The Bowie is by fellow CKD'er Chris Daigle of Houston. This was the knife that triggered my Mexican Loop Tutorial ( www.wrtcleather.com/1-ckd/mexloop/_mexloop.html )back in early January. This sheath though wound up being a variation on the standard Mexican loop theme - a riveted loop style without the added bulk of the large skirt. After I got the knife I realized that the finished rig would have looked sort of stubby with such a big skirt and Chris agreed. My kind of customer, Chris gave me a general outline of what he wanted and then let me take it from there.

Here are the specs on this very nice, well balanced knife - 5/32" thick 5" blade- ATS-34 stainless- flat ground- hand rubbed to 600 grit.
416 SS guard- satin finished, Copper ferrule, Mosaic pins
Coffin shaped African Blackwood handle.
http://wrtcleather.com/1-ckd/daigle/daigle-pair.jpg

http://wrtcleather.com/1-ckd/daigle/daigle-face.jpg http://wrtcleather.com/1-ckd/daigle/daigle-back.jpg

Sheath specs:
The back and belt loop are of 7/8 oz vegtan with the cross over loop made from 4/5 oz. The welt all around is made of 3/4 oz which is more than adequate. With a period sheath of this design the blade must be fitted snugly as there are no retaingin straps and when with a thinner welt it works very well for retention without being too tight (always remember leather has a certain "give" to it).
The front is actually two thickness - an inside layer of 5/6 oz covered with a 4/5 oz layer that makes the arched throat cover that aids in retention by lightly gripping the crossguard. The outer layer is glued to the inner face and then the whole thing is sewn using Barbour's Redhand 5 cord linen thread using the traditional harness maker's/saddler's stitch.
Note the two small tacks that prevent the body of the sheath from pulling up through the loop when drawing the blade. I've come to use these on almost every sheath because no matter how tight you get the cross loop eventually it will stretch a bit and loosen up.
The color is my favorite medium dark, aged russet. Unfortunately the rich nuances in the color aren't fully apparent in these photos, although the backside photo gives you a taste. I started to do this one plain, but it just cried out for some deco and this fairly plain style of incised carving that I really like fit the bill perfectly.

This whole rig, knife and sheath, is one of those rare but very pleasing gems that just came together without a lot of effort.

Chuck

Chuck -- that is a stunning set, congratulations to both you and Chris ! The concept of using a heavier leather for the lip is ingenious -- nice transition under the throat, I'm sure I'd have never guessed from the pictures. I also like the free-hand carving, incised as you say. But the secret to this set isn't the details, it's in the whole look. I'd say "perfect", but we all know that one hasn't been made yet. But close my friend, real close !
Except maybe that one stitch on the belt loop, but at least it's on the back :D (blame your own outstanding photography for the clear visual detail of the stitching!)
Now -- a pair of 1850s gold cufflinks, a pocketwatch, and a snuff box and you might win Pic Contest 2 weeks in a row !!
MtMike

MtMike, I couldn't be any more happy. The guy who this is going to will be floored, I know.

Thanks again to Chuck, your Sheathness!

Chris

#### Mike you caught me. There is one other bobble but you can only really see it when it's in hand. (UmmmUhhh Chris you bought it it 's yours now. No returns! LOL:p

Now -- a pair of 1850s gold cufflinks, a pocketwatch, and a snuff box and you might win Pic Contest 2 weeks in a row !!


Well I don't have a snuff box or cufflinks but go check out the Photo contest. :rolleyes:
After MANY shots that one just came out too nice not to post, and I really don't expect lightening to strike twice.

Chris-it was a real joy and I'm glad to have leant a hand.

I'd say "perfect", but we all know that one hasn't been made yet. But close my friend, real close !
Except maybe that one stitch on the belt loop, but at least it's on the back

I had to let out the evil spirits somewhere and besides I truly believe only the Great Spirit can make "perfection", but we can strive for it.

The drooling never stops. Super design and jsut had a look at the tutorial - GREEEAAATT ! Guess what I'll be trying to do this weekend ? I'll need to read it more carefully first.

How far do the little tacks go ? just into the seam to hold the sleeve there ?

Cheers.

How far do the little tacks go ? just into the seam to hold the sleeve there ?
I clip them of so they won't go all the way through the face and then put them on a slight angle inwards so they catch some "meat". Just make sure they don't come out inside the welt edge or the blade will rub on them. Sometimes I even use four.

If you have any questions on the tutorial email me and I'll see if I can explain better. Note in the tutorial there is an option to use a rivet to accomplish this rather than the tacks.

Just got back from the Pic Contest -- gentlemen, raise the bar !!
Is this a great place or what?! You guys just keep making it more and more enjoyable to be in the custom knife community. But voting in this weeks contest -- tuff one, tuff.
Nice pocket watch too;)
Mike

That's my great, great something granddaddy's Elgin/Hamilton from 1872 I've been told. If you look close you can see the two keys for winding it. It was keeping the glare of it's face that gave me the most trouble with that pic but after 50 or so shots that one just happened!! (hardly did any editing in fact - moslty adding the border.)

Just saw Coops addition and it along with Schwerts is going to make it tuff for sure. Mainly it's just something that I do in my "spare" time BIG LOL!!!8o :rolleyes: 8o

Mike, is it possible you could drive up an visit Chuck, ask to see his camera, then maybe drop it?

His photo is again a winner.

My guess is that he has some kind of incredible, bottomless trunk of grand old cowboy gear. Fantastic.

Competition makes the world better , eh!!
If I were to get into the pic contest I'd have to a) borrow a camera, and b) use a dive-knife theme, with old swim fins, combat trunks, a 200M watch, and some ccol glisten-ee seaweed. Got most of the stuff -- problem would be importing the seaweed :D
Mike

Nope not bottomless, but I have gathered quite a bit of ju.. umm uhh props over the years (in fact it might just be time to move again so we can pare it down).

As for the camera (a Panasonic Lumix DMC-LC40 4px) it's actually my neighbors! They bought it for themselves as a Xmas present and have graciously allowed me to use it. Maybe you could bribe them....:rolleyes:

One thing that I think makes a difference is that it takes images in a Tiff format rather than just a jpg so there is no compression.

Randy that pic came after 50 or 60 shots. I was just trying to get a decent beauty shot (for future website use, maybe a slide show or a background) and I really wasn't planning on entering the contest. I was really having trouble with glare on the watch lens and blade and after fiddling around for way tool long and just when I was about ready to call it quits this one happened. When it came up on the screen (about 1:00 AM) I almost fell out of my chair. It looked like a Terrill Hoffman pic! :D (one of my main influences in the photo world). It is just one of those magic shots I guess - I virtually did nothing but crop it and lighten it up a tad. I then added the frame, but the basic shot was a real WOW! all by itself at least to my eye.
:smokin

Anyway I better get back to my real job and get some work done.

Chuck,

Keep entering, these last two setups have just been to good to miss.

I worked real hard last Sunday for the next image and all my shots were defective with flare from a shiny blade. You again captured a great story. Congratulations, early...cannot wait to Week 29!

Mike,

Next storm I should be able to get a bag of seaweed for you....go get or borrow a camera.....we need to see your trunk of stuff.

Hey Mike, if Schwert sends you some seaweed from the West Coast, I'll get some from our beach. Think anybody in the Rockies will know what it is.Dave:D

Dave -- now that's the funniest question of the week, actually took a few minutes to recover :D All I could think of was some of my mountain buddies asking if they could smoke it !! (Down Chuck !! I know you've got some serious West Coast experience !!)
BTW Dave old friend -- as I remember, this Gallery was largely YOUR doing -- so where are your pics :confused: Eh? :D
Mike

Well I have eaten seaweed (nouri) - but smoke it?
Hmmmm..... :cool: