Hell's Belle

S

sliplock

Joined
Feb 14, 2003
Messages
90
I know this has come up before, so forgive me, but what are overall impressions of the Ontario bowies?
 
My O/B fortress went in the mail today so I will let ya know once I have gotten my hands on it. Everything I have heard has been positive so I am expecting good things.
 
Just remember that they are a purpose designed knife....mainly a fighting Bowie...so don'r expect them to do field chores better than a host of other blades.
 
I thought they were a discontinued item? but anyway as Greg says, they're a fighter not a camp knife (though you could use it as one.) By that it is long, sharp, and and likely in the hands.

You might find the handles a little slippery, and I do recommend the Hell's Belle version over the "Fortress" model as it is way better finished.

If you do get one, I highly recommend one of Mike Sastre's Southern Comfort sheaths.

I never picked up the "Gambler" model but that looks realy interesting as a carryable bowie.

As far as my Ontario Hell's Belle goes, she's a keeper :)
 
thanks to all.

Greg, I visited your site. Beautiful work.


I read Bagwell's book a year or so ago, and I've been tempted ever since to see what all the fuss is about with these big bowies.

Do you think the Ontarios are good representatives of the handling characeteristics of a fighting bowie?
 
I'd recommend's Greg's work also. I got to handle one of his damascus blades in Virginia recently (via Mike Sastre), and brother, I tell you, that's one heck of a fighting knife. Considering it's damascus, I think it'd be a good user/camp knife also. I'm placing an order with greg later in the year.
 
Your question is the same one I asked some 5 years ago as my first question here. I bought a Hells Bell and love it. As metioned it is a fighter, not a camp chore knife. I took all of the tacks and nameplate off and smoothed out the handles, via shoeshine method and then repolished the handle and replaced all of the hardware. The handles are not really bad, I just wanted a more rounded coffin handle like I saw on a real Bagwell. Now it feels more like a Bagwell. It is a great knife to own. Get one you will not be dissapointed! :D
 
I got my fortress this weekend and its awesome. No joke about being a purpose built fighter. Compared to the concealable SD knives I am used to this thing is a no compromise weapon. So no the finish on the fortress isn't great but its wicked point and very sharp with a useable handle and guard. I like it a lot.
 
Anyone know the composition of the mysterious Q-10 stainless steel in these knives? I'm guessing it is something similar to 420, although steel doesn't matter much in a fighting knife, as long as it is tough and not easily broken.
 
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