by Jerry Ahern
As the project developed, a decision was made to form a new company. Rourke readers should recognize the name LANCER from the original series. It is the firearms company that the Rourke family had “loaned” their 20th Century weapons to so that “faithful” reproductions could be made. The name LANCER is just another “wink” at the genius of Jerry Ahern.
Sharon Ahern, a driving force throughout the process, sits on the Board of Directors. For the first time ever, John Thomas Rourke items, knives, and memorabilia will be offered to the loyal readers of the original series and to new fans. These items are currently under development and each will be reviewed and approved by the authors.
Jerry and I had done some concept work on a new set of knives for John Rourke, specifically a BOWIE FIGHTER and a SPEAR POINT that could double as a dive knife. Both had to be small enough to carry concealed if necessary; but, in Jerry’s words, “Big enough and strong enough to hang my life on if need be”. I reminded him of Jim Bowie’s quote from the movie, The Iron Mistress—“I’ve seen guns fail. I’ve seen swords fail. I want something that won’t fail.” Jerry’s responded, “Exactly, and I want two of them.”
We decided the BOWIE FIGHTER should be made out of high carbon steel, with a five to six-inch blade. It needed to be made out of quarter-inch stock with integral guards top and bottom. It would need “very aggressive” serrations, as well as a skull crusher at the end of the handle as well as a thong hole. Lastly, the handle needed to be of the type you can fight with, the blade upright or a reverse grip.
The SPEAR POINT DIVE KNIFE was to be made of stainless for corrosion resistance. Like the BOWIE FIGHTER, it had to have a reverse friendly grip, also with a thong and crusher. The leather sheath for the BOWIE was to be leather and designed to be hung down from a belt or mounted horizontally in the small of the back or set up for cross draw.
Jerry’s last stipulation was, “Whatever you come up with will be fine but I want them to be as alike as possible. Yes, they will be two different types of knives, but I want them to be a set.” I worked up the JTR (John Thomas Rourke) brand to be placed on both blades.
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