Well Hell's Bells......Papa's got a brand new Bag!

[VML]

Here's my July Christmas, my second Bagwell Bowie and my first Hell's Belle. When Mr. Bagwell and I were discussing my first knife, he mentioned that it was common for his customers to wind up with two. I didn't think much about it at the time, but it turned out to be true. Most of the days of the last five weeks in North Texas have been over 100 degrees F and I am grateful to Bill for hammering this one out under those conditions. I am fond of history and wanted a period look to this piece so Bill suggested a Hell's Belle with a shell motif to the quillions. It is a perfect touch to this bowie. Bill has only made one other with shell quillions and this is the only one with a damascus blade. The pattern in the damascus reminds me of curls of billowing smoke. I don't have to say how balanced and lively Bill's knives are in the hand to anyone who has held or manipulated one. He also has a knack for picking a piece of stag that fits the hand like it was custom molded. There's a bend in the stag in just the right spot so that when I close my hand on the grip, the blade and edge index perfectly. My first Bagwell, with the file work on the guard, is in the last two photos. The hawks were made by an Amish blacksmith in Ohio who hammers them out of buggy spring steel. As the Amish eschew modern technology like email and telephones, I communicated the details of the order through a non-Amish friend of his who would visit him in person.

I have always wanted one of Mr. Bagwell's knives since they were $100/blade inch back in the eighties, which was before I could manage it, but have treated myself in recent years. These are among my favorite material things in life - they bond to one in a very primal way.

 

[Keith Montgomery]

Both of those are outstanding knives.

 

[OldPhysics]

Beautiful examples of his work. You've got taste!:thumbup:

 

[Kevin Jones]

I really like the Shell motif and additionally that Bill carried it onto the sheath frog as well. Congrats on a fine knife.

But I have perhaps a stupid question?

What other than the guard distinguishes the Hell's Bell from the Bagwell Bowie?

Seems the HB is made in a variety of handle shapes and slightly different blade shapes. Custom made for the individual customer's size/build etc, I'm told?

I have handled a couple HBs but don't know that I have handled one of Bill's standard Bowies.

Cool hawks, by the way.

 

[VML]

I don't consider myself an authority on the subject, but will do my best. The design of the Hell's Bell is purely for fighting and the design elements that reflect this are the trapping guard and the quicker and more slender blade profile. I would welcome other input.

 

[crossada]

those are outstanding!

I just sent payment this week on my second HB too so i should have it to post pics of really soon I went with the African blackwood handle again because it just works so well for what i wanted. I feel the stag handles though look the best.

 

[Jos]

Nice Bowies. Those 'hawks look very nice too!

Kind regards,

Jos

 

[MARSUS]

They are very beautiful,the charm of Bagwell knives is irresistible:thumbup:

 

[Doug C]

Two beautiful Bagwell's.
Well done. :thumbup:

Doug
ps nice hawks, too.

 

[stabber]

Great score!! Awesome Bowie:thumbup:

 

[JParanee]

You have got two fine bowies there and I am sure you are very pleased. I know I would be. Kevin is right it was very cool to carry the shell theme over two the sheath stud . Very nice touch.

As I always say I truly believe Bill is doing the best work of his life and really seems to be in the zone right now.

Bill mentioned things to me and kinda kept me posted and you are right it is hot as hell in his forge room and pounding out this stuff has gotta be tough.

Manny your description of a HB vs a regular Bagwell bowie pretty much sums it up . Although a regular Bowie from Bill is slightly wider and lends itself better to all around work chopping and such they are still as good as you can get in a fighting bowie. An HB is a little more purpose driven balanced a bit different and with the C guard and sometimes the spanish notch that is about all that is different to the eye but they have a faster feel to them and aquire point a bit different among some other things.

From my understanding Bill primarily did most HB's with a coffin or birds head but the stag ones are getting very popular. Bill still recommends a coffin for an HB.

Great knives congrats


Crossada looking forward to seeing your new blade.

I have pics of the largest HB Bill has ever done when I get time I will post them up. It was made for one of Bill's friends who is a long time customer.

 

[VML]

I have pics of the largest HB Bill has ever done when I get time I will post them up. It was made for one of Bill's friends who is a long time customer.

Thanks for the kind words Joe and everyone else. Bill has mentioned the big one to me, made as a favor to his longtime customer and friend. I would love to see it.

Manny