Best full tang stainless bowie <$300?

y53p said:
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?
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You could try contacting this maker? https://www.kornalski.com/ He is from Poland, and I would think that he could also ship to Italy.
Most of his knives are carbon steel but I think he can also source Bohler M390 stainless?
He has an EDC pattern with both drop point and bowie style that has 125mm (~5") blade.
Link: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads...c-and-bowieedc-5-blades-with-sheaths.1899476/
 
I have a bunch of expensive carbon steel Bowies from reputable companies. I only have 1 stainless steel fixed blade. It's the Steel Will Argonaut 800 in AUS-8. It's a nice knife, but it's a scout knife, not a Bowie. Believe it or not, Timber Wolf actually makes very nice, full tang, stainless Bowie knives. They're inexpensive stainless steel (440 series). They must have a good heat treat, because they hold up very well in testing. I was going to buy one, and stick in my tailgate. They also come with nice leather sheaths, all for about $37. I'm looking at this one currently: https://www.kennesawcutlery.com/Timber-Wolf-Celtic-Heritage-Bowie-Knife-And-Sheath-46601
 
I don't normally buy cheap Chinese stainless steel knives. But, these Timber Wolf knives perform really well in testing. They baton wood without chips or rolls. I've seen fancy stainless steel knives perform terrible, and ultra cheap 3Cr13 knives perform well. It's very strange. It seems to be all about the heat treat. Some 9f these Chinese companies, actually perform a really good heat treat.
 
The OP doesn’t need a new knife.
He needs a Gransfors Bruks Small Forest Axe.

Why use a knife to struggle with chores that the SFA would handle with ease?
And as an added bonus one can hammer with it. :)
19” long, the perfect complement to the knives the OP already has.
Makes for a well rounded outdoorsman.

The big river site has them for $209. You can imagine my shock, I paid $60 many moons ago.
 
Ebbtide said:
The OP doesn’t need a new knife.
He needs a Gransfors Bruks Small Forest Axe.

Why use a knife to struggle with chores that the SFA would handle with ease?
And as an added bonus one can hammer with it. :)
19” long, the perfect complement to the knives the OP already has.
Makes for a well rounded outdoorsman.

The big river site has them for $209. You can imagine my shock, I paid $60 many moons ago.
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A heavy 420 stainless steel axe? I'll pass. At least get a high carbon steel axe.
 
DDDYLN said:
A heavy 420 stainless steel axe? I'll pass. At least get a high carbon steel axe.
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GB’s are stainless now? They mention recycled on their site but not steel type.
Given their reputation I’d give them credit and believe they know what they’re doing.

As far as heavy…. 2lbs isn’t all that heavy. And besides it’s the added & focused weight that makes the work easy.

But to each his own.
Just trying to give the OP options.
 
That's my bad. It's the SKU# that's 420. That's an off choice for a SKU#, as it makes people think the blade is made from cheap stainless steel. That said, you can get a better axe at your local hardware store for less than half the price. I'm not sure why someone would pay $200 for this. You can buy a Cold Steel 1055 carbon steel axe for less than $50. That's the same steel the Gransfors Bruks Small Forest Axe uses. I imagine most hardware store axes use carbon steel as well. Harbor Freight has high carbon steel axes for $30.
 
I would vote for a Bark River Bravo 1.25 or 1.5 in elmax, magnacut, or s45vn…but 3v or cruwear would be my pick if you could loosen up the “stainless” requirement.


If you can find a Fallkniven that is also really nice. No affiliation but I see a Fallkniven s1 pro in the classifieds section right now and under your price target. Bad influence 🔥
 
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I have been eyeing off the European stainless bowies. Joker, cudeman, muela.

But not really the full tang as I want the proper stag handle experience.

They seem serviceable enough even if they don't have super steels.

 
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