Bowie - Work in Progress (Pro pic pg 3)

[FerretWYO]

Amazing.

[akaboomer]

This knife is turning out STUNNING.

Chris

[ymountainman]

I have to agree,Stunning!!

[gudspelr]

I always enjoy your knives, Lin. BUT-this one's a little extra special. Your departure to a different ricasso design coupled with the guard and fittings.....I'm trying to wrap my mind around the forging that went into that guard, particularly the spheres on the ends... And how did you do the spacer that appears to still have the scale on it?  Very impressive design and joining of the finely fished/forge finish elements. I look forward to seeing the completed knife.

Jeremy

[tomsm44]

You're not playing fair, Lin.  In the spirit of fairness and equality, I feel that the ABS should require you to build more low quality knives each year.  Yes, it would limit your ability to produce specimens such as this, but it would allow the rest of us feel better about ourselves.  

Matt

[Lin Rhea]

This is not a very good picture. It got too late and was pretty dark for good photos.
   
 

[Lin Rhea]

A couple more.
 
 
Pro shots soon.

[Lamey]

great Bowie

[akaboomer]

Beautiful!  Will it be at the Little Rock Show? I do hope to put my hands on it.

Chris

[Lin Rhea]

Thanks Chris. Yes, I plan for it to be there.

Thanks Matt.

[gudspelr]

Beautiful.


Jeremy

[D.Ellis]

Smoley Hoke!
I love that stag.......such rich color. Can't wait to see the pro pic.
Darcy  

[gables]

Lin,
About your guard, what's the purpose of the inletted area on the back of tang slot? What is your sanding sequence for the spacer to get your diameter steps? Do you sand smaller oval and then use a tape wrap that you grind the larger diameter spacers to? Do you normalize and harden the guard? Thanks for any assistance.

[Lin Rhea]

Gabe,
      I inlet the back of the guard so that only the rim is making contact. This makes it easier to flatten and the joint is tight without any rocking. I often inlet one of the adjoining faces.
       
        The spacers. I drill alignment pins to hold them all in the same relationship and actually peen the pins lightly. I then drill, mill, and file the tang slot snug. That is when I start sizing the spacers down to align with the ricasso etc. I take out the middle spacer to size the front and back spacers together (pinned loosely). Then I pull the pins and slip the middle one in and size it by eye. When its all done and finished completely I permanently pin them together as a unit to be installed to the knife.

[Lin Rhea]

To give you a sense of the timeline of making this knife.

I forged the blade last Sunday and finished it this Sunday. I had to spend one day away from the shop. So six long days and lots of steps it is done. There is really no way to fully explain the steps. I forgot to take pictures at some of the places I needed to. I was just moving along and forgot. I spent 3 days on the blade, 1 1/2 days on the guard, and the remainder on the ferrule/spacer and the handle and butt cap.

I tell you this to give you an idea of what goes into a custom knife. Some might think I spend too much time on one, some might think I'm fast. I don't know. I struggle with being "too close" to my work and picking at every flaw and obsessing with little details. It's the "process" along with the discipline it takes to wait that I am really working on. If the process is perfected, the object reflects that. I enjoy drawing the knife and seeing if I can make it the way it is drawn, trying not to cave to the temptation of simplifying it for speed or ease. I can do this only a few times a year.

[Doug Campbell]

Thanks Lin, that one was sure worth the struggle. Awesome Sir!

[DANA HOLMAN]

Lin, That's a stunning knife, and your eye for detail is what sets you apart from so many others, I think if (I) was to slow down and really look for the all the flaws, I would find so many that I might not finish the knife. Although I have started to really look at my knives and am working on the my flaws. You inspire us to keeping working on a better knife. Thanks for what you teach us.
Dana

[gables]

Many thanks for taking the time to explain and share.
Best,
Gabe

[Lin Rhea]

Thanks guys.

Gabe, I do normalize the 416 and sort of anneal it since it will air harden as well as harden from holding it in the vise and laying it on the anvil etc.

[Track]

Another incredible knife, Lin. Thanks for taking us through the steps.