Ways to improve on the Bagwell design?

tallwingedgoat

tallwingedgoat

Joined
Jan 13, 1999
Messages
1,422
I am impressed with the Bagwell Hellsbelle. Is this the pinnacle of fighting bowie design, or can you think of ways to make it better?
 
Yeah, the gaurd needs work. This is an area where most every knife fails to meet my requirements.

The corners on the underside of the gaurd should be rounded off, and the handle and gaurd should flow together smoothly, like on a Project 1, instead of meeting at right angles.

You can strike from the saber grip more powerfuly with less unpleasantness with that sort of gaurd. Gaurds that meet the handle at right angles are best used with a hammer grip.
 
Remember that they're trying to combine "old time traditional looks" with serious combat effectiveness.

I don't know of *any* pieces in that price range that do such a combination as well...for that alone, they should be viewed as a startling success.

Jim
 
I for one would like to see the price of the Ontario come down. I have a difficult time paying $200+ for a factory production blade. Until then, my Frontiersman does well. Maybe after the newness wears off, the price will be more reasonable. _Brian
 
Schlager & Bob, do you have the frontiersman? If so what are your thoughts? Looks like it may be worth the $50 to keep in the camping "chop" box. A review maybe?
 
caution: off topic

tallwingedgoat? whats your nic's origin?

the coast guard used to fly a high wing airplane everyone called the goat.

any connection?

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'Till next time,
Rich the kite guy



[This message has been edited by TheBeak (edited 18 October 1999).]
 
and boom, with that piece of off topic junk post, i step to the mysterious relm of senior member.

life's a funny thing.

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'Till next time,
Rich the kite guy
 
Beak,

Nah, it's just a poor joke on my Chinese name that became permenant.

Congrats on becoming a senior member. Did Mike mail you the keys to the club house yet? Help yourself to the wine and women.


Richard
 
Suppose Bill Bagwell tells you to make any modification you wish upon the Hellsbelle, what would you change?

Longer back edge? Different handle? (Gasp) Subhilt?

The observation about the guard is interesting BTW.
 
Ebbtide,
I find my Frontiersman to do the defensive operations I might need. I've not had any training in the use of blade catchers, or notch work, so at this time, its not important to me. One of these days after a Riddle, I might be able to begin training myself to use an offensive guard, but that will be difficult without a partner.

I've held the Ontario Belle. It feels more solid, and the balanced but increased weight should make deeper cuts than the Frontiersman.

I've had the honor of fondling Mike Sastre's Bagwell Belle, and I have envy and lust rising in my soul.

Please understand; I'm not cheap, but I'm Scottish so I'm thrifty. There are some things I want and can pay for, but won't buy just to hang on the wall.

Besides, the market is due for a correction, and I'll be going shopping! -Brian
 
Thanx Schlager. Looks like it is an option, (after the NYC show). BTW I'm of German descent & my Mom always said "We are not cheap, we are frugal" Thanx again.

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Can it core a apple?
 
Ebbtide,
I don't think the Frontiersman will core AN apple, but I'm sure it will core two - half apples. ;-) -Brian
 
Do we really need the spanish notch/ blade catcher (whatever) or is it just a stress riser?
 
Ebbtide,

I too have a bit of Scottish blood, so the Frontiersman made perfect sense to me. No testing or using, since all my knife fighting is done with trainers so far. Ask Don Rearic about the back cut accident one of his friends/acquitances had. I'll stick with trainers for now and just admire the real steel. I do like the feel and balance of the Frontiersman, but haven't held the Ontario Belle.

Even at $45, I wouldn't buy a fighting knife unless I held it first. Since I found mine at a knife & gun show and AMH Cutlery was offering it for a really decent price (with shipping I don't think you can find it for less than $45), it was a must buy once I had held it.
 
Do you mean the Ontario version, or the actual Bagwell?

For an actual Bagwell, you might use a more ergonomic handle and stronger, more aesthetic guards.

fb5_1.jpg


For the Ontario Helles Belle, you could make the clip longer to reduce the blade weight and bring the balance back into nuetral.
 
Like Steve, I was a little surprised at the balance of the Ontarios given the rave reviews here. I found it a little too blade-heavy, not as quick in teh hand as I'd like or expected in a purpose-built fighter. Steve's got an Ernest Mayer bowie that absolutely blows away the Ontario HB on balance.

Also like Steve, I also might want to goof around with the handle a bit.

Joe
 
I agree for about fondling before buying, not always possible though. I'm hoping my local guy (who carries alot of ontario's) gets one in...but then again for $50 it might be worth a mail order risk (after the NYC show, of course). as far as coring apples goes...Aren't there any "Honeymooners" fans out there? Or is it a NY kinda thing? Tahnx for your feedback.

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Can it core a apple?
 
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