Best full tang stainless bowie <$300?

[y53p]

I’m a great fan of the 119 (I own 3), but I’d love to have a similar knife in size (5-6’) just with better steel, full tang and a stout tip and a satin/stonewash finish. However most of the knives that meet most of these criteria are tacticool overbuilt black coated slabs of non-stainless steel.

Any suggestions? (Willing to spend $300 at most but even way less than that if there are more budget options. I eyeballed a pretty sturdy and classic looking knife, the Extrema Ratio AMF desert, but it’s $400, so kinda too expensive)

 

[Fonedork]

Probably the Boker Arbolito El Gigante (n695), or Cold Steel Trailmaster in san mai (stainless clad)

 

[shane45-1911]

You could get a custom made for ~$300.00, made to your specs.

 

[vwb563]

Cold Steel San-Mai Trailmaster would be my recommendation.

 

[jlauffer]

Trailmaster and El Gigante are larger than requested. The Boker Esculta is much closer in size.

 

[ferider]

You could get a custom made for ~$300.00, made to your specs.

This.

Or: Since you like the 119, did you consider the 124 ? Btw, for stainless and a tough fixed blade 420HC is pretty good.

 

[Crag the Brewer]

idk what they go for now, but you might find a used beater Alpha Regulator in that range.
It's going to kick the crap out of a lot of the similar competition. And I am Not a fanboy, so that means something, also.

oops..... forget what I wrote.
I didn't notice you wanted such a small blade.

 

[vwb563]

Trailmaster and El Gigante are larger than requested.

I see that now. When I read the title and it said Bowie knife I automatically thought of a large full size Bowie knife. How about a Cold Steel SRK in San-Mai stainless?

 

[BigMoney]

+1 for Boker. Also Buck 124. I really don’t understand the price jump from 119 to 124.

 

[y53p]

This.

Or: Since you like the 119, did you consider the 124 ? Btw, for stainless and a tough fixed blade 420HC is pretty good.

I would have loved to get a 124 but after seeing tests done on it and seeing how easily the pommel scales get loosened up after medium-hard use, I decided not to, especially considering they can’t be fixed. A shame, since it’s basically perfect for me under every other aspect. I think I might go with a Boker arbolito Esculta, it’s basically a 119 but full tang, n695 (basically improved 440c), full flat grind and a much less pronounced clip point.

There’s also the El Gigante model like Fonedork suggested, but it seems too large for general camp use and survival, still a very pretty knife tho.

The Trailmaster that you guys suggested is $400+ where I’m from so unfortunately that’s not an option, also it’s quite large. Thank you very much for the suggestions!

 

[edgeplay]

I remember I bought a popular brand fix blade and it snapped the first day I had it when i used it to split some wood . To be fair the wood was knotty and hard . The blade snapped right in half and I was bummed lol . That being said I have a gun fighter Bowie that’s forged and a beast of a knife . I was watching Lon Humprhey basically bending some of his knives almost what is seemingly 90 degrees and it not snapping is a testament to what a real true bladesmith is capable of . I actually have one for sale . It’s not stainless but maybe in some aspects that’s a good thing if a master blade smith is using a non stainless steel ???

 

[edgeplay]

Of course stainless steels are awesome too and so are the knives y’all are talking about . Just throwing a curve ball . And the knife that I had snap wasn’t a stainless knife . It was a very popular knife tht was always touted to be super tough and durable . My dumbass Broke it the first day because I guess by everyone saying how tough it was I had no fear of it failing . But it did to my surprise lol

 

[HexY3co]

Cold steel recon scout in sanmai. If you can find one. Maybe fallkniven a1 pro in Cos

 

[ferider]

I would have loved to get a 124 but after seeing tests done on it and seeing how easily the pommel scales get loosened up after medium-hard use, I decided not to, especially considering they can’t be fixed. A shame, since it’s basically perfect for me under every other aspect. I think I might go with a Boker arbolito Esculta, it’s basically a 119 but full tang, n695 (basically improved 440c), full flat grind and a much less pronounced clip point.

Got it.

Regarding custom as per shane45-1911 , an example that I got in the mail just today. The one on the left, 7" blade, 0.25" NitroV, full tang, $295 made by one of our best custom makers. Just saying.

You can pick different shape and specs, other stainless steels (e.g., Magnacut), scale material, etc.

 

[ShaiHulud]

Fallkniven krut or NL1, NL2, NL3

 

[beeinak]

Fallkniven krut or NL1, NL2, NL3

If you see those for under $300, you should snag them.

 

[tony281sc2]

Got it.

Regarding custom as per shane45-1911 , an example that I got in the mail just today. The one on the left, 7" blade, 0.25" NitroV, full tang, $295 made by one of our best custom makers. Just saying.

You can pick different shape and specs, other stainless steels (e.g., Magnacut), scale material, etc.

Those look badass! Who made em?

 

[ShaiHulud]

If you see those for under $300, you should snag them.

Well if the OP was willing to pay $100 more

 

[beeinak]

Well if the OP was willing to pay $100 more

Well that would open more options, but still snag those Fallkniven’s if you see them! I love my A2 for winter with the no-exposed metal on handle. They have some great designs.

 

[Hashishiin]

Of course stainless steels are awesome too and so are the knives y’all are talking about . Just throwing a curve ball . And the knife that I had snap wasn’t a stainless knife . It was a very popular knife tht was always touted to be super tough and durable . My dumbass Broke it the first day because I guess by everyone saying how tough it was I had no fear of it failing . But it did to my surprise lol

What was the knife?