7" Bowie with some cool two-tone silky oak

J. Doyle

J. Doyle

Dealer - Purveyor
I forged a few of these small to medium bowies awhile ago. Here's one I just finished in a bit of downtime between other works. It's a nice size for a pack knife or as a camp/field bowie. It's still not small but it is lean light and fast.

I really like this Silky Oak from our friend Mark at Burlsource. It works nice and finishes nice and it has a different look every way you look at it. The side view is different than the bottom and top and the end is different still. This piece is NOT dyed. It is a natural two-tone piece. I like how it's dark on top and light on bottom. Reminds me of how fish are colored. :)

Specs:
Hand forged from 1075 steel, clay quenched and etched and polished out a bit more than my usual.
11 1/2" overall, 7" blade, .215" thick at the ricasso
Heavily rounded spine and ricasso edge
False edge is not sharp (but it's pretty close)
Black g-10 guard
Black g-10 and bronze spacers
Stabilized silky oak handle
Checkered bronze finial

Please feel free to say what you like, don't like or even hate about it. (The two tone wood won't be for everyone. ;) )











 
I like it for sure. When it comes to wood the more variation the better, I like wood with character. I have noticed that you use G10 for guards often, is it popular with knife collectors? The black color is great really fits the knife.

The workmanship looks flawless, certainly collector level.
 
Thanks for the comments Brad. I appreciate it.

I don't know if g-10 is popular with all collectors. I guess it depends on what they place importance on. Yes it is a pretty inexpensive synthetic and not a traditional material. I'm sure that makes it a deal breaker for some. But it is black and black is classy. :)

If a collector places value on maintenance, then it's hands down a winner. You can scuff it, scratch it, rub it with oil and solvents and it will still be nice shiny black. Not true of blued and/or etched metals or bright mirror polished metals for that matter.

I actually use it pretty sparingly but when I want something black and I want it to stay black, it's a no brainer. It's pretty much as strong as steel and it takes the same care and skillset to fit properly as 416 or damascus guards.

I've never had a problem selling a knife with a g-10 guard to a collector once I explain the reasons or benefits behind it. It certainly won't be every collector's cup of tea, same as the two toned wood.
 
Cool thanks for the detailed response. I might have to give the G10 a try someday. I like the look of a black guard and blued mild steel is a pain. I can see how it could be said it dose not fit with the wood and high carbon steel however it sure looks good to me.
 
Nice answer there J Doyle, Love the guard and the wood but the false edge I think sets off the blade.
and the back of the handle is really cool and fits well with the style in a word awesome.
 
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