Best Bowie user for $120 or less shipped?

the possum said:
I don't have a specific recommendation for you, but am only chiming in to give kudos to your nephew for saving to buy something decent. Personally I would advise against getting something cheap or low quality. Many seem to think he should be getting a "starter" knife or something, but here's my reasoning.
He's at an age where he will be forming lots of fond childhood memories, and it sounds like that knife will play a big part in them. Someday he'll probably be sitting in an office, wishing he could get back out to the woods for an adventure like he did all the time when he was a kid. And now and then he'll get that knife out, longing to have those days back. Don't let that cherished momento be some Pakistani POS. Make sure it's something he can still appreciate and use even as his knowledge grows, and would still serve him well if he decides to relive those memories.
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he wont need to spend $1000 to get a decent knife, buck, kabar and others all offer knives that will take alot of abuse for many years for under $100.
 
I've got an Himalayan Imports Crow Bowie for sale, email me if you'd like to see pics (It's posted for sale but my gold membership lapsed & I'm having trouble renewing so the pics don't show) - I'm pretty sure it would wow him and the quality is excellent.
 
Get him a Buck 119.It's a classic and a very good knife.And with the 420HC steel it would be easy to maintain ;)

If he wants something a bit larger get him a Buck 120 from Cabellas - it's basicly a longer 119 :)
 
Robert.B said:
he wont need to spend $1000 to get a decent knife, buck, kabar and others all offer knives that will take alot of abuse for many years for under $100.
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I think yer readin' into my post too much. I didn't say anything pro or con about the options listed, or the price. (perhaps I didn't make myself clear enough there) I was speakin' about mindset. Help the kid find a good knife, however you may define that. Don't be tempted to recommend anything less just because "he's a kid" or whatever other rationalizations we may come up with.

Cheers.
 
I got this one for about $75.00. Shipping was free.

CH09_Black_Linen1.jpg
 
the possum said:
I think yer readin' into my post too much. I didn't say anything pro or con about the options listed, or the price. (perhaps I didn't make myself clear enough there) I was speakin' about mindset. Help the kid find a good knife, however you may define that. Don't be tempted to recommend anything less just because "he's a kid" or whatever other rationalizations we may come up with.

Cheers.
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I dont think anyone has recommended knives that arnt good so yeah I guess I misunderstood you...either way the kid doesnt need something expensive, some would argue but price doesnt always dictate quality when it comes to the knives mentioned.
 
Very sound advice. I would go with one of those traditionnal kabar : cheap and overall good quality.

My two cents : I would add two things
- a sharpening system to the knife, Line a small lansky or a fallkniven DC4.
No point in having a very nice dull bowie. Furthermore, it will help a young knife nut to tale proper care of its tool
- a small traditional slipjoint, to complement the fixes blade.

On the other hand, the barkie is fantastic and would probably please him a lot.
 
Thanks for all the input folks!

A little more background on my nephew. When he was 5 he went to a kids street fair where you play games and collect tickets and can redeem then for stuff. He took the tickets he won to the "goodie" tent and was looking around at his options. He found a bucket full of plastic swords that he methodically looked at each one. He finished looking at all of them, turned to his mom and said, "None of these are sharp enough". :)

He has already gone the route of cheap yard sale and discount knives. He has a couple of Victorinox and Spyderco knives. He has a Pappy who helps him earn money. He is currently studying his Christmas gift which is:

"The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Knives, Daggers & Bayonets: An authoritative history and visual directory of sharp-edged weapons and blades from around ... photographs (Illustrated Encyclopedias) by Tobias Capwell (Hardcover - Aug. 25, 2009)"

As you might guess, he has been taken by the historical Bowie style and is intent on owning an excellent usable example of that style.

He will only be able to use the bowie when the family is on an outdoor activity where he is supervised by a responsible adult.

Thank you all again for the suggestions!

Sincerely,

Doug

PS: I will be teaching him to sharpen via various sharpening media. He currently uses the curb by the house to abrade away sticks to points and knife shapes. :) My kind of kid!
 
$120, get him an inexpensive beater bowie and then go to harbor freight or some other tool shack and get him a 30 or 42 inch belt sander so he can touch up any dings or broken tips or dullness and learn how to maintain a knife and when he get good at that. then get the $100+ knife for him. just my thought on this and a 10 year old.
 
the possum said:
I think yer readin' into my post too much. I didn't say anything pro or con about the options listed, or the price. (perhaps I didn't make myself clear enough there) I was speakin' about mindset. Help the kid find a good knife, however you may define that. Don't be tempted to recommend anything less just because "he's a kid" or whatever other rationalizations we may come up with.

Cheers.
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Having the Buck 119 I bought in 1972, I feel safe in saying that there isn't really a better bargain out there close to its price range. I don't mean cheap, either. I am saying "big bang for the buck".

Over about 40 years, it has hunted, hiked, canoed, camped and just about anything you can do that a knife is a must. It is easy to sharpen, easy to use, sturdy as all get out, and the design makes it really easy to multitask well. When using it for tasks that usually speed the rusting process along (cutting up wet kindling, cleaning an animal, turning your canoe over...) it has proven to be extremely rust resistant.

And as pointed out, you can get him some good sharpening gear to back it up with the dough he has left over.

I personally wouldn't give it a second thought.

Robert
 
What about a cold steel SRK? It's a nice stout bowie shaped blade with a easy to control synthetic handle. They are exactly 6" handle to tip, although it handles like it's a little smaller IMO. I think the handle is a really important consideration for the smaller, weaker hands of a 10yr old. You want him to be able to learn proper blade control and the small diameter grippy handle should help.

Of course they're AUS8 now, but it would just give him more practice sharpening and it's an easy steel to sharpen, so it would be good to learn on. He could even strip it and put a satin finish on it as a side project since it's stainless.

Have him use his extra money for a fine\extra fine dmt and he would be all set :thumbup:
 
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