Does Anyone Remember.......

JK Knives

JK Knives

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The old Herters company? Their catalog was pretty neat, and had lot`s of good reading in it. One thing George Herter was sure good at was advertising, everything he sold was "the best", according to him. From duck calls, to guns, (anyone remember the 401 Herter`s Powermag?), to knives, nothing else compared to his. Well now something does, my version of the Herters Improved Bowie.

Here is an original Improved Bowie I stumbled across a few years ago in a small resale shop, along with a Herters duck call, and a book written by George Herter.

Herters001.jpg


Here is my version of the Improved Bowie. It`s specs are: 9 3/4" overall, 5" blade, and 3/32" thick O1 steel. The handle is walnut.

Herters003.jpg


Herters004.jpg


Herters002.jpg


Here are the original and mine together.

Herters005.jpg



If anyone is interested in ordering one of these, they will go for $135.00 + $6.00 shipping with no sheath, and $150.00 + $6.00 shipping with sheath.
 
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Kind of before my time but I am familiar with the name. I will have to go JK over the original but a great tribute to the Herter's blade.

Isn't it odd how many of the knives used in the past resemble what most would call "kitchen knives" today? Maybe those guys that actually lived outside knew a thing or two about using knives!
 
Hi John -

Never heard of them, but you sure nailed the "improved - improved bowie"!

best regards -

mqqn
 
outdoorsfan said:
Isn't it odd how many of the knives used in the past resemble what most would call "kitchen knives" today? Maybe those guys that actually lived outside knew a thing or two about using knives!
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George Herters famous quote was "only a drugstore tenderfoot would use a thick bladed knife."
 
Here it is after rounding the handle and applying the oil finish to the handle.

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looks damn good John. looks like a great small game knife or even a bird and trout. and I definitely think yours is better
 
Herter pushed the snake oil to the point of criminal prosecution. Nice "sticking" pattern - as sold by countless companies.
 
I remember the name but only from reloading books. If I remember correctly It was mentioned in The ABCs of reloading.
Nice looking blade. They would make a really nice steak knife.
 
he he, sawdust matrix, have to try that. knife a fine looking improvement, nothing wrong with a 5" blade I say.
 
I know of this Herter fellow you speak of, and I've seen photos of some of his offerings, but never seen a catalog.

The finished walnut handle looks comfortable, and at 3/32" I bet its a slicer, just what it was made for.
 
Great looking knife John, definitely looks like a good bird and trout knife or all around kitchen duty blade.
 
I remember the Herter's catalog very well and looked forward to each issue back in the late 50's and 60's. I (my dad, too) owned a number of the Herter's knives (made by R Murphy knives, I believe). In addition to the knives, we owned one of their canoes, steel traps, bows, and a variety of other outdoor equipment. George packed a lot stuff into that catalog...all the "best", of course. :)

Somewhere in a drawer, I have a couple of the Herter's Improved Bowies, and one of the Bull Cook knives complete with his "Bull Cook and Authentic Historical Recipes and Practices" cookbooks (a three volume set, IIRC). One of the Herter's Improved Bowies has the hump, the other does not (like the one in your photo).

Your version of the Improved Bowie looks to be PERFECT! I think George would have been much more pleased with your "Super Improved Bowie." :) Very, very nice. I really like that one. :thumbup:

One of my R Murphy editions of the Improved Bowie. I really prefer it without the hump or ramp.
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protourist said:
I remember the name but only from reloading books. If I remember correctly It was mentioned in The ABCs of reloading.
Nice looking blade. They would make a really nice steak knife.
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my first thought on seeing the original knife.
John - your finished product with radiused and oiled handles looks great.
I don't recall having ever seen the catalogs, but that does explain why I thought the name sounded familiar when Cabela's started carrying "Herter's" ammunition.
 
Know the name,but not the catalogs,we didn't get 'em when I was a kid in the 60s.
Strange too,because my great uncle(who raised me) was an avid outdoorsman.
We always had a monkey wards catalog though.
Love the finished knife John,keep the pattern please.
I might want one come spring.
 
Dannyboy Leather said:
I remember the Herter's catalog very well and looked forward to each issue back in the late 50's and 60's. I (my dad, too) owned a number of the Herter's knives (made by R Murphy knives, I believe). In addition to the knives, we owned one of their canoes, steel traps, bows, and a variety of other outdoor equipment. George packed a lot stuff into that catalog...all the "best", of course. :)

Somewhere in a drawer, I have a couple of the Herter's Improved Bowies, and one of the Bull Cook knives complete with his "Bull Cook and Authentic Historical Recipes and Practices" cookbooks (a three volume set, IIRC). One of the Herter's Improved Bowies has the hump, the other does not (like the one in your photo).

Your version of the Improved Bowie looks to be PERFECT! I think George would have been much more pleased with your "Super Improved Bowie." :) Very, very nice. I really like that one. :thumbup:

One of my R Murphy editions of the Improved Bowie. I really prefer it without the hump or ramp.
scaled.php
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My ex father in law had one with the hump, tried for years to talk him out of it. Supposedly the straight back ones are the earlier models. Thanks for the pic!
 
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