Blade Length

Keith Montgomery

Keith Montgomery

Joined
May 9, 2000
Messages
29,205
Regulars on this forum will know that I prefer really big knives. The closer to a sword, the better. Awhile back I contacted Larry Fuegen about ordering a knife. I let him know about my love of big knives and he informed me that his upper limit on blades was 9 inches. I couldn't quite get my head around that, so I decided not to order a knife at that time. After seeing that bowie that Larry took to Reno, I once again became very interested in getting a knife from him. I picked up the phone and gave him a call. He let me know that he had upped his limit on blade length to 9 1/2". This is still on the short end for me, but I decided to go ahead anyways.

What do you guys prefer for blade length on your bowies, and why?
 
I prefer a bit longer blade myself too for reasons like blade to handle ratio, and overall appearance.......but on the other hand if a maker like Larry Fuegen tells me that I can only order a knife with a 9 1/2 inch blade max I would settle for that:thumbup:;):)

Marcel
 
Most of my bowies fall in the 9" to 11" range. I'll occasionally go for a smaller bowie, but it would be an exception. Anything over 12" in blade length, however, would be a greater exception.

Roger
 
I find 9 to 10 to be the optimal size. I have a few shorter blade pieces, and I really like their stout, all business appearance. However, the design is harder to pull off given the blade-handle ratio.

Personally, I am not a fan of very long blades on bowies, though it would probably make them better weapons where they could be carried. The one case where I find a long blade appealing is on bowies of the great "Mediterranean dirk" family. On the classic bowie blade shapes, it does nothing for me.
 
For me 9 to 10 with 9 1/2 perfect. It is very hard for me to carry over 10 inch blades. I know that this may seem strange but a knife blade over nine is when a bowie really starts cutting. blades in the 7 1/2 inch range though easy to carry can't make the cuts a 9 or over can do. The blades that are 10 and more can really perform and I have a few but if I can not carry it comfortable then it is not for me. A 9 1/2 blade from Mr. Fuegen sounds perfect can't wait to see it
 
I'm a big blade man myself. I find anything under 10 just seems really weird to me. I've got a custom coming with a 14 inch blade. I like 11 at the very least and about 14 at the very most :D on a bowie anyway.
 
Good question and comment, Keith.

I like big blades as well, but I like about a 9.5 to 10.5 inch blade length. Almost all my big blades are in that range OAL is also important to me and to go along with that size blade I like an OAL of about 15-16 inches. I do this, because it is the biggest blade I can carry inside a concealed pocket of a certain pack I have and it just seems to be the best overall size for my uses.

something along these lines with nearly 10 inch blade is just about perfect:

campknife3.jpg
 
For me a 9"-9 1/2" blade giving the bowie an OAL of 14"-14 1/12" is perfect , however I like a fighter bowie as small as 71/2'' blade with OAL around 12" too.
 
Don't have anything close to the number of knives some of you guys own but I find the Blue Collar Camp knife I use on the farm to be about right. Anything longer for me is a problem. Don't knife fight and don't own a fighter but a 9 to 9-1/2 inch blade is still a 9 to 9-1/2 blade.
 
Keith,

I was both suprised and pleased when Larry told me that I could get a 9" - 9.5" blade on my knife.

All things being equal, I prefer 9.5' to 10.5" blades.

P

orig.jpg
 
You like those big blades, Keith, but to obtain something from one of the Masters it's better to concede to what they are willing to make than not have one of thier pieces in your collection.

I agree with JParanee but for me the convenience of carrying a 7"ish blade outweighs the extra power you get from a 10"-14" blade. I have a few in that range that are great choppers but they are bulky to carry. In my mind it's similar to having a big .45 ACP or a .38 SPL. The .45 is a better stopper but you're more likely to carry the .38 around on a daily basis.

Joss makes a good point though that some styles almost demand a longer blade length.
 
This is about as phallic as the forums get.:eek:

But on any knife a stubby handle is usually a bit strange. Alot of blade is good- especially for the money.
 
It Comes down to a few criteria
intended use..if any...and aesthetics..I agree with Joss in that longer blades look better with slimmer khyber or dirk like patterns
Classic Bowies look great at 10 inches give or take...and choppers look great at 10 plus

no hard fast rules in my book..
but I do agree I'm more apt to reach for a knife I can get at and control than a Honker..even in the Kitchen.

That Fuegen is the BALLS!
 
Jose Reyes said:
You like those big blades, Keith, but to obtain something from one of the Masters it's better to concede to what they are willing to make than not have one of thier pieces in your collection.

In my mind it's similar to having a big .45 ACP or a .38 SPL. The .45 is a better stopper but you're more likely to carry the .38 around on a daily basis.

Joss makes a good point though that some styles almost demand a longer blade length.
Click to expand...

I gotta give it to ya. your right. On friday maybe I can show ya how I carry a big blade and convert ya.
 
JParanee said:
Blades in the 7 1/2 inch range though easy to carry can't make the cuts a 9 or over can do.
Click to expand...

Though bowies in this 7 1/2 to 9-inch range can look awesome, and a 4 1/2 to 5-inch handle can work for most of them, I find I need more 'meat' in my hand to feel like I have a hold of a bowie, and many in that blade length seem to have smaller/thinner handles for my taste and feel. The way these custom works of art can look and perform are one thing, but whether for a user or a collector, I want the feel and balance to work for me in a bowie. Larger/longer is better the vast majority of the time. This is why I agree with Joe P. above. For better use, 9-inch and above are favorites for me. Also, for just taking out of the safe. ;)

- Joe
 
I personally think that it is probably easier to make a knife that looks symmetrical and balanced when the blade is not too long. I think that 9 1/2 inches will be just fine. I've seen a few bowies with blades in the 6 1/2 to 7 inch range that have impressed me very much. I would be willing to be that there is more of a secondary market for a knife with a 9 1/2 inch blade, than there is for one with a blade that is 14 inches.
 
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