I saw this thread a long time ago and thought it interesting.
(Apologies if I’m about to over analyze or make any erroneous claims)
The guard should provide a good support for the section of tang that broke when nice and snugly fitted. The tight fit would allow it to absorb and distribute forces in itself, to the tang, the g10 handle, and the shelf of blade it is sandwiched between.
Leaving it loose means the forces I’d hypothesize the guard to more evenly distribute would instead be concentrated on specific pressure points during a blow from the baton (which I think is about the only use besides throwing that could produce the critical forces here), or alternatively, eliminate said support entirely and concentrate forces at the critical corners of transitions in thickness of the blade stock/tang
(I presume the latter is what happened here based on the images).
The second main variable in my hypothesis is the way aforementioned transitions are finished.
As in, sharp vs. smooth or rounded angles.
It appears to me that the critical point of failure in the guard area is directly correlated with the the top transition of 90 degrees as the “S” shape shows, I presume, almost exactly how it broke and what forces were present after a downward strike towards the blade’s tip or handle’s butt from a baton.
The break is, from what’s visible in the images, precisely on the 90 degree transition.
I’ll draw a mock-up of how I think the forces caused the S shape fracture and why I think the loose guard helped increase the chance of failure by reducing the even distribution of those forces.
Looking at your pics, I’m curious about the exact way it was last struck with baton.
On that note, I think letting the looseness go unsolved was a potentially dangerous mistake and may have ultimately contributed to the break.
I really love the design and concept for the Respect Bowie, so I remain interested in any use, talk, testing, or even history behind the knife.
Edit: My wording made it sound too much like I was trying to tell everybody what happened lol
(I adjusted that now hopefully)
I’m really intrigued, so I just enjoy spitballing and thinking about what my own experiences have taught me about breaking things.
There are a lot of really knowledgeable people here. It would be a treat to hear what everyone else thinks.
I’m still trying to adjust to the forum and, honestly, I’m a little nervous with so many awesome members like Sal and Ankerson etc.
I’ve learned so much from only a little time and reading here! :)
Oh, and I hope things can be resolved for the OP! I’d be quite sad to break such a gorgeous blade.
rex121 is the king of steel, but nature’s teeth have been cutting for hundreds of millions of years and counting :cool:
