Bladeforums BEST BOWIE - 2009 Edition

Thanks. I like'em :)

If we're encouraged to post "working" knives, here's my most used working knife by an unknown maker. (me :D HaHa)

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I can understand the various viewpoints expressed regarding PERFORMANCE....BUT... in my opinion, just as fit and finish can NOT be determined by viewing a picture, neither can performance.

Each voter should just select THEIR choices based on what THEY like about a particular knife.

I think EVERYONE would agree that opinions can change drastically, given the chance to HOLD a knife, instead of just looking at a picture of it.

Peter
 
"Bladeforums Best Bowie" - Its an entertaining and inspiring thread that show cases some amazing fixed blades each year, its good fun ..... but thats all it is.

Add in the varied and valid views and opinions of knowledgeable collectors, such as Anthony and Joe in this case, throw in any constructive discussion that may ensue, and it becomes a very interesting and informative thread.

Try to censor, moderate, or dismiss informed opinion and you relegate it to the realms of mediocrity, and diminish its credibility.


“Freethinkers are those who are willing to use their minds without prejudice and without fearing to understand things that clash with their own customs, privileges, or beliefs. This state of mind is not common, but it is essential for right thinking;” - Leo Nikolaevich Tolstoy

And before I forget........Thanks Roger for starting (again) one of the best threads on the annual calendar.

Cheers

Stephen
 
Stuart - thanks for posting up your piece - it is a really nice knife by any measure, but as a first knife it is :eek: Love the Foster Blue Collar Camp as well.

JoeP - I hope I made it clear that I well understood that you understood the point I was making - by no means am I trying to boot you out of this thread. As a guy that uses more big knives than most of us, you bring a valued perspective to the discussion. Far from merely sitting back and criticizing the concept, you have posted up the knives that reflect your preferences and that all helps make the thread better. :thumbup:

Peter - you are so right. A picture tells us something about a knife, holding it tells us more, and using it tells us MUCH more still. And while we are constrained here to rely upon pictures alone, I will say this: the more experienced you are with all aspects of knives, the more a picture can tell you.

Stephen and Peter Gill - great to see you both here - now post up some knives. :)

Roger
 
Good stuff here, although the concept is inherently imperfect. Always has been.

How in the world can we classify one knife as 'Best' when who the hell knows if it's even a Bowie. He he he!

This thread is a microcosm of forum activity on the net, showcasing the Good, Bad and Ugly:

Good: Really fine knives and comments

Bad: Good people/friends with commonalities quarreling with each other over semantics.

Ugly: Indignations

I'll take it for what it's worth, and recognize that any point is valid. The enduring credibility is always in the presentation.

Coop
 
Here's an El Diablo by Harvey Dean from the San Antonio Expo:


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Another from Blade 09 (my favorite bowie of the year, because it actually came home with me ;) ):

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And finally a Hunter's Bowie from John Horrigan. I'm just not sure if it was a full 6" blade, it may have been just short of 6, I cannot remember. But this one I lusted after for a very long time after the ABS show...

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peterinct said:
I can understand the various viewpoints expressed regarding PERFORMANCE....BUT... in my opinion, just as fit and finish can NOT be determined by viewing a picture, neither can performance.

Each voter should just select THEIR choices based on what THEY like about a particular knife.

I think EVERYONE would agree that opinions can change drastically, given the chance to HOLD a knife, instead of just looking at a picture of it.

Peter
Click to expand...

Exactly Peter. :thumbup:

The regulars here may remember what the original "2007 Best Bowie" thread digressed into when this same subject of 'performance vs. looks' was injected into the thread. A stern warning to close the thread from Kevin Sparks, one banded, a regular at the time hasn't been back and we didn't have any knife photos for the last 8 pages of a 17 page thread.
I was just trying to caution against repeating that. So hang me, and go at it. Nothing like closing the out the old and bringing the new year with a big nasty Brawl. ;)

Spark said:
First and only warning, kids. Be civil, or I'll shut this thread down. I've already banned dbrock for his actions.
Click to expand...
 
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Beautiful knives Eli.

Here's a Bowie that John Horrigan made for and presented to President George W. Bush on the 4 of December. In order not to get off topic, I will post additional photos and give some details of the event elsewhere of our past President accepting the knife from John.
Many of you will recognize the significance of the other items in the photo in addition to the beautiful bowie.

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Kevin Jones said:
Here's a Bowie that John Horrigan made for and presented to President George W. Bush on the 4 of December. In order not to get off topic, I will post additional photos and give some details of the event elsewhere of our past President accepting the knife from John.
Many of you will recognize the significance of the other items in the photo in addition to the beautiful bowie.
Click to expand...


I wasn't aware of that Kevin. I VERY much look forward to reading about this one...
 
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I hadn't seen EITHER of those John Horrigan knives. VERY cool, both of them. The lines and handle (by the way, what IS it made from) on that "hunter's bowie" are exceptionally nice, and the blade on the presentation knife is a work of art.

Plus... John is a great guy!

Peter
 
Here is one that Harry just finished. As far as it being a high performance knife, I would not want him whacking my hand with it.:D It would do just what any Bowie should do in that case. Wouldn't bother me any to get serious with a 2X4 either. Heck, it ain't my knife. :cool:

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There has to be a happy medium between performance and aesthetics or this thread may just as well just show "artists renderings" of Bowie knives as that is all some of them have become. Will post a few pics in a minute.

Best Bowie shouldn't be "Best Looking" or "Best Chopper". It should be somewhere in between.

I have been contacted by at least 4 people (Who have not commented in this thread, FYI) thanking me for my post. I am not sure what that means, but I do know I am not the only one that feels this way.
 
Bladeandbarrel said:
There has to be a happy medium between performance and aesthetics or this thread may just as well just show "artists renderings" of Bowie knives as that is all some of them have become. Will post a few pics in a minute.

Best Bowie shouldn't be "Best Looking" or "Best Chopper". It should be somewhere in between.

I have been contacted by at least 4 people (Who have not commented in this thread, FYI) thanking me for my post. I am not sure what that means, but I do know I am not the only one that feels this way.
Click to expand...

While I completely agree with you, Anthony....when looking at pictures it often does come down to "Best Looking". If all of the people voting have handled enough knives to know the difference between "silk slicer" and "boat anchor", and are voting with that sort of outside the box thought process, then "Best Bowie" might be accurate.....but that isn't realistic.

For the last few years, it has often come down to prettiest, but as I recall, the #1 knives were made by makers who excel at knifemaking, and the winner was probably in reality, a superb bowie.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Nice to see some Horrigans - he's one talented maker.

Here are a few more submitted to me for nomination:

1) Knight

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2) Knight

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3), 4), 5) Hanson

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6) Vandeventer

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7) Vandeventer

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8) 9) Hendrickson

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10) Hendrickson

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11) Bob Crowder

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