Larger hunter/bowie for heavy use

H

Hoghunter1203

Joined
Apr 3, 2013
Messages
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Hi, I'm new here, so I hope I'm sticking this thread in the right spot. I'm looking for advice on a new (or used if someone wants to sell one) knife. I'm having a gunbelt/holster made for an old vaquero to carry around around the farm and the fella making it asked if I wanted a knife sheath to go with it. So I thought... why the heck not? I have a full size kabar UMC I've carried for years as an all purpose tool. it gets beat on pretty good, but has stool up well. Thought about it putting in on the belt, but instead I figure this is a good excuse to get something different.

Looking for a bowie or large hunter style knife, preferably with nice wood, leather, or stag handle, that will stand up to heavy use and hold an edge reasonably well. Looking for a 5.5-6.5" blade, or atleast in that ball park. I'm a novice when it comes to steels for this type of application, so I'm open to all suggestions.

Thanks in advance
 
Bark River and Great Eastern Cutlery both make traditional styled fixed blades. Also there is the option of going with a custom from one of the makers here on BF:)

As far as steel choice your first main decision will be whether you want stainless steel or carbon steel.

Welcome to Blade Forums!
 
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Hoghunter1203 said:
I'm up for a custom if its not gonna break the bank.
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You might contact knifemaker David Stifle here on the forum. He just made a custom version of the c. 1902 Marbles Ideal for me.

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A nice traditional bowie-type knife would be the Hudson Bay made by Condor Tools. Costs less than $50 if you know where to look, and it comes with what's supposed to be a nice leather sheath.
 
As mentioned, Bark River makes a number of nice traditional blades. If you really want a true Bowie style, their "Rogue" and "Mini-Rogue" Bowies are directly based on the original Natchez Bowie:

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Bark River "Rogue:"

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These are far from being just a historical reproduction shelf queens - they are built for serious use. A-2 carbon steel.
 
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I've always carried buck or kabar (and maybe an old-timer or two)... For the folks with the >$100 knives, do you carry/use these regularly? Those are some fine pieces of work. I think I'd feel guilty getting them dirty.
 
Hoghunter1203 said:
I've always carried buck or kabar (and maybe an old-timer or two)... For the folks with the >$100 knives, do you carry/use these regularly? Those are some fine pieces of work. I think I'd feel guilty getting them dirty.
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When you buy a knife whether it is a $50 factory production knife or a $500 custom knife, it is intended by it's maker to be used. The Stifle Ideal above has already worked up a brace of ducks. I received it too late this year to butcher deer with it, but it will see that chore this coming fall.
 
Bruce Culberson said:
As far as steel choice your first main decision will be whether you want stainless steel or carbon steel.
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Ha, and here is where I show my true ignorance... I don't plan on using the knife in chronically wet or salt-water applications. Guessing carbon steel is what i'll need. I'd like something that will hold an edge for a while.
 
I'd take a look at the Svord Von Tempsky Ranger. I have the regular Von Tempsky, and it's superb, and has a good bit of traditional flair. The Ranger is more your size, sporting a 6.5 inch blade. L6 tool steel is very nice, and not too hard to sharpen, and very tough (for me anyhow). Edge retention is very serviceable.
 
Look at the older J Russell Green River Knives....great period looks and great steel. The Dadley (6" blade) is my fav but there are other patterns.

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1976 Bicentennial Set (Dadley, Hunter and Buffalo Skinner)
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The CVA/J Russel Hunter knives can be found on the bay...(2nd knife down with orig sheath)
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Thanks to everyone for the suggestions. Never been a huge knife guy before, but I'm pretty sure I've found my next obsession. After spending the last several days researching, I decided to go with the Blackjack Model 1-7 for now. Seems like an all-round winner, so we'll see. Thanks again!
 
Blackjack is a GREAT choice, it's basically another Bark River lineup in A2 (or, the older models in 1095.) I have one of the Halo Attack models and I am also picking up another 1-7 soon. They are like Randalls that I can afford and am not afraid to beat up :D
 
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