[Clyde Hollis]

Well the final proto-types are in and it looks (to me that is) Great!
I do believe this is the most beautiful Bowie we have done.
So without further ado. Ahem.


Here are the Specs:
Blade Length: 9 3/4"
Blade Width: 1 3/4"
Overall Length: 15 5/16"
Handle Material: Exotic Hardwood
Weight: 1 lb 0.8 oz.

And the Price $209.00

Allright, now....Feedback please.

Clyde Hollis
Imperial Weapons

[Jay Barron]

Very, very well done. I'm impressed with the improvements that were made.

[Russ Ellis]

Ditto that. I wonder what Hugh has to say about it. Is Hugh going to get this one or one like it?

[Patrick Kelly]

Not a bad rendition of one of my favorite bowie designs.

I'd make that circular cut-out in the blades shoulder a bit larger for aesthetic reasons. I'd also go with either a frog stud or a suspension ring on the locket, not both.

[Clyde Hollis]

[Russ Ellis]

[Hugh Fuller]

It looks really nice, Clyde! After a recent disappointment on a custom order , I will be eagerly anticipating your shipment.

Thanks for the early Christmas present!

Yours truly,
Hugh Fuller

[Hugh Fuller]

I received the knife last night and it is far and away the best of the replicas that Clyde has done to date. The knife just feels so alive in your hand. The blade is not so thick as on the Dixie replica, but it is more than strong enough. The balance point is exactly at the front of the guard. This is not so much a chopper as the Musso Bowie or the Iron Mistress Bowie are as it is a thrusting weapon and a slicing weapon. The curious thing about the blade that doen't show in the pics is that there is a section, from the spine and for about 3/4" into the blade that retains the full thickness of the blade before the taper starts. From that point, it is a flat grind all of the way to the edge.

I had wondered at the swell in the hilt, but it makes the grip that much firmer and the checkering works very well.

The sheath is all leather with metal trim and considerably lighter than the sheaths that come with the Musso and the Iron Mistress. I much prefer it and it is very much in keeping with the historicity of the piece. I assume that the metal trim is stainless steel as it is on the Irom Mistress, but whatever it is, it is very well done. The overall image of the knife and sheath is that of something that a sophisticated gentleman would carry in a time and place where duels were common and knives were one of the prime choices before the arrival of Col. Colt's revolver.

[Russ Ellis]

[Douglas G.]

Searles Bowies are my favorite of the Bowie style, and overall I think this ones a beaut. My only
critique is the lack of rounding on ends of the wood which makes the grip look just a tad too rectangular.
Small beef that, esp. when you consider the price!

Doug Gentner

[Clyde Hollis]

Hey Hugh,

Have you been able to take any pictures?

We have some nice pictures already, but I thought you were probablt going to take some pictures of the Searles Bowie I did not take.

Have a Happy New Year!

Clyde
Imperial Weapons

[Hugh Fuller]

Clyde, I do intend to post some, but it will be a bit for me to get them transferred to a medium that I can use with the computer in my office.

[Clyde Hollis]

It is amazing what you find on shelves once you go through them throughly.

Found 5 more Iron Mistress Bowie knives.

Clyde Hollis

[Hugh Fuller]

According to a post in SwordFrums, Clyde is expecting to receive his first shipment of production models of the Searles Bowie in about 2 weeks and will begin shipping them at that time.

[Clyde Hollis]

[Hugh Fuller]

The more that I play with my Searles Bowie, the more that I like it. I really do feel that it is Clyde's best effort to date as far as Bowies go. It is a very guick and extremely handy knife despite its considerable size.