X-Rhea Bowie

L

lwrhea

Joined
May 24, 2005
Messages
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I've been playing with a design concept that was inspired by some old blacksmithing techniques. Some wont like it but it has merits under some circumstances. It requires a lot from the smith to get everything in the right place first before making the last folds and attachment. Dudley gave me the idea for the name commenting that it looks like an X-ray. You can see through it.:)


I forge the handle band first, getting the curves and the pommel profiled from top view, Then I prepare the rivet, and lastly I forge the blade. A lot of checking and re checking goes on before re heating for the final fitting of the integral rivet. The handle profile will have to be tweaked and then comes the grinding and heat treat.



It's as much of a forging exercise as anything. It feels very good in the hand. Of course there has to be some sanding or filing to smooth the corners but it seems to work very well. This is not a finely finished show piece but it is one to take to the woods and not be afraid to scratch it. It will also give Rambo another option so he wont have to tape up his handle. Although, this would work very well with a cord wrap.
 
I dig it.
 
Cool as hell. Very innovative. It's the kind of piece I'd like to have for those two reasons alone. Not sure how many 2 by 4s I'd like to chop through with that handle, though.
 
I like it. From what I can see the handle looks co for table & as u stated with cord wrap, u could store some "goodies" inside the wrapping. Nice blacksmithing g, maybe some in action photos in not too distant future. Thank you
 
Your forging skills are impressive indeed Lin. Very novel idea. I like it.
 
Very unique. Really like the blade and handle profiles, as well as the grind lines. Nice clean design, in my opinion.
Any chance of a few more details on the integral rivet? If I'm permitted to ask the maybe obvious, but uneducated question - the upper part of the handle is forge welded into the blade's tang and the lower part is where the integral rivet from the blade goes through the handle and is forge welded? Thank you. Mike
 
Lin I think it is very cool its that type of outside the box thinking that keeps this craft alive and moving forward you could put a cord wrap but that would just hide the beautiful forging. I hope you have it in little rock so I can get my paw on it.
 
Agree about very cool.
Edit: Answered my own question.

Doug
 
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Thanks guys.

Mike157, This is all one piece of steel. In this case, it's 80crv2 steel. Here are some development photos that will give you the general idea of how I forged it. The rivet is filed into shape although the heating will allow the shoulders and the handle/guard to mate up in the peening of the head. Very light hammer blows at this stage. Lots of tweaking.







 
Very unique. I love the old world appeal And craftsmanship. This takes the forged blade to a higher level in my opinion. Sure it's not what we usually see in this forum, but that's what makes this piece so great.

Chris
 
Amazing. Thank you for the additional photos and explanation Lin. It is appreciated. I could look at these photos all day long. It's so fascinating to see it go from the glowing hot stage to the finished piece with such creativity and skill. Mike
 
I love all the fancy big bowies people make and they ARE amazing.


But nothing's blown me away in a bowie like this one has in a long time.

Wonderful work mr Rhea.
 
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