My First D-Guard Bowie

[ranger1]

This is a custom order from a photo of an original Civil War Bowie. Blade is 1095, Fittings are Brass, Handle is Sambar Stag. (The original knife had a wood handle. Customer requested Stag)



What ya think?

[racinca]

Very nice Andy! You made it look old. I really like the forge finish on the ricasso against the polished blade. How long is it?
Tony

[ranger1]

Thanks Tony, The Blade is 12.5" . 18"OAL.

[10es&]

Very nice! The work on the "D" guard is great.

Brett

[Doug Lester]

Not a fan of the style but that is outstanding work. I think the long length of the blade makes it work better than most of the D-guard bowies I've seen. Did you shape the guard before or after you assembled the knife?

Doug Lester

[ranger1]

Thanks Guy's.
Doug I shaped the guard first. Getting the ends square with each other, then fitted the blade to the guard. I then built the handle inside the guard and just slid the tang threw.

[Doug Lester]

I was thinking that if the same design was used but the blade was doubled in length it would be a great hanger or hunting sword.

Doug Lester

[ranger1]

If you haven't made one you should. The fit is really hard. I gained allot of knowledge making this one.

[Kostoglotov]

Nice work

Is there a ferrule between the guard and stag?

[BarryC]

Thats nice Andy! Looks heavy...Whats it weigh?

[Crex]

Nice work Andy. Folks always look at those and say "that blade must have been really difficult to forge", they have no clue how hard it is to get the guard "right and tight" - by far the most difficult part.

Friend of mine has an original probably made in the little factory that was in Statesboro, Ga during the CW. They produced many of them that marched north to meet Sherman in Chattanooga. Most I've seen and handled are made from large farrier's rasp, had a rough forged "D" guard, and a handle made from what appears to be old pine warehouse broom handle. Quick and dirty but most of the blades were forged quite well.
I've made several patterned from his original with a slight twist - I forge the guard from a horseshoe and use better handle material (as you did). Actually the blade is pretty straight forward forging and not that difficult.......heat treating it is a buggar in a small forge and tempering oven. And, as mentioned, the guard fitting is the hard part. Lots of back and forth trips from forge/anvil to vise/bench to get it right.
Again...very nice work.

[ranger1]

Thanks guys. There is a ferrel between the guard and handle. I am not sure about the weight. I;ll have to weigh it. She is fairly heavy.

[gigante]

Looks great. I'm looking forward to seeing what you throw into the kith.

[ARCustomKnives]

Very impressive work Andy! Not a bad name either... haha

I too am looking forward to what you put up in the KITH. I actually started work on my contribution today...

-Drew

[Airth]

Fine looking blade and a very clean finish---great job!