iKnife Collector
Custom Demascus Bowie
Hello Everyone,
My name is Chase Richardson and I am new to this site. The reason I joined IKnifeCollector was to get some information on a couple of custom knives my father left my brother and I when he passed away back in February of this year. Our father was an avid knife enthusiast and Collector. He left us with an amazing collection of knives from some of the world's most talented and well known knife makers. Makers such as, Wayne Clay, Don "Zack" Zaccagnino, Walter Brend, R.H. Ruana, Scott Sawby, Ray Cover, Carson, Randal, Elishewitz, E. Scott McGhee, Steven Fecas, among others.
Growing up with my father I gained a wealth of knowledge about knives and came to love them just as much as my father. But there is one knife in the collection that has me completely stumped. I am hoping someone on this site can shed some light on the maker and educate me on this amazing piece.
It looks to be a custom "one off" Bowie style fighter with a Damascus blade, measuring 11 inches. The handle is made out of fossilized walrus tusk. There is no name stamped or engraved on the knife any where. The only identifying makers mark is located at the Heel of the blade in the form of what appears to be a small medical cross of some kind (seen in photo 3).
My father liked to follow not only the guild members but the up and coming journey men who were making a name for themselves as journey men and who were well on their way to being guild members themselves one day. He did this to ensure the knives he purchased this way would inevitably increase in value once these makers became guild members.
Thats what I think this knife is and was made by someone who at the time was a journey man. I believe he purchased the this particular knife in the early 2000's.
I'm hoping someone will recognize the workman ship of the knife or the makers mark so I can get an idea of what the knife is worth and know who the maker is. Thank you and I greatly appreciate any assistance on this.
Photos Below. If you double click the photos they should open up into a different window so you a see them. If for some reason you have any problems opening the photos I will try and reload them so they are easier to view. Thank you once again for your time and consideration.
Best Regards,
Chase Richardson
Kevin D
Good afternoon Chase.
I need to reiterate to really like the looks of this bowie. :)
Now. Lets try to break down what we can see, and know from the photos. Where to start?
The blade steel is a low layer damascus. Looks like a fairly thick layer of high carbon steel for the edge.
The clover leaf or medical cross cut out... If I were to guess, I would think that this was EDMed. Probably wire EDM. I do like it. I do not see any obvious stress risers in the design of the cut-out. It is quite distinctive. Unfortunately I do not know of a maker that uses that as a maker's mark. Most maker's marks that I have seen have been etched, and not cut like that.
The guard, pommel, pommel nut, and bolster ring are also made from damascus. Different material from the blade of course. I do like the contrast in the sheen of the two types of damascus.
From what I can see in the photos, the fit-up between the various components is quite good.
The material quality seems to be pretty darn nice. Fossilized Walrus Tusk for a handle is not your run of the mill handle material selection. Looks fantastic, but is also a bit pricier than some other alternatives. Bone, wood, or synthetics. But it is not fossilized mammoth or real elephant ivory either. To me, those are the ultimate high end handle materials and reserved for pieces that the maker has more experience and confidence in the end product result.
I believe that you are correct in your guess that this was made by a JS (Journeyman Smith), Based on this piece of work I would think that the maker may have made MS (Master Smith) by now.
I just wish I was able to help with who actually made the thing. I can only be grateful you shared the photos and drool.
I am truly sorry to hear of your dad's passing, but also would like to congratulate you on the acquisition of a very nice blade. Recognizing that it is not a run-of-the-mill knife is also something. Your dad obviously taught you the value of a good knife, and the quality of the workmanship that is required to produce a piece of this quality.
Very nice and thank you for sharing!
Jul 25
KnifeMaker
James McClendon
Do you have a better pic of the makers mark? While I am far from any expert on individual makers this is a nicely made knife. I'd agree with Kevins assessment with the exception of one thing, the guard is most defiantly from the same billet. The blade appears to me to be forged to shape from the way the pattern is flowing. Hopefully you'll find out the maker. Hold on to it until the economy improves, the secondary market is struggling right now.
Aug 6