Bowie Knife

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Danno4017

Joined
Jan 8, 2007
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893
I am intrested in a larger Knife along the lines of a traditional Bowie knife.
What is the best knife around while still being value for money?
I do not have hundreds of dollars to spend at the moment.
Thanks in advance. :thumbup:
 
It really depends on how much you want to spend. There's always the Western Bowie by Camillus, not too expensive and you'll get the traditional look.

The Cold Steel Trailmaster isn't exactly traditional, but it is probably the best bowie out there for the price.

The Cold Steel Laredo is a little pricey; however, the new one is not as expensive. A fighting knife with the traditional look. But you can also use it to work.

There's the Randall's, they can get pretty expensive, around $500-700. VERY nice knives, but again, expensive.

There's the Ontario Bagwell line with the Hell's Belle bowie. It has the traditional look but is strictly a fighting knife because of the steel used and the way it is made.

The Fallkniven Thor is very nice. It has some good steel and a somewhat traditional look. This is going to be my next knife.

There are many more, but thats what I can think of right off the top of my head. Any questions, let me know.
 
Danno,
You might want to look at the SOG Super Bowie. It's nice looking, decent fabrication, and can be had for less than $160.00.
JGarth
 
For a TRULY traditional Bowie pattern, I think you might have to pay a little more.....
ACTUALLY..... Take a look at the Paul Chen bowies, especially the historical series. They have high carbon steel and are pretty good.
You could probably get a RAW knife from Bill Siegle for a great price with a sheath. I'd guess aroun $150 or $200, and made to your exact specifications.
You really have lots of good choices. If you want something on the cheap, maybe check out Ontartio knives. Pretty good for the price.
Also, Swamp Rat or Scrapyard knives maybe the best bang for the buck, if they have what you're looking for.
Priced around $150 in many cases.
I just found this page, with a lot of good choices (not all good though.....)
http://www.jaysknives.com/bowieknives.htm
 
I would recommend the Western w49 made in Boulder. they are carbon steel and available on ebay for 50-70, and are great bowies, and were used or are nearly identical to the one used by Robert Redford in the Jeramiah Johnson movie.
 
Thanks for all the advice guys.
I have some more homework to do looking at those suggestions.
Cheers
 
Danno4017 said:
Thanks for all the advice guys.
I have some more homework to do looking at those suggestions.
Cheers
Click to expand...
Do yourself a HUGE favor, and find out about the steels used also.
Although 440A rarely rusts, it tends to break, and not hold an edge very well. (some people prefer this because it's also easier to sharpen because it's softer.)
Heat treatment is as important as the steel used, so make sure you buy from a reliable manufacturer. If you have questions, knife reviews and testing forum is great place to search for and ask questions.
 
Danno4017 said:
I am intrested in a larger Knife along the lines of a traditional Bowie knife.
What is the best knife around while still being value for money?
I do not have hundreds of dollars to spend at the moment.
Thanks in advance. :thumbup:
Click to expand...

I have a CS Trailmaster, the laminated San Mai one. It's a VERY strong knife, a thick 8mm blade. I use and abuse mine all the time and it requires bugger all looking after. The only drawback, if you're not used to it, is the convex edge. I find sharpening mine no probs with some wet & dry paper and a leather strop. The blade holds it's edge well, so a sharpen before you head out will give you an edge that lasts a long time without 'touch ups'.
 
I just got my first bowie and I love it. It is a Scrapyard Dogfather which at first glance does not seem like a traditional bowie it is a lot closer than you would think. First it has a 10 inch clip point blade made out of exellent SR77 tool steel.
For a big knife like a bowie stay away from stainless you want carbon or tool steel for the toughness. Second it is made in Texas and has a lifetime warranty.
You won't find a bowie this tough for twice the price(139.95). You can't get them from the Yard anymore but there should be quite a few on the secondary market. It is also the only bowie that if you decide you don't want(a lot of people tire of big knives) you can get your money back on.
The balance is very good andthehandle while not a traditional wood or bone works much better on a big chopper.

This is not my pic
 
Imperial Weapons has been selling replicas of famous Bowie designs and their current model is a reproduction of a James Daniel Searles knife for $225 with an appropriate scabbard. Searles was a knife smith who worked in what was to become Baton Rouge, Louisiana, just up from Rezin Bowie's plantation. Rezin was known to have giiven a couple of Searles' knives as presents to business partners, etc. One is in the Alamo Museum. Here is the site for Imperial's knife page: http://www.imperialweapons.com/knives.html

I have all three of them and am more than satisfied with them. THe Searles Bowie is the best of the lot so far. I am most pleased with it.

Dixie Gun Works also sell a superb Italian made replica of a Searles Bowie, their item # KE6701 for $250, but it comes with a sheath that is utterly out of place for it. They offer a silver mounted scabbard that is utterly appropriate that costs an additional $129.95, item # KE6704. I have them and they are very, very nice and the silver work does, indeed, tarnish so it must reallly be silver plated.
 
Unsub hit it on the head. Get you a DogFather. There was one for sale in the for sale forum the other day. I bought me one of these and its just a fantastic package for the money.

STR
 
STR said:
Unsub hit it on the head. Get you a DogFather. There was one for sale in the for sale forum the other day. I bought me one of these and its just a fantastic package for the money.
Click to expand...
I don't disagree with you but he is looking for a traditional style bowie.
ALTHOUGH, he hasn't mention what he's going to use it for. The dog father could be a great chopper, and you could even get it rehandled and stripped off the coating for a more traditional look. A professional knifemaker shouldn't charge too much. Good Luck.
 
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