Post by Marc Kaden Ridgeway on Sept 17, 2013 15:38:02 GMT -5
Marc Kaden Ridgeway
17 September 2013
Atlanta, GA
I would like to preface this review by saying that I know nothing about Bowie Knives really, and have no idea of how to review a knife . Although I have written a handful of sword reviews ,this will be my first knife review. That said , this knife is pretty much begging for a review.
SBG forumite L. Driggers , aka as Fallen , and his wife together make up J&L Custom Cutlery. His wife does the handles while Fallen himself does the blade . Mr. Driggers is already well known on SBG for his ability to make a weapon out of just about anything. Over the years he has honed his skills , and through give-away axe sales on SBG has built his equipment . Having bought a few of his mouse--hawks on SBG , I began noticing how nice his knives were. When I received this one , I was actually shocked . It is super well made and feels incredible.
I believe that Fallen calls this his utility grade knives. I like this , as I believe that a knife should be used. For Utility grade , this is quite nice.
Historical Overview
The history of the Bowie Knife in America is a rich one. While I could regurgitate information , I'll instead quote the Historic Arkansas Museum.
Arkansas was on the edge of the United States in the 1830s, and when Americans thought of a "rough and tumble" place where people might even pick their teeth with big knives, they thought of Arkansas. Washington, Arkansas, was the home of James Black, a blacksmith who became well known for the knives he made. Black's knives were copied by cutlers in Sheffield, England, and sold in America as the "Arkansas Toothpick." As early as 1835, the "Arkansas Toothpick" and the "Bowie Knife" were tied together as two terms used for the knives that were then popular.
Jim Bowie became known for his ability to fight with knives after the "Sandbar Duel" in Mississippi in 1827. In this fight he used a knife which was given to him by his brother. According to many sources, James Black made a knife for Jim Bowie. Some people called this the first bowie knife, the first knife actually made for Jim Bowie. By the time Jim Bowie died at the Alamo in 1836, the term Bowie knife was established as the name for the knives popular at the time.
Bowie No. 1
The Historic Arkansas Museum acquired Bowie No. 1 several years ago through an auction of the collections of two prominent Texas knife collectors. Bowie No.1 is a knife well known in collecting circles as an important early bowie knife.
Bowie No. 1 - history of bowie knife
Although James Black did not put a maker's mark on his knives, curatorial analysis has determined that Bowie No. 1 was made by James Black.
Compare the Carrigan Knife, with an ownership history going straight back to James Black, and Bowie No.1. Was this the legendary knife that James Black made for Jim Bowie?
Historic knives show the variety of shapes and sizes of knives used in the South during the antebellum period for "defensive purposes." The Civil War became the last hurrah for the bowie knife, as Confederate soldiers, especially, armed themselves for battle. As the war progressed the knife proved of less value than rifles, bayonets, revolvers and the bowie knife lost its status as an important southern icon.
In the 1950s the bowie knife witnessed something of a revival, as Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie were featured in books and movies
-historicarkansas.com
Arkansas was on the edge of the United States in the 1830s, and when Americans thought of a "rough and tumble" place where people might even pick their teeth with big knives, they thought of Arkansas. Washington, Arkansas, was the home of James Black, a blacksmith who became well known for the knives he made. Black's knives were copied by cutlers in Sheffield, England, and sold in America as the "Arkansas Toothpick." As early as 1835, the "Arkansas Toothpick" and the "Bowie Knife" were tied together as two terms used for the knives that were then popular.
Jim Bowie became known for his ability to fight with knives after the "Sandbar Duel" in Mississippi in 1827. In this fight he used a knife which was given to him by his brother. According to many sources, James Black made a knife for Jim Bowie. Some people called this the first bowie knife, the first knife actually made for Jim Bowie. By the time Jim Bowie died at the Alamo in 1836, the term Bowie knife was established as the name for the knives popular at the time.
Bowie No. 1
The Historic Arkansas Museum acquired Bowie No. 1 several years ago through an auction of the collections of two prominent Texas knife collectors. Bowie No.1 is a knife well known in collecting circles as an important early bowie knife.
Bowie No. 1 - history of bowie knife
Although James Black did not put a maker's mark on his knives, curatorial analysis has determined that Bowie No. 1 was made by James Black.
Compare the Carrigan Knife, with an ownership history going straight back to James Black, and Bowie No.1. Was this the legendary knife that James Black made for Jim Bowie?
Historic knives show the variety of shapes and sizes of knives used in the South during the antebellum period for "defensive purposes." The Civil War became the last hurrah for the bowie knife, as Confederate soldiers, especially, armed themselves for battle. As the war progressed the knife proved of less value than rifles, bayonets, revolvers and the bowie knife lost its status as an important southern icon.
In the 1950s the bowie knife witnessed something of a revival, as Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie were featured in books and movies
-historicarkansas.com
Specifications
steel: 5160
length: 12in
sharpened back edge: 5 in.
width: 1 5/8in
thickness: 3/16in
guard: 1020 steel3/16in thick
handle : 5 1/4
overall length: 17 1/2in.
weight: 1.04 lbs. (471g)
Overview
The 12 inch long blade is crafted from 5160 steel , and finished to a rich satin. The spine is .1825 in thick or about 4.7 mm. Like all Bowie knives the blade has a clipped point design. The back edge of the clipped point is sharpened for 5 inches. The cutting edge easily slices paper , yet holds up to chopping. The base of the blade features a ricasso - type design , and upon that is etched J & L.
The 5.25 inch handle is crafted in two separate scales of lacewood. The handle work is done by Mrs. Driggers , and fine work it is . The scales are shaped and lacquered and fastened to the tang using three rivets. The grip scales completely encapsulate the 3/4 in by 3/16 in tang.
The crosspiece is shaped from 1020 mild steel , and is rectangular , but "lobed" on each quillion.
The overall length is 17.5 inches.
Handling Characteristics
The handling was what grabbed me when I first grabbed the knife. As I have previously mentioned , I have very little experience or knowledge about Bowie Knives. My experience amounts to a few cheap Bowies. Being a Georgia boy, I have handled many knives over the years , but mostly hunters , folders and K-bar types. The cheaper Bowies I have experienced have felt clunky and tip-heavy. Surprise , surprise ; bad handling from a cheap knife .
When I first picked up Fallen's bowie I was shocked at the sense of balance , intuitive handling and seeming weightlessness. The mass distribution is excellent.
The knife weighs just over a pound . and balances 1.5 inches from the crosspiece.
Cutting
Fallen's Bowie is a sharp and versatile cutter . It slices paper quite easily . cuts water bottles effortlessly and the edge is durable enough for chopping... I am just too lazy to chop all the way through a 2x4.
youtu.be/1UZAHSWXtWA
Conclusion
I am quite impressed with the quality of the J&L Custom Cutlery Utility grade Bowie. It is an attractive and versatile knife , which feels great in hand and cuts well. It has eyeball appeal , yet is not showpiece that you would be afraid to use.
It is pleasing to know that you are using a truly hand-made item , while supporting a independent craftsman . This , I feel , is what the blade collecting hobby should be all about.
I can happily recommend Fallen's J&L Cutlery knives and axes to whomever might be looking for a great handmade , collectable user knife.
Thanks for reading.
