Help me choose a bowie knife

Runs With Scissors

Runs With Scissors

Joined
Dec 3, 2000
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For some reason I've found myself quite fascinated with Bowie knives and tactics as of late. Could be spending countless hours at my workplace with nothing better to do than practicing thrusts and back cuts all night long has warped my mind. (not many security guards get to spend all night playing with knives, eh?)

Anyhoo...I want a decent one, and can't decide what direction to choose here. My primary choices are the Ontario Bagwell Series (Hells Belle or the Fortress) Cold Steel Trailmaster (Prefer Carbon V with Stag handle) or the Camillus OVB Southwest Bowie. here's some things I've considered in each model:

Ontario Pluses: full guard, spanish notch, very light, comes with a good sheath, and simply the best fighting design among the bunch.

Minuses: Stainless steel blades, delicate tip, definitely the least versatile design of the bunch. (I do like the option of making a knife earn it's keep) I know it'd be getting dropped from time to time and don't necessarily trust that tip hitting pavement repeatedly.

Trailmaster- Pluses: Carbon steel, hellbent for stout, versatile Very acceptable design. Minuses: heavy (is that bad for training though?) doesn't have the nifty full guard. I'd want a different sheath made for it ASAP. Probably not quite as nice as the Bagwell series on the back cut.

OVB Fisk- Pluses: wide, flat blade- a definite kinship to my BK-5 that I so dearly love. High amount of faith in the steel, and the manufacturer Most likely the best cutting and most usable one of the bunch. Minuses: The tip is a bit high for a "fighting knife" Not sure how it'd do on the back cut. If it thrusts like my BK-5 I can count on needing lots of practice with it. Also, darn near too pretty to mess up.


Try not to laugh to hard, but how are the ones made my Windlass, distributed by Atlanta Cutlery? I can deal with poor fit and finish for now, what I can't deal with is spending my hard earned pennies on a knife that breaks.

Any other brand recommendations? I want at least 10 inches or so on the blade, and prefer carbon steel and more "natural" handle materials and more traditional design. I hate to say it, but $275 or so is gonna be as high as I can go on this one.

Thanks in advance for any input!
 
what about the pther CS, the Laredo?

Also, if you want a cheaper knife to play around with, there's a Spec Plus version of the Hell's Belle-the Frontiersman.
 
I've looked at the CS Laredo a few times now, but ya' know...it just hasn't "clicked" for me yet. It meets all requirements, it's obviously a very nicely made knife but I just can't make myself like it at this point. I think it's something about the handle and guard. Kinda hard to put a finger on, ya' know?

Thanks for the suggestions!
 
The Trailmaster is excellent. It isn't really heavy because it is so well balanced. Some people don't like the Kraton handle, but if you can find stag, that's gorgeous, and the carbon V will rust, but it is still an excellent knife. It worked for me for a long time, until i went Busse.
You should also consider George Tichbourne's bowies. He's a forumite here. His knives aren't light, but they are outstanding. Excellent value. If you want something really light, consider Hossom's. Not cheap, but faassssttt!
 
If you can spend up to $275, why not check out a custom maker? I think Robert Hankins, Matt Lamey, and a few other guys make REALLY nice bowies around that price range. I think you would be a lot happier with one of their knives than a production...

If I was in your shoes and wanted to go the production route, I really think I'd go with the trailmaster. Cheap, but strong. I have used one in the past and they are some f*#%ing tough knives. Some people might not like the handle, but it's still one stout bowie - kraton or not. (You might even be able to get it re-handled.)

Let us know what you pick, and happy huntin'!:D
 
The Cold Steel Trailmaster is a great knife. Carbon V steel is very nice and it sharpens up like a razor. Just remember that it can rust and fairly easily.

I had a stainless trailmaster which I loved. It has a rounded bevel blade which is hard to explain but it looked very nice. Plus I liked the silver guard:) . The knife was kinda heavy but it was very well balanced. I found the blade alittle large for my camping chorse, so I have a Cold Steel Recon Scout basically a shorted Trailmaster in Carbon V and I love the knife.

I really don't mind the rubber handles but stag would be a nice touch. Also, there are companies on the web that will re-handle the knife for fairly reasonable prices in better materials.
 
How about a SOG Tigershark?...One of the older models of SK-5 carbon steel and no-serrations would be a pretty good choice...(I have one, and it's one of my favorite big knives.).
 
Yeah, definitely keep George Tichbourne and Robert Hankins in mind when making this decision. They're the reason why I don't own any factory made bowies.
 
Another plug for Mr. Hankins. I am very happy with mine and look to getting another in the future.

Editted to add: Check the makers sales forum here(Exchange, Knife makers corner, fixed blades). Look for an S guard Bowie made by Hankins, he posts as Blinker. That might be just what you are looking for. I want it myself, but the funds are depleated.
 
If you want a "fighting knife" you want speed so you are looking for a bit longer and a bit lighter blade than some of the hand axes known a bowies. If you are looking for a field knife for chopping some wood it is often more portable to have it a little shorter, but you definitely want it on the heavy side. In either case I would want an unbreakable bowie. This generally means 5160 or 1075 carbon steel at 56 RC or less (maybe differentially hardened). I would pick these alloys over Carbon-V for either the long fighting blade or the heavy chopping blade. Take a look for an economical custom.
 
Go with the Camillus/Fisk Southwestern Bowie. You will find it very high quality and sharp and a lot quicker in the hand than you might think for such a big knife. I believe the back edge is sharp too. Back cuts should be no problem.
 
So far, I'm leaning most strongly towards a Trailmaster.

For one thing, it's gonna be my only Bowie for awhile, and I KNOW a Trailmaster will not break. Secondly it's very versatile, and can log some actual use clearing brush, camping, etc. And we all know them kinda real world activities tend to bring one closer to thier blade of choice. Also, the price is hard to beat on one. If I went and got one of the higher end ones, I'd wind up in a fit of guilt, self loathe, etc., decide I shouldn't have something that incredibly nice, and I'd dream up some goofy reason to get rid of it. (hard to explain unless you know me like I know me)

Also, happily there's a stag handled Trailmaster available locally for around $200....:D I'm gonna be checkin' that one out tomorrow.
 
I am curious as to why you think a Spanish Notch is a Plus.
IMO, unless you really need it for something very specific, it's useless. And Don't forget Fallkniven.....

BTW, just do a search on Ebay for "bowie" sometimes there are KILLER deals on custom knives. And let us know what you buy.
 
Honestly? I don't have the slightest idea how the hell to employ a Spanish Notch at this point. Some day though, I'd like to learn. I'd rather it be there for me to learn on in the future, than to miss an opportunity to learn, and not have the necessary characteristic in my chosen blade. If I can't find an advantage in it some time in the future, I'll disregard it. If it turns out to be useful so much the better. Thus far Keating and Bagwell both indicate that blade catches, and notches CAN work when used properly, and I do very much consider each of thier perspectives to be VERY much worth considering.

Thus far though, it's lookin' like the notch is goin' to the wayside anyways in the interest of a more highly usable blade.


Also, bear in mind, that I'm interested in this scope of practice basically for the sheer enjoyment of it. I have no intention in meeting an adversary under the famous "Dueling Oaks" (Plane ticket would be way too expensive) or carrying a knife to a gunfight. (no matter how big the knife would be)


I've never really done the online auction thing before, perhaps it's time for me to consider it...

Anyhoo, I'll be sure to let y'all know what knife I end up with in hand, even if it's two months later and you've lost interest....:D
 
As far as I know Sp. notches were not made for catching blades.
Some (few) bowies have a copper tube or rim on the back side that is intended to catch blades. Although, to me, it doesn't look effective AT ALL.
 
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