Wild Bill Caldwell?

Joss

Joss

Joined
Nov 20, 2001
Messages
7,351
Hi,

Who is / was Wild Bill Caldwell? I've seen pics of his fighting bowies inn POI and the annual knife books, but I haven't ran across his name elsewhere.

Thanks,

JD
 
Don't know a thing about him other than that he is still around, as far as I know. His contact info is in the latest Knives annual.


Edited because I couldn't understand what I posted.
 
Wild Bill is a blacksmith, welder, knifemaker, gunsmith, and former Airborne Vietnam Vet.

He is a neat guy who rarely makes a knife these days, rather he has focused on high-end gunsmithing.

I have several of his knives and they are pretty well done.
He is famous for unsually tough forged knives and "million layer Damascus". Here is his email address.

wildbillcaldwell@worldnet.att.net
 
Joss,
Bill is a good friend,a Christian & one of the BEST knifemakers there is! People talk about Bagwell's bowies! Patooey I'll take Wild Bill's hands down,not even close, in my opinion!Been fortunate enough to handle both!If you ever handle one you will know what I mean!!
jim
 
Kukri,
The problem is actually getting a knife from Bill that costs less than a car.
If you know what I mean
 
A,
I have one,Combat Folder Purpleheart,instead of Ironwood & yes a
million layers!A M/A friend saw it said "THAT'S A Caldwell",may I see it!His wife said why is that so special??He said You can shave iron bars with this!! People have tried to buy it!No way! Had a collector say,but it isn't fancy,why would someone offer THAT MUCH $$$!:D
jim
 
For what it's worth, you can shave iron bars with a lot of well heat treated blades. But I get the point. In any case, his knives are really nice looking. How much do they cost (as a range) for a damascus bowie?

BTW, I'm not sure I get the point about the million layers. What is the big thing about it? Unless I'm missing something, it's just a billet that was folded 17 times (assuming 7 layers at first.)
 
Joss, your basically not going to get one of Bills knives unless he starts making again. He has been doing more pistolsmithing than knifemaking the past few years. In the past he has made some really nice knives, especially fighters and bowies. Some of his damascus patterns were extremely striking, and among the best 20 years ago.

There were some nice pictures over on pistolsmith.com but i cant find them. Some one watching this thread may have downloaded them, perhaps some one can post some pics.
 
Here is a pic of a nice crown stag Caldwell bowie.

And, no, I don't own this one. Wish I did, but I'd have to sell my car to get it! :)
 
Originally posted by MtMike
Thanks Danbo, but I don't understand - you can't ride a bike? :D
Mike
Click to expand...

Don't give him ideas.., it's the 10th now and Danbo hasn't responded so he may be peddling around with that Bowie... :)


"Hunters seek what they [WANT].., Seekers hunt what they [NEED]"
 
....hmmmmm -- peddle a bike and buy a Caldwell Bowie, or pay $2+ a gallon for gas --- tuff question :D
Mike
 
Guys,
Forgot to mention ,regarding Wild Bill, he tought his wife how to make knives!! She makes a very fine knife! Saw some knives she made at the Fl.Everglades City Outing,if I had not been broke 2 of them would be mine now!!
jim:D
 
No, that's not him. I knew wild bill briefly. Lost track of him after moving from Louisiana in 2009. Have a Loveless repro from him that was a forged hollow grind hunting knife out of that british tool steel he liked.
 
Thanks. I suppose it's not completely crazy for someone named Bill to be known as Wild Bill, but still...
 
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