Lin, the me that knife is not fun. A good stretch of your mind and work but the fun of it quit after awhile. Hair pulling aggravation is more like it. I made the one, and would make the first one again, but, not a second one.

I fall in with the others on standard materials for the repo, and kick it up for a modern one.

Interesting knife for sure.

Lin,

My vote would be for an accurate as possible repro. Perhaps even forge the blade from an old file ??? Or possibly that was Jim Bowie's original knife from the sandbar that would be more accurately depicted by the Caphias Ham bowie that was forged from a file.

I snapped some pics of the #1 at the museum while attending the Intro class in 2010 so I thought I'd throw a few up for those reading along who may not be familiar with it.

I can't wait to see your rendition of the #1

-Josh

Thanks for the pictures Josh. The middle photo is of a 1830 knock off of the Carrigan Knife made by Gravley and Wreaks. It's an important knife in itself because it shows the speed in which the Sheffield marketers got busy selling imitation "Black" knives back to the Early Americans.

I cant take the original Black Knife apart to see exactly how it's made but I can learn a lot about it's construction by making one myself. As I overcome the road blocks, I'll sort of put myself in Black's shoes.

Lin, I like the idea's everyone has brought foward, the only thing I might add, would be a WIP here on the forum!

It sounds like you have your work cut out!

We all know you are very capable of this project!

Russell

Getting off the subject a little, this post has got me thinking (I know that's scary). How do ya'll do the dommed pins like the ones on Bowie No. 1 and the Carrigan bowie? I've done some before, but can't seem to get them looking like little half balls like some of you guys do. Any help will be appreciated.

Dale

Dale,

I'll start a new thread or get Dan's suggestion on the best way to post on this subject. Here is the set of tools I made for this. I'll elaborate in the thread.

|quoted:

You really should not put such ideas in my head. <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//wink.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=';)' />

I know that it would be QUITE A PROJECT but I think that everyone (including magazine editors) would love to see it. <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//wink.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=';)' /> It can be very rewarding to push yourself once in a while. I'm looking forward to seeing whatever you decide on.

Gary

Lin,

I'm guessing that this is the knife that you're referring to:

and not this one:

Both have Bowie No. 1 engraved on the escutcheon plate. It sounds like you are knowledgable about James Black knives. Do you know any of the history of these knives?

Gary

I am pretty sure Lin is after the one in the first picture. This is the one commonly reffered to as No.1 I will have to let Lin fill you in on the history of them.

I was wondering Lin. I forgot to ask you yesterday when we were talking. Are you going to make it to the shape we see now in the museum? Or, are you going to try and make it as it would have looked right out of James Black's shop. I know that it has been sharpened and lost some of it's original shape. Especially along the edge. Inquiring minds want to know.

Brion

The top one is the one. The Bowie Number One is dated to 1830 or so. The sandbar fight took place in September , 1827 so this knife, although historically important was not the one in the fight. I feel this is the one that resulted from the order Jim Bowie placed with Black when he showed him his carved wooden pattern. So, in three years the Bowie Knife became a recognizable term refering to a large knife.

I'm not familiar with the second knife in your pictures Gary. I have seen it, but cant tell you anything about it.

If and when I reproduce the #1 it will be in an "as new" condition, as much as I can anyway.