A Bowie Knife Ordered

F

FullerH

Joined
Nov 25, 1998
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I have long been a fan of Bowie Kives and of the story of James Bowie, warts and all. I have also long been aware of the very handsome knife owned by Joseph Musso and have long wanted a reproduction of it. I want this, not alone for its possible hiostorical connections as discussed in the following quotation from an article by historian Jeffrey Dane on J.R. Edmondson's performances re-enacting James Bowie:
The Knife World article offers if not "proof" then certainly some very convincing evidence that the knife was made ca.1830, very possibly by James Black in Washington, Arkansas. The initials JB appear on part of the quillon - and some believe the knife may have been owned by James Bowie himself. Conjecture may be fruitless but it's still fascinating. Though we'll never know for certain if Musso's weapon is literally a Bowie knife, there are those who share a common view about it, a common feeling. Rather singular and historically almost unique of shape, positively frightening of configuration and monstrous in its size, there is an undefinable mood about it which is, in a word, very disturbing, as though it has some hidden story to tell, if only it could speak. Inanimate, the weapon has no life of its own - but it seems to have a very distinctive and almost palpable presence. This cannot be "explained." It can only be felt.
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I want it because it is a handsome example of all that a Bowie Knife should be, IMNSHO. I have heard good things about the reproduction just introduced by Last Legend and Imperial Weapons and am taking a chance on one. I pray that I have better luck with this than I did with the "Primitive Bowie" from Atlanta Cutlery. I certainly have every reason to expect to have better luck. I shall post further when I receive my knife later this month.

Here is the url for the order page for the knife: http://www.imperialweapons.com/knives/Ip-201.html
 
Don't take this the wrong way but it looks quite suitably tacky;)

The Imperial photo shows a primitve fit and finish to go along with the heritage. I would rather commision a maker to smith one with superior fit and finish, it would look awesome in nickle silver with a scalloped but cap. Of course that wouldn't be true to the concept and probably cost $1000+.

I'm curious about your experience with the AC primitive and what issues you have with it. Many have expressed satisfaction with their bowie stuff and they are priced at the good end of the spectrum. Wimpy (too thin?) Windlass blade, or other quality issues?

Again, don't get me wrong. The Imperial offering certainly has a good rustic look to it and I'll look forward to your impressions of it. I don't know if you still frequent SFI but the "other historical" section there could use this info and I'm sure would be a good thread.

Cheers

Horseclover here, Hotspur elsewhere

How's that sweet Roman riding sword doing?
 
Oh ya,

"Lost Legend" Was that a Fruedian slip or what? ;)

Good luck with this piece.

GC
 
Sorry, I made a typo, now corrected. The maker is "Last Legend", a sword manufacturer. See the page below:
http://www.swordarmory.com/ll/lastlgnd.html

As an aside, the appearance is very much that of the original, at least as far as I can see from the pictures and from what I have heard. The original in Joe Musso's collection was obviously a working blade.
 
My problem with the AC Primitive Bowie is that it is dull as all Hell from the company. They say that they will sharpen it for you for an additional $15. This generally implies some sort of a beginning of an edge, just rebated for re-enactment use. The AC version is a very thick blade, perhaps as much as 5/16" or more and it tapers slightly as it goes towad the edge, reaching a width of perhaps 3/16" - 1/4" at the edge. This is then gently rounded. Putting a real edge on the thing would require the removal of an excessive amount of steel, especially given how hard the steel is. I have no idea of the RC #, but it must be well over 60 from my efforts on a medium carborundum stone. The finish is also very poorly done, as is the cheap as Hell sheath. The sheath is so bad that I would be ashamed to show it to anyone as well as being very much unauthentic for the Bowie Era.
 
Thanks for the AC info. I know that the Windlass stuff all comes through unedged but was curious about the product overall. It sounds like a clunker decorator or a project. I know a lot of the swords fit that category.
My two Windlass swords are ok for the dollar but mileage does vary.

The AC bowie line has decent pictorial lines but your feedback explains the price point. Thanks again.

IF I need a project, I have plenty here to work on already.

Cheers

GC
 
On the subject of custom made, or near custom made, knives, I should very much like to be able to afford a Randall in either the Smithsonian or Raymond Thorp Bowies, but with a nickle-siver double lugged guard, rosewood hilt, and scalloped nickle-silver collar and butt cap. I would also like the brass back strip and the Ivorite hilt material that have been discontinued, but even the knives as described are likely to run $800 - $900 or more.

http://www.randallknives.com/bowie.asp
 
I picked up my knife yesterday and it is all that I expected it to be. The finish is not collector display quality, but what do you want for the price of $200? It is what I would call a realistic user finish, one that you would not mind carrying out into the bush and for fear that it might get dinged. From my experience of swords and such from replica makers, this is a good example of getting what you paid for.

The knife looks absolutely huge! Especially when I hold it in my hand. The blade is about the same length as that on an Ontario Hells Belle but rather wider and thicker, so it is heavier. But the balance is such that it is still pretty light and quick in the hand, at least as quick as my Atrim-bladed gladius, which is an archetype for quick. The edge is not razor fine and I intend to touch mine up using the 40 degree side on my Sharpmaker 204. But I doubt that I want it any thinner than it is now as this is a heavy knfe meant for heavy use, if you follow me. While the clip has been ground to an edge of a sort, it is not a cutting edge and I believe that I'll leave it that way, although I may hone the point a bit sharper. The steel, 1060 carbon steel, is fairly easy to work and to field maintain.

The scabbard is wood covered with black leather, rather like a sword scabbard, and traditional to the knife. It is, however, rather fat so it will not hide beneath anything but a loose coat should that be important. If it is, I suggest contacting Mike Sastre at River City Sheaths for a Kydex version such as he makes for the Hells Belles. The belt attachment is a stud on the front that was quite common at the time. Men would slide it through a sash or a belt, using the stud to keep it from sliding all of the way through. As with the knife, the metal furniture is brass of what appears to be good quality. That on the scabbard is admirably solid, not cheap and flimsy.

All told, a well made replica of what is a real piece American of history, even if Jim Bowie can not be proven to have carried the one in Joe Musso's collection. It has a good look and feel to it and is certainly worth the asking price if you are into historical types of Bowies.

Again, here is a link to the page where the knife is being sold:
http://www.imperialweapons.com/knives/Ip-201.html
 
Just an additional note to say how truly pleased that I am with this knife. I have long, long wanted a Bowie of this sort, ever since watching The Iron Mistress in the first run theaters and since watching "The Jim Bowie Show" on Friday night TV. This is just the sort of knife that I always pictured in my mind that Bowie carried. It may not be a replica of one of his actual knives but, like the pieces of the "True Cross" in the Medieval period, we'll never know exactly what Bowie carried, so this fits my image and this is a great reproduction. I love it!
 
Just something about the manufacturer - are you sure it was Last Legend? The Imperial Weapons page says the maker is Generation2, which is definitely not LL - they make swords that actually compete with LL's pieces in the economy market. Just checking, as I have an interest in this bowie myself. Thanks!
 
Knife Saber, if I have the maker wrong, I apologize, but that was my understanding at the time. In any case, the people selling it are Imperial Weapons, and they are very nice folks with whom to deal.
 
The maker is Generation2, which is us Imperial Weapons.

What FullerH might have been getting at, is we have made pieces for Last Legend in the past. I.E. Ranger Battle Sword and Dagger, Skofnung Family, etc. Thus many people have put our two companies together.

But for the Bowie knife, it is Generation2 (with the help of Historian Rick Baer).

Thank you for write up. It shows we are doing our job in giving people what they want.

Again Thank you.

Sincerely,
Clyde
 
And there we have it from the horse's mouth, so I was in error. I am glad to have this corrected. :)
 
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