jhart06
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Slowly coming back from the depths...
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Post by jhart06 on Aug 10, 2012 2:20:33 GMT
Not sure if this should go in sword making or here, but I figured it might get more response here. I'm slated to go in mid to late october for some forge time with Andy Davis, and he and I had decided on a knife or two for my first time out. My dad has been wanting a good bowie knife for ages, but times are rough for farmers, so he hasn't been able to afford one. I want to make one, but the problem being, I don't like the type myself and am not very familair with it's features and uses.
So, I turn to you knife nuts... What makes a good bowie in your mind? What are hallmark features that demark a good one from a bad one? I know in katanas samegawa and ito quality have things like the shoelace factor and emperor nodes.. I'm looking for that kind of feedback, and just pictures and specs on your favorites. Handle materials and more are welcome. I know my dad likes stag handles, but I'm not sure I can find any of that.
Thanks in advance folk!
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Post by KentsOkay on Aug 10, 2012 2:56:04 GMT
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Post by Mr.Wallace on Aug 10, 2012 3:22:43 GMT
I know it's strictly a matter of preference, and that the term Bowie can be applied to varied large blades, but to me it isn't a bowie with out a clip point. That being said, that guy has produced some gorgeous stuff. Edit: I missed the OP entirely. Smooth. To answer your question, I'll give you what is strictly my opinion based on the huge variances in things I've seen called a Bowie. First and fore most, as I'd mentioned, a clip point has become a core feature in my mind. The originals may or may not have had this feature, at least when we're talking about Jim Bowie's knives. This is a video I stumbled across recently that I tend to agree with for the most part, you can skip back and forth for what you find relevant. (I can't ever embed any thing on this board for some reason) A guard is also an important feature, all though it can be as understated as this: To a moderately sized S guard: www.knifemakersdatabase.com/Cust ... ePolk.html Larger guards, or guards that are swept upward, are also awesome. D Guards obviously have a place, but you're sacrificing some funcion for a heavy and mostly aesthetic choice. I also don't think Bowie until you hit at least the 7" mark, which is still practical but still large by most standards. Otherwise, it's all your imagination. Like I said, nothing is the Bowie knife standard, but these are all features I find all most universally represented. What your dad will want to use it for is another key factor in picking from these design features, and the blade shape itself can change to suit your needs. For a "survival" knife, you'll probably want a short clip, small guard, thick spine, and imo a convex grind. If you're going for a fighting knife, an S Guard or an upswept guard of larger proportion, a longer clip, and a saber grind may serve you well. D Guards are awesome for Zombies or a mantle IMO. I apologize in advance for the scatter brained and poorly conceived post, but if you suffer through I might actually make a point once or twice.
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Post by Adrian Jordan on Aug 10, 2012 3:35:05 GMT
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 10, 2012 3:46:30 GMT
Always regretted not grabbing one of these when I had a chance. Similar to, but nicer than, the CS Trailmaster. Fallkniven Tor Attachments:
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jhart06
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Slowly coming back from the depths...
Posts: 3,292
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Post by jhart06 on Aug 10, 2012 3:55:47 GMT
redwd- Do you have a link to more info on that knife?
Adrian- Thanks for the links.. I have some ideas now.
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Post by MOK on Aug 16, 2012 19:38:52 GMT
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jhart06
Member
Slowly coming back from the depths...
Posts: 3,292
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Post by jhart06 on Aug 17, 2012 1:30:46 GMT
Thankee MOK, that's very close to what i've managed to find is his 'style'... Lets just hope it's within my abilities!
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