Looking for a good quality Bowie knife.

MicroAlign

MicroAlign

Gold Member
Joined
Feb 1, 2004
Messages
499
It's been a while since I've been in the market for a bowie knife and I haven't been keeping up with materials. Anyhow, what is the best material for bowies now days? I wouldn't mind a little rust resistance, but I am much more concerned with overall steel strength, toughness, and edge retention. I would also like sharp enough point design to make for good thrusting.

I bought a Ferhman in CPM-3v a while back, but I was not impressed with grind quality of the knife. When I honed it on a bench stone I noticed all kinds of humps and depressions on the blade. I liked Cold Steel's Carbon V Trailmaster when they made them, but it would chip on occasion against bone. I also really liked the point design on the Trailmaster.

Any recommendations?
 
MicroAlign said:
It's been a while since I've been in the market for a bowie knife and I haven't been keeping up with materials. Anyhow, what is the best material for bowies now days? I wouldn't mind a little rust resistance, but I am much more concerned with overall steel strength, toughness, and edge retention. I would also like sharp enough point design to make for good thrusting.

I bought a Ferhman in CPM-3v a while back, but I was not impressed with grind quality of the knife. When I honed it on a bench stone I noticed all kinds of humps and depressions on the blade. I liked Cold Steel's Carbon V Trailmaster when they made them, but it would chip on occasion against bone. I also really liked the point design on the Trailmaster.

Any recommendations?
Click to expand...


Busse.
INFI is the best there is as far as edge retention and toughness and it's stain resistant.

A close second would be Srcapyard knives (also Busse) Dog Father Combat Grade (DFCG) or limited edition (DFLE). These are made from SR77 (modified S7). Just as tough as infi but not as stain resistant and dosen't hold an edge quite as well.

Ranger knives are highly regarded as well.

I'm sure the list will grow but this should get started.

:)
 
Busse infi Bowie!! It could be your last blade but infi is habit forming!!
 
This is a DFCG being tested it did not break.


DogFatherTothefloor3.jpg



DogFatherTothefloor.jpg


DFCG next to a early Trail Master.

HPIM1562.jpg



Tang construction of DFCG

handle.jpg


DFLE and DFLE side by side.

The DFCG has a coated saber ground blade while the DFLE has a Full Flat ground polished blade.

HPIM0423.jpg
 
Bors---Thanks for the Demo!! WHOA! If that won't convince, nothing will!
 
How much $$$ are you wanting to spend ?
Hen & Rooster has some good bowies for the $$$
Puma has a good bowie for the $$$$
RangerKnives look good
CS Trail master or Recon scout
If you can find one get a WESTERN brand, My father has one & has packed it since 1976 & used it for everything ! It holds an edge you can shave with. He is a real mountian man , Hunts, Fishes, hikes, camps, herb & mushroom hunts, he does it all & has been doing it since he was a boy !!!!!:thumbup:
 
Thanks for all the advice so far. Money-wise, I'm willing to spend up to around $500-$700 if it is a bowie that will be truly the last bowie I will ever buy......unless I were to lose it.

I think I might consider going with the Busse in INFI. I remember reading a lot of good info about INFI a while back and I was surprised that no one else uses this steel. Does anyone have any good sources for the Busse bowie? Thanks.
 
I have a Hen and Rooster bowie that cost me 100.00 and I like it alot. It is made in Germany. I dont know the metal. Its a nice knife though. I really dont have much use for a bowie knife though. What would a person really need one for? I honestly bought mine for my collection, not really a user. If im going that big ill just use a machette
 
That's my Favorite style Blade Is the Bowie Type, I have several I like the light wieght of the Puma Original Bowie, And then again I like my Heavy Duty Cold Steel Trail Master Carbon V, I know now Is a Good time to buy with the Bad Economy It's a Buyers Market some Great Deals can be found. Here's a picture of my favorite's, Take Care !
Picture201.jpg


Snake Dr.
BackWood's Nebraska
 
Micro.---Go to the Busse Combat Knife website. And take it from there. You can also ask for help om the Busse forum. Good luck!
 
How do you feel about a custom? Ray Laconico here on the forum makes some great bowies, all within your price range.

Andy
 
MicroAlign said:
Thanks for all the advice so far. Money-wise, I'm willing to spend up to around $500-$700 if it is a bowie that will be truly the last bowie I will ever buy......unless I were to lose it.

I think I might consider going with the Busse in INFI. I remember reading a lot of good info about INFI a while back and I was surprised that no one else uses this steel. Does anyone have any good sources for the Busse bowie? Thanks.
Click to expand...



Noss tested the Busse battle mistress.

http://knifetests.com/


Its proprietary. Whats in it has been published however, Busse uses a secret heat treating protocol to give the steel it's properties. The heat treating for the DF series takes over 40 hours per knife.

Good Stuff :thumbup:
 
It will be the last working bowie you will need to buy.............unless you lose it;)
 
Andrew Colglazier said:
How do you feel about a custom? Ray Laconico here on the forum makes some great bowies, all within your price range.

Andy
Click to expand...

Exactly who I was going to mention as I have a bowie being built by Ray. Go over to the makers forum and click on fixed blades for sale....Ray has one called the Blackwood Bowie which is what I'm having built, except with cocobolo. Heard a lot of GOOD things about this maker!!:thumbup::D
 
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