Who can forge me a Bowie from 52100 steel?

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wildmike

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I'm looking for a maker who can forge me a Bowie knife of 52100 steel, preferably differntialy tempered.

Who does good work and is familiar with this material?
 
Steel isn't the first question you need to ask about - a lot of guys can forge 52100. Budget and delivery time will narrow down the list a lot more quickly for you.

Roger
 
wildmike said:
I'm looking for a maker who can forge me a Bowie knife of 52100 steel, preferably differntialy tempered.

Who does good work and is familiar with this material?
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Hi, My name is Serapião. I am a brazilian bladesmith.
This is my newest bowie. Made with 52100 steel, differntialy tempered, Distal Taper, 10.5 inches long, 8 mm, handler radica´s imbuia wood. Its a large Bowie.
Sheath with buffalo leather in-lay of ostrich leather. If you like is available.
Thanks for looking.

BowieVilariana6.jpg

BowieVilariana3.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e102/lcaserapiao
/BowieVilariana7.jpg
BowieVilariana5.jpg

BowieVilariana1.jpg

BowieVilariana4.jpg
 
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Oxforge.com

Charlie is a longtime Mastersmith, does great work and does a lot of 52100.

Tell him I sent you,

Pete
 
Your question asks "Who can "forge" me a Bowie from 52100 steel?"
But then you go on to say you want it "differentially tempered", which means not only "forged", but finish ground, hardened and tempered.
Do you mean you want the entire knife made?
Or just forged?
Be specific.
 
I read his post several times and didn't get the impression he was asking for just a blade. Course we don't sell just blades, so my interpretation of his post might have been swayed by how we do business. It just sounded like to me, that his first criteria was the steel type. Rodger's first criteria would be cost and delivery, then steel. Wildmike might not care about the cost or delivery time. I particularly like that kind of customer and there seems to be more and more of them out there. :D
 
Hmathews said:
I read his post several times and didn't get the impression he was asking for just a blade. Course we don't sell just blades, so my interpretation of his post might have been swayed by how we do business. It just sounded like to me, that his first criteria was the steel type. Rodger's first criteria would be cost and delivery, then steel. Wildmike might not care about the cost or delivery time. I particularly like that kind of customer and there seems to be more and more of them out there. :D
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I can well understand that a maker may like a customer that cares about neither cost nor delivery - a dream come true for sure. :)

My point was, if the only criterion advanced in support of a recommendation is a maker "who can forge me a bowie out of 52100" - well, that's going to be a list so long as to be meaningless. Ron Newton can forge him a bowie out of 52100. But if his budget is $500 and he wants the knife in a month, there's not much point in suggesting he contact Ron.

I'm not telling him what should be important to him. I'm suggesting the type of information that will help produce meaningful suggestions.

Roger
 
Rodger I agree. He has decided what kind of steel he wants. The way I interpreted the question was he was looking for a smith that used a lot of 52100 as opposed to someone like me that has used 52100 and has some in stock, but usually likes to use something else. Still got to narrow the choices down, but other than Charles Ox and Ed Fowler ( both great guys and both make a good knife) who are the smiths that use a lot of 52100? I don't know how to find that out other than to ask and here seems to be a good place to ask to me. I didn't mean to side track this. I just thought it was a fair question. I'll quit now.:D

Serapião that is a good looking knife!
 
Hmathews said:
Rodger I agree. He has decided what kind of steel he wants. The way I interpreted the question was he was looking for a smith that used a lot of 52100 as opposed to someone like me that has used 52100 and has some in stock, but usually likes to use something else. Still got to narrow the choices down, but other than Charles Ox and Ed Fowler ( both great guys and both make a good knife) who are the smiths that use a lot of 52100? I don't know how to find that out other than to ask and here seems to be a good place to ask to me. I didn't mean to side track this. I just thought it was a fair question. I'll quit now.:D

Serapião that is a good looking knife!
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Thank you Harry,

I do the best I can!
 
Good God gents!!

I did not intend that my question should generate such a controversy!

Obviously I want a whole knie made I state in the question "Who could forge me a bowie KNIFE"

While the budget does come into play it is not the only consideration. I am attempting to get the name of a few smiths who do quality work in this material, and who do a good job with the heat treat mentioned. That is to thin the herd you might say.

So to be more specific.

I would like a bowie made.
Blade to be 10 inches or so long and 1 1/2 to 1 3/4" wide. $-5" sharpened back clip.
Forged with a differential temper.
Hnadle of Black or Green canvas micarta, slb tang is great. But the handle design needs to be worked out with the maker.
I am NOT looking for a high polish art piece. I am wanting a good quality working knife.

I won't set a budget here due to the fact that pricing is not standard among makers.
Forge marks are to me desireable as well.

I have a picture of a bowie I currently have that I will email to a maker that give a better view of what I'm looking for, or rather to improve upon.

I like this material and it's performance and just want a bowie made of it.

I didn't mean to offend anyone.

Serapaio That is a lovely knife!

I hope the additional info helps. AV8 Thanks for the link.
 
Lcasperaio and Mr Richards, I have sent you both pictures.

Mr Fritz and Mr. Mathews I have sent you both emails requesting contact info.

Thanks for the replies folks.
 
Good God gents!!

I did not intend that my question should generate such a controversy!
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No controversy.....just guys talking knives. :D It's Friday! I really hope my comments did not offend anyone. They weren't intended to.

Good luck with your knife.
 
Hmathews said:
No controversy.....just guys talking knives. :D It's Friday! I really hope my comments did not offend anyone. They weren't intended to.

Good luck with your knife.
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None here - and no controversy that I could see, either.

Roger
 
When thinking of 52100, how in the world could I have forgotten Bill Burke? Actually, Bill would be my #1 recommendation.

Bill, that bowie looks outstanding.

Pete
 
I just ordered my first custom knife from J. Neilson - www.mountainhollow.net - he makes quite a few blades in 52100. The knife I'm waiting on is made from 52100 ball bearings and will have a forged finish. I think as you look around you'll find quite a few makers whose style is what you are already looking for. I suggest looking at the ABS website where they have a list of all ABS smiths and links to their websites.

Austin
 
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