Texas History Bowie WIP

Here's the final video from the smaller knife series. It's a little longer, as I take the time to explain all the various historical and thematic elements that are included.
 
I contracted with Page Steinhardt, a fellow FIF competitor who was also on Knife or Death, and who is also an actual jeweler. I sent him a stainless sample, and he cast me a copper spacer. This project will be back on track shortly.

0ac36a9f5afdba4ff831a0f9966b82b8.jpg

db1f92f251b1f28d302dc44fd2979b2e.jpg
 
Last edited:
Progress. Got the spacer fit, now to add the 1836 half dollar. Coin goes between the guard and spacer. Got them both fit and the handle mostly fit then had to go visit the in-laws.
6f0bea9b6358e3c1e5e7eda2da49633d.jpg
 

878bdae3e106935c7e3109b9d1b935d9.jpg


The Pentagon on the butt is a harness decoration from the sea of mud, and I intend to hold it on with a couple of those domed pins from the other harness decoration. The finial will be one of the Powell nails.
 
Closing in on this one. Here’s the blade after final polish and etch. Have the guard and spacer done and glued together, and the butt cap fit. All that’s left is the coffee etch, a final test fit with the nail finial, and then glue.

a8ba5da225cd57ca3d68a0f1f4766366.jpg

5e5ffd2366a2cf75bf96590d0adfaae9.jpg
 
Next level!...
I don't know if it's just the photo but the color looks great.
 
The bluish tone is the light, but the contrast is real good, especially after the coffee etch.
 
Parts from post 47 put together for the end cap. Domed pins hold the cap on and the nail is threaded into a coupling on the tang.

ecedbd25f8338535e556a95bd89dadef.jpg
 
Today is Texas Independence Day, and a fitting occasion to finish this knife project. When I say I am patriotic, be clear that my loyalty is to Texas first.

I’ll summarize the knife here, although there is more detail further up the thread.
-1836 layer Damascus with Powell nails
-nail Damascus guard
-Sea of Mud grape shot spacer
-1836 silver half dollar
-Sam Houston Oak
-Sea of Mud harness decorations
-14” overall with a 9” blade

Kenny Rowe is working on leather, and this knife will be available at the ICCE show.

1e2be5288555f461dc4cd46649342fea.jpg


f699eacfadd29d76e1d239a41a04ebdb.jpg


d0eb475db71fc6f87da3891e75976064.jpg
 
Did you coin the coin after shaping it to fit now I believe between the spacer and handle, not between the spacer and guard?
 
Richard338 said:
Did you coin the coin after shaping it to fit now I believe between the spacer and handle, not between the spacer and guard?
Click to expand...

Nice catch, correct on both counts. I did end up putting it in a different place than I said up the page, and it is coined after it is ground to shape and polished.
 
I had this one professionally photographed, I’ll add that to this thread just close the loop once everything comes in.

In the meantime, I got a very nice surprise by winning Best Bowie from the Knifemakers Guild. For those of you not familiar with the guild, it’s the longest standing Knifemaking organization, and all of the great ones were in there. Also got elected to the board of directors, humbling.

Since last year show was canceled, they just used last year‘s awards, so the dates are wrong. I have nothing nice to say about that, LOL.

71394116161bf7e474bde6a2ae8cae23.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top