I first got interested in making a reproduction of the Fitzpatrick Bowie when I saw it a few months ago in one of the articles by Dr. Jim Batson in the KNIFE Magazine. The proportions and the lines were very attractive to my eye however I wanted to spruce up the materials a little so I made the blade of my Damascus and the take down handle into a frame which would take pressure off the Ivory. I took a few minor liberties with the details but tried to keep to the over all profile. One thing I noticed about this knife is that the handle was shifted upward seemingly out of center with the blade. As a rule, we usually center it all, which is correct in most cases. I think what makes this work visually is the guard loop adding visual "weight" to the bottom, in effect creating a balance to the eye. I also made a straight, flat section of the loop at the back to correspond and tie it visually, adding balance, to the wide ricasso. That's why I posted a direct side view. I hope I'm making my point clear.