Well after a decade of wanting one i finally received my dream knife from Bill yesterday and it is a killer one! Eventhough i have a carbon steel version that i use all the time i always wanted a damascus version because i have never seen a knife i liked more than it. I feel very fortunate because most people can't say they own the knife they've wanted more than any and now i do.
this one has a big 11 1/4" blade with spanish notch. OAL is 17 1/8". the knife feels great in the hand despite feeling quite a bit heavier than my carbon HB. for comparisons sake the carbon blade measures 10 1/2" with an OAL of 16 5/8". When i told Bill i wanted a longer blade this time he warned me the knife's dimensions would get bigger all around to keep it balanced right. I'm glad i backed the length back down from 12" because this one is a hefty blade as is. it carries its massive spine thickness further towards the tip than the smaller carbon HB.
The african blackwood handle has some deep black coloring mixed with a rich brown. Bill said it has a translucent look to it and i agree with him. It was his last piece in stock and he saved the best for last i think
I chose to go with the classic pin motiff instead of the flower stud like on my carbon blade. As much as i like the flower i had invisioned this knife as is for a long time now. To me it represents Bill's most classic design and is what the Ontario HB is based off of. Stag might be more attractive but i think Bill's coffin allows for the best fighting handle.
my pics are very sloppy i know but i'm not a photographer and i don't even own my own camera so this is what i come out with borrowed equipment. all apologies for that.
side by side shot
an attempt at showing the great pattern
and the blackwood handle
i took this one indoors with a flash so it didn't come out that great.
if i can find someone who is better at taking pics i will get some better ones on here. I would also like to thank Bill for making this for me and i know it was tough forging it in the Texas summer but i would say he still did a fantastic job despite 100* heat. Also a big thanks to Joe for all of his pics and talk about Bagwell's over the past few years. Would of never got it without you bud:thumbup: