Bowies, Big Knives, And The Best Of Battle Blades

L

larrytwohig

Joined
Dec 6, 2002
Messages
395
Was just checking out this book on amazon by Bill Bagwell. First of all, any input on this book. Second, I was thinking of picking up a good quality fighting bowie, preferably with a sharp false edge, and am open to any suggestions, production or otherwise. 9" blade would be my minumum requirement, as well as a machined pommel, and solid handle. Subhilt would be cool too... my dream knife for ex would be the Jack Crain subhilt bowie from the Predator movie, but the cost is way out of my price range. I was thinking between 150 and 250, perhaps even up to 300 for something exceptional. Any ideas?
 
Hi larry,

I can't think of a specific model in your price range but I would like to offer one suggestion...keep in mind that if you want a "fighting bowie" then you should emphasize light(er) weight and a balance point closer to the handle...many of the 9"+ bowies (particularly production knives such as the Cold Steel Trailmaster) as designed for camp duties rather than fighting (e.g. very "blade heavy")...if money were no object, I would suggest Mad Dog or Jerry Hossom...



RL
 
Larry:

Production wise there are the Ontario Bagwells and the newer Cold Steel Larado. You'll have a difficult time trying to find a custom big fighting bowie for less than $300 but take a look at Covington Edged Weaponry.
 
I've always found the grips on the Ontario Bagwells to be the wrong shape for my hand and way too slippery.

Previous posts are correct that many production bowies are choppers not fighters.

I recommend that you consider Bill Siegle (go to Custom Knife section of Blade Exchange) for a custom knife. It won't cost anymore than the high end production knives and he can create quite a large but still lively and quick fighter out of 3/16.

Just my 2 cents.
 
I have one of those Ontario/Bagwell Hell's Belle Bowies (like what is shown in Bagwell's book), and I like it. It has great balance and a good "feel" for a knife of its' size. However, I WOULD like to see a "tactical" version with G-10 (or linen micarta) scales and (non-reflective) satin-finished VG-10 steel.
 
Originally posted by glockman99
a "tactical" version with G-10 (or linen micarta) scales and (non-reflective) satin-finished VG-10 steel.
Click to expand...

That would be awesome IMO as well... so far VG10 has been my fav steel, although I have yet to try BG42... I'll take a look at siegle... any other suggestions... thanks for all replies so far!
 
Save a little more money and get one of Jerry's knives! (as in Hossom). The man does pay attention to balance (big time).., and since you want a "Fighter".., I wouldn't hesitate to give him a call and express exactly what you want.


"Hunters seek what they [WANT].., Seekers hunt what they [NEED]"
 
I posted a simmilar thread a while back... I decided to set my sites on Mineral Mountain Hatchet works' White River bowie. Im gonna grab it as soon as I get the cash. ( I gotta wait 1.67 times longer than you guys cuz I'm in Canada :D )
 
Larry,

Bagwell's book is a reprise of his Battle Blades collumn from the 80s in SOF, plus about four chapters of things he's learned in the interim, and some of what he taught to the SF at Bragg. His collumn is up and running again in SOF. Best production fighting Bowies in your price range would be the Ontario Bagwells (fighters only - sharpened false edge) or the Cold Steel Laredo (good all purpose Bowie - very sharp false edge, a litle heavier than the OBs), or CS Trailmaster (more of a camp knife, but sharpen the false edge and it'll do quite nicely). Ontario's Frontiersman is a less expensive alternative fighting Bowie and sort of a "sleeper" (11" Bagwell blade with sharpend false edge, light & fast, 1096 steel, but needs a street sheath). If you're looking for technique with the big blades, check out Comtech's "ABC series", Cold Steel's "Warrior's Edge", Paladin's "Legacy of Steel", and Dwight McLemore's "Paradoxes of a Myth". Also check out www.alliancemartialarts.com
 
I agree with Mike Sastre on the Cold Steel Laredo...it is a great knife and probably the best production fighting Bowie out there.

But make sure you read Bagwell's book and watch the Comtech ABC videos...it will help you with your decision....especially when it comes to the length, handle, etc.

Hey Loki...thanks for the recommend!
 
awesome ideas guys! I like the MMHW K19, and the Ontario Bagwell Gambler so far... keep dem ideas coming!!! I'm liking the idea of a big knife, even just form reading the exerpts from the book :D
 
I'm liking the cold steel laredo quite a lot, but I also noticed the fallkniven Thor... had anybody tried it out... being that it's new and all prob not... although I don't think that it has the sharpened false edge that I am looking for. Now, if only cold steel put the trailmaster pommel and handle onto the laredo, it'd be perfect for what I'm looking for :rolleyes:
 
ok, after reading all previous threads on this topic, and after researching the online knife stores, the ones that I'm down to are (prefer production) the Ontario Hell's Belle and the Cold Steel Laredo... since I have not handled either, and probably won't before purchasing, I was wondering what you guys thought about both, relative to each other.

My primary concerns are agility, grip security, handle comfort, steel quality, looks, sheath quality, durability, sharpness on both leading edge and false edge, etc. Look forward to hearing your replies! Thanks in advance.
 
if you want a fighting bowie,go with the Hells Bells.i have the Fortress and it is excellent.if your worried the handle slipping in your hand use tommy tape and wrap a couple layers around.the ballance on the Bagwell production is outstanding for a production blade.you need to have a custom rig made up for street carry,this is one large fighter!hope this helps out.
 
Originally posted by larrytwohig
I'm liking the cold steel laredo quite a lot, but I also noticed the fallkniven Thor... had anybody tried it out... being that it's new and all prob not... although I don't think that it has the sharpened false edge that I am looking for. Now, if only cold steel put the trailmaster pommel and handle onto the laredo, it'd be perfect for what I'm looking for :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

I've seen the Fallkniven Thor for less than $240. Looks to be a great knife and would be lighter and quicker than the CS Laredo. And Fallkniven claims the new laminated blade construction, developed for these big knives, is 35% stronger than the normal VG10 blade. That's strong indeed. And I like the look and feel of the stacked leather handle. I've also been shopping for large Bowies and love the way the Laredo looks. But, I ask myself......do I really want a 5/6" blade that weighs in at over 17 ozs. ?? Admittedly the Fallkniven only weighs about an ounce less, but sometimes that can all the difference in handling. It's too bad we can't all handle these knives before springing for several hundred dollars.
 
www.tichbourneknives.com

I own a recurve version of the Wilderness Bowie and I love it.

If you want a forged bowie you might wanna try Max Burnett. I got my first true custom knife from him. I can't remember his email address and I don't know if he still has a website. Do a search though and I'm sure you'll find him. I'm pretty sure he still makes knives though :)

Both make great knives at great prices in my opinion. I'm sure both makers will be more than happy to work with you on a design that suits your needs. It was also a pleasure to do business with George and Carol Tichbourne, and Max Burnett.
 
Larry - I'd be willing to bet you that there are a number of the custom makers who'd make you a no-frills bowie to your specs in the 300 range. I second the opinion on Max Burnett's work -- look him up under Ogg Knives. If you're looking for something you can buy this week, don't forget the Livesay SandBar bowie. Don't know if Newt still has any, but I'll bet a post on this forum or a search thru ebay will pop one up for well under 300. Some had sharpened top edges (mine does!)
MtMike
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top