Bowie blade lengths?

[kerrystagmer]

I'm interested in hearing what size blades you all look for when bowie knife hunting.

My dad always carried a pretty chunky one with a 10" blade and said he felt naked without it when hunting

I make a pile of 12" bladed guys , but often I hear people say they just think its too big (and sometimes too small!)

just wondering on everyone thoughts

Kerry Stagmer
www.baltimoreknife.com

 

[GibsonFan]

Depends what you want to use it for, I guess. If you want to chop/slash efficiently, I recommend an 8" blade as the bare minimum. That's where leverage and tip-speed really comes into play and gives you a big mechanical advantage.
A well-balanced bowie of 9-10" will chop nearly as well as a good hatchet and is more versatile and quicker in the hand.
In a self-defense scenario, I think there few if any designs that cut as viciously and just plain quick as a sharpened-swedge bowie on the backstroke.
Shorter (4-7") blades just don't offer that kind of performance IMO. On the other hand, I wouldn't want to clean a trout or deer with a knife that big. I like 4" or less blades for fine tasks.

 

[JParanee]

I agree with Gibsonfan. 9 1/2 to 10 is perfect for me.