The Many Styles of Bowie Knives

The first ever Bowie knife came to be when James Bowie's brother, Rezin Bowie had made a long hunting knife for himself, but gave it to his brother James when he went to a duel. James ended up using the knife to defend himself while he was down and they say the rest is history. Everyone wanted a Bowie knife.

Everyone Wants a Bowie Knife -

Many of the early styles of Bowie knives were made by everyone and anyone and they were all called Bowie knives just because there were no patterns or drawings at that time. Some of them had a coffin shaped blade to represent the kill that James had done in order to survive. One thing they all had in common was that they were made to be used as a weapon.

So in the beginning a Bowie knife was simply 'a knife like Bowie's'. There have been a number of contenders for the title of the 'original Bowie knife', one of the more recent being the Edwin Forrest knife.

Claims of the First Original Bowie Knife -

Forrest claimed to have received the Bowie knife from James Bowie himself soon after the Sandbar fight or duel. A celebrity of sorts, he even went on tour with the knife. It has never been proven without a doubt that his knife was the original Bowie knife.

From what historians can piece together from written accounts, some from Rezin Bowie himself and the knife of Forrest's estate, the original Bowie knife is large and plain, similar in shape to an Indian trade scalper's knife.

What a Bowie Knife Looks Like -

This original knife has a straight back and a sharp edge that curves at the end to make a point which was chipped at one end. Today there are styles that look like utility knives and large hunting knives that can help with field dressings and skinning. All wearing the name Bowie, there are knives that are small daggers, and plain knives, and utility knives.

Bowie knives were in such demand in the early 1800's that highly skilled merchant craftsmen, custom knife-makers, experienced cutlers, and surgical instrument makers could all be found making the Bowie knives in every town and city across America. The knives were beginning to become more of a uniformed shape and size. It seems as if everyone, everywhere wanted a Bowie knife.

Collecting Bowie Knives Today -

Today, to a collector, the first Bowie knives made in the early 1820's and 1830's are now worth at least $20,000 in excellent condition. They are worth less if not in pristine condition.

During the 1840's and 1850's more attention to the handle and sheath was given. Designs of handguns and ornate and intricate patterns were carved into each by hand. The sheaths were often nickel-silver plated.

The Bowie knife went through many design styles, depending on where you lived. For example, San Francisco had a Bowie knife that was pointed, double edged and the handle was more of a pull handle from a cabinet. Every town and city wanted to be unique in their presentation of the Bowie knife.

It wasn't until after the civil war that the decline of the Bowie knife became prominent due to the rise of the pistols. Pistols were easier to carry and use from a distance.

Bowie Knife Comeback -

But the Bowie knife survived after all. In the 1880's, the Bowie knife was mass produced as a Bowie style hunting knife and was beloved by greenhorn outdoorsmen everywhere.

After several decades as a hunter's best friend, the Untied States Military took the Bowie knife to a new level in the combat utility knives of World War II. The Bowie knife is still used as a combat knife today.

The Bowie Knife Today -

Today, the Bowie knives feature the same look and incredible feel of power of their former ancestors, but include some modern design techniques. Today's manufacturers use top of the line stainless steel, wood and other handle material to create an array of unique designs. There is a design just right for you and your personality. Some Bowie knives are made especially for collectors and mounted in glass or hung on the wall for show pieces or traded or sold at knife shows.

Bowie knives can be very useful as we have learned. They are extremely useful to hunters and hikers and campers and anyone interested in providing themselves with a method of self defense. Proper training is recommended before using a knife. Cleaning and maintaining your knife so it stays sharp and in good condition is also a good idea to maintain its quality and safety.

About The Author-- William "Cole" Doggett is a knife expert and owns an Internet knife shop, Knife & Supply Company, LLC at Pocket Knife | Hunting Knife | SOG Knife. His website is devoted to all things like the Bowie Knife, pocket knives, swords, kitchen cutlery, sharpeners, machetes and a wealth of information. Stop by!

An Overview of American Girl Doll Collecting

Collecting American Girl Dolls is a wonderful way to teach young children about early American history. The Dolls are representations of the characters in the American Girl series books.

There are three types of American Girl Dolls to collect. There is the historical collection. Such as, Felicity, who is a Colonial girl in 1774. There is also American Girl Today girl who represent girl of the modern era. These dolls are available in a variety of eye, skin and hair color so they will resemble the children who collect them.

Finally there is a line of dolls called Bitty Babies which are baby dolls and are much smaller than the 18 inch American Girl Dolls.

Other characters include Kaya, an adventurous Nez Perce girl growing up in 1764. In the book she has a horse named Steps High and a pet dog named Tatlo. She also has lots of fun with her blind sisters.

Kaya has great dreams of leading her people in the future. "Kaya" is short for the Nez Perce name Kaya' aton' my which means "she who arranges rocks." Kaya is the newest American Girl Doll. She is the "first" American Girl, and she made her appearance in 2002.

A more recent time period doll is Samantha Parkington a bright girl living with her rich grandmother in 1904. Change is in the air in America, and Samantha's world is filled with frills and all the finest things a little girl could dream of.

Samantha does see that times are not good for everybody, especially her friend Nellie. Nellie, a servant girl whose life is nothing like Samantha's!

Along with Molly and Kirsten, Samantha were the three American Girls that launched the collection in 1986.

Molly McIntire is a lovable scamp, dreaming and growing up in 1944. In 1944 the world is at war, and she longs for her father who is overseas looking after the wounded.

Molly doesn't like having to change so much for the war effort, things like eating turnips and rationing nice things. But she learns the importance of getting along, for her family and her country.

Kirsten Larson is a girl growing up in pioneer times. Her story is set in Minnesota around 1854. A long journey Sweden to America, Kirsten finds her new life is an adventure. As she travels though her story she finds what makes her new situation feel like home, again.

Once you consider which time period your child might be most interested in you will have thousands of choices to make. The American Girl Dolls have period correct clothing including matching clothing for your child. Games, ornaments, stocking stuffers and tons of other things can be purchased.

We have found that the internet has the best deals for new and retired American Girl items.

About The Author-- Tim Russell mailto:tlrussell@american-girl-doll.netEmail Tim, American Girl Doll Collecting

All Purpose Scissors - You Gotta Have 'Em

A typical pair of scissors measures from the tip of the blades to the finger ring. The sizes vary by what the scissors are made for. The smaller scissors are usually around 4.5 inches long and the longer ones are about 8 inches long. Children's scissors are almost always dull blades incased in plastic. Kitchen scissors are usually made of durable, black plastic and have a fulcrum - the pivoting point - higher up, near the blades. Regular scissors do and are usually sharp for cutting a wide variety of items such as bags of snacks or carrots and other vegetables or pizza.

The smaller scissors work well for intricate, detailed efforts such as sewing and needle work or cutting out bits of tiny papers. The longer scissors do well for tougher, stronger jobs such as cutting fabrics and cutting heavy paper, stock board or cardboard.

Dissimilar to a knife, the scissors has two blades that pivot and are usually not that sharp. It's the shearing or crossing action between the two blades that manufactures the sharpened cut.

Scissor History -

It can't be proven but scissors were probably prepared in 1500 BC by the Egyptians and in 100 AD. Cross-blade scissors were invented by the Romans. Robert Hinchliffe, of London perfected the scissors in 1761 when he made the first scissors similar to what they look like in today's world.

Scissor Blades -

The blades of some of the scissors are made of stainless alloy, or a composite of various alloys including a non-magnetic cobalt base alloy, which includes carbon, tungsten and chrome. Suitable for blades, cobalt based alloy does not require a heating process, for it already has hardness to it. It is also rust resistant and chemical resistant. The rust and chemical resistors are built into the materials the blades are made of.

Comparing cobalt and stainless: cobalt has a longer wear resistance and stainless has a greater hardness to it. For that reason, based on this evidence, cobalt is the better based material to make scissors blades. To tell the two materials apart, simply place a magnet over the blade, the cobalt is non-magnetic and the stainless alloy is magnetic.

Scissor Handles -

Some companies use the same materials or composites of various materials for the handles of their scissors. Another possibility for the handle could be less than 1 percent nickel or stainless to ensure against allergic reactions people may have.

Beautiful Scissors -

Most barbers and beauticians prefer the longer scissors because more hair can be cut from the more powerful, longer blades. They also prefer the non-symmetrical pair of scissors because it allows them flexibility while cutting. Besides people who work with hair, fabric workers use scissors on daily basis. There are specially made fabric scissors, usually with a plastic handle so the blade can shear the material at a better angle.

How Scissors Work -

By placing the material to be cut as close to the fulcrum as possible, one can exploit the lever's mechanical benefits. The hand is the applied force and if that is twice as far away from the fulcrum as the cutting location, say the piece of paper, then the force at the cutting location is twice that at the applied location.

Left Handed Scissors -

Many scissors are built to be used in the right hand, but for those of you who are left-handed, they make a left-handed scissors; however, because scissors have overlapping blades, they are not symmetrical. Asymmetry is factual regardless of the placement or the figure of the handles.

When closing the hand, the thumb and fingers do not close because the thumb pushes outwards and the fingers pull inward, however the hand is asymmetrical as well. For right-handed people, the thumb blade of the scissors is held close to the body; therefore the pressure is naturally to force the blades together. So if you were to hold a right-handed scissors in your left hand, you would literally be forcing the blades apart as you moved or forced you hand to move.

There are some manufacturers that make ambidextrous scissors which can be used in either hand. Their handles are symmetrical and so there is no distinction for the thumb and finger holes or handles. They come with strong pivot blades that rotate and do not contain any lateral give. Although true ambidextrous scissors would have the hand in an almost 360 degree flip so the bottom blade becomes the cutting edge, for the ambidextrous scissors that are marketed today are really right handed scissors because they block the cutting angle view for the left handed person.

About The Author-- William "Cole" Doggett is a knife expert and owns an Internet knife shop, Knife & Supply Company, LLC at Pocket Knife | Hunting Knife | SOG Knife. Come by and look out our large selection of Scissors at massively reduced prices!

Why Many People Find Knitting An Enjoyable Hobby

Knitting is a famous craftwork. In fact, knitting turns thread or yarn into cloth. Knitting consists of loops. These loops called stitches are obtained by pulling the thread through each other. Knitting is either done by hand or by machine. There are numerous and methods in hand knitting. In some, the end product may be entirely different and in some produce it may be similar. Flat knitting does the length of the cloth and the circular knitting produces a seamless tube. Using different yarns, kneedles, color, texture and weight produces different end products.

History:

In the year 1527, the first knitting guild was started in Paris. Hand knitting went out of fashion many times but it started its revival in the 21st century. The number of women knitters increased about 150% in the year 2002 and 2004. International communities are also formed for knitting. There are networks where people share techniques and patterns and also run competitions.

Types of Knitting:

Weft knitting and warp knitting are the two major varieties of knitting. Weft knitting requires only a single yarn. One yarn for every stitch is used in warp knitting. Weft knitting is done either by hand or machine whereas warp knitting is done by machine generally.

Circular knitting is otherwise called as knitting in the round. It creates a seamless tube. A set of four or five double pointed needles is used for doing circular knitting. Flat knitting is used to produce rectangular pieces of cloth. Two straight knitting needles are used in this type and stitches are made in rows and horizontal lines. Hats, socks, mittens and sleeves are made by using circular knitting. Scarves, blankets and front and backsides of sweaters are made with flat knitting.

Texture:

Flat stockinette stitch is the most common texture for the knitted garment and knit stitches worked flat is used for machine made stockings and T-shirts. Simple textures are made using knit and purl stitches, garter stitch, ribbing and moss and seed stitches. There is more number of complicated patterns in which slip stitch and heel and linen stitches are used. Small eyelet holes can also be created in the fabric. The use of yarn also changes the appearance of the garment. If the yarn is thick, the stitches will be more visible and if the yarn is thin, the texture will be finer.

Process:

The process of casting on begins a piece of knitting. It is the creation of stitches on the needle. Different methods of casting on are used. Thumb method and double needle method are the various methods in cast on. Thumb method is ideal for picking up stitches and double needle method produces firm edge on the border. The two styles of knitting are continental style and English style. In the English style yarn is held in right hand whereas in continental style the yarn is held in the left hand. Knitting needles, knitting machines are the tools used for knitting.

People find knitting as an enjoyable hobby.

Muna wa Wanjiru Has Been Researching and Reporting on Knitting for Years. For More Information on Knitting, Visit His Site at KNITTING

A Look At The Process Of Knitting Socks

Knitting socks is easy and good for the knitters who have just begun to learn knitting. It is very cheap also. Knitting socks needs only up to 5 balls of yarn, and more varieties can be made. Knitting socks is quite enjoyable because once the basic skill is learned, it gets really easy, and it is less time consuming.

Knitting socks can be completed in two ways. The socks made with heels will be more comfortable than socks created with heel-less. The size of the sock depends on the circumference of the ankle. First the measurement of the foot and ankle should be taken and 1 inch should be subtracted for adults, and half an inch has to be subtracted for kids for the best fitting. Usually, the ankle circumference will be 8 inches for women, and 10 inches for men.

For the best fitting, sock yarn should be used. If the yarn is thicker, the same measurement of ankle should be taken for knitting. The calculation of the stitches is the first step for the pattern of the socks. Let us keep the cast on the stitches. It should be divided equally, across three double pointed needles. First a stitch marked should be put on the beginning of the round. Then ribbing should be done. The needles used for ribbing must be smaller than the needles used for the remaining part of the socks. After ribbing, larger needles should be used for knitting. Stockinette stitch should be used after a ribbed cuff and plain leg. Stockinette stitch gives a good pattern work and a better fitting.

Next step is to divide for the heel. Half the stitches should be put on one needle that should be from the beginning of the round. Remaining stitches should be put on the spare needle. Now the heel can be knitted front and back on the single needle. Stockinette stitch should be done for 2/3 to 3/4 rows in the heel. Now the stitches on the heel should be reduced and heel should be turned. After this the gusset should be formed. There should two selvedge edges between the heels. The stitches should be picked up along the edges and the gusset is formed. Knit the stitches on the rest of the heel. The stitches on the gusset should be decreased.

The foot of the sock is the next step after gusset. The measurement of the foot of the sock should be less than 2inches of the length of the foot. Now start from the center and make 1/4 stitches on the first needle and 1/2 on the second needle and 1/4 on the third needle. There should be alternate decrease rounds and even rounds. A sock can be finished in many ways. The stitches on the toe can be reduced and two needles are bind-off or cast off the both sides and sew it together.

Wool is best for knitting socks. It is very comfortable and gives perfect fitting. Synthetic yarn can also be used but it becomes sweaty and it is not flexible.

When you are following ready made patterns ,then pay attention to the instructions given, like check the gauge of wires or needle. Choose patterns as you like depending on your choice and skill level. Once you have tools and yarns, know about basic stitches and then build some pattern and start knitting!

Muna wa Wanjiru Has Been Researching and Reporting on Knitting for Years. For More Information on Knitting Socks, Visit His Site at KNITTING SOCKS

Taking a clearer image with camera phone

So you are a camera phone junkie who loves to snap pictures, here's some tips for you!

Make sure that the camera lens is clean, you can't take a clear image with a dirty camera lens. Clean the lens with a soft cloth gently, remember not too rough as it might scratch the lens. Do not use a wet cloth to clean it as the water might seep through the lens causing the camera phone to be spoilt.

Choose the highest resolution setting that your camera phone have. Do this especially if you want to printout your images later. The image quality will be better.

Try to take images in a well lit area, if not choose the "Night Mode Setting" as the camera will automatically adjust the lighting.

You need a steady hand in order to take a clear picture too. Imagine seeing a blurry image just because you are unsteady while pressing the capture button. With this, you need lots and lots of practice. Since a camera phone doesn't use a real film, you can just delete off unwanted images. This steady hands skill is also applicable if you are using a digicam or a camcorder.

There you have it, some tips and tricks for you to be a better camera phone photographer!

Written by Webebiz owner of www.imagepostal.com/. ImagePostal.com is a one stop store to get the best imaging devices for yourself. Get digital camera, camcorders, professional video equipment and other videos accessories here.