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Old 03-15-2014, 10:56 PM
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I am interested in buying a good quality Bowie. I know that the top makers charge astronomical prices that I can't afford.
May I get some recommendations for a decent knife for under $200.00? Thanks in advance.......
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Old 03-15-2014, 11:16 PM
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Texas Star will be along on a minute..
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Old 03-15-2014, 11:37 PM
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I've got one of the older Westerns, it has great steel and will hold an edge like no tomorrow. Were I in the market these days I'd take a close look at Cold Steel.
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Old 03-15-2014, 11:37 PM
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I was going to reply that Life on Mars was his best work until I read the rest of the post.
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Old 03-15-2014, 11:44 PM
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It would be $100 or more over your limit, but I would go with one or both of these. I can't think of one for under $200 that I would even consider.
Camillus 2002 16 1 4" OVB Bowie Pair Ironwood Maple Handles Both | eBay


Pictures are from the bottom to the top: 3 Bagwells, Matt Lamey, Jason Knight.










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Old 03-15-2014, 11:59 PM
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I'm going to have to politely disagree with 5BeansintheWheel. Granted, there are some beautiful, high-quality, handmade Bowies out there that are well worth the price. But, you can still find a good, well-made "usin' knife" out there for under $200.

Case in point...Cold Steel's Laredo Bowie, which normally sells for $284.99, can be purchased through Amazon for $156.10. It's got a 10½-inch blade that is 5/16 of an inch thick and made out of SK-5 high carbon steel. And it comes razor sharp. While the top of the tip doesn't come sharpened, it doesn't take much to put a good edge on that, too.

Okay, it's not made in the USA, but to find a knife of that quality that is made in the US for under two hundred bucks is kinda like having a champagne taste on a beer budget.
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Old 03-16-2014, 12:08 AM
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Quote:
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Texas Star will be along on a minute..
Thanks. I'll probably be of only modest help.

The best bargain in a good knife of this sort may be Buck's Models 119 and 120. The clip point isn't honed, so unless the blade is just too long in your jurisdiction, it should be legal. (Either model. The 120 is just a longer form of the 119. Blades are about 6 and 7.25 inches.) I have and love both.

The Cold Steel Trailmaster mentioned may be under your price point, or close.

How long a Bowie? The Fallkniven A-1 is basically an Improved Bowie shape, the blade a bit over six inches. If you get the pure A-1, it'll have a Kraton or Thermorun handle. For more money, you can find the same basic blade in their Northern Lights (NL) series. The A-1 probably averages between $150-200 from US dealers. Prices on the site are in Swedish kroner/crowns. The NL version may reach (guess) $250. But shop several US dealers, or query the site for names of US dealers. I think they'll sell directly, but probably prefer to steer you to importers or dealers. That will also avoid currency issues. Work all the buttons on their site. You'll be impressed! www.fallkniven.com Especially check the survival/miitary and sheath knife buttons. Model S-1 is a top outdoors knife, a smaller version of the A-1 I've posted here frequently about these knives and am short of time now. Read their site. If you want a longer, heavier knife, see models NL-1 and NL-2. Unless you really feel the need for a long blade, stop at the NL-2. The blade is about 20CM, almost 8 inches. It's well balanced, so feels lighter than it is. It's a good chopper if you need to make a shelter in the woods. Handle is leather with
colored fiber trim, with stainless guard and alloy butt cap. Yes, the handle may remind you of Randall.

Why do you want the knife? If your goal is wearing it to Old West events, you'll prefer the classic look. I haven't seen the Chinese-made Han-Wei knives other than in photos, but member Theur has a few and likes the brand. He's trying to encourage the maker to provide some gambler's dirks and push daggers, too, having met them recently at the IWA show in Nuremburg. (Theur is Dutch.) Ask him for more on Han-Wei. If he likes them, they probably are worthwhile.

But his interest seems to be mainly in wearing them to Old West meets. I don't know if he hunts, hikes, or camps. Does anyone here really use Han-Wei knives?

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Old 03-16-2014, 12:11 AM
5BeansintheWheel 5BeansintheWheel is offline
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$284.99 $156.10 SK-5
I'm going to have to politely disagree with 5BeansintheWheel. Granted, there are some beautiful, high-quality, handmade Bowies out there that are well worth the price. But, you can still find a good, well-made "usin' knife" out there for under $200.

Case in point...Cold Steel's Laredo Bowie, which normally sells for $284.99, can be purchased through Amazon for $156.10. It's got a 10½-inch blade that is 5/16 of an inch thick and made out of SK-5 high carbon steel. Okay, it's not made in the USA, but to find a knife of that quality that is made in the US for under two hundred bucks is kinda like having a champagne taste on a beer budget.
The fact that is not one the earlier USA made rules it out for me. Nor am I fond of the cable with a nut for part of the tang they used on some knives. Sorry, with out researching the cable and nut, I am not sure which models used them. They have been known to break.

I won't even get involved in the carbon v and sk-5 debate.

Spend the extra $100 and get a USA made knife!!


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Old 03-16-2014, 12:29 AM
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Hey Ron, here is a John Wayne Commemorative Bowie. I dont know how much these are, but id like one myself. I saw an Army Commemorative Bowie at the last gun show. The guy was asking $400.00.

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Old 03-16-2014, 12:37 AM
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Old 03-16-2014, 12:38 AM
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Patrick, I am unfortunately tied to the price.
To clarify, I want a genuine Jim Bowie style knife. Mostly to be used as a prop and a wall hanger. However I don't want one of those $29.95 super cheapies. I'd like to take a little bit of pride in ownership. Hell, I used to be proud of my old 64 Corvair!

Putting out the fire with gasoline!! My favorite Bowie song.
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Old 03-16-2014, 12:44 AM
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Ringo, that is a beauty and like the style I want. If I ever have a genuine desire to stick a pig maybe I'll save up.
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Old 03-16-2014, 12:56 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RonJ View Post
Patrick, I am unfortunately tied to the price.
To clarify, I want a genuine Jim Bowie style knife. Mostly to be used as a prop and a wall hanger. However I don't want one of those $29.95 super cheapies. I'd like to take a little bit of pride in ownership. Hell, I used to be proud of my old 64 Corvair!

Putting out the fire with gasoline!! My favorite Bowie song.

It is believed that The knife used by Jim Bowie in the sand bar fight was a butcher knife.

How about a Case for a wall hanger?

Case XX Bowie Knife Black Handle - Case Bowie Knives


Or a Bear and Sons? I guess as wall hangers they would be okay. I don't know where their damascus comes from. But then again I have Sambar stag on 3 of mine.


http://www.discountcutlery.net/Ameri...es_c_3435.html

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Old 03-16-2014, 12:59 AM
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Quote:
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Ringo, that is a beauty and like the style I want. If I ever have a genuine desire to stick a pig maybe I'll save up.
If you want? ill keep my eyes peeled for the type pictured. Its the kind I want too. Oh and I forgot--there was a dealer at this last show who did great work making all kinds of knifes--including Bowies. He does great work and had I had more on me to spend? I would have bought one--and im not really interested in collecting blades-though I do have around 10 of all types-but no Bowies yet. Also, I THINK the highest price I saw on his Bowies--was around $150.00. Every or most of the blades I saw, were Damascus blades.

I THINK I might have his contact info? Ill look if your interested?

Anyway, after I finally take the plunge for a Bowie--I want an Old Hickery knife.
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Old 03-16-2014, 01:05 AM
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Here are more images of the above:



Just saw one sold on ebay for $333.00
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Old 03-16-2014, 01:13 AM
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Just saw another priced at $189.50. Its on a site called: collectionary.com

Id also love to have this comic book too.
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Old 03-16-2014, 01:14 AM
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I'm going to have to politely disagree with 5BeansintheWheel. Granted, there are some beautiful, high-quality, handmade Bowies out there that are well worth the price. But, you can still find a good, well-made "usin' knife" out there for under $200.

Case in point...Cold Steel's Laredo Bowie, which normally sells for $284.99, can be purchased through Amazon for $156.10. It's got a 10½-inch blade that is 5/16 of an inch thick and made out of SK-5 high carbon steel. And it comes razor sharp. While the top of the tip doesn't come sharpened, it doesn't take much to put a good edge on that, too.

Okay, it's not made in the USA, but to find a knife of that quality that is made in the US for under two hundred bucks is kinda like having a champagne taste on a beer budget.


Wow! Who really makes that for them? Han-Wei, maybe?

Nice looking knife. Does it handle well?

I'm suspicious of Chinese steels and have never heard of the one mentioned.

Also, Lindermesser in Solingen makes some Bowie types as has Puma. You can probably find the 6.5-inch bladed Puma at a show. Depending on who has a good used one, you might be under $200.But the handle on that model of Puma is a bit short for MY hand. Mayne not yours.

The John Wayne knife made me laugh. Big, heavy, probably won't take and hold an edge well, and is likely very clumsy in the hand.

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Old 03-16-2014, 01:15 AM
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Look at this link for several price ranges.

Bowie | A.G. Russell Knives
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Old 03-16-2014, 03:19 AM
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I just found this. It is the style I want and the price is great.
Any thoughts? I don't like the name plate on the handle though.

Amazon.com: Officially Licensed ALAMO MC-AB01 Hunting Knife 17.25-Inch Overall: Sports & Outdoors@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31JVFX6i1sL.@@AMEPARAM@@31JVFX6i1sL
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Old 03-16-2014, 07:26 AM
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I just found this. It is the style I want and the price is great.
Any thoughts? I don't like the name plate on the handle though.

Amazon.com: Officially Licensed ALAMO MC-AB01 Hunting Knife 17.25-Inch Overall: Sports & Outdoors
That knife looks a lot like the one seen in several movies, like "The Last Command" and, "The Iron Maiden."

The shape of the clip point resembles that on a sword in a famous sculpture of Perseus.

Given the size and price, I'd avoid it for serious work, but for a wall hanger or display knife, it may be a good choice.

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Old 03-16-2014, 08:49 AM
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Check out Smoky Mountain Knife Works;

Smoky Mountain Knife Works - home of the World's largest knife showplace

I just did a quick search using "Bowie" and came up with a ton of options.
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Old 03-16-2014, 09:33 AM
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Puma made a very good Bowie-style for many years. I would look for the original made-in-Germany rather than the later made-in-Spain versions, but both have good steel and good reputations. Very nice stag grip scales. The Puma Bowie can usually be found on eBay at reasonable prices.
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Old 03-16-2014, 09:41 AM
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I got a Damascus bladed Gil Hibben Bowie (made by United Cutlery) for around $150.00 Think EXPENDABLES Bowie only in Damascus with black micarta scales. Ideal wall hanger (provided you hit a stud).
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Old 03-16-2014, 09:45 AM
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Ron, search "Western Bowie" on the bay.

The Western company made a traditional looking bowie for years and a quick look at the bay this AM shows that you can get one in your price range.

My cousin's boy found a Boulder made Western Bowie at a garage sale not long back. It's an impressive knife and like all Western brand knives seems to have good steel and to take a good edge. It's a beast.

Several on the bay right now with "Buy it Now" prices less than $200, and auctions ending today that will likely go for less. Give them a look. One of these might suit your purpose nicely.

Let us know what you get, and for goodness sake don't drop the damn thing on your foot!
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Old 03-16-2014, 09:54 AM
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If this works, here's a thumbnail of a Western Bowie.
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Old 03-16-2014, 10:07 AM
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I saw this guy's knives at a gunshow this weekend and picked up one of his cards.

Bilbo-Fixed-pg-7 *
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Old 03-16-2014, 10:22 AM
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built as a replica of jim bowie's famous butcher it is made by bark river knife and tool. i paid 180 on the secondary market, cant recall the retail price. razor sharp, i can shave with this knife.
http://s1094.photobucket.com/user/ka...0399.jpg.html][/URL]
7" blade with enough weight to chop with.
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Old 03-16-2014, 11:11 AM
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Quote:
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I just found this. It is the style I want and the price is great.
Any thoughts? I don't like the name plate on the handle though.

Amazon.com: Officially Licensed ALAMO MC-AB01 Hunting Knife 17.25-Inch Overall: Sports & Outdoors
The one your looking at from what I remember reading elsewhere before--seems to be the most recognized as being the one most associated with Jim Bowie and as THE Alamo Bowie.

Since im not an expert on the Bowie--what those who recognize is as THE Bowie--might be mistaken? :-))
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Old 03-16-2014, 12:33 PM
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You'll have to wait for some picks. I picked up a BIG Bowie with walrus ivory handle from Nordic Knives. Too large to carry, actually. Use it for display and photographs and SASS shoots with my Walker. It was $200.00 exactly plus shipping. Custom maker.

Your best bet might be to scan for a new and upcoming custom maker.
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Old 03-16-2014, 01:38 PM
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Speaking of SASS. Those folks like their pig stickers. Here's a shot I took at the SASS event just East of town.
Usually I don't like the Chinese blades much either. But I prefer them to a David Bowie.
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Old 03-16-2014, 01:42 PM
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Speaking of SASS. Those folks like their pig stickers. Here's a shot I took at the SASS event just East of town.
Usually I don't like the Chinese blades much either. But I prefer them to a David Bowie.
That is a great photo.
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Old 03-16-2014, 01:44 PM
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You'll have to wait for some picks. I picked up a BIG Bowie with walrus ivory handle from Nordic Knives. Too large to carry, actually. Use it for display and photographs and SASS shoots with my Walker. It was $200.00 exactly plus shipping. Custom maker.

Your best bet might be to scan for a new and upcoming custom maker.
You shoot SASS with a Walker? I'd be interested in hearing about that!
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Old 03-16-2014, 02:44 PM
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OK, for 225 I can deliver Han Wei bowie knives plus shiping.
The knives comes in a blue presetation box. We have several models on stock.
The knives are several years old and never been used. Complete brand new.
Those on the picture are mine ( All Mine mHaHaHa). But we have one of both models on stock. There is just an other model wich I do not have a picture of. The handle is longer then the one with the wooden handle and flanged at the top.

I did have contact with the Manager of Han Wei. Got his card and send him a e-mail with the pictures of the old western knives.
Still nothing heard of him.

The knives I mentiont are in the book of R.L.Wilson "The Peacemakers" I sure like to own several of those knives.
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Old 03-16-2014, 02:46 PM
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Pilgrim. If you see the quality and craftmanship of those Chineese Han Wei knives you probaply say's different.
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Old 03-16-2014, 03:02 PM
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RE: Cold Steel Laredo Bowie
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Originally Posted by Texas Star View Post
Wow! Who really makes that for them? Han-Wei, maybe?

Nice looking knife. Does it handle well?

I'm suspicious of Chinese steels and have never heard of the one mentioned.
TS, not really sure who makes them for Cold Steel. I personally like the feel of it, and I've owned lots of Bowies.

SK-5 high carbon steel is essentially 1080 whereas Carbon V is 1095. Not a lot of difference. The 1095 has a bit more carbon in it. Some say 1095 is tougher whereas SK-5 (1080) takes the heat treatment better. The debate goes on an on. I've had knives with both and, in my opinion, the difference is negligible.

You might want to take a look at Cold Steel's video on the Laredo Bowie. Fairly impressive. I think, for the price, it's a heckuva deal.

I know 5BeansintheWheel doesn't seem too favorably impressed with the Laredo Bowie and the SK-5 steel, and I can certainly understand where he's coming from...but then again, not everybody has $1500-$3500 to put down on a Bill Bagwell knife. Like I said, for the price, this particular knife is a pretty good value.
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Old 03-16-2014, 03:30 PM
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Grayman knives or Atlanta Cutlery Company.
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Old 03-16-2014, 08:50 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mule Packer View Post
RE: Cold Steel Laredo Bowie


TS, not really sure who makes them for Cold Steel. I personally like the feel of it, and I've owned lots of Bowies.

SK-5 high carbon steel is essentially 1080 whereas Carbon V is 1095. Not a lot of difference. The 1095 has a bit more carbon in it. Some say 1095 is tougher whereas SK-5 (1080) takes the heat treatment better. The debate goes on an on. I've had knives with both and, in my opinion, the difference is negligible.

You might want to take a look at Cold Steel's video on the Laredo Bowie. Fairly impressive. I think, for the price, it's a heckuva deal.

I know 5BeansintheWheel doesn't seem too favorably impressed with the Laredo Bowie and the SK-5 steel, and I can certainly understand where he's coming from...but then again, not everybody has $1500-$3500 to put down on a Bill Bagwell knife. Like I said, for the price, this particular knife is a pretty good value.

Someone made a post that seems to disparage the tang and the butt cap securing nut on what I think was the Laredo knife. What is he talking about? Does it have a normal width narrow tang, and how is it secured?

THEUR-

The knife on the right in your first picture is very much what I'd want in a Bowie style, very typical of Sheffield production of that day.

I used to write extensively for cutlery magazines and once wrote an article on what Tarzan's first knife must have been like, had Tarzan been a real person. I concluded that it was most likely a Sheffield or London made Bowie much like that knife, but without the blade inscription, and with stag antler handle scales and a silver initial plate. The guard would have been a little thicker. Or, he may have had a very similar knife, except that it'd be a dagger. Either is fully plausible given the time that Tarzan's parents set out from Britain en route to his government post in Africa. Blade length would be from eight to nine inches.

As you Tarzan fans who really read he books know, mutineers seized the ship and marooned the Greystoke family somewhere in French West Africa. In fact, French was the young Lord Greystoke's first spoken European language.

Can someone please post a photo of the Fallkniven NL-1 or NL-2, preferably the latter? I think that will express very well what I think a modern Bowie with traditional inspiration should look like. No one here seems to be bothering to visit their site, but here again is the address: www.falkniven.com
Work the subject titles and see the knives. But candidly, I'd carry an A-1 over the larger knives in most circumstances.
While there, look at the modern lockblade folders in various handle materials. My U-2 folder is probably even sharper than a new Swiss Army knife and the Super Gold Powder steel has performed very well for me, although I've not asked it to do anything spectacular. But that little knife makes a great spare and the blade is well under three inches. So I sometimes carry it in a city that has a three-inch blade limit, although state law provides for a 5.5-inch blade.

In his catalogs, Randall said that his Model 1 was about as close to the true Bowie as any knifesmith has got since Jams Black's time. He was quoting a Bowie knife authority of the late 1940's.

I don't agree, having seen knives designed and made for the real Bowie brothers. That made for an officer of dragoons named Fowler is Rezin Bowie's conception of a fancier knife along the lines of the one his brother made famous. But the Randall Made Model 1 with seven or eight-inch blade is indeed a better fighting and general purpose knife than are almost all original Bowies of the 19th Century.

It is not, however, the style sought by the OP. (Or in his price range.) Of the photos posted here, either the Hanwei knives from Theur or the Laredo Bowie make the most sense. And look at Lindermesser's Bowies with 440 steel blades and real stag handles. Some are quite practical and of reasonable size.

For the realist who can legally carry a large knife, anything larger than the Fallkniven NL-2 or the Randall Model 14 really should be a short machete. Mine is a Corneta brand from El Salvador, with 12-inch blade. An 18-inch blade is even better for general use, including beheading a snake. But this takes us from traditional Bowies into modern jungle knives.

For what it's worth, my daughter and I have visited the site of James Black's forge at Washington, AR and seen and talked with the man who operated it then. He has seen the Bart Moore knife out of California and thought it might actually be as Mr. Moore's family believes, the actual knife taken from Jim Bowie's body at the Alamo. His ancestor acquired it from an old Mexican who said that he picked it up there on Mar. 6, 1836. I disagree, but the knife is certainly well thought out and unique and very possibly of that period. Mr. Moore showed me the knife and I was impressed. I just think some aspects of it are too crude for it to have been owned by the wealthy Col. Bowie.

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Old 03-16-2014, 09:18 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mule Packer View Post
RE: Cold Steel Laredo Bowie


TS, not really sure who makes them for Cold Steel. I personally like the feel of it, and I've owned lots of Bowies.

SK-5 high carbon steel is essentially 1080 whereas Carbon V is 1095. Not a lot of difference. The 1095 has a bit more carbon in it. Some say 1095 is tougher whereas SK-5 (1080) takes the heat treatment better. The debate goes on an on. I've had knives with both and, in my opinion, the difference is negligible.

You might want to take a look at Cold Steel's video on the Laredo Bowie. Fairly impressive. I think, for the price, it's a heckuva deal.
I know 5BeansintheWheel doesn't seem too favorably impressed with the Laredo Bowie and the SK-5 steel, and I can certainly understand where he's coming from...but then again, not everybody has $1500-$3500 to put down on a Bill Bagwell knife. Like I said, for the price, this particular knife is a pretty good value.
AND if you get on the Special Projects mailing list, you can buy seconds and overstocks at a greatly discounted price. AND unless your a tremendous metallurgist, the common man cannot tell the difference between those two steels.
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Old 03-16-2014, 09:18 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Texas Star View Post
Someone made a post that seems to disparage the tang and the butt cap securing nut on what I think was the Laredo knife. What is he talking about? Does it have a normal width narrow tang, and how is it secured?
Both the Cold Steel Laredo Bowie and the Cold Steel Natchez Bowie are made this way. The tang goes about halfway up the handle, then a piece of cable is welded onto the tang, to which the butt cap securing nut in then attached.

There are some who think that this is some sort of cheap shortcut. Not at all. Think about it. It is more labor intensive and more expensive in terms of material. According to the folks at Cold Steel, this knife was made as a fighting knife that would take abuse and the handle was done for balance, shock absorption, and strength.

So far, I have absolutely no complaints regarding this knife. Like I said, a pretty darn good bargain for the price, in my opinion. Cold Steel has a great warranty too.
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Old 03-16-2014, 09:22 PM
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My google-Fu says the SK-5 knives are made in Taiwan.
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Old 03-16-2014, 09:26 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kamloops67 View Post
built as a replica of jim bowie's famous butcher it is made by bark river knife and tool. i paid 180 on the secondary market, cant recall the retail price. razor sharp, i can shave with this knife.
http://s1094.photobucket.com/user/ka...0399.jpg.html][/URL]
7" blade with enough weight to chop with.
This knife is very like one seen in a painting of a powerful Indian chief of the 1830's. The knife is painted in great detail from life and is in the man's sash.

I wish I owned one of these, but I don't think it's safe for general carry and use, given the lack of a guard.
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Old 03-16-2014, 09:46 PM
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Here's the NL-2. I have never seen one, looks like a neat knife.
The only Cold Steel that I own is a folder. As I have reported before,
it has really hard steel, almost too hard.
Jim Bowie's knife? Really?
The rule is always the same. The more outrageous the claim,
The more proof is required.
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Old 03-16-2014, 10:15 PM
5BeansintheWheel 5BeansintheWheel is offline
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Texas Star, It was me who mentioned the cable tang. I thought I had read about several breaking, but could only find one. That dude beat on the handle, so I will stand corrected on the handle breakage. When you have a few minutes to read the links you will see pictures of the tang construction. It has in fact been around a long time.

Cold Steel themselves recommend the Trailmaster for heavy use over the Natchez and Laredo.


Natchez Bowie It is broken.

Another proud Laredo owner


Recommendation? Laredo?

Earlier today Matt Lamey sent me a picture of this 11" W2 with kingwood. Matt gets some great hamon lines on his blades.

Could not resist! I will more then likely send it out to Paul Long for leather.


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Old 03-16-2014, 10:56 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 5BeansintheWheel View Post
Texas Star, It was me who mentioned the cable tang. I thought I had read about several breaking, but could only find one. That dude beat on the handle, so I will stand corrected on the handle breakage. When you have a few minutes to read the links you will see pictures of the tang construction. It has in fact been around a long time.

Cold Steel themselves recommend the Trailmaster for heavy use over the Natchez and Laredo.


Natchez Bowie It is broken.

Another proud Laredo owner


Recommendation? Laredo?

Earlier today Matt Lamey sent me a picture of this 11" W2 with kingwood. Matt gets some great hamon lines on his blades.

Could not resist! I will more then likely send it out to Paul Long for leather.


Okay, that first link shows this weird construction well enough. The tang is only about one-third length. THat construction s something that I'd better not discuss on a family board. No way is Cold Steel selling me a knife like that!

Between Cold Steel's flamboyant Lynn Thompson and the less dramatic but more expert and pragmatic (my opinion) Peter Hjortberger at Fallkniven, I know whose knives I'd buy!

Hjortberger has fished and hunted for decades in rugged Nordic terrain as does his famliy, for generations. Fallkniven knives pass rigid tests by both the US and Swedish governments and by the Technical University of Lulea (Sweden) and are issued by the Royal Swedish Air Force and approved for purchase by US air units. Two of them even have NSN numbers.

As far as I know, Cold Steel's tests are all or mostly in-house or by persons who may or may not have connections with them. I simoly don't know.

I think that should be enough information for those who really need a rugged knife to make a decision. In fairness, I have owned two Cold Steel Trailmasters and they worked fine in my limited chopping, if a lttle less refined around the ricasso than are the Fallkniven items.

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Old 03-16-2014, 11:17 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by THE PILGRIM View Post
Here's the NL-2. I have never seen one, looks like a neat knife.
The only Cold Steel that I own is a folder. As I have reported before,
it has really hard steel, almost too hard.
Jim Bowie's knife? Really?
The rule is always the same. The more outrageous the claim,
The more proof is required.

Yes, that's an NL-2, but the photo angle makes the handle look shorter than it is.

Thanks for your effort.
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Old 03-17-2014, 01:03 AM
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Well, I'm not very knowledgeable about knives, though I use them routinely. I've had a Cold Steel Carbon-V Trailmaster Bowie since the late 1970's and it has always performed for me. I bought it brand new back then.
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Old 03-17-2014, 06:00 AM
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaO53_KQZKI

Here's a Muela Bowie with wooden handle and brass guard and pommel.

Muela makes good stuff and the prices are probably quite reasonable. I have one of their Tornado tactical knives that resembles the SOG SEAL 2000 and it's a nice knife, but not a Bowie.

Muela is a Spanish company, and has a solid reputation, from what I can learn. They have quite a section in a premium book on knives by a Dutch author. (No, not our Theur. I think his name is A.E. Hartinge, without looking.)

The Muela Bowies are worth a look.

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Old 03-17-2014, 11:05 AM
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I have learned one thing from this thread. And as I get older, I don't like most things that I learn. I don't like the idea of having a cable in a knife handle. I'm not sure if it really makes any difference, but I just don't like it.
Tangs on knives have for a long time been a point of discussion. A lot of blades like my Randall No. 1 have a pretty small tang with a nut on the end. The full tang knives have a bigger piece of steel and big steel is stronger than small steel. The GI aircrew sawback Jet Pilot knife has the reputation of being brittle and breakable. I still have the one I was issued in SEA. I never actually saw a broke one or heard anybody say they broke theirs. These knives were carried a lot more than they were used. But the stories persist.
I have very little interest in Bowie's except in a historical way. I prefer smaller blades. If you need to chop you need a ax-hatchet or at least a machete - bolo.
Bottom line is I don't like a cable in the handle of my knife. I can live with a small tang, but actually prefer a full tang.
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Old 03-17-2014, 11:10 AM
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I have the wetern W47 bowie knife and very happy with it.
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Old 03-17-2014, 01:18 PM
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If you're looking for a beastly WORKIN' knife, you might wanna check out the BK-9 Combat Bowie from Becker Knife and Tool. Ka-Bar is currently their maker. Mine (Bk9 [9" blade] and its little brother, the BK10 [5" blade, all else the same.] are a couple of the older Camillus-made ones but I'm sure the Ka-Bar iterations are great. Serious bang for your buck.
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