Bagwell Ontario Bowies

[Bai Lang]

New member Bai Lang here. My back ground is I practiced a little Chinese martial arts before but never into western martial arts fencing, boxing etc. I don't know anything about knives.

Just recently got interested in Bowie knives, purchased a trailmaster on a after Christmas sale- that gave me the bowie bug...

Started reading books and the web, picked up a couple Bagwell Ontario Bowie's- damn nice feeling things. Read more, the history of the Bowie knife is quite interesting. After I got a to handle a few, CS, Bagwell Ontario's, etc the aparent deadly effectiveness of them as a self defense weapon and esp. a concealed S.D. weapon was pretty astonishing.

I really like the Ontario "hells bell"

Wondering though how good or bad the steel is? Some here really dislike it. 440C or sometimes called QS prop. steel? I have not done any test cutting with mine- has any one done that? If so what were the results? I am unable to find any online cutting tests with them.

Wondering what BF members experiance has been with the Ontario Hells Belle?
Lucky devils who have Mr Bagwell's custom Bowies are also very welcome to post.

Thanks!

 

[Joshua J.]

IIRC QS13 is just 440B with a special heat treat (hardened to around 55Rc).

A fighting knife needs to be soft enough not to shatter when you hit hard things, so this stuff should do the trick. It still won't live up to the standards of a good carbon steel like 1050 or S-7, but for stainless it should do ok. Just don't try to split rocks with it.

 

[Knife Outlet]

If you have a source for one, you should take advantage of it quickly. The knife was discontinued over a year ago and is no longer available. If someone has old stock, I wouldn't delay the purchase.

 

[longbow]

My Fortress box says it is a proprietary steel of 440A, dont' exactly know what that means but it is without a doubt the best fighting bowie I have ever owned. keepem sharp

 

[Bai Lang]

Thanks to all for responding- good information. Yes, I have one Ontario Fortress/ H.B. Really like it. Best "live feeling" blade's I have found. Have not seen a forged Bagwell yet hope to do that someday.

What seminars or training from comtech or others on Bowie use would you suggest for learning application? DVD"s to start? Any suggestions?

Thanks!