I have been wanting to build this knife for some time and got a start on it. I'll post more pics as I go along. I dont think it will take too long to finish it if I dont mess it up. Thi si sthe blade finish ground and then hand sanded. The blade is 8 1/4 wich was a standard size for this style along with 7 1/2 and 9 inch. They step up in 3/4 inch increments. The handle is often the exact same size for all sizes blades of this style. In my view, this was a manifestation of the beginning of the mind set of mass production.
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There was a large variety of handle types, constructions, and combinations. I that spirit, I chose a blade type and a handle type from the Antique Bowie Knife book and the Flayderman book and to add further confusion, I am making it the way I want. This is the frame for the handle, but I have more to do.
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What a beauty!!! Nice clean lines. I can imagine that being the pride and joy of a collector or general enthusiast.
Chris
Thanks Chris.
Here are some more pics so far. The frame and guard is just slid on and not ready to fasten. Also, there will be some reduction in over all size with the sanding and finishing.
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I'm making this knife as I think a maker might have done back in the day. I'm not getting real picky with the pins showing. They show on the old ones too. I just dont want gaps.
Here is the frame after I did some simple filing on the bolsters.
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very cool i really like seeing new things here and you always have something new to show us.
That's going to be sweet.
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CLASSY!
woohooo! Ive been waiting to see a WIP of a frame handle.
Very exciting Lin.
Looking great. I like this style a lot, can't wait to see where you take it.
Darcy :)
Looks like it will be a beautiful knife, Lin! I dig the design of the handle as well. Keep it coming!
I love WIPs!! Thanks Lin! I want to build a frame handle so the timing of this WIP is perfect!
Thank you guys!
I've been working on the handle and took a picture of how I polish the domed heads of the pins. It's so simple you'll laugh. I use the blue masking tape since it has no acid in the sticky. I cut right up against the heads with my finger nail. The heads are sharp around the edge so it cuts easy. Then remove the plug.
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I just wanted to shine them up and not remove the hammer marks. If you get wild buffing, you'll burn through the tape, so dont push too hard too long. You have to turn the head a full cicle so the wheel is approaching it from all directions or it will leave sharp edges to the head.
Lin, my computer was down for a few days so I am just getting to see this.
While I was working in the shop over the last day or two,I was just thinking about the cool Sheffield knives that I have seen(very few) and that got me to thinking about that book you mentioned in a thread a few months back and how it might be a great read/ref book, and since I was thinking about you I thought about how cool a "Lin Built" Sheffield might be. Then I log back on and come to this. My-O-my I can't wait to see the finished blade. That hardware is pretty cool.
Nice!
CTT
Looking seriously cool so far.
Thank you Chuck.
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Nice, nice, nice, Buddy. I gotta get my Bowie book out and find that one. You've either been saving those pics a bit our you turned that baby out very quickly Lin.
I put the guard on made the frame yesterday Doug. Thanks. I have decided to put an escutcheon plate on it so this is still not finished yet. Its similar to a couple in the Flayderman book but I changed a couple small things. The escutcheon plates will also be a change but they made these bowies in a large variety of differences so I dont think it is too much of a stretch to do what I think will look good.
I love the knife the way it is, but I have an affinity for well done escutcheon!!! It just keeps getting better!!
Chris
Here it is with the escutcheon plates. Much better to my eye.
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I love your take and modernization of a classic!!!
Thanks for sharing the pic and portion of the process.
Chris
Amazing knife Lin as usual!
Lin, do you use a press with your name stamp, or just a bigger hammer? I'll be darned if I can get mine that deep. Maybe I need a different stamp. I did chip the upper leg of the "k".
Thanks.
Ron, I'm using an electro etcher.
Looks vintage.........only shinier. :D :thumbsup:
Darcy
I don't know much about knife design or history but I know when something looks right and can see this knife is special. Very well designed and executed. I'm amazed by your talent ... and how you make it seem effortless. Just not enough nice to say about this one.
Lin, was this knife inspired by one of the Woodhead design Sheffield's? Is there a possibility you could show us some of the historic designs that inspired this peice? I have seen the display of historic knives at the museum where you work, was the inspiration from one of those or perhaps a book that is housed at the museum?
I love historic inspired knives and enjoy seeing what inspired the artist.
Chris
Thanks.
Yea, I have one picture at the moment that shows one of the George Woodhead Bowies. The area where the ivory is shown is what I was thinking of, escutcheon plate included. Mine is more or less a stylized version.
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There is also another maker of that time period named Chevalier whose knives are especially graceful and well proportioned that I really like. I used his idea of incorporating two materials in the handle.
I had lunch with his great, great....(not sure how many greats)nephew on Friday. It was intertesting getting some family history on the maker from his viewpoint.
Thanks Lin. I do like the history and historic value of pieces like the Woodhead you posted. Historic inspired knives are great.
Chris
That is too cool! Those old knives sure are inspirational.
Thanks guys. If you ever are feeling burnt out on knives, just get your hands on a Bowie Knife Book and thumb through it. It'll get you fired up.
Great Job Lin.. I got to find my self one of them Bowie knife books..
Outstanding job..... :thumbsup: :notworthy:
Thank you. I just got the finished pro photo.
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Lin I admire all your knives but have never made a comment on them. Cant help but comment on this one
it is absolutely awesome. It has to be a labor of love to put in the hours to make a masterpiece like this one.
Lin, as always, knockout work.. and your right, those old "bowie" books can be very inspriational. There is one on Bowies/Knives of the Civil War thats a good read.
Thanks guys. Yes Matt, I plan to have that book. I'll see Mark Zaleski soon and he will have some with him. You ought to load up and drive to Little Rock in February (16,17).
Wonderful work, as always Lin! Truely inspiring for a steel hack like myself. Its nice to finally have found a forum where you post your work, I very much enjoy it.
One question, I'm having a hard time with making the handle materials stand proud of the metal fittings, what do you use to guage the height? Do you also leave it tall on the tang sides for a frame handle?
Cheers!
-Xander Holman
Thanks Xander. As weird as it sounds, I eyeball the thickness where it's proud. Sometimes I have to measure, but I avoid it when possible. I flattened the backs against the frame but leave the edge of the ivory proud in as many directions as possible. I can flush the stag most of the time depending on its age. I just grind the thickness till it looks right to my eye. The great photos in some of the books are a big help to see whether the makers thickened theirs or flushed it.
When you get the chance to see the really old knives from that time period, you'll see that the material has usually shrunk. Some more than others.
Just got word that this won the Best Historic Knife award at the Arkansas Custom Knife Show banquet this evening.
Congratulation Lin.
Chris
Congratulations, Lin! A vote well-placed in my humble opinion! :thumbsup: