Bagwell Bowie or Beretta Stampede Bowie

I own most of the Bagwells and cannot say enough "good" about them. The custom's are in a class all too themselves and for a production Bowie they are very well made. If one doesn't fit you then try another . . .the Gambler is perhaps the most popular because it is a compromise between the larger Hell's Belle or Stealth and the smaller Plainsmen.

It depends upon why you want a Bowie? For a fighter then Bagwell is your man. . . if for show or the "golly gee wiz" factor then perhaps something else will do . . .

The only way anyone is ever going to really apprecate a Bagwell is first by attending some hands-on Bowie Knife Fighting training and then all of a sudden it stops being a "golly gee - wow" knife and becomes the real tool it is designed to become. Bill makes his knives as hard core fighters not as a show pieces or collector items. He has invested the last 30 years researching and investigating what made the Bowie such an effective weapon and has intergrated these best practices into his designs.

Second, you gotta read Bagwell's book which is essentially a collection of his SOF articles and then "wah lah" the knife really comes into perspective.

His Bowie knives are an amazing piece of technology designed by one of only two bonifide genius's I know personally . . .Bill is truly a multi-faceted genius - there is no question about it!

Q
 
Thanks. That's very encouraging to hear. I want a Bowie that is not just to hang on the wall, and yet will not break the bank either. Would you happen to know the name of the book you mentioned?
 
Just a bit of clarification:

the ONTARIO Bagwell Bowies are production bowies that you can pretty much pick up anywhere online. They are NOT hard use knives; they are designed as "fighters", and fighters only. Do a search for a poster named "gaucho" as he did an extensive review of the Ontario Hell's Belle a few years back. The knife was cutting through bone (lamb's leg), from what I remember. Great piece, but not a camp knife or hard use knife. I own 3 of the Ontario Hell's Belle. Good for light use, and a heck of a fighter.

The CS Laredo, from what I've heard and read, is more of a double-duty: good tactical and good hard use. CS's trailmaster/bowie line have a pretty good reputation for holding up to hard use, so I don't think this would be a disappointing choice. This is one of my x-mas presents to myself this year.

Now, the custom Bagwell Bowies are on a completely different level! Do get that book as it is extremely educational. Bagwell, fyi, was one of the founders of the ABS Society, and also a bowie combatives instructor. So he KNOWS what goes into a good combat bowie.

His custom bowies, as fighters, pretty much have a life of their own. If you're doing a backcut flow, the knife is balanced so that it practically moves ON ITS OWN via momentum. There are no breaks in the flow once it gets started.

As double-duty...what can I say, it's a Bagwell! It will chop wood, cut mudflaps, etc. His knives will do what a knife that size is supposed to do.

I placed an order with him a few years back, and I'm very lucky that my order came up this month. I ordered a lefty/righty combo Hell's Belles, and I'm really excited this month. Can't wait to get them.
 
Agreed...I have been luck enough to call Bagwell a "teacher" in the way of bladesmithing.

The book is a must have......once read, you will have a much better understanding on what makes a good fighting Bowie.
 
I'll post pics when I get them.

Hey Greg:

Now you know why I didn't snatch up your beautiful damascus bowies when you put them up for sale. :o I'm actually still a little annoyed that someone snatched up your damascus competitor!
 
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