Is the Bowie I want in production?

Originally posted by Happy Camper
C) Go on a mad buying spree and amass so many custom knives that I won't be afraid to use one of my Matt Lameys really hard.
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Sounds like you wasted your money on those Lameys, anyway, especially if you don't trust them enough to use them:p
So now you want to spend more money to buy something cheaper, and probably inferior, to use instead???
Some things I will never understand:rolleyes:



Devil's advocate says use the Lameys:)
 
Then there is Randall Made Knives with a good selection of bowies including the model 12 Sportsman and Big Bear in stainless. They are the first place I would go to for a high quality production knives in traditional styles.

N2S
 
OK, where to start...
Newt's knives are users.
Then again I'd say Lamey's are too ;)
Don't settle. Buy the best you can. Even if you have to wait a little
Another suggestion, custom but affordable.
George Tichbourne makes some affordable 440c beauties and they are affordable too. I think he calls his lowest priced line his "Wilderness Series" Priced low because of the handle materials and lack of adornment. I think you can get one at/under your limit. He is a nice guy too.
Look here:

http://www.tichbourneknives.com/

Oh yeah, I thought the Western was a flat grind...oops. I know the older ones were carbon steel, maybe the newer ones are 420. Mr.Bagwell would've never given the nod to 420 :eek:
 
Problem is: I don't want a saber grind Bowie. Randall made Bowies are saber grind knives and are arguably in the custom, non-production knife category since they're hand made, take three years to get, and cost over $300 in large bladed stainless models. Tichbourne wilderness series knives have non traditional black micarta handles and are saber grind blades. Busse knives are flat grind, but not at all traditional looking.

I never bought any Lameys, but fancied owning them among my hordes of knives in that rich man scenario joke.

Again, I was hoping to find a production knife that fit my needs before going custom. But it looks like a custom knife is the only answer for what I want. That's OK, but I've noticed that the more money I spend on a knife, the less ardously I use it. My cheapest knives end up being my workhorses because I'm forever "saving" the best for a more honorable and "worthy" chore. I guess I have to either get over that or buy one knife to use and another to save and cherish. But that's a richer idea than I am, moneywise.

Thanks again to everybody who helped me scour the earth in search of a production knife for what must be a one man niche.

At this point, I either go custom and try to break my "pamper the good stuff" tendancies, or buy two production knives: an "ugly" work blade that I can use and abuse, and a fighter that I can keep in pristeen condition (Ontario Bagwell Gambler comes to mind).

Which should I chose? Separate Jeckyl and Hyde into two production knives, or buy one custom that will do both for the same price? It's a personal call that only I can fully determine, but some input might knock me off the fence to one side or the other.
 
What's it going to be a knife you don't really like but will
settle for or one you can show off with pride.

You have very specific requirements and because of this I suggest finding a nice Custom in your price range. It does not look like you will be able to find a PRODUCTION / SEMI CUSTOM with those exact specifications.

Don't waste your money go for a knife that gives you Pride and Joy.

Remember never let your friends out do you.

Live by the blade die by the blade
 
Happy Camper,

You did not seem to notice my previous post regarding the Marbles Trailmaker. It seems like the exact knife you wish to own at the price you wish to pay... ???????
 
The Marbles Trailmaker is only made from carbon steel. If I were willing to go with carbon steel, I wouldn't have the trouble I've had finding a production knife to suit my needs - wants, that is.

Ripper, that Gerber on ebay looks like it might be up my ally, but I don't see any mention of it being stainless. Besides, at $112 with reserve not yet met and over two days left in the auction, what are the odds it will sell for over $300? I'll keep an eye on that one, perhaps email the seller to see what the metal is...

Newt's knives are only just now being offered in D2, and go for over a hundred dollars more than his carbon models, putting me back on the border of custom knife pricing.

Wolf, you have a good point in that if I like one knife better than I like the two equivalents, then I should get the one I like more. And I never let my friends outdo me, especially those who've owned ribeye knives.

Ok, it's time to end this futile search. It's time for me to go custom. The end of one frustrating search, and the beginning of a new, much more fruitful search. Target price $300

*Bonus! I just got the green light from my wife, who also happens to like knives... Yahooo!!!
 
You got me with the "Lameys"! I thought you already had some.
Here's something that may or may not interest you.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=180464
It's not really pretty (well, I like it, personally), doesn't have a sheath, and the steel's not listed (I imagine it's 1095 or 5160), but here's an older Lamey you could beat the crap out of and still respect yourself in the morning.
If my union wasn't on strike right now, I'd have already bought this thing:(
Good luck with your search...so many awesome knives out there to choose from. I don't know how we do it:)
 
LOL! Not pretty is an understatement! It looks like the knife of a homocidal sweedish chef. You're right though; I wouldn't feel bad about beating it up. Pitty it's carbon, although I think rust might actually dress it up a bit... Just kidding; it looks like an effective chopper to say the least.
 
If you're gunna go custom (good on ya) why not send G. Tichbourne an e-mail and see if he'll flat grind you one?
Livesay's HKR inD2 would be awesome too. Don't know if it is possible, but it doesn't hurt to ask ;)
Good luck!
 
Hi HC,

That Gerber Bowie was the one I mentioned at the begining of the thread. It's 440A, and the reserve should be around $175-200, any more would be too muchIMHO:).

HTH:D!!!
 
Hey HC!
I just got the new Smokey Mtn. Knife Works catalog. It has the Gerber Bowie for $69.99. They say that they have 400 of 'em.

Their website is www.eknifeworks.com

(Just to confuse you a little more ;))
 
Oh, thanks Ebbtide; thanks a LOT. With help like yours, who needs sabatage? :confused:

For that price, I might just have to get one as a beater to bang around while I decide what kind of steel I want in a custom Bowie knife - Which of course is more complicated than ever because the more I learn, the more I'm thinking of crossing over to the dark side and going with carbon steel for my Bowie knife...


===== edit ======

Ya almost had me there; that knife's got a Krappin' handle!
 
You can still find a great custom user in the price range you are trying to hit. I would look up Max Burnett (MaxTheKnife on the forum) and Mike Cooper (L6Steel on the forum.) With a custom, you can get exactly the features you want on YOUR knife. Either of these fine makers will make you a blade that will beat any production bowie already mentioned here in terms of performance and looks.

Also, if it must be production, put in an order NOW for a Camillus Fisk Bowie. This will be the best custom collaboration to hit the market to date. If the knife passed Jerry's inspections and standards, I know it will pass yours. You can check it out over at www.phoenixblades.com

JR
 
Your welcome (I think :))
The dark side?
Carbon steel?
Yes! Forged carbon steel! BWAAAHHAAAAAAAHAAAA :D

Lots of good cutlers here, as mentioned above, and also Beknives and Xray....try lurking in the shop talk forum ;)

As a point of reference, I used a Schrade Sharpfinger for years as my fishing knife. It cut bait, cleaned (many) fish in both sweet & salt water. I never had major rust problems with it, using minimal maintenence (wash, spritz of WD-40) But to work at that level, you have to like that 'old hammer' patina :)

Confused yet?
If not...I'll try harder :D

Merry Christmas and a Victorious New Year!
 
Flat ground, stainless, convex edge--sounds like you want a CS stainless Trailmaster, which reportedly has a convex edge, unlike the 1095/Carbon V models. You will need to have it re-handled, though.

Otherwise you'll have to go with the Fallkniven, which has much better steel although I'm not a fan of its price or handle.
 
AArrrgghhhhh, another suggestion for the overpriced pink elephant knife by Fallkniven! No offense to anyone, but the next person who recomends a Western Bowie or the new Fallkniven is gonna get cut with a $2 "surgical steel" knife from the local flea market.


Ok: I have determined that the knife I want is not in production. I have also determined that I don't want that knife anymore! :eek: I've determined that I would not get the performance I want from stainless in a knife of this size, and therefore MUST go to carbon steel.

I am also now determined to have a custom knife made, and there is no bringing me back. I have been in touch with a few custom knife makers, and it's opened a whole new world for me. There are some incredibly bright and talented people here in this knife community of ours!

I'll keep you posted as to which I decide to go with and I'll give the details as to what specifications I finally decide upon. Again, thank you all again for the help.

And Merry Christmas!
 
HAPPY CAMPER,did you take a look at MINERAL MOUNTAIN HATCHET WORKS.
They make bowies that are real hard users and not pretty show and tell pieces.I have the deep woods bowie and used it pretty damn hard and it passed easily,Ted frizzell makes some great knives.check em out
 
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