I know that just about every post is a rehash of an earlier topic that has been discussed at one point or another. But that's the wonderful thing about the internet! Anyways, while I'm new here, I'm not new to some ideas. I like knives, saps. blackjacks, firearms, etc.... But today I want to discuss the Bowie Knife. Why? Because the Bowie Knife is part of Americana. It is part of the national mythos much like the Colt Single Action Army and M1 Garand.
I've had some cheap Pakistani made Bowies in my younger years, but recently, I went and got myself a Bear & Son's Cutlery CB00 Bowie.
Why? Because it is a cheap replacement for the Randall that I traded away years ago for a S&W Revolver (wheel guns are my first love). But I got that Randall in another trade and in the end. While I understand and respect the quality that goes into such a knife (and I'll have another again at some point), it isn't a MUST HAVE for me.
So, about the Bear & Son's Bowie. Is it the best thing out there? Nope. But why did I get it? I can explain it for three reasons.
1. I wanted an American made knife since the Bowie is American (never mind the fact that Sheffield, UK made a ton of Bowies in the past for the US market).
2. I didn't want to spend an arm and a leg for the knife, but at the same time I didn't want another Pakistani made wall hanger.
3. I don't use my knives for bationing and clearing out the back forty of hardwood.
I own the vast majority of my knives for self-defense. Now, do I see myself getting into a fight like the Sandbar? Nope. Are my knives my primary self-defense tool? Nope. But are they viable self-defense tools? Yup. (I know the truth about knife fighting. The winner still gets cut up and rides to the hospital, the loser usually lies on the sidewalk thinking about his last few seconds before the blood stop reaching the brain.)
The Bear & Son's Bowie is a good blade for that intended task of being a self-defense knife for the price. It isn't the best steel, or the fanciest work.
But here's the truth, the vast majority of the medium grade blades out in the market today still beat the best of what was available for the vast majority of humanity's history. As a species, we haven't changed much over the centuries. Getting slashed or stuck still does the same thing. Even some cheap $5 Paki made boot dagger with crappy pig iron will make a person leak like a sieve if it is jammed into the carotid artery enough times.
Look at deer hunting. About 130 years ago, deer were being killed with rifles like Winchester Model 1873s in .44 WCF or something far less powerful. Now a days, some folks get bolt actions in .300 RUM at distances of under 100 yards. Have the deer in less than a century and a half evolved to have kevlar hides? Nope. But folks do it (hell, I'm a sucker for 9.3x62mm Mauser and I mostly hunt pesky little FL deer because it is such a interesting cartridge) and will continue to do it.
I'm just saying, that as the new guy here. Yes, we can chase the riddle of the perfect mythical piece of steel (and if I had the money to do so, I'd have a pile of high-end knives). But for the part, a knife doesn't have to break the bank to make a bad guy bleed or make him try to hold his innards in.
Okay, that side rant is done with.
Anyways, back to Bowie Knives. I like 'em, I know you folks like 'em too. So let's discuss the pros and cons of the various Bowies out there.
I've had some cheap Pakistani made Bowies in my younger years, but recently, I went and got myself a Bear & Son's Cutlery CB00 Bowie.
Why? Because it is a cheap replacement for the Randall that I traded away years ago for a S&W Revolver (wheel guns are my first love). But I got that Randall in another trade and in the end. While I understand and respect the quality that goes into such a knife (and I'll have another again at some point), it isn't a MUST HAVE for me.
So, about the Bear & Son's Bowie. Is it the best thing out there? Nope. But why did I get it? I can explain it for three reasons.
1. I wanted an American made knife since the Bowie is American (never mind the fact that Sheffield, UK made a ton of Bowies in the past for the US market).
2. I didn't want to spend an arm and a leg for the knife, but at the same time I didn't want another Pakistani made wall hanger.
3. I don't use my knives for bationing and clearing out the back forty of hardwood.
I own the vast majority of my knives for self-defense. Now, do I see myself getting into a fight like the Sandbar? Nope. Are my knives my primary self-defense tool? Nope. But are they viable self-defense tools? Yup. (I know the truth about knife fighting. The winner still gets cut up and rides to the hospital, the loser usually lies on the sidewalk thinking about his last few seconds before the blood stop reaching the brain.)
The Bear & Son's Bowie is a good blade for that intended task of being a self-defense knife for the price. It isn't the best steel, or the fanciest work.
But here's the truth, the vast majority of the medium grade blades out in the market today still beat the best of what was available for the vast majority of humanity's history. As a species, we haven't changed much over the centuries. Getting slashed or stuck still does the same thing. Even some cheap $5 Paki made boot dagger with crappy pig iron will make a person leak like a sieve if it is jammed into the carotid artery enough times.
Look at deer hunting. About 130 years ago, deer were being killed with rifles like Winchester Model 1873s in .44 WCF or something far less powerful. Now a days, some folks get bolt actions in .300 RUM at distances of under 100 yards. Have the deer in less than a century and a half evolved to have kevlar hides? Nope. But folks do it (hell, I'm a sucker for 9.3x62mm Mauser and I mostly hunt pesky little FL deer because it is such a interesting cartridge) and will continue to do it.
I'm just saying, that as the new guy here. Yes, we can chase the riddle of the perfect mythical piece of steel (and if I had the money to do so, I'd have a pile of high-end knives). But for the part, a knife doesn't have to break the bank to make a bad guy bleed or make him try to hold his innards in.
Okay, that side rant is done with.
Anyways, back to Bowie Knives. I like 'em, I know you folks like 'em too. So let's discuss the pros and cons of the various Bowies out there.
Last edited by a moderator:
Nice knife, too. I wouldn't scoff at some USA made 440 series bowie like this, it is actually a prime example of what I mean!
And I stilloved through and remember Hurricane Andrew, Hurricane Katrina, and Hurricane Michael.