looking for a good 8-9" blade fightin bowie

ohen cepel said:
Only think that seems to fit your description in my head is the Bagwell line. The Gambler I think would be a good fit.

PM me if you decide to go that route, I may be able to help you out with one. I think I have at least one of all of that line. Sweet knives!
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email sent
 
Bagwells seem difficult to find. I am also interested in owning something from Bill.
 
Arakiel said:
Vulcanite, I found this thread. It may be of some interest to you.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=776959
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Good thread there. I have considere that ranger in the past. The reason I chose the OSS was b/c of weight & I wanted to make sure that I could carry a long knife before I spend more $$.

But as noted in that thread, a narrow pattern but thick spine double edged blade like that is limited in its cutting ability by its (relatively) obtuse geometry. If I'm gonna lug that much weight around, I would prefer the blade geometry to be better suited for cutting. If operators could resist the desire to apparently always use their knives as pry bars then maybe the Ranger would be better made form ca 3/16" so it can be a lighter dagger.

That is all part of the theory of Bagwell I guess w/ the heafty full flat grind mostly single edge, I really think he had some stuff figured out, or they guys that made knives like that back in the day. Course, J Keating prefers his Crossada, which would suffer from the aforesaid design elements and no one thinks he is thick headed.

I really do like Ray's knives and his business paradigm of fine semi-custom knives that people can afford and will actually use and he has been so nice in email correspondance I have had with him. If I ever need a knife type that he makes I will be sure to get it.
 
Arakiel said:
OSS concealed? That's a good trick! You can conceal an even bigger blade than an OSS? I can't envision that.
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Install a spyderco G-clip on a kydex sheath. Get deep pocket pants or cut the bottom off the pocket of an old pair of pants, and you can carry a knife of almost any size without freaking anyone out. I've carried a Trailmaster and a Hossom Forester that way. You may have to wear a belt to keep a heavy knife from causing your pants to sag.
 
If you like the OSS and just want a heavier blade, the new SMIII OSI has a flat grind instead of the hollow saber grind on previous versions. No swedge though.

The Ontario Master series knives are a great option. If you were carrying a subhilt fighter and want a larger knife, it's the perfect size traditional coffin handle bowie. Comes with a nice leather IWB sheath too.

The Entrek Ranger is a great suggestion as well. The nicely downswept handle won't have you missing the sub-hilt much. Also, the way it's constructed the metal guard is flush to the handle against your side. That's nice and comfy. I didn't care much for it until I put one on to get the feel. The edge doesn't really negate the fact it's a nice bowie that has alot of capability. They are thoughtfully made, and well executed from what I have seen.
 
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well, I'm thinking maybe the trail master even though it is only 7 1/2" cause it has great blade geometry and a nice guard.

Or if i want the longer blade, the Large Heavy bowie...

THe scrap yard stuff is great, but if I'm gonna get a knife that small I'd prefer the guard
 
Larry Turko said:
Install a spyderco G-clip on a kydex sheath. Get deep pocket pants or cut the bottom off the pocket of an old pair of pants, and you can carry a knife of almost any size without freaking anyone out. I've carried a Trailmaster and a Hossom Forester that way. You may have to wear a belt to keep a heavy knife from causing your pants to sag.
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I've though of doing something like this.

That would work all right but it wouldn't be quickly accessible. Since i carry in the event of criminal ambush type assault, I stuck w/ the knife IWB.
 
Vulcanite said:
well, I'm thinking maybe the trail master even though it is only 7 1/2" cause it has great blade geometry and a nice guard.

Or if i want the longer blade, the Large Heavy bowie...
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Well... the Trail Master is 9 1/2" 16.7oz. It is longer, thicker, and heavier than a Large Heavy bowie. You must be thinking about a Recon Scout.
 
I just don't see how you could go wrong with a CS TrailMaster, Recon (5/16" thick) or a BK&T BK7 or BK9 (3/16" thick), or the Ontario Knife Company's Bush series (3/16" thick) or RD series (but those are 1/4" thick). All are awesome knives. The Beckers & OKC are made in America.
 
Vulcanite said:
well, I'm thinking maybe the trail master even though it is only 7 1/2" cause it has great blade geometry and a nice guard.

Or if i want the longer blade, the Large Heavy bowie...

THe scrap yard stuff is great, but if I'm gonna get a knife that small I'd prefer the guard
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There was an Old school Carbon V trailmaster up for trade in the Ffor Trade Forum earlier today. If you hurry, you might get the good trailmaster on a comparable trade.
 
Have you looked at the Becker BK5? It's formal name is the Becker Magnum Camp knife.

I think it fits your bill and is under $100.

I have one but haven't had a chance to run it through it's paces yet.
 
If you do like that OSS than why not the Entrek Ranger? It is substancial in hand, 9" blade, and carries nice and tight.

Another option: the Ontario Bagwell Gambler is very manageable for it's 10" blade length. I would say it's like a smaller Laredo bowie.
 
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