Southern Mistress Bowie (finished pro pic)

[Lin Rhea]

I'll go ahead and let you see the blade of one of my projects. This is one of those that make me use an awful lot of what I know about making a knife. Actually, this kind of knife forces me to learn new things, or at least, try new things.

The blade is 11-1/2 inches long of my laddered "W" pattern Damascus. I have it drawn on paper and may show you the drawing too when I get a chance.

The intention is for this knife to remind you of the Iron Mistress while not being a copy. I'm speaking of the one designed for the 1952 version movie knife. I might round up a picture of it if I can. I'm not in love with that knife, but some of the features are useful and, in my opinion, attractive. So I borrowed some features of that knife to work into my design. As you know, I have shown some large knives here that form a series. Southland, Southland II, III, etc. This is the Southern Mistress since its in that series and I am wanting it to remind one of the old South and days of Jim Bowie.

It will take me some time to complete this one but I should be working on it in the next couple weeks to show some progress. Here is the blade.

     
     

[Fallguy]

You have a solid foundation there Lin. Looking forward to seeing it come together.  

[kbaknife]

Am I gonna get to see that in Little Rock?

[akaboomer]

That is turning out beautifully. Very nice chatoyance. I am looking forward to seeing the way this one works out.

Chris

[Lin Rhea]

Thanks

Yes Karl, I plan to have it in Little Rock.

I don't know if you can pick it up in the picture but it has a hamon almost halfway up and switches back and up behind the clip. Of course the Damascus pattern is mostly what you see but its there.

[lytefoot45]

Lin, that is very nice work!
If you don't mind, what is the height of the blade and the length of the clip?
Thanks for showing this one.
Wayne

[Lin Rhea]

Wayne, the height is a bit over 2 inches. I have not measured the clip but it about 4-3/4 to 5 inches.

Thanks

[srtben]

Another winner Lin.

[Steve Nuckels]

This one will be Epic I am sure!

I like the way you draw out the choil on your big blades!

Steve
---------
Potomac Forge
Member, W.F. Moran Jr. Foundation

[Crotalus]

Looks like the start of something epic Lin,
can't wait to see it finished.
LP

[Ric O'Shay]

Lin -
Is this the picture of the Iron Mistress you mentioned? I think Alan Ladd played Jim Bowie.

   

[Lin Rhea]

Yes Danny, it is. Thank you for posting this.

If that is not the actual movie knife, it is patterned pretty closely after it.

My knife is just borrowing some features from it. I want there to be a family resemblance but hopefully with a bit more curve and detail.

Already you see the long straight edge and deep clip. My clip is not as extreme as this original but deeper than most of my others.

[kbaknife]

I frequently get hamon on my 1095/15N20 combination. Once we get into high layer count and alloy migration - about anything can happen
And does.
That's cool.

[Rob DiStefano]

WOW!!! holy moly, that's a short sword not a knife!

way to go, lin - GORGEOUS WORK!!!        

[Antlerhog]

Incredible Lin!!!!

Jay

[Soonerlongbow]

Lin, I don't think you should show that knife anymore, it's really not up to your normal quality. Just send it over to OK, or I'll even just drive over & pick it up from you so you don't have to worry.

Just trying to be helpful.

     


No, really, as usual that is exquisite!

[Lin Rhea]

Well I started back on this knife. I forged the guard from 416 stainless.
   

Then I started rough grinding it to shape checking often to see if it was with the drawing.
   
   

This where the real time consuming work begins.
   

   
   
   

[srtben]

So very cool and original Lin!

[Fallguy]

OOOH AAAH  

[Lupo]

Artist work...congrats Lin beautifull