"Bamboo" LIghtfighter Bowie

[Jason Cutter]

I just finished this one today. Its light, quick and represents MANY FIRSTS for me in its construction, materials and techniques. The customer pretty much gave me artistic ####### to do whatever - don't you just love that ??!!

Specs- 8inch blade - 1075/L6 Raindrop pattern damascus by Damascus New Zealand http://www.damascus.co.nz . Fileworked "prespacer" or whatever you call it ... grooved guard, all blued mild steel fittings. Handle is stabilised Wavy Myrtle, carved and textured in a bamboo theme. Balances just 1/4inch in front of the guard. The handle shape tends to change appearance depending on which angle your are looking from. It took a lot of tweaking and experimentation to get the damascus to show properly.

All comments appreciated, and thanks for looking. It was fun. Jason.






Here are links to more pics - detailed, larger etc. ...

http://www.fototime.com/3F2B8A11BF0BF0F/orig.jpg
http://www.fototime.com/991AF1895CEC461/orig.jpg
http://www.fototime.com/6C982B39239887D/orig.jpg
http://www.fototime.com/7778F0269E109EE/orig.jpg
http://www.fototime.com/22653299FB02FE0/orig.jpg
http://www.fototime.com/D7ABAA4662D8C16/orig.jpg

[Burchtree]

Bladeart indeed. I can't believe how beautiful your bowies are these days. You're going to be up there with the heavy-hitters very soon with pieces like that.

[nifeman]

Jason, I like the handle. Very nice knife overall... Bud

[luc]

Dang Jason!
That thing is awesome , good work!
Lucas

[Sean O'Hare]

That is a seriously awesome knife!!!

The handle carving is really great and that guard is beautiful.

Thanks for sharing that one!

Sean

[SKIVIE]

I want to be like Jason when I grow up. Is there anything you cant do my friend ? Thats a beauty. Im working on a guard very similar to that one.....how did you get that groove that goes around it ? Im fileing away...

You done good Doc !

Shane

[AwP]

That's really nice, I especially like the "pre-spacer" thing since it's a pretty uncommon feature.

[severtecher]

Jason, that is one of the finest you ever posted here. I love it. I always give lots of leeway to a maker because if I like his stuff i know he will make me a good one.

[Keith Montgomery]

Outstanding! Love the lines, love the handle and also the guard. This knife has it all.

[Jason Cutter]

Thanks guys ! I had some serious fun with this one. First time this size damascus, first guard of this shape, first handle shaping like that and the first through tang with threaded bolt so the knife could be taken apart at all stages to work on individual parts. Epoxied together only at the end.

The groove is done with a dremel cutoff wheel chucked up ionto a drill press and spun at the highest possible speed on your press. I adjust the work table so that when I slide the guard flat on the table, the disc cuts a groove about midline. If its slightly off, I just flip the guard over and cut the groove again - it self-centres. Then clean up the groove with a file and then progresive sandpaper... I use my left over almost-worn-out cutoff wheels this way - the smaller diameter is slower, less aggressive and much more controllable. You will probably need to refinish the faces of the guard because of scartching along the worktable, but hey ...

Hope that helps. Jason.

[SharpByCoop]

The ratchet clicks up another notch...!

Way to go, Kwong!

Coop

[Don Halter]

Looks really cool!

Man,...where and how do you find the time to make so many nice knives!!??

[whv]

really nice, kwong!
thanx

[Raymond Richard]

Nice one! At first glance I thought the handle was wrapped with leather.....

[Jason Cutter]

I just finished the sheath which is a regular bowie-styled scabbard with a stud and a high-ride belt loop on the back. The inlay is Pythonskin, I think. Thanks for looking. Jason.