How stock removal fighter compare to forged one?

S

shqxk

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I plan like to drop 2 or 3K bucks for a nice fighter bowie but still can't decide which route to go between Walter Brend (secondary market) or some forged piece from ABS mastersmith like secondhand Wheeler, DesRosier, Foster etc.

PS. I'm not talking about steel wise since they are all great but I would like to know how them compare about feeling/balance/ergonomic wise.

Thanks
 
Well, you have done some good research.

I guess the first question to ask would be....what do you want it for? Are you skilled in the art of knife combat and looking to get that right piece for carry/use?

Do you want to cut down tree limbs in the back country, or are you just looking for a nice piece?

There are certainly more affordable ways to go, as an example Dan Keffeller for stock removal or Nathan Corothers come to mind, both make excellent knives.

All the makers you mentioned are at the top of the heap as far as quality, but also in pricing, and unless you are looking for something to hold value/investment, and NOT thrash on it....there are many, many fine options

If it is convenient for you, the Blade Show is coming up, you would have a chance to handle pretty much everything you mentioned and see what you like the most.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
i think they would all be excellent. as mentioned, the more details you can give the better recommendation we could give. your height and weight as well.
 
JParanee said:
For me a proper fighting Bowie has to display radical Distal taper

This quality is found much more often in forged pieces

I'm not saying that stock removal pieces can't display it but most do not
Click to expand...

Now I am wondering how you would do a full flat ground Bowie without a distal taper :rolleyes:

As for the question my answer is Wheeler, Nick Wheeler :D
 
JParanee said:
For me a proper fighting Bowie has to display radical Distal taper

This quality is found much more often in forged pieces

I'm not saying that stock removal pieces can't display it but most do not
Click to expand...

This is exactly of my concern. World famous stock removal maker like Brend (and many) don't do distal tapering. Brend him self even don't do taper tang which make me curious how his fighting knife compare to top bladesmith.
 
The kind of distal taper we are speaking about can be ground but you just don't see it done often

Most very good Bowie makers have no idea how to really make a high performance Bowie knife

I walk the shows and pick up beautiful paper weights :)

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Hi sIR,I have same question like you,As I already get some from different makers,IMO,it up to What you want to do with the knife,for collection investment or use.As for my limited knowledge,both stock remove or forge way make great quality knives,like you mentioned,Brend is a ground hero,he.make great piece for investment or display,all the beautiful ground and polish is for that,I was Looking into wheeler too,He make perfect fit finish bowie as well,So from What you researching, Ithink you goal is high grade collection blades,So go to the show and take a look,as for the collection blades,it is not too important for the performance lol,all you need is the fit and finish and tHe value of itself. I have a brend But I still need a wheeler bowie
 
Imho there is a huge difference in a fighting Bowie and a fighter

Admittedly the line gets blurred on some anemic fighting Bowies
 
I agree with Joe that a distal taper is a good idea for a fighting knife.

I collect many forged knives, that have the taper forged into the blade.

I have at least one stock removal fighter with a good amount of distal taper at least in the tang. :

 
Great point Jim

In a full tang knife I won't even consider it if it does not have a tapered tang
 
Joe,

I guess that the fact that the blade of my Loveless Fighter is double edged also contributes to it feeling light and quick in the hand.
 
I wonder how much of it is fueled by the demand by so much of the public for those thick prybar knives.

Obviously it is harder and takes extra steps to grind distal taper in a blade. But do you think more stock removal makers don't do it as there is so much modern demand for thick blades that don't cut well?
 
Lapedog are you talking about a thick spine, or low grinds on thick stock?
I have a few knives I have made for myself out of 1/4 stock with full flat or high grinds that perform extremely well.
I do know what you mean about all the sharpened pry bars running around though some are merely artwork with no thought of cutting performance
 
I don't understand making knives without a distal taper. I do mostly stock removal, and do tapered blades and tangs. When I get a request for a chopper, I have to undo the urge to taper it. It feels wrong.
 
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