The engraving looks nice Lin. That's a great knife, and made even better by the story!

I have to ask, is that a lanyard hole in the top branch of the guard?

Thanks Joshua. Yes, it is a lanyard hole.

Hi Lin

Two questions if you don't mind.

The handle, have you glued and stacked layers of cherry together to make the handle block and do you grind your primary grind on your blade before you grind the primary edge to your clip?

Cheers

Steve

Stephan, I do indeed grind the primary bevel first. But at some point in the grinding, I will rough in the clip so the heat will extract better during the qunech. This way the hardness is a bit deeper in the case of a hamon or differential hardening.

Yes, I glue up the entire block and treat it sort of like any solid block. I use a water resistant wood glue. Titebond III

This drawing shows the tang as being about 2/3 the handle length, which would be ok, but in reality, I made the knife's tang a bit longer but following the taper's flow toward the finial.

Thanks for that Lin.

Lin, the handle is very nice. I saw you showing the block to Mike Williams at the Piney Woods Hammer-In. You have been busy. If you do not mind me asking, what did you use to seal and finish the handle? I really like your work. Thanks.

Anthony G

WOW! that is a very clean and classy blade. every piece compliments one another so well. love the lazy s in the guard as welll as all the soft subtle touches you put in there. i could look at if hours <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//smile.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' />

Thanks guys.

Anthony, I used Watco's Danish Oil.

I tried tongue oil but kept getting splinters. Just kidding. <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//rolleyes.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':rolleyes:' />

Mark, One of my pet peeves is guards with too much curve or ones that look bent.

Very nice Lin. I really like the direction your going with the stacked woods.

Chris

Beautiful knife! The blade has the feel of a "historical" bowie, while the handle and guard have a modern feel and both blend together perfectly. I have to say your recent work has been fantastic.

This blade makes me happy inside. I love it. Such nice work.

I'm curious what size stock you start with for a blade that size. I keep trying to forge out a large bowie, but end up running out of stock. Thanks!

I started with a very large piece and forged it to about 3/8 X 1-3/4. Then I forged the blade. It's about .320 at the ricasso. Thanks.

|quoted:

I started with a very large piece and forged it to about 3/8 X 1-3/4. Then I forged the blade. It's about .320 at the ricasso. Thanks.

Excellent. Thank you.