I hand forged this big blade as demonstration a few months ago and let a lot of people look it over and discuss it in the blacksmith shop where I work. It's over 12 inches by a fraction and is W2 steel. Good stuff. It cuts exceptionally well. I have the geometry kind of thin, which explains the cutting. But, it tested out well on seasoned Bodarc so I think it will hold up fine for some brush cutting and hard blind building. I'll get a handle on it and see how she works. I'll naturally have to think on the carry system because of it's length. But I intend to carry it along with a small fixed blade.
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7139/7441629936_08c12fa0b8_c.jpg)
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8142/7550046506_8195f2716b_c.jpg)
It's going to be a fine knife, and a biggen too. You said it was thin, how thin is it? Love the guard too.
Dana
That's the prettiest machete I've ever seen. :D
Dana and Rusty, the blade is not so thin, but the edge is thin. Incidentally the spine is about .270 at the ricasso and about .225 where the clip starts. So it has great distal taper. That is one thing that will make it a pleasure to use although it's so long. It already feels light in hand and I dont have a handle on it to balance it.
The edge thickness is about .035 1/8" back from the edge where the flats start. For my sure nuff Camp Knives, I make the edge .040-.045 about 3/16 back where the flat starts. That might sound like apples and oranges but not so much if you sketch the cross section on paper. What it means is the edge geometry is almost the same, but the "biggun" is not as thick where it blends into the flats.
Boy, I can't wait to see this one finished. This is a fine example of why you can stamp MS on your blades, Lin! :) I especially like that first picture.
Now thats what I call forging close to shape! Awesome job Lin
Wow! That's already gorgeous, I can't wait to see how it finishes up.
I really like the guard too, Lin....looks really nice!
As a famous croc hunter from down under once said: This is a knife! :D
Dave.
Awesome Mr. Rhea!
Great looking pattern, and I think that is one of the coolest guards I have ever seen! Looking foward to seeing it finished and your sheath solution.
Steve
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Potomac Forge
Thanks. The guard is damascus and is now etched and fitted to the blade. I cant work on till next week so it will have to sit till then.
Wow Lin I really like it,but then again I like all nyour knives good work.
Beautiful knife. It could be a good hog knife for those that hunt hogs with a blade. It is certainly long enough.
I snapped a couple of shots to show how it looks.This is the front showing the fit. Wheny ou have a guard with curves in it and a straight filed shoulder, you have to bland the curve into the straight.
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8290/7555758028_449c4aa270_c.jpg)
I have to do a little clean up around the tang. Any debris in that area will not allow the handle to fit up tight.
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8433/7555757560_c95969b93b_c.jpg)
Few things are prettier than a guard made of twist.
That would really make an awesome hog hunter!
I really like where this is going!!!! A nice twist on that guard too. With some more Damascus fittings this thing will almost to beautiful to use. Almost... But if it were mine I would still have to cut with it.
Chris
What a pig sticker Lin
Exceptional work! Can't wait to see it complete
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8156/7621363046_203e36e7b2_c.jpg)
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7274/7621363756_b247f7dd16_c.jpg)
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8289/7621361950_f73d9f32a2_c.jpg)
Couple in hand shots.
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7247/7621490116_a853e2a8b2_c.jpg)
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7124/7621491410_24c306cdd1_c.jpg)
Man, That turned out nice.
That came out great, the stag looks fantastic!
Wonderful! I think it turned out great!
Chris
Thanks guys.
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7133/7623564810_5d39eb622d_c.jpg)
One more for the profile.
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7254/7623518144_364ce85997_c.jpg)
I cant say Ive ever seen a more handsome knife. The US Navy Seals oughta tote something like that when theyre huntin fellas like Bin Laden.
Wow Lin that's beautiful!
Steve
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Potomac Forge
I hope that's stuck in your shop window seal not your house. Mrs. Rhea might get really mad, ha ha
Great work Lin,
That amber stag looks awsome and the dogwood medalion is a perfect finishing touch. What style sheath are you going with?
Take care,
LP
I don't know how you keep the magic coming, Lin, but this is another piece out of Fantasyland!
Allan
Dana took my original comment. ;)
I'm not sure you could find a more perfectly shaped piece of stag for this knife. It almost seems you started with the stag and built a blade for it. :thumbsup:
Rusty
I barely stuck it in the bottom of the window. She dont know it yet. ;)
I actually just ground a graver point on a hardened cut nail and tapped the cuts with that. I have a nice graver somewhere but couldn't put my hands on it so I made do. All I was doing was giving the impression of shading. It's not even a good job of it. But when the blackener is applied and the top buffed, it dont look bad.
This knife is so pointy and sharp. I tested it on dried bodarc so it will be a great cutter. I've had this stag for a couple years knowing it would have to be a blade of this sort to use it on. It looks like it came out of history, which was my intent.
My plan is to have a black sheath border with the inlay of brown Gator spines. We'll see.
:notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy:
Awesome, again.
Lin you really make some beautiful knives. :thumbsup:
Thank you guys. I just talked to Cody Rowe who is making the sheath. The Gator as well as the other parts are cut out and will be assembled today. I should recieve it next week early on and will get a pro shot of it all together.
If you ever decide you don't want it, I bet I could find it a good home...just saying...
a simply amazing bowie, lin.
the guard stands out. flawless execution, but several guys could (and likely will) do that.
the design of that guard just drops my jaw.
regarding the handle: not sure i've seen that much drop. looks like a duelling pistol.
does it feel right? take some getting used to?
thanks.
joe
Here's the sheath.
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8015/7680209528_61176f0ed4_c.jpg)
Here's a couple of shots of the knife and sheath.
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8028/7700841728_db4b0b3e28_c.jpg)
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8146/7700840224_937fda4ced_c.jpg)
Holy smkoes!
That is so nice.
Great job Lin and to your guy Cody as well.
CTT
Sure looks nice!
Beautiful Combo. :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Gator skin and stag handled bowies go together like peanut butter and jelly.
Very cool Lin.
How does that pin lock sheath work? I've looked at it on Kenny's web site but don't get how the retention pin works.
LP
Thanks guys.
I will show this pic of the sheath unsnapped. But wont go into detail about his methods.
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8293/7704273708_6c353d08df_c.jpg)
I had the good fortune to hold this beast of a knife this morning. Stunning knife. The drop in the stag fits like my hand and tastes perfectly. The knife is, as are all Lin's knives that I have seen, outstanding.
The sheath is art in it's own right. It is all a knife sheath should be. Very well crafted and built for durability with elegance.
I know there will be a VERY happy new owner. Thanks for letting me see this one today Lin.
Chris
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8289/7736923604_55fcd73982_c.jpg)
One of my favourite Bowies, period, and Ive seen a TON of them!
Thank you Matt. Coming from you, that's a compliment indeed. You have made some of the most awesome bowies and choppers in existence.
Lin thats a beautiful knife. :thumbsup:
yeah everyone is cuaght up in the really long clip, recurvey kinda Bowies... me included, but the classic shorter clip, minimal arch, no recurve classic Bowie shape blade is still my favourite.... and this one nails it.
Beautiful! Love the flower.