'm not sure, but this coin may have been brass or gold plated?
 
Looks really good to me, I hope we get to see it when it's done. Thanks

(Oopps, edited to remove question where the answer is right in front of me)
 
Hey that looks really good. I especially like the way the blade flows into the handle.
You're rendering makes me think that design would be equally as nice with Ivory or Bone as well.
The next thing I'd do is cut it out of some fome-core or a couple of layers of cardboard.

Designing you're own knife is almost as good as it gets!
 
Well it's a bit late, but I'd say F to, guard materials.... I don't quite know. Sometimes brass contrast well, sometimes it doesn't.
 
TheBadGuy - I'm sure I'll get some pixs taken when it's done but that might not be for 6 months or more!

Ebbtide - Ivory or bone - hhhmmmm - This might be the knife I get some scrimshaw work done! I don't know what my cost is going to be for this knife but now you've just really increased it! Your right about designing your own knife! I enjoy coming up with an idea & getting it on paper then change this, change that, what if this was done, etc. Still rely on the craftsman's experience for the final outcome.

calyth - Better late than never; I appreciate the input. I leave a lot up to the knife maker; my drawing is just to get an idea down on paper. From there we come up with more ideas! I wouldn't be surprised if I wind up with a guard like (F) since the majority seem to prefer it & it does flow well!
 
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