Best all around bowie knife under $1k?

MicroAlign

MicroAlign

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Feb 1, 2004
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So it's been several years since I've owned a bowie knife. I'm looking for something to compliment my new large Sebenza 21 for generall survival. My last was a CS Trailmaster in carbon V that I had had for almost 10 years, but I had that one stolen out of my tool box. I've had a Ferhman bowie, a Falkniven bowie, and a few others. I liked the overall handling and grip of the Trailmaster best, but not the rust prone steel. It was a good chopper with a nice weight distribution and flat ground blade. The edge could hold up to chopping oak, and the blade is long enough to grab with two hands and shave wood for kindling.

I've been looking around at custom blades, but it's hard to decide on something that has limited availability, limited user reviews, and runs between $500-$1k. So, I was hoping some of you more experienced bowie owners could point me in the right direction. I'd like a blade length between 8-9", either a flat or moderate convex blade grind, premium steel, and good overall handling. I'm looking for top of the line, but under $1,000. Thanks in advance.
 
I'm not going to try and guess what you might like but this site is a very good site for custom knives that are the price your looking for and upwards. link is below

(( deal-spotting ))
 
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I know it doesn't even approach your budget, but have you considered a Cold Steel Trail Master in San Mai?
You could have it re handled with something fancy. Or have a custom knife made to the trailmaster specs and probably just about any steel you want.
 
You should post this under custom and handmade knives, lots of bowie experts there.

That said I would say look at Stephan Fowler, Tad Lynch, Matt Lamey, Shawn Knowles, Craig Camerer and of course, Jason Knight....

These guys are all top notch bowie makers. No doubt there are others but those are the ones that come to mind...

A good place to find all these makers is Robertson's Custom Cutlery.
 
The Ang Khola bowie would suit your needs nicely. Differentially tempered 5160 steel. Tough as nails.

8-24-10p%20002.jpg
 
You should be able to find pretty much what you want (though not tremendously elaborate or embellished) in a custom Bowie at $1,000 and below. There's quite a few fine makers creating carbon steel, damascus, stainless bowies in a variety of styles and handle materials at or below that price point.

I would spend time over on the custom knife forum to help determine just what interest you before you buy. You may also want to pick up a copy of "Knives 2011" where many different knifemakers work is displayed and the maker index in the back gives their information and even price ranges.

Good luck.
 
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Thanks guys. I've looked at the Busse Battlemistress, but for those who have owned it, I'm curious to know if it has a true convex grind on both sides. I've heard that one side of the blade is different from the other.

Also, how is the Infi steel in general to other options?
 
Its not convex ground. Mine was a regular V grind. The Battle Mistress is a true monster. A massive piece of steel. Its great for chopping and heavy work like that but not much else. INFI is good but I dont know if its the end all and be all. I think the appeal of INFI is that it combines the toughness of carbon steel but with good corrosion resistance, although most Busse's are coated to reduce corrosion anyway.

However a custom bowie is another animal altogether... I would look at a camp-style bowie in CPM-3V, 52100 or 5160. All high carbon steels with legendary toughness. The single greatest benefit with a custom is you can pick and choose the design you prefer as well as the raw materials. Its not a one size fits all type scenario.

MicroAlign said:
Thanks guys. I've looked at the Busse Battlemistress, but for those who have owned it, I'm curious to know if it has a true convex grind on both sides. I've heard that one side of the blade is different from the other.

Also, how is the Infi steel in general to other options?
Click to expand...
 
Thats a LOT of coin (at least for me) for a user. You could buy an inexpensive one to leave in your toolbox (like an Ontario Marine Raider Bowie for $52.00) & then get another custom bowie of your liking. Just a thought. :D
 
eisman said:
My choice for a using knife is Phillip Patton:
PattonBowie2.jpg
Click to expand...

Man THAT is beautiful!!

You gotta stop showing that thing, I don't need to spend any more money!!! That looks too pretty to mess up out in the woods, you really use it?


.....Ok, one question though, what kind of sheath do you use with that thing?
 
Is there any real performance benefit to using damascus versus a quality carbon steel with a good heat treat?
 
You don't need a bowie for general survival, you need an easily field maintainable 4-5" blade, with a sturdy moisture-proof sheath. Please state what activities you see as "general survival", because it seems to differ from my definition.
 
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