Bowie Knives

boykinlp · #51 06-21-2022, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boykinlp

Don't know why but I want to see some very large knives, Bowie Knives with over 10" long blades. I know you folks have some to show me. Please show us some large Bowie knives even if you made them yourself.
Larry

Boy, ask and you shall receive! In fact, ask CALREB and you shall receive in spades!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by CALREB

Not sure how I missed this. Lets see over 10". Well here is an old photo of a few. Close up of Al Mar "Warrior" Bowie and Voorhis Iron Mistress, pretty close copy of knife from the movie Iron Mistress, that got me hooked on big bowies as a kid.

Now, that is what I am talking about!

CALREB, you have quite a nice collection. Don't hesitate to show us more pictures of those, or any other one's you may have. Thanks for sharing!
Larry

joe44va · #52 06-21-2022, 07:38 PM

An old fake and a new Ontario:

mic214 · #53 06-21-2022, 08:25 PM

While not a 10”, it’s the biggest Bowie I have. A Randall Model 12-9 with a 9” blade and a stag handle. It makes a nice companion to my 8-3/8” Model 629!

CALREB · #54 06-21-2022, 11:45 PM

Forte Its a KaBar "Big Brother" bought it when they came out. 9 3/8 inch blade. The make it with a black handle also. Were 70-80 I think now a little over 100.

CALREB · #55 06-22-2022, 12:18 AM

I think the only agreeable portion of the history of the "Bowie Knife" is that his brother made him a knife that resembled a large butcher knife, no guards wood scales. Hence the first Bowie knife. After that it takes off and goes everywhere with relatives arguing and people always coming up with new evidence. I like the CAMP style of Bowie knife. But dont really own one , some are close. One day a Case or Bark River. Lord knows I NEED another knife, have 2 large plastic tubs full.

BUT I think we can all agree this is the BIGGEST BOWIE anywhere... Where else but in Bowie TX.

boykinlp · #56 06-22-2022, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CALREB

I think the only agreeable portion of the history of the "Bowie Knife" is that his brother made him a knife that resembled a large butcher knife, no guards wood scales. Hence the first Bowie knife. After that it takes off and goes everywhere with relatives arguing and people always coming up with new evidence. I like the CAMP style of Bowie knife. But dont really own one , some are close. One day a Case or Bark River. Lord knows I NEED another knife, have 2 large plastic tubs full.

BUT I think we can all agree this is the BIGGEST BOWIE anywhere... Where else but in Bowie TX.

Looks like a Western W49 Bowie to me. Others have pictured one here. I bought one of those yesterday. I will show it here when I get it in a few days.
Larry

Execpro · #57 06-23-2022, 10:21 PM

Custom hand forged 12” blade.

Piper1410 · #58 06-23-2022, 11:15 PM

Picked this one up for a good price.

Thuer · #59 06-24-2022, 04:53 AM

Small collection of Chineese made Han Wei Bowie knives.

Wyatt Burp · #60 06-24-2022, 12:39 PM

I only have a few "Bowie” knives but my favorite is this Dixie repro of the famous "Musso Bowie”. That knife was bought in the 1970s by Joseph Musso who later cleaned it and found the letters "JB" and a small star in the guard. Not stamped but put in when it was cast. Period of manufacture estimated ae 1830. Bowie was a Texas Colonel so the common star used by officers suggests it might have been Bowie's last knife. It was the version used in the latest "The Alamo". I'm not saying it's Bowie's, but I love the look of it.

Xfuzz · #61 06-24-2022, 10:54 PM

South Texas pawn shop find about 6-8 years
ago. No markings, no sheath.
Thought it was alot of iron for $8.00 bucks.

Xfuzz · #62 06-24-2022, 11:08 PM

Not really considered a Bowie but a good blade
story.
Was invited to a South Texas deer hunt near 10 years
or so ago.
The stand I hunted is/was about 30 miles from the border
as the crow fly's.

Someone had been in the stand a few days earlier and
actually, built a small fire in the corner of the stand.

Anway when I climbed down, I found this under the stand.

S&WshooterFIN · #63 06-25-2022, 03:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Forte Smitten Wesson

Alas, the largest Bowie Knife I own only has a 7-⅜" Blade...

The Official Christmas 2020 Holiday Haul Thread! (Post your Gun/Knife Gifts here!)-20201226_124104-jpg

The Official Christmas 2020 Holiday Haul Thread! (Post your Gun/Knife Gifts here!)-20201226_124104-jpg

The Official Christmas 2020 Holiday Haul Thread! (Post your Gun/Knife Gifts here!)-20201226_124209-jpg

It's a Buck 120 General, so it's nothing too fancy either.

My Buck with 2nd Coy/Finbatt/Unifil logo

I don't use it, becauce I have PUUKKO

Its only a memory of Libamon 1994-1995

boykinlp · #64 06-25-2022, 04:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wyatt Burp

I only have a few "Bowie” knives but my favorite is this Dixie repro of the famous "Musso Bowie”. That knife was bought in the 1970s by Joseph Musso who later cleaned it and found the letters "JB" and a small star in the guard. Not stamped but put in when it was cast. Period of manufacture estimated ae 1830. Bowie was a Texas Colonel so the common star used by officers suggests it might have been Bowie's last knife. It was the version used in the latest "The Alamo". I'm not saying it's Bowie's, but I love the look of it.

Great knife, and I like the story too. Is that considered a Natchez style knife?
Larry

Echo40 · #65 06-25-2022, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CALREB

Forte Its a KaBar "Big Brother" bought it when they came out. 9 3/8 inch blade. The make it with a black handle also. Were 70-80 I think now a little over 100.

Thanks! I'm going to have to get me one of those eventually.

Quote:

Originally Posted by S&WshooterFIN

My Buck with 2nd Coy/Finbatt/Unifil logo

I don't use it, becauce I have PUUKKO

Its only a memory of Libamon 1994-1995

Very nice.

Scharfschuetzer · #66 06-25-2022, 12:06 PM

I'm not a huge fan of big knives, but I do use them now and then when chasing boars behind hounds.

I've also brought a few jungle knives back from countries that I served in. These were mostly used as machetes by the locals. Two of them were made from vehicle leaf springs so they're not Randles by any means.

VoodooSan · #67 06-25-2022, 12:12 PM

Wellllllllll, since you asked for pics.....

This is just a start.....I'll post more later if there's still interest....

boykinlp · #68 06-25-2022, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scharfschuetzer

I'm not a huge fan of big knives, but I do use them now and then when chasing boars behind hounds.

I've also brought a few jungle knives back from countries that I served in. These were mostly used as machetes by the locals. Two of them were made from vehicle leaf springs so they're not Randles by any means.

We definitely need a better look at the one that got bloodied by that boar.

Larry

Quote:

Originally Posted by VoodooSan

Wellllllllll, since you asked for pics.....

This is just a start.....I'll post more later if there's still interest....

VoodooSan, these 2 replicate Jim Bowie's first Bowie knife don't they? There is unquestionably still interest! Show us what you have and tell us their stories.
Larry

VoodooSan · #69 06-25-2022, 01:16 PM

Larry, there has been SO much written about the "original" Bowie knife, that it's very hard to determine if anything is a "genuine" replication. Rezin Bowie supposedly described it at essentially a large butcher knife, without a handguard. But again, no one really knows for sure.

Their stories are all pretty much the same: 1) I simply LOVE bowies, and 2) I've been a cowboy action shooter for over twenty years, and a big bowie stuck in my right boot has always been an aspect of my costuming. I started out buying knives from makers after seeing their work in magazines, or in their catalogs, and conducted business via snail-mail. Then, back in the 80s, I began attending the BLADE Show in Atlanta, which provided me with innumerable opportunities to feed my addiction. <g>

As for those first five, they were made by, in order, "Cable" Joe Allen, Dan Brock (Plowshare Forge), another Dan Brock, Michael Sanders (using Alabama damascus), and finally, the late Argentinian maker, Ruben Calo.

On to new ones!

Craig Camerer's Blue and Amber Waves Bowie

Craig's D-Guard Bowie

Craig's Stag Bowie

Brazilian maker Francisco Ferrari

Jeff Hollet Model 2

That's all I (currently) own in the 10-or-more range!

bill-in-texas · #70 06-25-2022, 07:49 PM

My Bowie knife isn’t anything extraordinary, but I like to tell the story of how it was given to me.

In late 1989, when I was a short-timer in the Army, my platoon got a new platoon sergeant. As an E-5, I was one of his squad leaders in the HHC 81mm Mortar Platoon. SFC “D,” I’ll call him, had just rotated back to Fort Bragg from a unit in Germany.

He told us that when he was in Division prior to going to Germany he had dealt with a trophy shop on Yadkin Road (just off base). This shop would take a Western Bowie knife and engrave it for presentation to (exiting) troopers. If we were interested, SFC “D” continued, he would start that up again so outgoing soldiers could have something to hang on their “love me” wall back home. Of course, we would all have to pony up a few dollars to cover the cost, but hey… eventually it’ll be YOUR TURN, right?

Well, yours truly was first in line to ETS (End Term of Service). Everyone threw in their contribution and my “trophy” was presented to me not long thereafter in front of a platoon formation, I believe the day before I left Bragg.

I kept in touch with my Army buds after I got home. As it turned out, SFC “D” was sent to another unit before a second Bowie knife could be presented.

I became the lone recipient of the engraved, hoo-rah, airborne! Bowie knife. Heh heh heh 😆

-Bill

1911haulic · #71 06-25-2022, 11:36 PM

My Father's Day present from my son, 1/25 by craftsman in my hometown.

boykinlp · #72 06-26-2022, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bill-in-texas

My Bowie knife isn’t anything extraordinary, but I like to tell the story of how it was given to me.

In late 1989, when I was a short-timer in the Army, my platoon got a new platoon sergeant. As an E-5, I was one of his squad leaders in the HHC 81mm Mortar Platoon. SFC “D,” I’ll call him, had just rotated back to Fort Bragg from a unit in Germany.

He told us that when he was in Division prior to going to Germany he had dealt with a trophy shop on Yadkin Road (just off base). This shop would take a Western Bowie knife and engrave it for presentation to (exiting) troopers. If we were interested, SFC “D” continued, he would start that up again so outgoing soldiers could have something to hang on their “love me” wall back home. Of course, we would all have to pony up a few dollars to cover the cost, but hey… eventually it’ll be YOUR TURN, right?

Well, yours truly was first in line to ETS (End Term of Service). Everyone threw in their contribution and my “trophy” was presented to me not long thereafter in front of a platoon formation, I believe the day before I left Bragg.

I kept in touch with my Army buds after I got home. As it turned out, SFC “D” was sent to another unit before a second Bowie knife could be presented.

I became the lone recipient of the engraved, hoo-rah, airborne! Bowie knife. Heh heh heh 😆

-Bill

Bill, that IS a great story. Earlier I said that I had bought a Bowie knife and was waiting for it's arrival. I got it yesterday, and it looks very similar to yours, probably the same make and model. Mine is a Vietnam era Western W49. It is in great shape. The sheath is missing the leather retaining strap for the handle, and original brown leather dangler has been replaced. But, I'm sure those would be easy fixes.

My plan though is to have it made into MY perfect Bowie knife. I want to find someone to replace the rosewood handles with a Sambar Stag crown, similar to some shown in this thread. I am also thinking about making the sheath so it is worn on a leather over the shoulder strap. That would be the perfect "mountain man" Bowie knife.

I emailed a guy I have used before, knowing he is extremely busy, but haven't heard anything back yet.

Keep 'em coming, they are really cool.
Larry

Hawg Rider · #73 06-27-2022, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CALREB

Not sure how I missed this. Lets see over 10". Well here is an old photo of a few. Close up of Al Mar "Warrior" Bowie and Voorhis Iron Mistress, pretty close copy of knife from the movie Iron Mistress, that got me hooked on big bowies as a kid.

CALREB: I do like the Voorhis Iron Mistress, cool knife! I noticed what looks like a Case XX bowie in your knife wheel. Is it a WWII original, or a repro? The Case XX that I got from my Dad is shown above in Post #28. If it's an original, although the polished blade looks nice, you removed 80 years of patina and a lot of its value! That's a shame. However, if it's a repro, no harm done. Enjoy!

boykinlp · #74 06-28-2022, 07:51 PM

I got my Western W49 Bowie Knife with rosewood handles, pictured in post #72 above, and now have the perfect (to me) Sambar Stag Crown to use as the new handle. When I tried to contact my knife guy, he isn't accepting orders until October.

So, do any of you folks have any suggestions for who I can use? Thanks.
Larry

jag312 · #75 06-28-2022, 09:56 PM

In the portrait of Jim Bowie, we can see part of the hilt of his knife. The second picture is Davey Crockett's Bowie knife.

CALREB · #76 06-29-2022, 02:08 AM

boykinlp , a few more, since its raining out. Hawg Rider, it is an original Case Bowie, just not from WW2. Its the oldest of 3 I have just an XX with no dots probably from 60s . Later one with box and Danl Boone, they still make that knife today I believe. Case V-42 from 1992, 1998 version in the wheel photo.I wish I had a first issue. Al Mar Shadow stiletto, Al Mar Quest 3, Fox stiletto, SW Texas Ranger by Taylor. I put the MOREY MK 1 in as a joke. You can look them up produced by a Sailor for Desert Storm, or so it says. I bought 10 or 15 on ebay for 5 dollars a piece years ago. Gave a bunch to friends with the advise not to drop it or use it, I bent the blade on one trying to cut a piece of wood, then broke the handle trying to stick it in the ground. REALLY cheap junk. People still buy them for good money because of the write up. If you want a good all around knife the Cold Steel Recon Scout is a very good knife. Not too big, Thick blade made like a tank. Try to find an older Carbon V one. Case Stiletto V-42 commerative.

Boykinlp if you want to get a big bowie type knife the cold steel Chaos Bowie is a monster over 10" blade. You can find them for under 70.00 now. More like a short sword with a D guard. Last is above the door of my shop. Have a tub of military knives/bayonets somewhere. If I find them will post. Collected knives for years. ?? What for , just always liked big knives.

Wyatt Burp · #77 06-29-2022, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boykinlp

Great knife, and I like the story too. Is that considered a Natchez style knife?
Larry

I don’t know but to me the blade style is pure “Bowie” as I visualize them. Many others posted her do, too, though different handles and guards. Look up “Musso Bowie” and you might find something about it.When a lab analyzed the blade they determined how it was forged.

kraynky · #78 06-29-2022, 06:32 PM

My only knife that actually says "Bowie" on it is an Edge Mark 469. Shown next to my Buck 119 for size comparison.

Neither have been sharpened as far as I can tell.

boykinlp · #79 06-30-2022, 04:55 AM

CALREB,
I now have a Bowie knife, the Western W49, and have a very nice Sambar Stag Crown to make a new handle for it. I just need to find someone to do the work. Remove the rosewood handles, grind or cut down the tang, install the stag crown handle, and finish it all.
Larry

Wyatt Burp · #80 06-30-2022, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bill-in-texas

My Bowie knife isn’t anything extraordinary, but I like to tell the story of how it was given to me.

In late 1989, when I was a short-timer in the Army, my platoon got a new platoon sergeant. As an E-5, I was one of his squad leaders in the HHC 81mm Mortar Platoon. SFC “D,” I’ll call him, had just rotated back to Fort Bragg from a unit in Germany.

He told us that when he was in Division prior to going to Germany he had dealt with a trophy shop on Yadkin Road (just off base). This shop would take a Western Bowie knife and engrave it for presentation to (exiting) troopers. If we were interested, SFC “D” continued, he would start that up again so outgoing soldiers could have something to hang on their “love me” wall back home. Of course, we would all have to pony up a few dollars to cover the cost, but hey… eventually it’ll be YOUR TURN, right?

Well, yours truly was first in line to ETS (End Term of Service). Everyone threw in their contribution and my “trophy” was presented to me not long thereafter in front of a platoon formation, I believe the day before I left Bragg.

I kept in touch with my Army buds after I got home. As it turned out, SFC “D” was sent to another unit before a second Bowie knife could be presented.

I became the lone recipient of the engraved, hoo-rah, airborne! Bowie knife. Heh heh heh 😆

-Bill

Great Story. Your knife looks like the fancier version of the “Western” brand Bowie. My big sister’s boyfriend gave me one in the 70s and at least one other was posted here. The Westerns were the most accessible affordable big Bowie since at least the 60s. I think “Lurch” used one in “Butch Cassidy..” and two in the David Carradine/Cole Younger knife fight in “The Long Riders”. Here’s that fight right here….

The Long Riders (7/11) Movie CLIP - Knife Fight (1980) HD - YouTube

s&wchad · #81 06-30-2022, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VoodooSan

Larry, there has been SO much written about the "original" Bowie knife, that it's very hard to determine if anything is a "genuine" replication. Rezin Bowie supposedly described it at essentially a large butcher knife, without a handguard.

You’re saying this old Henckel’s Twin Works could be considered a Bowie?
Makes sense… The 14” blade is a bit much for trimming radishes!

That's not a knife..THIS is a knife !!!!!-img_0352-jpg

Heinz · #82 06-30-2022, 01:19 PM

This is a period English Bowie by George Wolstenholme. I used to be able to date these pretty close but I don't have the references handy. Somewhere between the American Civil War and the turn of the 20th Century

357-RevolverGuy · #83 06-30-2022, 05:06 PM

Edge Brand bowie. These were Solingen made in the 60s-70s.

Wyatt Burp · #84 06-30-2022, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by s&wchad

You’re saying this old Henckel’s Twin Works could be considered a Bowie?
Makes sense… The 14” blade is a bit much for trimming radishes!

When many people discuss the “butcher knife” Bowie used in the Sand Bar Fight the look of the knife is very close. To your knife here. One difference is Bowie’s knife was said to have a straight top edge with no curve.

Bill Raby · #85 07-02-2022, 01:33 AM

Bowie knives are not supposed to be practical. They are for fighting. It is the American version of a short sword.

skilled · #86 10-06-2022, 05:26 PM

Sheffield Bowies from the 19th Century, When having a Bowie on your hip was a necessity for survival on the Frontier.

Farmer17 · #87 10-08-2022, 09:11 AM

Amazon

I have this Uncle Henry Stag handle Bowie that is use mainly for a little yard work or cutting the new grow limbs off my tree trunks and the 10 inch blade helps me reach pretty high. I love the looks and feel of the knife and it has great steel but the black nylon sheath looks out of place and it begs for a hand made leather sheath. Maybe I'll buy a kit and make one this winter.

Marshwheeling · #88 10-08-2022, 08:55 PM

This Scrap Yard knife is billed as a Bowie.. I don’t think of it as a Bowie, but I am not sure how else to characterize it. The blade is just a bit over 8”, not quite upswept, but with a little bit of concavity to the spine.

Another member has posted one of these. There is more than one way to make a comfortable knife handle. SYKCO’s reseprine-C makes for some of my favorites.

welldoya · #89 10-13-2022, 11:11 PM

Buck 184 and Puma Bowie.

boykinlp · #90 10-14-2022, 06:42 PM

I started this thread, and still love seeing stuff added. Since I started it, I have been working on making up MY perfect Bowie knife. I bought a Western W49 to use as my starter knife. Acquired a nice piece of Crown Sambar Stag for the handle, and got it installed. Then yesterday, I decided to age the blade by giving it a forced patina. Here are the results so far:
Larry

lowriderfxr · #91 10-14-2022, 07:03 PM

My Confederates .

Road Rat · #92 10-14-2022, 08:00 PM

One of my ten inch knives.

Too large for practical use

Charlie Foxtrott · #93 10-14-2022, 11:08 PM

Not very practical, but for some things they are just the ticket.

Wyatt Burp · #94 10-15-2022, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boykinlp

I started this thread, and still love seeing stuff added. Since I started it, I have been working on making up MY perfect Bowie knife. I bought a Western W49 to use as my starter knife. Acquired a nice piece of Crown Sambar Stag for the handle, and got it installed. Then yesterday, I decided to age the blade by giving it a forced patina. Here are the results so far:
Larry

That looks great. Excellent handle, too. The now rustic blade really compliments the antler. It looked really nice before, though, too.

boykinlp · #95 10-15-2022, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wyatt Burp

That looks great. Excellent handle, too. The now rustic blade really compliments the antler. It looked really nice before, though, too.

Thanks, WB. I actually used ketchup to force patina on the blade! It is super easy, and pretty quick too. I was amazed at the results.
Larry

Wyatt Burp · #96 10-15-2022, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boykinlp

Thanks, WB. I actually used ketchup to force patina on the blade! It is super easy, and pretty quick too. I was amazed at the results.
Larry

No wonder my French fries always turn patina!

Mainsail · #97 10-15-2022, 11:31 PM

This is the closest to a Bowie that I have

Bowie Knives-eseefire3-jpg

skilled · #98 10-16-2022, 08:45 AM

R.S. Stenton. Stamped I can cut a bow/and split a dollar. Late 1830’s

BARgunner · #99 10-18-2022, 01:30 AM

I've only got one that meets the 10"qualifier, a Randall Confederate Bowie, 12" blade, nickel silver hilt, and walnut handle. It feels great in my hand.

Echo40 · #**100** 10-18-2022, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by welldoya

Buck 184 and Puma Bowie.

The Buckmaster 184, 185LT, and 639 Fieldmate are the coolest knives ever made, IMO. I really wish that Buck still made them, even if only in limited runs because they command stupidly high prices these days, like upwards of $400 in terrible condition.

I was able to get a used 639 last year, but I had to pay just under $200 for it.

Knife + handgun photo thread-s-w-4006tsw-buck-639-fieldmate-jpg

Knife + handgun photo thread-s-w-4006tsw-buck-639-fieldmate-jpg