Looking for a Fighting Bowie

S

Scottso

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Looking to purchase a Fighting Bowie, would like some suggestions for makers out there. Prefer a 10" or so blade top clip sharpened, nice useful guard, and fast handling. Taking a Bowie course and would like a nice handling Bowie for use. Thanks.
 
Three questions:

1) How much are you willing to spend?
2) How long are you willing to wait?
3) Do you have a preference as between forged versus stock removal?

Roger
 
The Al Mar Quest 3 might serve you well. I'm not sure if it qualifies as a bowie, though. It is the bottom one in this pic. These can be found sometimes at gun shows for around $200, unless there is some collector value assigned to them that I am unaware of. I just saw this was a custom knife thread; sorry about the production blade input.
 
IF you can find one, Bill Bagwell makes a good "fighting bowie" and another nice one to look for would be a Crossada. Good luck finding a Crossada though, I'm not even sure who made them to be honest.

Not sure about a wait on Bagwells knives though.
 
Heard a bit about straight handles versus "Drop"type, , adavantage of Drop is better "snapping" motion, also it lines up with arm better when Thrusting. Thinking of going with Craig Camerer Eastside Fighter. with a few differeces, more of a C guard, and Spanish Choil
http://www.camererknives.com/images/cc2aeastside.jpg
Been trying to find a Crossada no luck,
 
Scottso said:
Spend- Around $1000
wait 4-5 months
Prefer forged with Hamon or Damascus
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Well, that helps narrow things down some - the waiting period will likely be the determining factor, but then again, you may have heard of this little shin-dig called BLADE happening in about 6 months. You will not find more selection in a $1,000-ish bowie anywhere on the planet than there. Even if you can't attend yourself, but if you can narrow things down to a few makers, you may find that they plan on making something that will suit your needs for the show.

To that end, here are a number of bowies that fall within the "around $1k" range. These are all knives that I own or have owned and from makers whose work I know well:

Russ Andrews:

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Nick Wheeler (not sure if Nick is attending Blade, but he usually does Reno):

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Brion Tomberlin (a good chunk below 1K):

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Burt Foster:

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Rodrigo Sfreddo:

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Craig Camerer ( I have one of these on order):

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Lin Rhea:

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Tommy Gann (Les has a 10" version available on his site right now):

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A bunch of other guys I would recommend at this price point for a bowie include Bailey Bradshaw, Dan Farr, Sean McIntyre, Roger Massey, Jim Walker, John White, Kevin Cashen and a couple more I will remember later and add in ;)

There are also some real solid values to be had in a $500 bowie, but that's a separate question.

Hope this helps.

Roger
 
in the 1k Bowie range, i would go with Jason Knight or Burt Foster. Granted there are many good suggestions in this thread, but ive used Bowies from Knight and Foster, cant go wrong with either.

Although i see alot of nice blades in this thread, i would really also focus on the handle.... you dont want it so straight that there is little to no retention or comfort when using hard. If possible handle a few Bowies within the parameters your looking for, this will tell you way more than a photo.
 
I'd go to the custom for sale forum, right now, and buy the rodebaugh bowie. It's worth every penny and I know it handles nice, that's just the way he builds them
 
Roger advised you well, in that you should be able to pick up a very nice fighter as described at the Blade Show well within your price range.

Harvey Dean's El Diablo fighters are as find as I have ever handled in regard to feel in hand, balance, quickness, look and quality. I believe Les Robertson has one on his site for around $1400. A little over than what to spend, however a great fighter and decent investment.
 
Scottso,

THE most important feature of a fighting knife is how it FEELS and balances in YOUR hand. Which is why you would be best served by selecting your knife in person at a show. The Blade Show would afford you the best selection.

If I was forced to pick blind FOR YOU. Harvey Dean's El Diablo would be my choice. There is a nice example on Les's website for $1,275, which you would get to inspect in hand before the sale becomes final.

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There are many different schools of knife fighting. The PTG school has three rules.

1. Never get into a knife fight.

2. If you do get in one, shoot him early and often with your Glock.

3. Failing that, carry at least two fixed blades, train yourself endlessly in Sayoc, be prepared to be seriously cut and think really hard about the wisdom of following rule #1 at all times.

Purely as an intellectual exercise, I own two "fighting" sets. Here they are.

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Bowie and Fighter by Jason Knight, MS

If I could only have one, this Fitch or the bigger Knight above would be my choice.
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ptgdvc said:
Scottso,

Harvey Dean's El Diablo would be my choice. There is a nice example on Les's website for $1,275, which you would get to inspect in hand before the sale becomes final.
Click to expand...

Oh $1275 not $1400. That IMO makes it a great fighter and a great investment. :eek:;)

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HERBDERRStagDamascusBowie002.jpg
 
o.O man those blades just get me itching to get out in the forge. im laid low with a REALLY nasty bug right now :(
 
Keith Montgomery said:
Contact Greg Covington. He makes great fighting bowies for very reasonable prices.

www.covingtonknives.com
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If you like the Bagwell bowie style, Mr. Covington has pretty much nailed it from what I have seen on his web site. There are a lot of really talented guys who make the type of knife that you are looking for. You have to be a bit careful when listening to these guys in here. They will give you very solid advice on some great knives from great makers, BUT see what kind of shock and horror you will hear if you ask them if they would ever train with or use their examples of these $1000+ bowies...:D I would normally throw a self-serving plug in right about now but I know that I am clearly outclassed by the guys mentioned in this thread. However, if you decide that you actually need three bowies, I can probably help you for the price stated...lol.
 
I asked for opinions and take as so, Thanks for alot of Info, the class I am taking is by a well known Guro who is interested in getting our group to participate with James Keatings group at Riddle of Steel, so the Bowie will be used. I have also trained with the Guro in Kali, and Kerambit. He takes multiple principles into his teachings.Will take all info to heart, and try to find right one for me. Thanks again
 
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