Design / recommendations for bowie?

[rmc]

What would be a good steel for making a bowie that would be used to chop, pry, slice, cut, skin, etc? I perfer sharper steels over shiny steels. Any recommendations for a design, other than something that looks 'bowie'?

 

[Bruce Bump]

5160 is one of the best multi-use steels.

 

[Jason Cutter]

You could make a big ole knife and call it bowie. In my mind, its best to have a somewhat wider blade that leads to a nice pointy tip. I am fond of the types of Bowies built and inspired by Bagwell.

I think the most "classic" feeling bowies can be made of a tough carbon steel. 5160 has been mentioned. I like O-1, and use 1095 or 1084 when a temper line is desirable. I think you could use any good high-carbon low-alloy steel and if you do a good heat treatment, it would serve you well. Jason.