Trad Gang
Main Boards => Hunting Knives and Crafters => Topic started by: ber643 on June 25, 2008, 10:58:00 AM
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Got enough spare time (and the urge at the same time - LOL) to put another knife together (my fifth). This one is built on an old, unlabeled Bowie blade blank, sent to me by a friend in a trade for materials. I cleaned the blade up some but it could use a lot more. I may not do it though, as it kind of fits the "rough and toumble" effect I was after, the way it is. The handle, I fashioned out of a piece of Elk Antler I got in another trade, two pieces of White Corian, a sort of guard I fashioned from an old piece of brass, and a large brass screw I filed the head flat on, to peg the end cap on (with 60 min epoxy, as is the handle parts). The knife is 12 1/2" oa and weighs a full 2 lbs. Plenty big and tough enough to finish off a hog:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/Bowie001.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/Bowie002.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/Bowie003.jpg)
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Now that is a knife Bernie! Very nice! I do not want to see the pig you plan on sticking with it though :scared:
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Great job, Bernie! Should make a nice sticker!
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LOL - I haven't got to pig hunt in the last few years, Cris, but someone, when I made my first (4)knives asked me, "Now, let's see a nice, big pig-sticker, Bernie." Started me thinking. Thanks for the comments.
Thank you, sw, I really appreciate it.
BTW, the green on the blade in the second pic is just a reflection from the moss/lichens on the end board, - such as can be seen in the third pic.
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Now I have to make me a big bowie, Bernie!
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LOL - catching isn't it?
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wow!!! real nice uncle bernie that will split a chigger or two in half!! :clapper:
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Lord Have mercy, Jeff, you'd have to hit the little buggers with the flat of the blade - and you'd likely bust your leg.
Since I spoke of the fit in hand, in some threads, and earlier on some folks had said they liked to see a knife in hand:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/Bowie004.jpg)
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Nice, Bernie!
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Thank you, Dan.
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Now that there is a KNIFE! First rate job Bernie. At 12 1/2" and 2lbs. ya should be able to finish off two pigs at once with that bugger.
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LOL - thanks, Mystik.
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Nice looking knife, Bernie! I guess the fifth time is the charm! :)
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Nice job Bernie. That knife looks alot bigger in the picture with you holding it.
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Kinda like a KA-BAR only differant ;)
Semper Fi Bernie!!!!!
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Thanks, gents. One safty consideration though -
Actually, handle is really comfortable. It is oval shaped, top to bottom, and narrower at the bottom than it looks in those angles - but for the other part (safety) I am posting this:
Yep, when I first fashioned that Brass piece, I had every intention of taking the fore-end of the antler down more behind it (to form a guard). However, when I got it to the stage to try the handle on, it looked so darned good, I forgot the protection part, and just decided not to re-shape it that much. Then when I was taking the pics, I thought, "Yikes, now look what you've done - gonna have to be extra careful using that thing," - it's sharp too! I need to get (or get better at making) more assorted guards. I've picked up a fair amount of little Brass gee-gaws (cheap at yard sales, etc.) to cut up and file. Just gotta remember to do it, do it, do it - right.
I hate to think of changing it but I may have to re-shape that foreend yet.
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Nice knife, Bernie! Well done! :D
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Thanks, Leopard. I am letting it stay as is for now, until I am sure what I want to do - so that i don't do something else I may regret later - LOL. It's on the table so I see it a lot and pick it up every so often (even though I'm working on another one or two now).
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yup best to be safe than sorry uncle bernie :thumbsup: dont want ya to lose any fingers now.
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Yep, Jeff - I really like the looks of it and the feel and heft - but i'd hate like all get out to slide up the handle and onto that big, sharp blade. I may grind the antler down some behind the "guard" and then post another pic of it. In the meantime I have another (different type) about done and will be posting it probably tomorrow or the neat day - and it has a guard! LOL
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I've posted two knives lately, and they were preceeded by the little one on the right in the following pics. Two questions have been asked on forums, that prompted me to add these two views. One question was regarding the shape of the Elk antler handle on the Bowie in the middle, and the other about "pinning" end caps (epoxied). The Red Cedar Handle on the left is capped with a thiner piece of brass that I fashioned and a 3/4", knurled-headed, brass bolt. Bowie's cap is White Corian pinned with a 1 1/4" Brass Srew with the slot filed off. The small one on the right has a small knob of Whitetail antler (front and back) pinned on with another of the knurled brass bolts. Hope this helps (anyone, in any way - LOL). I still need to get my buffing wheels set up so i can buff out the brass parts, etc. - but you get the idea(s)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/EndCaps002.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/EndCaps001.jpg)
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Thanks for the pics Bernie.
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My pleasure, owlbait. I like to pick up (or trade for) things I can use without having to order a lot of stuff. Keeps it personal, interesting and FUN (cheaper too - sometimes - LOL)
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That's a good looking knife. But, aren't you worried about your hand sliding forward onto the blade if you "stick" a hog?
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Forgive me. I didn't look at pg 2 before sending my reply. I see you addressed the safety issue. I still like the knife, tho.