Review - J & L Custom Cutlery Bowie - Bowie Knife by Fallen
Jul 18, 2016 14:39:22 GMT
Post by chrisperoni on Jul 18, 2016 14:39:22 GMT
Video Review
It's about 20 minutes and chock full of knifey goodness. The video review is muy muy bueno so check it out.
Don't like to watch moving pictures? Well then, read something! Read it! Also, Here's a teaser pic near the top of the review, which is a good thing to do to keep you folks happy.
Historical Overview
Bowie Knife. It's a good kind of knife. Google it to learn more about it's history- I ain't got no time for history lessons.
Full Disclosure
Fallen and I go way back here. I own a lot of steel made by him and he is my go-to guy for custom work. I love what he does and everyone on SBG probably already knows that. Fallen provided this knife to me at no cost, with the request/understanding that I would review it.
Initial Impressions
"Dang! Do I have to send it back after or do I get to keep it!?" -is what I said when I opened the box and took out the knife.
"Oooohh, that is a really great sword Daddy isn't it?" -asked my 5 year old when she watched me open the box and take out the knife.
"Hmm, another knife, it's nice." -stated my wife who was somewhere in the room while I opened the box and took out the knife.
"Kitty!"-screamed my 2 year old as she squeezed our kitten while I opened the box and took out the knife.
Various degrees of interest in the unboxing as you can imagine. Myself, I retreated to my shop straight away to more closely inspect the new shiny sharp. Good balance, clean lines and even satin finish, comfortable grip- these were my initial impressions.
Statistics
5160 steel
6 3/4" cutting edge length
4 3/4" false edge length
1" length ricasso
1 1/2" wide blade at widest point
7 3/4" blade length total
5" long grip, just under 1" thick
10.4oz weight
Some measurement pics for ya.
Blade
The blade is very well heat treated and tempered with a paper cutting sharp edge. The false edge is also sharpened although slightly less (still can cut paper). Fallen has given this knife a semi-mirrored satin finish. The grind lines and shape are all very cleanly done and even, the taper and edges symmetrical. Here, look as some pictures!
All the knives made for review. Mine is the 4th one down.
Handle
The handle is 2 scales of hard rock maple, double brass riveted and epoxied to a full tang. A lanyard hole has been drilled through the scales and tang. The handle is ergonomically shaped, comfortable in hand, smooth and even, and suitable for various grips. The ricasso has a finger choil which in my mind is equal parts part of the grip and the blade so I'm telling you about it here. The rivets a slightly inset to the scales. More pictures!
Handling Characteristics
The knife is very comfortable in hand, has a smooth well shaped ergonomic handle, with a finger choil as well. A neutral balance point approx. 1/2" down from the ricasso into the grip (between the ricasso and rivet), keeps the knife agile and quick. The blade is well tapered, not blade heavy.
Conclusions
I conclude that Fallen / J & L Custom Cutlery makes gooder'n'hell knives and swords! Fallen does amazing work in his shop, and this knife is a suitable example of this. Fallen is also quite prolific - he's constantly working to improve and produce more blades. His experience and expertise shows in his pieces. He doesn't mess around. He gets down to it and does the work! Example? On May 25th Fallen messaged me to say he was thinking about sending out some knives for review. By July 10th he had already sent them all out. In between he also completed other sword pieces. He is a machine, and that is a real plus when it comes to custom orders. Just sayin'.
Bonuses and Negatives
(for this knife and J & L in general)
Pros
-excellent heat treat
-well executed lines
-super sharp edge
-made in North America (USA)
-handmade goodness
-steel type choices if you like (me, I leave it to the smith to pick what is best for the project)
-comfortable grip, exotic materials available
-custom orders can be made
Cons
-no guard even though its a bowie (although to be honest Fallen did say he skipped the guards to save on costs for these review knives)
-slightly inset rivets might collect "gunk" in them if you are a filthy handed messy fingered person. Clean yourself up! You're holding Fallen Steel, show some respect!
-I'm told some folks might poo-poo over slight things that are a result of the handmade goodness
Okay, that's a review.
It's about 20 minutes and chock full of knifey goodness. The video review is muy muy bueno so check it out.
Don't like to watch moving pictures? Well then, read something! Read it! Also, Here's a teaser pic near the top of the review, which is a good thing to do to keep you folks happy.
Historical Overview
Bowie Knife. It's a good kind of knife. Google it to learn more about it's history- I ain't got no time for history lessons.
Full Disclosure
Fallen and I go way back here. I own a lot of steel made by him and he is my go-to guy for custom work. I love what he does and everyone on SBG probably already knows that. Fallen provided this knife to me at no cost, with the request/understanding that I would review it.
Initial Impressions
"Dang! Do I have to send it back after or do I get to keep it!?" -is what I said when I opened the box and took out the knife.
"Oooohh, that is a really great sword Daddy isn't it?" -asked my 5 year old when she watched me open the box and take out the knife.
"Hmm, another knife, it's nice." -stated my wife who was somewhere in the room while I opened the box and took out the knife.
"Kitty!"-screamed my 2 year old as she squeezed our kitten while I opened the box and took out the knife.
Various degrees of interest in the unboxing as you can imagine. Myself, I retreated to my shop straight away to more closely inspect the new shiny sharp. Good balance, clean lines and even satin finish, comfortable grip- these were my initial impressions.
Statistics
5160 steel
6 3/4" cutting edge length
4 3/4" false edge length
1" length ricasso
1 1/2" wide blade at widest point
7 3/4" blade length total
5" long grip, just under 1" thick
10.4oz weight
Some measurement pics for ya.
Blade
The blade is very well heat treated and tempered with a paper cutting sharp edge. The false edge is also sharpened although slightly less (still can cut paper). Fallen has given this knife a semi-mirrored satin finish. The grind lines and shape are all very cleanly done and even, the taper and edges symmetrical. Here, look as some pictures!
All the knives made for review. Mine is the 4th one down.
Handle
The handle is 2 scales of hard rock maple, double brass riveted and epoxied to a full tang. A lanyard hole has been drilled through the scales and tang. The handle is ergonomically shaped, comfortable in hand, smooth and even, and suitable for various grips. The ricasso has a finger choil which in my mind is equal parts part of the grip and the blade so I'm telling you about it here. The rivets a slightly inset to the scales. More pictures!
Handling Characteristics
The knife is very comfortable in hand, has a smooth well shaped ergonomic handle, with a finger choil as well. A neutral balance point approx. 1/2" down from the ricasso into the grip (between the ricasso and rivet), keeps the knife agile and quick. The blade is well tapered, not blade heavy.
Conclusions
I conclude that Fallen / J & L Custom Cutlery makes gooder'n'hell knives and swords! Fallen does amazing work in his shop, and this knife is a suitable example of this. Fallen is also quite prolific - he's constantly working to improve and produce more blades. His experience and expertise shows in his pieces. He doesn't mess around. He gets down to it and does the work! Example? On May 25th Fallen messaged me to say he was thinking about sending out some knives for review. By July 10th he had already sent them all out. In between he also completed other sword pieces. He is a machine, and that is a real plus when it comes to custom orders. Just sayin'.
Bonuses and Negatives
(for this knife and J & L in general)
Pros
-excellent heat treat
-well executed lines
-super sharp edge
-made in North America (USA)
-handmade goodness
-steel type choices if you like (me, I leave it to the smith to pick what is best for the project)
-comfortable grip, exotic materials available
-custom orders can be made
Cons
-no guard even though its a bowie (although to be honest Fallen did say he skipped the guards to save on costs for these review knives)
-slightly inset rivets might collect "gunk" in them if you are a filthy handed messy fingered person. Clean yourself up! You're holding Fallen Steel, show some respect!
-I'm told some folks might poo-poo over slight things that are a result of the handmade goodness
Okay, that's a review.