Cas City Forum Hall & CAS-L

Special Interests - Groups & Societies => The American Plainsmen Society => Topic started by: Jake MacReedy on September 28, 2022, 09:42:25 AM

Title: Next Plainsman Project: An 1850's Bowie
Post by: Jake MacReedy on September 28, 2022, 09:42:25 AM
I recently ordered a couple more hand-forged Bowie blades from John Adams & Co. in Sheffield, England.  I have made several Sheffield Bowies using their blades over the past 8 years or so.  They are wonderful folks to work with, and will do custom work for the customer as well.  I ordered two of their 8" carbon steel Bowie blanks (the blade is actually 8 1/2"), one with their normal scale tang and the other with a narrow tang, threaded for a pommel.  Neither has the fancy firework shown on their website.  They will do all this on request, with no additional charge!  I am making the narrow tang Bowie for myself, with a boat-shape steel guard and steel pommel, with a natural stag handle.  I will post more images as I work on it.  For now, here is the blade, the guard and the raw material for the pommel.

Jake, aka Ron

(https://i.imgur.com/YMt6lkL.jpg)
Title: Re: Next Plainsman Project: An 1850's Bowie
Post by: Tascosa Joe on October 02, 2022, 05:42:49 PM
Ron:
Did the guard come with the knife?
Joe
Title: Re: Next Plainsman Project: An 1850's Bowie
Post by: Jake MacReedy on October 03, 2022, 02:47:35 PM
No, Joe.  I made it out of 3/16" thick mild steel.  I am going to use a steel ferrule with the guard, when I install it.
Title: Re: Next Plainsman Project: An 1850's Bowie
Post by: Jeremiah Jones on October 07, 2022, 12:25:52 PM
Nice, but I prefer full tangs.
Title: Re: Next Plainsman Project: An 1850's Bowie
Post by: Jake MacReedy on October 07, 2022, 12:42:10 PM
You mean like this:(https://i.imgur.com/CCONCgX.jpg)

The narrow tang is 1/4" thick and 1/2" wide.  It's not going to break!
Title: Re: Next Plainsman Project: An 1850's Bowie
Post by: nativeshootist on October 14, 2022, 10:31:08 AM
i have one of their finished bowies, i was curious its carbon steel but is it because of polish that its not dulling?
Title: Re: Next Plainsman Project: An 1850's Bowie
Post by: Jake MacReedy on October 14, 2022, 12:19:42 PM
Yes, I believe so.  They do make some Bowies that are stainless, however.  Those that are, are plainly marked so on their website.
Title: Re: Next Plainsman Project: An 1850's Bowie
Post by: Tsalagidave on October 30, 2022, 07:16:37 PM
I look forward to seeing pictures of the finished product Jake.

-Dave
Title: Re: Next Plainsman Project: An 1850's Bowie
Post by: Jake MacReedy on October 31, 2022, 03:55:16 PM
Dave, as I have time to work on it, I'll post pics here as I go along.  I have the stag for the handle, and I've drilled and filed the tang channel through it so far.
Jake
Title: Re: Next Plainsman Project: An 1850's Bowie
Post by: Davem on November 09, 2022, 10:43:31 AM
Looks like fun.  What about the sheath?
Title: Re: Next Plainsman Project: An 1850's Bowie
Post by: Jake MacReedy on November 18, 2022, 12:30:39 PM
I will make a sheath for it myself.  Already have the leather and have made several sheaths for these Bowies before.
Title: Re: Next Plainsman Project: An 1850's Bowie
Post by: Jake MacReedy on November 28, 2022, 10:05:52 AM
Swapped out the steel guard with a scalloped one in nickel silver.  The handle is Sambar stag, with a steel ferrule and pommel.  the pommel will be rounded off.
(https://i.imgur.com/5wJbZnL.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/u6mhWqj.jpg)
It will be an English Hunting Knife of the Bowie Pattern from the 1840's-50's.
Title: Re: Next Plainsman Project: An 1850's Bowie
Post by: Jake MacReedy on December 01, 2022, 10:55:35 AM
Got the guard fitted and the iron ferrule fitted to the stag handle, and all fitted to the tang.  Now I need to drill & tap the pommel.(https://i.imgur.com/4Bt75BE.jpg)
Blade is 8 1/2" long and the handle will be 4 3/4" long.
Title: Re: Next Plainsman Project: An 1850's Bowie
Post by: nativeshootist on December 07, 2022, 07:08:37 PM
looks good man, reminds me of the british officer india hunting knifes
Title: Re: Next Plainsman Project: An 1850's Bowie
Post by: Jake MacReedy on December 08, 2022, 02:38:39 PM
That's what it's styled after!