Showing posts with label weapon making. Show all posts
Showing posts with label weapon making. Show all posts

Monday, September 9, 2019

Yankee Slayer II, D-Guard Bowie knife

This massive Bowie knife is not only impressive to behold, let along wield, but it is an accurate reproduction of knives from the Confederate arsenal found in Milledgeville, GA.

The clip point blade is forged from a 3/16" thick piece of 1095 spring steel.  It has been quenched and tempered for maximum edge retention and toughness.  The false edge has been sharpened to give the ability to perform a 'back-cut', just like the historic examples.  The D-guard has been hand forged from round stock, and the handle has been carefully carved out with a draw-knife.  

If you're interested in learning more about how I make this type of knife, check out the Youtube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdlncNVKVlk.

The sheath design is also taken from the Milledgeville finds, with a full leather construction, reinforced throat, copper rivets, and a heavy belt loop.

This is the perfect knife for anyone interested in the Civil War, or for those just love big knives.  For those looking for authenticity, this knife was made much the same as the historic examples from 1860.

Blade length: 16"
Overall length: 21"
Grip length: 4.5"
Knife weight: 30.4oz
Knife and sheath weight: 40.1oz














Monday, August 5, 2019

Blade-Catcher Bowie Knife with 14" Long Blade


Buy this knife here:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/721170969/blade-catcher-bowie-knife-oak-hand?ref=shop_home_feat_3&frs=1




This monster bowie is a unique take on the fighting knives of the American West, sporting a whopping 14 inch blade and two-handed handle. As with all of my knives, it is a one-of-kind piece in which every element is hand-made and instilled with a soul that evokes the lore of Jim Bowie and James Black.

My "Blade-Catcher" bowie has a hooked cross-guard, which if used in conjunction with the saw-tooth filework on the spine and the deep shelves on the ricasso, could in theory be used to catch and lock an opposing blade. Maybe not something you'd want to try in the heat of battle, but I like when form has some kind of function, as well as historical provenance. There is a knife known as the 'Moore Bowie' that inspired this knife and has a hooked guard and saw-toothed spine.

The blade is 1095 high carbon steel, so this is a tough, rugged knife. It has a saber-ground true edge, as well as a sharpened false edge. This knife is a tremendous piercer, and because of the curve of the false edge, it is actually a better cutter than the true edge. The flats of the blade (i.e. not the edge bevels) have been left unground, and only bear a brushed finish to leave a few forge marks as a reminder that this is a hand-made blade, not a big-box store-bought item.

The oak handle is long, so that you can actually put two hands on it if needs be much like a medieval longsword. You could also hold it one-handed near the end for maximum reach, and the double palm-swell will help give you a secure grip where-ever you grasp it.

The sheath is made from 7 oz cowhide leather, and fits the knife so well that the blade is held in place even when upside down. I stained the leather with Neatsfoot oil, which is why the sheath has that beautiful russet-red hue. I also applied a coat of acrylic resolene to give it extra water-resistance. This sheath is unique in that you have multiple ways to wear it. You can suspend it from the leather belt loop, which have two "Pull-the-Dot" snaps so that you don't need to remove your belt to put the knife on or off. You can also remove the metal dangler and belt loop and wear it on the integral belt loop, making it suitable for cross-draw. There is also an included strap and buckle that can be used as a leg-tie for a "gunslinger" type carry method that keeps the knife secure to your thigh and prevents it from bouncing around as you go about your day.

The bowie is a fearsome defense tool and this one hearkens back to the early 1800's, when bowies were carried by Americans of all professions, from senators to soldiers. Check your local, state, and national laws before purchasing. Blackheart Forge assumes no liability if this item is not legal in your area.

Blade length: 14.1"
Blade Width: 2"
Blade Thickness: 3/16"
Overall Length: 20.8"
Knife Weight: 25.1oz
Knife and Sheath: 35.6oz

https://www.etsy.com/listing/721170969/blade-catcher-bowie-knife-oak-hand?ref=shop_home_feat_3&frs=1













Tuesday, July 30, 2019

"The Shieldmaiden" Seax: Replica Swedish Viking Fighting Knife


"The Shieldmaiden" is a handmade replica of the large Swedish-style of fighting knife used by the Rus Vikings, and is similar to the one found in the grave of the female warrior found in Birka.

In keeping with the technology of the Viking Age, I forged this blade in a charcoal forge with a hammer and anvil.  The handle is ash wood that was wild-grown in the woods of Michigan, and carved by hand with a draw-knife.

The leather sheath comes with copper hardware and leather suspension straps that allows you to wear the knife horizontally, as well as don and doff the sheath without removing your belt.

Belt not include.

Blade length: 11.5"
Overall length: 16"
Handle length: 4.5"
Blade width: 3/16" 
Knife weight: 11oz
Knife and sheath weight: 15oz 








Saturday, July 20, 2019

S-Guard Bowie knife

Available here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/BlackheartForge?ref=seller-platform-mcnav

Classic. Simple. Robust.

This is a rugged mammoth of a bowie knife that speaks to the legend of the American West and the days of the pioneers and mountain men. It features a 12" long blade that is 2" wide, yet is still thin enough to keep it a nimble fighter, and with it's sharpened false edge this knife is true to it's cowboy heritage. Please check your state and local laws before purchasing, I take no responsibility for the legality of possessing this tool. On that note, the purchaser assumes all responsibility for any injury that might arise from it's possession. Treat her with care and respect, and she won't bite you.

The walnut grips are plain but are comfortable in the hand and allow for powerful swings when hacking through brush and branches. The steel is 1095 high carbon that has been quenched in Parks 50 and tempered back for toughness. I left the patina on the blade from this heat treatment, which helps protect the steel from rust and gives it a classic look, like something from antiquity. It is a unique finish that can only be achieved in a forge. The guard is also forged from the same 1095 steel, and was wrought for this specific blade. Every knife I make is a one-of-a-kind piece, and there will never be another quite like this one.

The sheath is cut from 8oz cowhide and stitched together with tarred bank-line. I also dyed the leather from it's original, natural color with homemade birch-oil, which gives it a rich, authentic golden-brown color.

You can see how I make my knives on my Youtube channel: www.youtube.com/PhilBaumhardt.

Blade length: 12"
Cutting edge: 11"
Overall length: 18"
Blade width: 3/16"
Weight: 21.9 oz
Weight with Sheath: 27.4oz











Saturday, June 22, 2019

Hudson Bay D-Guard: Photo Set

Check out the Youtube video: https://youtu.be/5pw3vwDfef4

12" blade, forged from 1095 steel. Steel guard, hickory handle.



The sheath is made from one integral piece of leather.



The leather was stained with homemade birch oil and neatsfoot oil.