Bowie Knives - favorite 1800's style?

B

BLM4L

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Jan 19, 2006
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I have been thinking of something along the lines of the Bark River bowies,
possibly a CS Laredo, or even Helles Belles.

Anyone have a Bowie, Coffin Handled, or other later 1800's type which you are real happy with? (Production knife only)

Thanks everyone.
 
I've been wanting to commission a custom bowie to go with my Shiloh Quigley rifle. The only style I've found that I DON'T like is the coffin handle. Can't really say why, it just doesn't appeal to me. I'm looking now at Hudson Bay camp style knives.
 
My favorite Bowie is the Randall #12-11H a.k.a. "The Smithsonian"
The Randall factory make s some great production knives.
This one is a real heavy user of forged carbon tool steel 3/8" stock.

PS the small knife is a Randall #1-8.

Cheers,

André

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Randall12-11and1-8dogo2.jpg
 
I didn't much care for the CS Laredo, and have mixed feelings about the Ontario Hell's Belles. The Szabo "Fighting Szabowie" is neither 1800's style nor production, but it's certainly worth a look.

Lately I've been considering the Hanwei historical bowies. The "Vicksburg" is very nice, and I especially like the New Orleans style "dogbone" handle, but it's too short & light, and I don't care for the sheath. Their "Bell" bowie is bigger & heavier with a proper sheath, but it doesn't look like the leading edge can be sharpened unless you take a grinder to it. . .
 
For sheer style, I would have to pick the knives by James Daniel Searles. Here is an example, originally posted in the Gallery by one of the family that owns it.
 

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I like the Searle's also.:thumbup:
There are so many styles,though. :eek:
 
How about the Paul Chen reproductions. I can't afford a real Samuel Bell Bowie, but these are pretty nice.

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I have a Bark River Rogue bowie and I like it a lot. It's well made, and it is quite possibly the sharpest knife I own. Keep that in mind because 7" of razor sharp steel is a frightening thing.
 
Chris Meyer said:
How about the Paul Chen reproductions. I can't afford a real Samuel Bell Bowie, but these are pretty nice.

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Does it have a good heft and feel?
 
kamagong said:
I have a Bark River Rogue bowie and I like it a lot. It's well made, and it is quite possibly the sharpest knife I own. Keep that in mind because 7" of razor sharp steel is a frightening thing.
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That is one of the qualities I like. Ability to take and hold a sharp edge.
 
I like the styles of MIchael Price. My dream Custom is a fancied up wrapped handled/engraved (Bradford Style) bowie repro. One day ... maybe. ;)
 
qwerty13 said:
I've been wanting to commission a custom bowie to go with my Shiloh Quigley rifle. The only style I've found that I DON'T like is the coffin handle. Can't really say why, it just doesn't appeal to me. I'm looking now at Hudson Bay camp style knives.
Click to expand...

I wish I could post a pic of my Guinguard handforged Bowie, beautiful stag handle and Gib left some of the blade unfinished to show both the hammer marks and forge carbon.

When the disc is found ......

Sadly, Gib is no longer with us, but I love this Bowie. ~10 1/2" of blade or so, ~1/4" thick and looks like a Bowie knife should, without being a replica.

Looks real good with my C. Sharps.

qwerty, e/m me, wetdog1911@aol.com for when I can dig the pics out.

Rob
 
I would love to see your Guinguard if ya' can find a pic.That's the only thing I'd change about my newest Bowie,a 10 1/2 " blade instead of the 8" blade.Never satisfied. :D
 
I don't know what it is called, but I have always been fond of this basic design.

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The one shown is a Damscus blade. I used to have one I found on a battlefield of the East Texas Moderator vs. Regulater war from the 1840s. it was the same basic design. The stag grips had almost rotted away when I found it and the blade was seriously rusted. I had it cleaned up and fitted with ivory micarta grips and then gave it to my brother for a Christmas present. i wish I had it back.

This one has a nine inch blade and sells for a little less than two hundred after you add shipping, etc.
 
Blue Ridge Knives describes the knife as such;
Description: Paul Chen Bell Bowie. 16 1/2" overall. 11 1/4" high carbon steel blade with blood groove. Jigged horn handle with nickel silver guard and pommel. Brown leather belt sheath with nickel silver tip. Replica of a bowie knife made by Sam Bell, a cutler and silversmith from Knoxville, TN. Cardboard presentation case.​

I couldn't find out exactly what they use for steel on the knife, but I think they use 10xx series steel for their swords.

Being flat ground, the knife is suprisingly light for it's size. The handle is fairly comfortable, but if I was actually going to use it I would probably smooth out all of the edges. I like the knife, I just wish I didn't have to admit that it was made in China.
 
There was an extensive discussion of the Bell Bowie over on SwordForums a while back. Here is the thread: http://forums.swordforum.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=44784&perpage=25&highlight=&pagenumber=3

I will add that I bought one and really like it. It is a very light and quick sort of knife that is designed as a thruster more than a slasher, if you follow me. More of a smallsword than a broadsword, although certainly capable of slicing. Dale Seago, the fellow over at SFI who was so excited about the Bell Bowie is a lover of all thingd Scottish and says that the Bell Bowie is more like a traditional Highland Dirk than a Bowie Knife and he is correct.

One word of warning, I broke many popsicle sticks trying to get the damned belt frog off of my Bell Bowie's scabbard and finally gave up and cut it off.
 
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