Looking at buying a bowie

Quarterstaff

Quarterstaff

Joined
Dec 14, 2000
Messages
226
Hullo everyone, new here. Looking for a tried and true large bowie. Heard good reviews about the gerber bowie and the cs trailmaster. Are any other brands worth mentioning?
 
Hello and welcome to the forums!

I'd suggest looking closely at the SOG-1 bowie (leather handle, blued carbon steel blade). This knife has wonderful balance and has proper "bowie weight". SOG also makes the Trident with similar blade shape but in stainless steel.

Bill
 
Check these babies out. Not much more money than the CS with a much better handle and that killer temper line. You are also getting one of the finest sheaths being made today. Will probably have to wait 4-5 months but will certainly never regret it!

http://www.geocities.com/bladecutlery/blade_cutlery_site001.htm

If you have the budget and demand an absolutely awesome bowie, this is the man that you need to seriously consider http://www.bladeforums.com/ubb/Forum4/HTML/001820.html
BTW, he recently had one listed in the For Sale-Makers forum that was very reasonable!

[This message has been edited by blademan 13 (edited 12-14-2000).]
 
Mineral Mountain Hatchet Works makes several differnt bowies, all designed for use, not show. I don't have one myself but I have heard good things. For something a little different go the the Himalayn Imports threads and find the link to their site. They offer a bowie that is hand made in Nepal and is somewhat influenced by the Khukuris that the Nepalese are famous for. There are some reviews in there too I believe.Welcome to the forums.
 
Quarterstaff, welcome to BladeForums. My suggestion as to a choice in Bowies would depend upon your intended use. If you want a camp knife, I would recommend the Randall Hunters Bowie. I have a 6" model that I bought 40 years ago that I have used continuously ever since and that I love dearly. I would not trade that knife for anything. But it is some $225 or more today and it is at least an 18 month waiting period from the factory. I have heard that you can get Randalls more quickly from some dealers, but you pay for that service.

If you are more interested ina fighting type Bowie, I would suggest that you look seriously at Bill Bagwell's Hells Belles or his other Bowies. They are modern interpretations of the 19th Century fighting knives of that name, but they are not really utility knives, IMHO. I think that they are pure weapons. Ontario Knives makes production versions of them if you are not up to the many hundreds of dollars that one of his customs will cost, as well as the waiting period. Check out Bayou LaFourche Knives at http://www.knifeworks.com/ which is where I got my Hells Belle model. A. G. Russell had them on sale for a really cheap price a couple of weeks back, so you might want to look there also http://www.agrussell.com/

In any case, good luck as collecting Bowie knives and Bowie knife lore has been one of my greatest joys in life ever since the Allan Ladd movie "The Iron Mistress" and the old "Jim Bowie Show" on TV in the 1950s.

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Walk in the Light,
Hugh Fuller
 
there is a forumite who im pretty sure would be happy to make a bowie for you,and at a good cost. maxtheknife is his bfc handle.
http://www.expage.com/maxtheknife

ive got one on order from him,and i cant wait...yes i can....no i cant...
anyway,these knives are great for the money,and i highly recommend one.

you could also try matt lamey's stuff.ive never handled one of these,but from what ive heard they'll blow you away. http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=804036&a=5843086&p=25838510&Sequence=0
theres one of his.

you could also try mineral mountain hatchet works http://www.plan-a.org/mmhw/

good luck finding your knife.
MAURICE
 
Some nice choices, but you might want to consider having one made "your way" and talking to a custom maker.

Here is an example by Matt Lamey (not to shabby - huh
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<A HREF="http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1194257&a=8801714&p=35403043&Sequence=0&res=high" TARGET=_blank>
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" The real art of living is too keep alive the longing in human beings to become greater versions of themselves." Laurens Van der Post.
In memory of James Mattis
 
I will second Maurice's suggestion for MaxTheKnife. I have a few knives from him, and attention to detail is great. He will do forging, or stock removal...whichever you want. Give him a shout, im sure he can fix ya up with what you want.



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Richard Todd - Digital knife photography
icq 61363141
My WebSite
Do your site a favor, get quality digital images!!!
 
Thanks for all of your replies. Didn't know of all the choices out there. Failed to add some specifics though so here they are: around $100-$250 but no more, for serious woodcraft not fighting, lanyard hole a must, VERY STURDY POINT, rott resistant handles, don't care for stainless
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, 7 inches or longer blade, and can stand up against a serious beating if my cousin "borrows" it
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. Please stop me at anytime. I tend to annoy even my closest of friends with questions
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.
 
MaxTheKnife should fit all your needs. I dont know his most current prices, but shoot him an email and he can work out all the details. My OGG Combat Bowie from him has walnut handles. I dunno how they are about rott in all conditions...but im sure he can do some micarta for ya or whatever. He will work with ya to find what you want. His email is mburnett@cswnet.com

Heres the one he made for me
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View

 
I'd take a close look at the Cold Steel Carbon V Trail Master Bowie...Good steel, VERY stout, VERY sharp (and easy to keep it that way), and (for me at least) a great feeling "rubber" handle.

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Dann Fassnacht
Aberdeen, WA
glockman99@hotmail.com
ICQ# 53675663
 
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IG Fighter

bowies.jpg

Mineral Mountain Large Bowies

Most of these come with a lanyard hole. We can add one to any. Grips are linen Micarta (non-rotting), and these blades are about as sturdy as they get. Available bead-blast or dark parkerization.

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John Gonzalez
Exclusive Dealer
Mineral Mountain Hatchet Works


[This message has been edited by Kumdo (edited 01-07-2001).]
 
I agree with Richard and Maurice. Max Burnett(Ogg Custom Knives) makes great knives. I have only one of his knives right now, and 2 on the way.
 
I'd go with the Cold Steel "Trailmaster" in Carbon V. It's tough, it takes and holds a VERY sharp edge, and I wouldn't trade it for any other. JRF.
 
If anyone has a number or way to get ahold of bill Bagwell I would sure appreciate it. I would like to get another knife
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