Bowie Suggestions?

[missin_hobo]

So when school ends in a few months I'll be heading back to work, and considering the money I need I'll probably be heading back into the industrial sector. But Alberta being the way it is these days, I had considered ranching for awhile. I figured if I ended up working on horseback I would need a good solid bowie knife handy, so I'm here wondering if anyone has any suggestions?

I know Cold Steel has a few decent bowies, within respectable price margins, but the Chris Reeve Jereboam is probably sufficiently long as well. (I'm leaning towards something in the 9-12" range) I've heard good things about Shiva Ki knives as well, though they're probably a mite pricey.
Did anyone have any good ideas?
Thanks

 

[Keith Montgomery]

You can get really good quality bowie knives from many custom makers for reasonable prices. You are looking for a user, so you should be able to find one for under $500.00. Much less than anything you are going to get from Shiva Ki. Take a look at the for sale area in the Knifemaker forums.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=754

 

[Rich357]

There's the 10" Fallkniven Thor.

http://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_detail.html?s=SWEDNL1L

 

[Mike Sastre]

If you are looking for a "user", I'd definitely give the Cold Steel Bowies in SK-5 a good look. People will bemoan the fact they are made in China, but since CS couldn't get the Carbon V anymore and switched to SK-5 with a price reduction, I had to see for myself how much performance was reduced. Not much at all. I did some testing of a Laredo Bowie (10.5" blade) and was pleasantly surprised at how well it performed compared to its Carbon V counterpart. Price was reduced to half, with performance (cutting, edge holding, etc.) almost the same. I've seen other reports of similar findings with the SK-5 Trailmasters and Recon Scouts. Great deal for "users"!!

 

[missin_hobo]

I was hoping someone would come along and say that...love the look of that Laredo Bowie!

 

[Mike Sastre]

At a street price of $125 - $150, it's hard to go wrong with the SK-5 Laredo. A lot of knife for the money!! I've hooked a bunch of these up with my Southern Comfort sheaths, and usually have some available as package deals. Got one living in my truck.