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Post by Mr.Wallace on Jul 2, 2012 6:39:16 GMT
Since I'm excited, I figured I'd start a thread about a Bowie that technically doesn't exist yet. I sent a deposit for a new custom from Dan Brock at plowshare forge Friday. I like his style, it suited the image in my head for this knife perfectly. I've asked for a roughly 13" blade (long knife, or short sword?) with a coffin shaped guard, a 7"purple heart handle that curves away from the point and a large round pommel. The guard and pommel, to quote Dan, will be made from "gen-yu-ine Civil War era wrought-iron." The blade will look very similar to the Musso with a slightly longer clip and a bit more belly and a forge scale finish. Given the price quoted for a complete custom, hand forged knife, I can say that excited is an understatement. This post is probably a little premature, but I value your collevtive opinions, and it'll be a great place to post updates (since I don't social network.) www.plowshareforge.com/
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Post by Adrian Jordan on Jul 2, 2012 21:57:15 GMT
Ohhhh, man. I love Bowie knives like no other. I can't wait to see how it comes out.
P.S. The prices on that site look fantastic.
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Post by Mr.Wallace on Jul 2, 2012 23:50:26 GMT
I've all ways wanted a bowie that was a little oversized, just for fun. I really appreciate the rough shod look a lot of historic examples had, and when I stumbled across Dan's site I was practically tripping over myself to throw money at him. His methodology is sound; he builds users, not something for the tables at Blade. Add in my own personal flair and boom, a bit of magic. I've heard his angles aren't all ways the most clean, and most don't like the rough finish, but that was part of the appeal for me. I think this is as close as you can get to commissioning a black smith in the 19th century to build you a knife.
Couple that with the fact that I'm saving all most a bill on the Imperial Musso, it would take a lot of effort to disappoint me. Plus, after watching The Grey, it's clear to me that I need a line of defense in case of wolves. Or bears, depending.
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Post by Adrian Jordan on Jul 3, 2012 0:13:24 GMT
Hahaha, totally. Wolves and Bears are terrified of Bowies, that a scientific fact.
His Confederate D-Guard Bowie looks fantastic. I wish he had the stats and a price listed for it.
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Post by Mr.Wallace on Jul 3, 2012 0:25:40 GMT
I'd prefer a Falchion for bears, but that's not nearly as practical as a 13"x2 5/8" bowie...I think?...
You should shoot him an email, I doubt he'd mind giving you a quote, and I doubt you won't like it.
Oh yea, and is it just me, our is the naval boarding axe amazing? Indispensable for the serious bear duelist, I think.
Ok, one last edit...it's been two days and he's all ready working on my blade. Talk about a quick turn around, sweet.
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Post by randomnobody on Jul 3, 2012 3:14:45 GMT
Some really neat looking stuff there. Not my personal cuppa, I'm rather "over" oversized bowie-types, but for the historical perspective this is some great stuff. Thanks for sharing the find, eager to see how yours comes up.
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Post by Mr.Wallace on Jul 3, 2012 3:56:58 GMT
I know what you mean random, I thought I'd outgrown that aspect of my collecting as well. Then I randomly saw an image of a bowie, and randomly decided that I need a bigun'. Not exactly ideal for EDC, but it should make a good truck knife. Plus, I've wanted something done in purpleheart for, oh...5 years now? I don't even know why. I couldn't be happier at this moment though.
What ever the reason I decided, it can't be any more impractical than a sword. I'll update with pictures when they're provided, all though at this rate he'll finish before it's needed.
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Post by Mr.Wallace on Jul 7, 2012 4:46:38 GMT
All right, I don't have a picture update, and I'm really fighting the urge to email him. I don't want to pester the guy, but I'm so excited that I had to type it down some where and express it to some one. Que my old blade buddies (that's you, play along.)
I'm very excited about this knife. Whew, much better.
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Post by Adrian Jordan on Jul 8, 2012 2:53:34 GMT
I hear you. That is one aspect of custom work that would get to me. It's to your specifications, but then you have to wait! Bowie's are my favorite fixed blade type, by far. Very far. I like a reasonable sized Bowie. I wouldn't want a massive, 18" long 3" thick monster, but a 10" to 12" blade is just right. Having said that, I like a small, slim and light EDC blade to carry. Keep with it, Mr.Wallace. share pictures when you get it!
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Post by Mr.Wallace on Jul 8, 2012 6:04:34 GMT
The wait can be a killer, believe me. I knawed through the bit about 4 days after placing the order officially. I'm trying to keep my mind off of it instead, but it's hard to say the least.
Bowies are far and away my favorite as well. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate a well forged Tanto, or an overbuilt camp knife, but a well built and balanced Bowie is practically the stuff of legends. For general use, I think I'd really like a simple 3.5" fixed blade with a nice, slim Kydex sheath. Full saber grind, nothing special. Maybe a thumb stud along the spine.
For a full blown Zombie Attack, rabid wolves, or hungry bears (or Zombified Rabid Hungry Wolf-Bears, if I'm feeling lucky) I'm grabing this knife. Just an impractical child hood dream, a throwback to when 3' of pine = excalibur, and bigger really was better. Practicality is for chumps and the dull, my mama used to say.
I'll be sure to update when theres more to discuss, or discuss more when I don't have an update. Which ever comes first.
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Post by Rabel Dusk on Jul 8, 2012 23:20:30 GMT
A few years ago Dan Brock made me a custom variation on a WWII theatre made D-guard knife. It turned out very well and didn't cost that much.
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Post by Mr.Wallace on Jul 9, 2012 6:18:52 GMT
Sweet. Do you still have it? Pics > words.
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Post by Mr.Wallace on Jul 17, 2012 3:13:00 GMT
The wait is killing me, and I only placed my order on the 29th. I'm normally very patient, but when it comes to blades I revert to a 12 year olds tolerance for waiting. Then I stumbled across this (the post on the 12th.) plowshareforge.blogspot.com/Mines going to be even cooler, no less. Do want.
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Post by Adrian Jordan on Aug 12, 2012 5:48:38 GMT
Any updates?
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Post by Mr.Wallace on Aug 19, 2012 18:13:45 GMT
Yes, I did recently get my first picture update. For some odd reason, I can't seem to download the picture from the email in order to upload it to facebook. I think it's a security setting, but I can't figure it out. Just as well, it's still very roughly forged at the moment. In a week or two, it will look amazing.
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Post by Adrian Jordan on Aug 19, 2012 19:07:25 GMT
Sweet.
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Post by frankthebunny on Aug 19, 2012 19:57:54 GMT
I took a look through Dan's offerings and I really like the rustic homemade look. I'm digging the rifleman's knife as well as the naval boarding axe. eagerly waiting to see what you get. the handle of the coffin hilt he had on his blog looked a little sharp edged and uncomfortable. is this typically more comfortable than it looks or am I right to think it would hurt during heavy use?
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Post by Mr.Wallace on Aug 20, 2012 21:57:35 GMT
I've honestly only had the chance to play with one coffin hilt in the past, but i did find it incredibly comfortable to use for a few light duties (I wasn't comfortable doing more since i was using a friends knife.) I opted not to use a coffin shape for this handle, but as a homage to a few of my favorite historic examples I asked for a coffin shaped guard. He showed me a few other examples of coffin hilts he's done and they looked spectacular.
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Makoto Pat
Member
Just got my favorite alert status from U.S. Postal Services- Out for delivery!
Posts: 503
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Post by Makoto Pat on Aug 26, 2012 4:08:21 GMT
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Post by Mr.Wallace on Aug 29, 2012 18:34:24 GMT
Not exactly as I'd envisioned, but I'm going to get it in hand before i say more. It looks awesome still, very old school (no cnc, no proprietary cryogenic heat treatment, no tacticool micarta or kydex...some steel, a forge, and an anvil.) I'm just not sure why there's a gap between the pommel and the handle, unless my eyes are deceiving me. Still, monster blade is monstrous. I'm really excited to get it in, Dan said he just has to knock out a sheath.
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