Bowie - Yes or No???

Sean O'Hare

Sean O'Hare

Joined
Jul 24, 2003
Messages
1,183
Okay this is my first posting in Blade Forums, just joined this evening.

This is the largest knife that I make so far. Its spec's are as follows:

Name: Prospector
Blade: ATS-34
Width: 5/32"
Blade Length: 7"
Overall: 12"
Bolster: 416 SS
Handle: Black Micarta
Pins: Two 1/4" Mosaics, Two 5/32" Brass, Tang Hole 1/4" Brass

prosadd.jpg


My question is, would you consider this a Bowie or not? People keep telling me that this is a Bowie knife but I hesitate to call it a Bowie.

Anyhow let me know what you think.

Sean
 
I think the term Bowie knife has become as generic as Swiss Army Knife, every crap-tastic knockoff stamp has done it yet at the same time every crafter has made an improvement on the old classics. It's a very nice knife, give it a name you like (which is copyright/trademark -able, Bowie is a generic term) and let the rest of the world call it a Bowie if they want to.
 
Originally posted by nevarmore
I think the term Bowie knife has become as generic as Swiss Army Knife, every crap-tastic knockoff stamp has done it yet at the same time every crafter has made an improvement on the old classics.
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Yep, I've seen a heck of a lot of knives called Bowies. This knife fits the genre as much as many of the others do.
 
Originally posted by Keith Montgomery
Yep, I've seen a heck of a lot of knives called Bowies. This knife fits the genre as much as many of the others do.
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I've got to agree with that. The term has indeed become sufficiently generic to embrace almost any large knife and some not so large ones as well. My first reaction to the pic was "fighter", though admittedly, the distinction bowie and large fighter is quite blurry. But to get back to your original question, nobody could fault you for calling this knife a bowie.

Cheers,

Roger
 
In my mind, a large clip point=Bowie
I have seen many makers make guardless large clip pointed knives, and they are almost always still called Bowies.
 
The blade is what draws my attention 1st and based on that - I'd 'think' bowie; size also makes me think bowie. Secondary, because it doesn't have a guard - I'd think fighter! But in any case, I'd call it a great looking knife! Congratulations on your largest to date! :D The sheath looks good, too!
 
Great looking small :D Bowie.Now let's stretch the blade to a good 10" and add a little ironwood...Seriously,the knife looks great ,I really like the style and it looks like some fine leather work as well.Nice to see another Canuck maker on board,welcome and enjoy.
 
Thanks for the comments guys.

Ya my main reasons for not calling it a Bowie were #1 - the use of a bolster instead of a guard & #2 - its size. In my mind a Bowie should be a bit larger than this one.

You are all right it is ultimately in the eye of the beholder to decide what or how to categorize a knife.

As for the term "fighter" I had been leaning towards a more tactical description for this knife but hadn't done it yet. My knifemaking stems from being a hunter and until recently that is really what I've stuck to in knifemaking, ie. hunting knives, but I am branching out.

Thanks again,
Sean
 
One more question.

Stumpy you mentioned putting ironwood on the knife. I've always loved ironwood but to date haven't used it.

Does anyone have a source for ironwood that doesn't break the bank? I know you get what you pay for but....

Also does ironwood require a sealer or can you just buff it up and go?

Thanks,
Sean
 
That's a nice bowie. Ironwood would be a great upgrade. Ironwood can be very expensive, or fairly reasonable. Depending on who or where you get it. Some websites are selling it exclusively, and charge high prices. Often, you can find it at knife shows for much cheaper prices. Or, you can buy a few of those carved ironwood animals you find at gun shows, and saw them up into handle material. You can buy a big carved bear or owl or something similar for less than some dealers charge for a set of handle slabs.
 
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