Browning 15" bowie?

[Pick88]

I just won one from ebay, got a good deal on it. Anyone own one? What can i expect for quality control? It looks like a fairly nice blade comparable in size to a Trailmaster. I'm looking forward to recieving this, my first bowie.
I'm thinking later I can make and install a coffin handle or maybe piece of stag to replace the grip (although the natural wood really doesn't look too bad). I believe you get what you pay for, and even though this was China made, being a Browning it should be decent, right?

 

[Pick88]

Got it today, worth what I paid but no more...you can see the tang above the handguard and some type of epoxy leaking out in that area. Came super dull which is a problem cause I suck at sharpening. But at this price I have nothing to lose by trying. I will be using this knife for outdoors utility purposes.
I do like the feel of this knife and was a lot lighter than I thought it would be. I'm proud to be a bowie owner and plan to get more, higher quality models with reasonable prices in the future. Like a Carbon v trailmaster(the Stag model I really liked), gerber coffin handled(if possible to find), and Case Bowie(white handle). I always like the look of coffin handles and the horse/alligator head pommel.
If I had some real money I'd get a custom matching set of bowie and push dagger (maybe a Arkansas toothpick too).

All in all, well worth the price but I should have paid for higher quality, although this has made me more interested in the bowie.

 

[Keith Montgomery]

All in all, well worth the price but I should have paid for higher quality, although this has made me more interested in the bowie.

Then that's a good thing. There are so many good quality fairly low cost bowies out there that you can really enjoy collecting them. Along with the ones you mentioned there are the Ontario Bagwell series and CAS Iberia Historical series. I am sure there are many others that I can't think of right now. Anyway, have fun.

 

[W.T. Beck]

I would avoid the lower price bowies in stainless steel, unless you just want them for looks. They would probably suffice for self-defense as well provided you keep them sharp and avoid utility work. The stainless steel in the low priced bowies is usually something like 420 or 440A - not known for good edge-holding.

A better idea would be to get one of the lower priced bowies made from carbon steel. If you are lucky, you might get an Ontario model with decent performance. However, Ontario is known for inconsistent quality control, so you could end up with a lemon.

The Kabar carbon steel bowie would be a more reliable choice. Becker's get high marks for performance, although some don't like the Becker handles.

For more money the Cold Steel Trailmaster, Swamp Rat Battle Rat, and Marbles Trailmaker are all good, with the Swamp Rat brand having the highest quality.