Looking for a classic Bowie, any suggestions?

Ribwizzard · Jul 13, 2019

I dont care much for the giant Rambo knives, but the classic cival war era Bowie is a style I'd like to add to my collection. The closest one I've found is the Puma stag Bowie. But the handle is a bit small and I'd rather go American made. Around 7" is the blade length I'd like.
Anyone have any suggestions on current production knives available?
Or want to share some pics of classic Bowie's?
Wishing I had one of my own to post.

SuperMan · Jul 13, 2019

Lots of nice knives in this thread from another Forum....

Show me your bowie knives! | Bushcraft USA Forums

Linder has some very nice and reasonably priced Bowies...they are German made.

Case (USA) makes a Bowie but may be larger than you are looking for... Also Bear & Son Cutlery is USA made and has several Bowies...

https://www.atlantacutlery.com/bowie-knives#/pageSize=8&viewMode=grid&orderBy=0

...my favorite blade style...

Bob

Mack · Jul 13, 2019

For the money Cold Steel makes some good ones.

6518John · Jul 13, 2019

Ribwizzard—I bet you will enjoy.

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVfecdKTtUo[/ame]

GCSO584 · Jul 13, 2019

Look on ebay or Gunbroker for an old Western Bowie. Pic borrowed from web.

old bear · Jul 13, 2019

Sir, if you Have to have a classic Bowie, stop reading now.

Yet, if you want a great working knife in the Bowie style, consider the A.G. Russell Chute knife. It’s ¾ sized Bowie style knife, that was developed by Harry Archer and Bob Loveless. I have one and it’s an excellent value.

s&wchad · Jul 13, 2019

Consider a Collins #18 machete/bowie. Look for one with a horn handle and the "hammer" logo. They're a little bigger than you're looking for, but they have military provenance and can sometimes be picked up at auction for a reasonable price.

These were made famous by Carlson's Raiders, but the vast majority were part of the Air Corp emergency flight kits in the Pacific. They weren't typically issued to ground troops, but a number of them were "liberated" by soldiers in transit.

Mine shows field modifications. The tip of the sheath was altered and a retaining strap was added.

Rio Laxas · Jul 13, 2019

These probably don't qualify as classic Bowie knives, but these are my Bowie style knives. Randall does make more classically styled Bowie knives, but I prefer the blade shape of the Model 14. The top knife is a Randall Model 12-9 Sportsman Bowie with a Model 14 grind. It has wide 9" blade. The bottom knife is a Model 14 CDT and it has a 7.5" blade.

Tom Kent · Jul 13, 2019

A Marine Corp K-bar comes close to your specifications.

Farmer17 · Jul 13, 2019

The knife snobs will laugh at my recommendation when they see that I paid under 30 bucks for it from Dicks Sporting Goods (the only thing I have ever bought from them) but I'm telling you this is a great knife. I've had it a few years and use it for chopping limbs and things you would typically use a machete for and I haven't sharpened it yet and it's still quite sharp. I love my Uncle Henry knife and carry it on my property for light clearing and when I'm riding my four wheeler and if it was twice as expensive I would buy another one.

Uncle Henry Bowie Fixed Blade Knife 10 Clip Point 7Cr17MoV High Carbon

KSDeputy · Jul 13, 2019

I collect bowie knives, and have studied them for years. No one knows, except a mexican soldier in the battle of the Alamo, what the original bowie was like. It has been described as a large butcher knife, with the upswing at the tip. I have been to the Alamo twice. They have a number of bowies on display, but one is not allowed to take pictures of any part of the interior as it is a shrine. I look at my collection, to me the carbon steel Trailmaster Bowie comes the closest. I have about 15 bowies, so I do have a choice. In the movie The Iron Mistress, a story that centers on the famous knife, the one used looks like one in my collection. Alan Ladd threw the knife off of a paddle steamer, which is contrary to history.

THE PILGRIM · Jul 13, 2019

Lots of choices out there-
Depends a lot on what you think is a Bowie and how much you want to spend.
Among others, I do like the Cold Steels.

LoboGunLeather · Jul 13, 2019

I'll give a second thumbs up for Bear & Son Cutlery. Broad selection, reasonable prices, and made in the USA.

gonerydin · Jul 13, 2019

Tom Kent said:
A Marine Corp K-bar comes close to your specifications.

I just got a new one and am very pleased with it. Only $80.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Narragansett · Jul 13, 2019

Tom Kent said:
A Marine Corp K-bar comes close to your specifications.

Love knives, but got to be USA made. Can't seem to get past a Ka-Bar marked USN.

:

Pics are one from the 40's( leather sheath) and one from the 60's

gwpercle · Jul 13, 2019

Rio Laxas said:
These probably don't qualify as classic Bowie knives, but these are my Bowie style knives. Randall does make more classically styled Bowie knives, but I prefer the blade shape of the Model 14. The top knife is a Randall Model 12-9 Sportsman Bowie with a Model 14 grind. It has wide 9" blade. The bottom knife is a Model 14 CDT and it has a 7.5" blade.

I would bet money James would be tickled pink to have either , or both, of those Randalls as fighting knives .
He might also consider the Randall Confederate Bowie , the 11 inch blade would make for an excellent BBQ knife , might be a bit long in the blade but I'm sure Jim could make do with it .
Gary

muddocktor · Jul 13, 2019

If you don't mind looking around for a used Bowie, like on eBay, you might want to look for a Western W49. The blade might be longer than you stated in the OP, but is around 9 3/8", USA made and very sturdy, with a carbon steel blade. I bought one back in the 80's, mainly as a decorative piece to go with an old Sharps carbine, but it is fully functional and feels great in hand. And you can get it very sharp too.

StrawHat · Jul 13, 2019

Resin Bowie had Daniel Seattle’s make several knives. A copy of one would be truly, a Bowie knife.

Kevin

6518John · Jul 13, 2019

KSDeputy said:
I collect bowie knives, and have studied them for years. No one knows, except a mexican soldier in the battle of the Alamo, what the original bowie was like. It has been described as a large butcher knife, with the upswing at the tip. I have been to the Alamo twice. They have a number of bowies on display, but one is not allowed to take pictures of any part of the interior as it is a shrine. I look at my collection, to me the carbon steel Trailmaster Bowie comes the closest. I have about 15 bowies, so I do have a choice. In the movie The Iron Mistress, a story that centers on the famous knife, the one used looks like one in my collection. Alan Ladd threw the knife off of a paddle steamer, which is contrary to history.

You have probably alreday read this, but it is an excellent academic article on the Bowie.

https://www.historicarkansas.org/_literature_134023/James_Black_and_The_Bowie_Knife_Revisited

This is a great page too:

Knife Gallery

jag312 · Jul 13, 2019

Randall Smithsonian Bowie

Looking for a classic Bowie, any suggestions?

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