Affordable Bowie (Steel Questions)

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steelscout30

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Aug 1, 2006
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I have been inactive on the forums for a relatively long amount of time (since about the beginning of August, as that is when two-a-day football pratices started; the season has just ended), so forgive me if I'm ignorant and ill-informed on this topic.

I've been looking for an affordable fixed blade knife in the style of Jim Bowie's legendary blade for quite some time, but have been unable to find such a knife that fit my current price range (the days of dropping big money on knives are over until I graduate from college). The Cold Steel Laredo Bowie, now in SK5 steel, is readily available for $110 all across the forums, internet, and in local dealers.

I was attracted to this particular knife back when its price was over four hundred dollars, but, being so young, I obviously couldn't afford to splurge. To my eye, the knife looks attractive, had a high quality leather sheath, and fit well in the hand.

With a blade thickness of 5/16", length of 10-1/2", and a sharpened false edge, there is certainly a lot of steel in the package for such a moderate price. How is the SK5; is it a truly good steel like that SOG used to use for its knives, and is the fit and finish up to par?

Also, if there are any options for good knives in a similar style for around the same price, it would be greatly appreciated, especially American made models. I understand the CS Laredo Bowie is now made in the Pacific Rim and would much rather pay American workers and providers of capital for the knife rather than Asian businessmen. Cold Steel's business practices had also been shady as of late, so any other less controversial companies that make a similar product with better moral ethics would also be appreciated (eg: Bark River).

Note: please focus on reviews of the Laredo first, with recommendations for other product secondarily. Keep in mind this is NOT a politically-oriented post.

Thank you very much for your help, assistance, and guidance.

Happy Halloween!

God bless you, America, our men and women overseas, and our Allies.

KATN,

Wade

P.S.: Mr. Glesser of Spyderco, how about an affordable Bowie? :D
 
Decent bowies bought new instead of used are generally expensive.

I know the old carbon V laredos were serious beasts. I've never used a SK-5 knife before, but I know it's a 4401 tool steel and I've heard these spoken of highly. It's probably a good choice for a bowie.

Edit: I just took a look at cold steel's FAQ (yes, I know I should have done this first) and here's what they say:
SK-5 is the Japanese equivalent of American 1080, a high carbon steel with carbon between 0.75%-0.85% and 0.60%-0.90% manganese. As quenched, it has a hardness near Rc 65 and produces a mixture of carbon rich martensite with some small un-dissolved carbides. The excess carbide increases abrasion resistance and allows the steel to achieve an ideal balance of very good blade toughness with superior edge holding ability. Due to these characteristics, this grade of steel has been used traditionally for making a variety of hand tools, including chisels and woodcutting saws, and has stood the test of time and use over many years in many countries.
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The SK-5 Laredo is as good as you can do in a bowie for that money. There are no other bowies in that size and price that I can think of.
 
I've also been on the same search for some time.There are a few production blades around $300.but not many good Bowie blades around $100.You might find a used Cold Steel Bowie at a show.I bought a Carbon V Trailmaster not long ago for $70 but gave it to a good friend and have been looking for another Bowie since.

Bark River should have the Vagabond out the middle of 2008.The upper end prototypes were about $300 with a 9.5 inch blade.I was told the standard model would cost a lot less.
 
How about an Ontario Bagwell Hell's Belle? Bit more money but...........

For those of you in the know. How do the two compare?
 
Go for the CS bowie, I think you will find its a tough as hell knife. One other to check on would be the Kabar Large Bowie. Its a bit different design but probably the best bargain out there. Ontario makes the Marine Bowie too. Both of these two latter models are under 60.00.
 
udtjim said:
Go for the CS bowie, I think you will find its a tough as hell knife. One other to check on would be the Kabar Large Bowie. Its a bit different design but probably the best bargain out there. Ontario makes the Marine Bowie too. Both of these two latter models are under 60.00.
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For a second I thought you meant the new USMC bayonet, then I looked it up on eBay and saw this:

4a9d_1.JPG


Huh, that is pretty cool. US-made, 1095 Carbon steel, etc. $60 new, but one seller has a couple "cosmetically flawed" models with a 99c starting bid.

"Marine Raider bowie", huh. I'm not a big bowie fan, but that is cool, and the history of the Raiders is pretty slick.
 
If your only interest in the Bowie is as a fighting knife,. I'd give the Ontario Bagwells the nod, mainly because of the fighting guard and quickness in the hand. If you want a Bowie for general purpose (including fighting, camping, or anything else you might want to use it for), then the SK-5 Laredo would be my top choice. Outstanding value for the money. I've been using one for clearing trails and reducing yard waste (big tree limbs into smaller ones), and I'm getting very good performance. Going to the SK-5 carbon steel has cut the PRICE for the Laredo to half what it was for the Carbon V versions, but not the performance.
 
I'm a little wary of the CS Laredo because of it's short tang and odd way it's attached to the handle. Try a forum search for details as it generated quite a bit of chat.
I like my Ontario bowies, Helle's Belle and Gambler. Mine are the earlier production, highly polished versions. I believe current production is now satin finish.
I've also heard they are soon to go out of production.
Try searching the web for Sheffield made bowies. Always some nice pieces out there.
 
Check out the Hen & Rooster large bowie & the cowboy model both w/ stag handles. They are made in Germany - solegen (spelling?) Ipurchased my father one for a gift last year, the knife was very well made for $100.00. look at SMKW Tenn. He has carried a Western bowie for about 30 years now:eek: He is an outdoorsman (mountian man) Hunts & stays in the woods, This knife is a little worn now but still AWSOME ! so check out Western's bowie's :thumbup: He's used the western to do everything from clear brush, chop small trees down & skin deer !:D
 
One of the reasons I'm even bothering to test out the new Laredo is because of people bellyaching about the handle construction. Most people are just repeating something someone has written on the internet, and have no hands on experience with the Laredo. I like to find out for myself! I'm using snap cuts and full power hits against HARD targets with NO negative results. I've had discussions with a well known knifemaker (who sometimes rehandles Laredos - does a hell of a Dogbone) and he is confident in the Laredo's handle strength as constructed. Handle is just fine as far as I'm concerned. I carry a Bagwell custom and sometimes an Ontario, and I'll repeat: the Ontarios are fighters only. The Laredos are ALL purpose, and a hell of a lot of knife for the money (make a good fighter as well). And yes, the Ontario Bagwells are out of production. I got the last two Hell's Belles to come off the line (s'posed to be four, but only two of them made it). Now have a Laredo that lives in my truck.
 
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