Standard Indian Damascus/Wootz Bowie Customized by Chuck Burrows

[WaddWatsonEllis]

Hi,

I was on the recieving end of a kind 'noblesse oblige' by Chuck Burrows and did not know how to show it off.

Knowing that my circumstances would never allow one of his own knives, he was kind enough to offer to take a 'better' model Indian Damascene/Wootz Bowie and give it his touches. The large pic is the knife after his ministrations, and the small pic outside the frame is the knife as it was originally.

[Forty Rod]

Man, that turned out great.  Chuck's a real magician, isn't he.

[WaddWatsonEllis]

Forty Rod,

He definitely is ... I am lucky enough to have another piece of his work ... he took a cap n ball belt that had been ordered but never paid for and cut it down to fit my waist.

I now wear it with my Pietta 1851 Colt when reenacting. It really makes the outfit look as if I had just ridden in from my rancho...

[ChuckBurrows]

Glad you like it all Skip - here's a couple more pics including the belt - this one is from late last year......I like doing these since they are a challenge in a different way than my norm............

[WaddWatsonEllis]

Chuck,

Your camera gives out so much more detail than mine ... it shows both of them for the pieces of arts that they are ...

With your permission, I am going to steal your pic for my photbucket ... it is so much better than anything I can take with my old camera's limited ability....

I have some questions about maintaining them ... how do I keep them supple without either darkening them or causeing them to crack?

I have heard that neatsfoot oil and EVOO both cause leather to darken .... is there a product you suggest to soften without darkening?

[Shotgun Steve]

 That came out VERY well WWE. That is a nice looking rig Pard. They
go well together.

Shotgun Steve

[WaddWatsonEllis]

Shotgun Steve,

I agree; it looks really good together ... but unfortunately, they are part of two different rigs. The belt goes with a cross-draw Slim Jim and an 1851 Colt that I wear as a Californio.

Californios did not wear bowies, but a knife called a Belduque, so the Bowie goes with a pair of Ruger Old Armys and a standard black powder belt ... I hope someday to save up my pennies and ask Chuck Burrows if he can soup up the belt to look half as good as sheath ....