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Are Pakistan-made Bowie knives safe to use?

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I read somewhere that the Western 49's were made originally from 0170-6C Carbon steel, I have that model made by Coleman it's a Western with Coleman name on it, that steel is awesome as far as edge retention, I looked into and researched that steel I found out it was a inexpensive steel that held a great edge, it continued that Camillus used it and many other's, Schrade used it too, then I mentioned that Camillus made all the U.S.A. CarbonV knives, I said what the heck ? as it turned out the 0170-6C is the now 1095 CroVan I got that info from zknives.com, I realize how much the older Schrade cost now a days, more than their original cost, that's one reason why I bought almost the complete line of Becker's they used that steel when they were made by Camillus and now made by Ka-Bar, the only difference between the Camillus and Ka-Bar Becker's is that the Ka-Bar made have skeleton tang, but Becker insists their just as strong but are better balanced, my BK'S work great. As far as the Pakastan Original Bowie, I have one in carbon steel, I guess I got lucky mine hold's a very good edge it's rough looking, but again the price, it's a beater and I use it as such especially around the house and yard, but it's not that bad of a chopper, it won't out do my BK-9 but it didn't cost as much either, but yeah I use it and I got my monies worth out of it. . . Happy 4th of July fellas, but watch out for that 5th heh heh heh.
 
(Today) I just had the head of an American made maul fly off the handle while splitting wood so....

Where it's made is irrelevant to "HOW" its made...
 
Viper2 said:
So are you saying that every single Bowie knife on this earth that is made in Pakistan (and shipped to America for sale) is fragile and will fall apart during use? If so, how do you know this?
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If you already know the answer, why are you asking?
 
Peak_Oil said:
If you already know the answer, why are you asking?
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My brother bought one about ten years ago and never used it. He threw away the crwppy sheath and kept it in his garage. He wants me to chop and baton with it on some nasty hard woods we got ready, nice and dry.

I'll try to remember to get pics and post up the results good or bad.

After today I will know if his particular Pakistan knife is fit for duty or not. All it will be doing is what I do to any woods knife before I rely on it for woods duties.
 
supergnat said:
Isn't batoning hard wood a bad idea in general regardless of the knife?
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I read that on the Internet a lot. Back in the cub scouts and Boy Scouts, grand dad and dad, pre Internet days all of them taught the proper way to baton, even before it was called batoning, on any kind of wood as long as you chose the right kind and used the proper technique.

Other than it being bad to do on the Internet, I've never seen a problem with it, and never encountered one while doing it.
 
Well since we're all necroposting I figure Ill add my 2 cents. I had one of those a Made in Pakistan W49 bowies back when I was a teen with much less knife knowlege and respect. I beat the crap outta mine (including throwing it) and while mine had quite a few knicks in the blade and a reground tip, it never broke and still had plenty of like left in it last time I saw it (was misplaced or stolen years ago). That being said I probably wouldn't pick up another one on my own dime but I do kinda miss my old one.
 
Pakistani knives are not safe to use. When you aren't looking your knife will make a deal with the Taliban or hide Osama.
American knives are better. Almost as good as canadian knives.


Seriously, it's probably hit and miss unless you know the maker or the company, which I don't
The steel, heat treat etc are probably not the best, hence the price

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-ZYj5-XY_0

and beware: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g99fGmt2vHE
 
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It depends. There have been good knives imported from that part of the World, the problem is that they still cost decent money (relative to reputation). The biggest problem I see with the cheaper ones now is with the tangs and cutting corners. A lot have quick and badly spot welded frames around a short stick tang, or a piece of threaded rod spot welded to a 1/4" stub of tang.
 
Guys, the op hasnt logged on in nearly 3 years. This is officially "The Walking Thread"
 
PURPLEDC said:
Guys, the op hasnt logged on in nearly 3 years. This is officially "The Walking Thread"
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I actually knew it was a dead thread this time... But saw an opportunity to mention my axe ordeal yesterday afternoon...
 
It's not a dead thread.

I beat a pile of wood with it and nothing, no damage, no bends, no breaks, no cracks. Did as good as any knife anyone has here no matter the price or name that's on the blade.





It's ugly and was cheap. Worked perfect.
 
Boris74 said:
It's not a dead thread.

I beat a pile of wood with it and nothing, no damage, no bends, no breaks, no cracks. Did as good as any knife anyone has here no matter the price or name that's on the blade.
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That's just it. I have used a pakistan knife at my farm too. Chopped 8 inch trees down with it and it worked good at the time. Just one time I was chopping branches, the blade flew off. Nobody was harmed.

The point is that you never know if it's good or not or whether you picked a good one.
 
singularity35 said:
That's just it. I have used a pakistan knife at my farm too. Chopped 8 inch trees down with it and it worked good at the time. Just one time I was chopping branches, the blade flew off. Nobody was harmed.

The point is that you never know if it's good or not or whether you picked a good one.
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His is a full tang, but I bet that was a site to see lol. I wouldn't fully trust it either but did it ever take a beating today. We all took after it with the goal of breaking it and we couldn't even put a wave in the edge and it has a nice hollow going to it. I didn't expect it to be such a beast.

Sometimes you can't judge a blade by the Pakistan stamping on the side. That's all.
 
One aspect of good quality is predictable consistency. If you don't have that, all you are buying is a lottery ticket with long, longer, longest odds.
 
It would be my belief most things made in Pakistan could be dangerous to use, my first 3 years in shipping represented their state run shipping line PNSC oh the stories....would need a forum of my own just for those..[emoji41]
 
Depends on what you want to use it for. Batonig wood or other hard use? Probably not. As a display only piece? Should be OK for that.
 
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