lookin for a plain bowie

[Josh Dabney]

Managed to make a bit of progress t'day even with the young'in runnin wild 

Hand sanded flats. Yup, that's the kitchen counter     Figure if'n she wanted Mr.Clean she'd have married a banker, LOL 


Hand sanding completed


Makers Mark on patina'd blade


Clip ground and Ready for handle work


Thought I'd keep yall in the loop and give a bit of a peek at what goes into a handmade knife 

All comments an questions are welcomed as always Pards,  Josh

[Josh Dabney]

Mornin Pards,

Many a bladesmiths feel the soul of knife is born in the fire throughout the process of heat treating but I tend to cut my own trail thinkin the soul of the BLADE is concieved there.  Much like a young child the character and personality of the KNIFE as a whole develops with growth, shaping, and molding during adolescence.  Blade shape determining the young lads purpose in life while handle shape and size dictate the efficiency with with our fledgling blade will complete it's destined tasks.

What's this here ramblin mean to Ole Whiskey's bowie ?   

It mean the shaping of the handle is pure blue collar workhorse.  Universal, un-individual, enduring, unadorned and 100% utilitarian. Great care is given to keep her straight lines straight and her curved lines curved.  This here bowie has reached adulthood.  It's lot in life determined just as a Union apprentice.  All that's left is for the Ole Whiskey bowie to get it's education and mature abit and proceed through it's life mastering it's tasks.

Here she is shaped and for the most part hand sanded. Still got to do a little work on the butt end yet.







Thanks fer watchin this here bowie grow Pards,   Josh

[Josh Dabney]

Alrighty Pards,

It was a long day yesterday but here we go with the final hoo-rahh for the Whiskey James bowie. 

I teated the curly maple with two soakins of Vinegar with Iron disolved in it to help bring out the chatoyance (3-D affect) of the wood.  Followed that up with a stiff dyin of Dark Brown Pro Oil Dye then a good whiskerin with 0000 steel wool. Let the works dry up and did 3 coats of hand rubbed Birchwood Casey Tru-Oil gunstock finish.

For the rivets I conjured up a contraption and used the bench vise to countersink (squeeze) the copper washers into the wood.  Following that I used mild steel pins with an extra heavy peening to secure the whole works. This here is a knife handle thats gonna last several lifetimes with no doubts Pards. 

Shoot, I even threw in a few extra dents and dings on the handle.... No Charge 

In all honesty this is the first time I've used rivets of this style so the extra dings were part of my learning curve and I would typically consider the dings shoddy workmanship.  However, on this perticular bowie they do seem to perfectly match with the rest of our theme on this knife.  Basically, A stout workhorse of a knife made to USED not looked at.

Of course the last thing that needs doin is to sharpen'er up.  I'm really liking this type of steel (1095) as this sucker got hair poppin scary sharp. (see pics).  These pics were taken after a healthy dose of choppin on a dry Oak 2x4.   Ole Whiskey indicated that duability was one of his main concerns so this blade is extra stout all the way to and including the point.  A dozen or so straight downward stabs into the oak with twisting or pryin over sideways upon removal for testin and we're good to go.  Use her anyway you like Whiskey !

Enough of my jabbering,  let's have us a look-see Pards,








Ther ya have it, From Concept to Completion !
OOPS, slipped in a sneak peek of Koyote Ken's dagger.  It's looks rough but thats just a dryed coat of oil on the handle.

Thanks alot fer followin along Pards, and I sure hope you like it Whiskey

-Josh

[Kid Terico]

Josh,Hate to admit  it but thats one fine knife. I really like the rivet concept.The handle it a great color. Great job. That toad stabber you showed is going to be nice also. KT

[Will Ketchum]

Josh, very nice.  Looks like a typical mountain man /buffalo hunter era working knife only a lot stouter.  I usually am enamored by traditional bowie knives but I would be proud to carry that knife on my belt.

Will Ketchum

[GunClick Rick]

Buffler hide in that picture ain't no 'count,the hair is fallin out

[Whiskey James SASS#85199]

What a knife!  It came in yesterday but I didn't have time to sit down and give it justice until now. 
I gotta say, first of all Josh sent the blade with a certificate of authenticity, a personal note with additional explanations and a sheet giving guidance on care of the blade.  That really says a great deal about Josh's pride and professionalism. 
The blade is stout and the handle very solid.  The balance is great for a working blade.  I did have to do my own stress test and it did great.  I'll take some hi res pics of the patina and post them this weekend.  The dings in handle add to the knife. 

I can't say enough.  I'll post pics also of the sheath when it's done.

thanks again Josh,

WJ

[Josh Dabney]

Hey Whiskey,

I was begining to worry she got lost or the Pony Express coach driver decided to keep her for his self, LOL

It's very good to hear she found her way and your pleased with her !   I tried my darndest to give ya exactly what you were wantin in a blade. 

I do agree, I think that handle is the last thing you should ever have to worry about.  I was thinkin of nickname-in the riveted handle style the century handle, LOL.  Cuz that's how long it should go befor the first tune up. 

The great thing about it is that if she ever begins to loosen up a bit it could be tightened right back up with re-peening the rivets.  I surely don't anticipate any problem what-so-ever and the only thing that should have any effect at all is many repeated temperature changes and I dont know if even that could budge it !

Again I'm glad your happy with her and she'll make a lifelong companion with a little care.

-Josh