It’s a new year, so let’s see everyone’s favorite candidate for Bowie’s Alamo knife.

not2sharp

not2sharp

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This thread is mostly for fun. I want to see those unidentified colorful old knives that creep into everyone’s collections. Perhaps that poor old thing that your great granny use to use in her garden could be considered as plausible candidates for Bowie’s (in)famous knife. No one knows what the knife actually was; so the real thing may be sitting Literally right under our noses.

That’s what I want to see. Let’s put aside the usual cast of pretenders and look at some fresh possibilities. If you have an old knife, tell us about it, and give us a chance to debunk that idea.


n2s
 
big bowie.jpg

Let's get this started.

I will propose the knife above. It is about 35" in overall length, made from 1/4" steel stock, with a steel cross guard and wooden handle. Clearly, it is a custom knife, it has the words "Custom Knives" painted right there on the blade. (its a shoe-in ;) ).

So start debunking and we will be looking forward to the next example.

I expect your reply to be either :
"That couldn't be right because......"
-or-
"No, no no, I have a more credible candidate......"

n2s
 
BDubbs said:
That ain’t it. Here you go, Granny said this is the one ol’uncle Jimmy used. Yes, it is remarkably preserved and no I don’t appreciate your tone of disbelief.

View attachment 1483770
Click to expand...

That couldn’t be right. We heard that your Uncle Jimmy cut his hand on a hunting blade and was adamant that his knife needed suitable hand protection. Surely, by the time he was at the Alamo he would have had something with a cross guard and you knife is missing that particular feature.

n2s
 
From J-Bo's days as a US Navy cook:
UfBzbXg.jpg

Rezin could never quite capture its spirit.
 


It was this knife that J. Bowie had during his last stand.
Somewhere along the line, someone washed it and left it in the drier too long. Of course that caused it to shrink a wee bit. But, this is the one, the only genuine piece, (or at least that's what the seller on the online auction said it was)... lol!
 
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PocketKnifeJimmy said:


It was this knife that J. Bowie had during his last stand.
Somewhere along the line, someone washed it and left it in the drier too long. Of course that caused it to shrink a wee bit. But, this is the one, the only genuine piece, (or at least that's what the seller on the online auction said it was)... lol!
Click to expand...

That couldn’t be. Texas is the Lone Star State and your knife has at least one star too many.

You have me worried about washing my knives. :D

n2s
 
Hickory n steel said:
The first knife I posted started off as a USGI cook very much like this one.
Had it not been broken when my dad passed it down to me I'd be using it in my kitchen today.
Click to expand...
Nice mod.
Yours is broken and it's still 35 inches long?
I think of mine as a Bowie as it is. It's heavier than anything I do in a kitchen.
 
not2sharp said:
That couldn’t be. Texas is the Lone Star State and your knife has at least one star too many.

You have me worried about washing my knives. :D

n2s
Click to expand...


My bad, you are absolutely correct!
I used the wrong picture showing the incorrect knife!
But, this one is the correct one, it also having that "in the drier too long" problem.
One star it is!
 
I always thought there was some similarity between a chef knife and a Searles Bowie. Sweeping curve up front and the handle and blade junction.
 
cbach8tw said:
I always thought there was some similarity between a chef knife and a Searles Bowie. Sweeping curve up front and the handle and blade junction.
Click to expand...

The sandbar knife was described as a large “butcher” knife. The Alamo knife was believed to have been a different knife.

n2s
 
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