Best Bowies...

S

smt5141

Joined
Feb 14, 2009
Messages
19
Under $60? Preferably with blades 9 inches+. I've seen the UC Bushmaster, however the steel isn't exactly the best. Anything with more bang for the buck?
 
SMKW is selling Ontario RTAK-IIs right now for $59.99. You'd be hard pressed to get more bang for the buck than that.


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If you can get an rtakII for 60 bucks, run and get it!!!! Doubt you will find anything close to its value for that price. It is a serious chopper that can still whip through the lighter stuff with the flat grind and balance just ahead of the handle.

other than that a kabar heavy bowie is in the price range and a good knife as well, good sheath.
Another you might like is the kabar camp knife. 8 in deep bellied recurve and they are cheap right now. Stick tang like a kabar fighter, same handle but big.
all 3 these come in very good proven carbon steel.
 
Ontario%20SP10%20Marine%20RaiderX.jpg
 
Brad "the butcher";7940758 said:
If you can get an rtakII for 60 bucks, run and get it!!!! Doubt you will find anything close to its value for that price. It is a serious chopper that can still whip through the lighter stuff with the flat grind and balance just ahead of the handle.
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With a Scrap Yard Dog Father, a Browning Crowell/Barker Comp Knife, a Kershaw Outcast and an Ontario Marine Raider Bowie, I need another chopper like I need a hole in the head. But you're right. An RTAK-II for under $60.00 is just too good to pass up.

You talked me into it. :thumbup: :D

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I have been wanting one of those browning competition knives, what is your opinion on it?

You will like the rtak seeing your other choppers, this one handles more like a thick machete.
I hate the bloody handle on that outcast, can't bring myself to use mine after 3 trips, worst handle ever.
 
RTAK-II for $60 bucks is had to beat. I really like the KaBar Heavy Bowie, but I think I am going to have to pick up the RTAK at the price. Today I got a Cold Steel 12" Barong Machete in the mail. For $20 shipped it's a good deal but still a little rough. The factory edge is a joke, but the handle is comfortable at least.
 
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Brad "the butcher";7940824 said:
I have been wanting one of those browning competition knives, what is your opinion on it?
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Nice knife. Seems to be well made. I haven't really had a chance to get out and beat on it yet, but I've read several reviews including one from Mike Stewart and they've all been very positive.
 
bld522 said:
SMKW is selling Ontario RTAK-IIs right now for $59.99.
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Definetly a great deal, but unless your definition of "Bowie" is just "big knife" I'm not sure if its really what the OP is looking for?

If the OP is looking for a bowie style knife, 9+ inches in that price range he's probably going too have to compromise somewhere. The Ka-Bar Heavy Bowie is one possibility, although it lacks the cross guard I normally assocaited with the style. The Ontario Spec Plus SP5 or SP10 might also be worth looking at. The Ka-Bar Becker Combat Bowie is another possiblity, although I think its a bit over the OPs pricepoint.
 
mdauben said:
Definetly a great deal, but unless your definition of "Bowie" is just "big knife" I'm not sure if its really what the OP is looking for?
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Good point. But then Dan Busse calls the Dog Father a Bowie and it doesn't have a traditional Bowie shape either. In some circles, "Bowie" and "big knife" seem to be synonymous. ;)

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Keep in mind that the Marine Raider Bowie is sabre ground and 1/4" thick. The RTAK is flat ground and 3/16" thick. So I wouldn't be surprised if the Marine Raider Bowie is heavier/bulkier than the RTAK.
 
I like my Marine Raider after a couple hours of reprofiling the edge with a diamond stone. There's still one thing I don't like about it and that's the gaps between the guard and the tang.
The RTAK-II handle is way too wide for my hands.
 
I was honestly looking for a functional version of a blade similar to the Rambo I knife. I have it in 420 j2, but that's not to good, and it's more of a collectible. Something with a decent edge and durability
 
The Spec Plus knives are hard to beat in that price range.
It's good to see there are more options now.
Those KABAR Bowie's look mighty good. And, at HRc 55-57 they should be able to withstand some hard use rather handily.
 
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