Help, she needs curves. MORE NEW PICTURES

[Chris Railey]

This is a commission from a customer who wanted a large canister Damascus Bowie. Its large and its a Bowie but is blah. Anyone care to draw some suggestions on the picture and post them here? Please. The tang end will be cleaned up and shaped for a guard etc. (framed handle) but I want to get the curves straight first.

 

[Bruce McLeish]

Seems to have TOO much straight.

 

[SS369]

Add a swedge and a fuller. Maybe lessen the belly near the tip. While you’re at it make it a recurve. ;-)

 

[J. Doyle]

The point is too high and the curve in the clip is too deep.

You'd have to forge the point down or grind it down....one of the two.

 

[Chris Railey]

The point is too high and the curve in the clip is too deep.

You'd have to forge the point down or grind it down....one of the two.

No curves? Just drop the point?

 

[J. Doyle]

No curves? Just drop the point?

The clip could have a curve, but I'd personally make it more subtle.

I'd probably also take a bit of curve out of the belly.

These aren't hard and fast rules and I'm not the appointed expert.

 

[Gene Kimmi]

Chris,

Here's a couple drawings on your photo of the ideas mentioned. I agree with John on dropping the point bringing it more in line with the centerline of your tang. I would make the clip straight and bring it back further on the blade, but I like that look, some may not.



With a slight recurve.

 

[Chris Railey]

Chris,

Here's a couple drawings on your photo of the ideas mentioned. I agree with John on dropping the point bringing it more in line with the centerline of your tang. I would make the clip straight and bring it back further on the blade, but I like that look, some may not.



With a slight recurve.

Yep I get it now. More like Bowie #1 (the historical example). Thanks guys. I cannot hide from you guys the reason the clip ended up the way it did was because I had a crack form in the billet during forging so I had to grind that out and design a knife around it. I like your suggestions better, I will roll with that. Thanks guys.

 

[Chris Railey]

A little re-design thanks to Gene and John. What about something closer to this:

 

[Gene Kimmi]

I like that!

 

[AkWildman]

Yup looks better, as soon as I saw it I said exactly what John said. A good rule of thumb on a Bowie or fighter is that the point should terminate at or near the centerline of the blade.

 

[Chris Railey]

Thanks guys, I have always struggled with bowies especially big ones. That is one reason I took this commission, to figure them out.

 

[Chris Railey]

What say you? Better?

 

[Owl]

A minor style thing, and just my personal preference, but I would put a slight amount of recurve in that blade.
However it looks real good the way it is.

 

[Bruce McLeish]

A minor style thing, and just my personal preference, but I would put a slight amount of recurve in that blade.
However it looks real good the way it is.

+1

 

[Greg Rice]

5 of us will give you 10 opinions. Let me ask you a question sir - I like all of your work...

Which one can you sell?

 

[Chris Railey]

5 of us will give you 10 opinions. Let me ask you a question sir - I like all of your work...

Which one can you sell?

I really appreciate that. In fact, its already sold I am just trying to like the shape. I hated the first shape but I think I like this last one.

 

[Chris Railey]

 

[Greg Rice]

Man. I like it. A lot. It looks like it belongs in a jeep while cookin’ out on the trail. Cuttin’ up Wild Boar and rattlers. That is some good eatin’

 

[Owl]

Looks good Chris!