In Honor of James Bowie -- post 'em!

[SuperMan]

Anyone else have a copy of or read THE BOWIE KNIFE by Norm Flayderman? Large very detailed coffee table size book. Beautiful historical pictures.

If you love Bowie knives it is worth the read...

Bob

 

[SmithLuvr]

Let's not forget Smith & Wesson's Bowie Knives. Texas Ranger Commemorative (Top) and the Smith & Wesson Model 6010 Bowie (Bottom).

 

[MCorps0311]

A few of my knives

 

[cbore]

This Bowie is nothing like the fine ones you guys posted but does say something for the Bowie design. This one was hand made by a Colonel in the Indonesian Military and given to me at my going away party. I had spent 3 years as a Supt. on a construction project on the island of Sumbawa, Indonesia.

The friendship and the thought are more valuable than a knife. I feel the design was more influenced by the movie Rambo

 

[Wyatt Burp]

In the early 70s when I was in junior high my big sister's boyfriend bought me this Western "Bowie". You'd see these for sale in lots of sporting good stores with a leather sheath for $16. A friend "borrowed" it from me around 1984 then I never saw him again until 2000 or so and he gave it back. I think David Carradine and the other guy used these in the big knife fight in "The Long Riders". Shown with #3 Target Model .22 for size compare.

 

[rburg]

So I just finished scrolling this thread again. Maybe for the 10th time or so. And I only found one knife here that has the brass back, seen in post 51. That was one of the great features of early Randalls was that feature until the welder who was doing the work up and died. I've even had jobs where I thought I'd have to die to stop doing something or the other.

Just for reference, the brass back was soft brass so in knife fighting, the other guys knife would stick or catch in the brass and not slide down the knife to the hilt. That would allow guy with the brass to control the opponents knife and with luck, wretch it from him. So if you're a buyer and see a brass back, buy it quick. Its rare and proper. After all, a proper knife is a huge advantage!

 

[jlrhiner]

So I just finished scrolling this thread again. Maybe for the 10th time or so. And I only found one knife here that has the brass back, seen in post 51. That was one of the great features of early Randalls was that feature until the welder who was doing the work up and died. I've even had jobs where I thought I'd have to die to stop doing something or the other.

Just for reference, the brass back was soft brass so in knife fighting, the other guys knife would stick or catch in the brass and not slide down the knife to the hilt. That would allow guy with the brass to control the opponents knife and with luck, wretch it from him. So if you're a buyer and see a brass back, buy it quick. Its rare and proper. After all, a proper knife is a huge advantage!

Check out post "41". Very top. A Gil Hibbin Damascus Bowie called "The Texas Bowie". Used as the model for the EXPENDABLES bowie used by Dolph Lundgren.

 

[jtcarm]

I always liked it because of the various duels. It's pretty hokey and over dramatic but I don't mind. Commenting on this movie once in a bowie article, someone said a meteorite would actually make a weaker blade than a stronger one like here. Here's one of the duels...


The Iron Mistress: Rapier vs Knife - YouTube

I think depiction of the Sandbar duel was pretty accurate. After both contestants missed both shots, it turned in to a free for all.

Bowie purportedly told his opponent “I’ll cut your bowels out!” and made good on the promise.

 

[jtcarm]

The Iron Mistress knife was used in other movies about Bowie and I think, used in the Jim Bowie TV series.



None of the actors playing Bowie has looked much like his known portrait

I’m surprised they were able to re-use the knife. I would have thought it was scaled down considerably so as not to reveal Ladd’s scrawny, 5’3” build.

Maybe that’s why Richard Widmark was cast in “The Alamo”?