Two Bowies - Part 5
Both knives are glued together and the handles are fully shaped. I sanded the surfaces to 400 grit and now I am in the process of applying the finishing layer of epoxy resin.
![](https://69f656b4fc.clvaw-cdnwnd.com/a6047a363ba9cf89d38f9e2fded0ffdd/200000969-928c2928c4/Two_bowies_18.jpeg?ph=69f656b4fc)
The smaller knife is practically completed now, all that remains is to buff the handle with wax and to sharpen it. For safety reasons, however, I will postpone the sharpening until the sheaths are done too.
The bigger knife has the blade currently only glued up at the hand guard. Once the glue sets, I will fill the hole in the handle with slow-curing epoxy, just as I did with the kitchen knives last year. It guarantees better filling of the cavity and is also cheaper.
![](https://69f656b4fc.clvaw-cdnwnd.com/a6047a363ba9cf89d38f9e2fded0ffdd/200000971-7e8057e806/Two_bowies_19.jpeg?ph=69f656b4fc)
As
far as surface finish goes, for the bigger knife, I went for
wire-brushed bronze that I will let go get a natural patina over time,
although I can still change my mind on that. I filed the nut at the end
of the tang, into a chrysanthemum design. Once it is fully glued
together, I will file down and peen over the end and I will also add
some texture to the center of the flower with punches.