Why are no custom Bowies Stainless?

Slider817

Slider817

Joined
Mar 26, 2010
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I geuss the title pretty much sums it up.I love the design and looks of classic Bowie knives, and I would love one to keep displayed on my desk, and maybe sum light BBQ duty, however I know that with fingerprints and grease and whatnot, those beutiful clean looks, and Hamons would get marred, for a collector, would people prefer a stainless knife? I would imagine a could custom order one, but I generally by off the shelf, if you know of any makers of classic Bowie knives that work in stainless please chime in.
 
There are plenty of stainless Bowies out there, mostly of the non-ABS variety. Here are three examples by Buster Warenski. Difficult to find one of these "off the shelf", however.

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RMLamey said:
because its not the way God wants it. :D
Click to expand...

"Tantum religio potuit suadere malorum"


For those who can't use Google well, the above translates as "So potent was religion in persuading to evil deeds" --(Lucretius)
 
Here are some amazing Bowies from the workshop of
a well known M.S., with blades made of 52100 steel...

All the best,
David Darom (ddd)

From my book "Tim Hancock The Western Bladesmith" (2009)
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And Here are some more of Tim's Bowies, in "plain" steel...
52100 steel and ATS-34...

All the best,
David Darom (ddd)

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"Quidquid Latine dictum sit, altum viditur." :D

A couple observations: there seems to be an expectation for custom bowies to be forged. There are few stainless steels that are forge-friendly. There are even fewer smiths interested in dealing with them.

You might also consider the stainless-clad work that seems to be gaining popularity. IMO it provides a good compromise and is beautiful to boot. My wife has a stainless-clad hocho that has lasted 15 years and easily outperforms all of our all-stainless cutlery.
 
Stainless !....Go wash your mouth out !!!!!


Bowies are big tough knives and deserve tough steel such 5160, S7 and 1095 !
 
I geuss I wanted the beSt of both worlds, that beutiful forged look, with a Hamon, and stainless. I really like some of Tims ATS work
 
Slider817 said:
I geuss I wanted the beSt of both worlds, that beutiful forged look, with a Hamon, and stainless. I really like some of Tims ATS work
Click to expand...

You want something from Burt Foster.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
I make them out of stainless every once in awhile, but you cannot get a hamon in an air hardening stainless blade. Well, I guess Phil Hartsfield did it somehow in A2 (not stainless but air hardening) but I think he used magic. ;)
 
don't all you guys use magic?
 
Phill did do magic and I can honestly say he new how to heat treat A2 like no other I have used some of his blades with only a minor touch up for years

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I am very impressed with the qualities of the laminated blade like the 2 of these

Foster

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Mirable

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