My new Bowie from '76

Plumberdv

Plumberdv

Joined
Sep 26, 2008
Messages
8,160
I just picked this one up. I read the flyer sent to the dealers about it back in 1976 and it says that they are unsharpened, but Buck would sharpen it if it was sent to them.

I wonder if they would still do that and should it be sharpened?

Would you do it?

1976Bowiea.jpg


1976Bowieb.jpg


1976Bowied.jpg
 
Dave,

I'd have them sharpen it for sure. I am suprised that it wasnt sharp to begin with, commemerative display or not. Very knice nife as usual.

BTW congrats on going over the 1000 post mark.

Fritz
 
The letter to dealers said it wasn't sharpened "to prevent injury" plus the fact that most would never be used as knives anyway. I believe that it was Buck's first LE.

Wow, I guess I post too much on here. I hadn't even noticed the number of posts building up.
 
I wouldn't have it sharpened. I think it adds little to the knife since it is the way it came from the factory and bad things (accidents) could happen when it is sharpened.

I see little gain but a potential loss myself.
 
Dave I have one... Now I have to see if it has been Sharpen... Got mine from the swap meet... Nice knife by the way...

76... Click 2 times on the pics to make them bigger...

76...
 
It's a knife,why not have it sharpened?I don't get the thing that accidents could happen if you sharpen it.
 
Looking at the full size picture of yours, it doesn't look sharpened. It may be best to just leave them that way. I know I'll never use it for anything but "eye candy", but it still bugs me having a knife that's not sharp. Sort of like having a gun that won't shoot even if it's strictly a collector's item.
 
Plumberdv said:
Looking at the full size picture of yours, it doesn't look sharpened. It may be best to just leave them that way. I know I'll never use it for anything but "eye candy", but it still bugs me having a knife that's not sharp. Sort of like having a gun that won't shoot even if it's strictly a collector's item.
Click to expand...

I hear you... :confused: ....
 
GRIM 62 said:
It's a knife,why not have it sharpened?I don't get the thing that accidents could happen if you sharpen it.
Click to expand...

The only thing that would keep me from it is that it might lessen it's value.

What would buyers think if Winchester didn't put firing pins in any of their "collectable commemorative" rifles because someone might have an accident with them? :confused: I have a couple of them and would never have bought'em if they were incapable of firing even though I most likely never will.
 
Dave,
Philisophically I agree with you that knives should be sharp. But in this case, and the fact that it came from the factory unsharpened, I would leave it as is. I would think that if it is altered from the condition it came fom the factory it would be reduced in value.
 
Yes, leave it alone. It was never meant to be a hunting knife, it is a commemorative. That Bi-Centennial stuff is gonna get really expensive in about 66 years. ;)
 
My comment about an accident was possible damage to the blade etching during sharpening/shipping/handling that now could not be fixed or repaired.

I'm fine with a sharp knife. Just not sure I would be worried about sharpening this one.
 
"...it still bugs me having a knife that's not sharp. Sort of like having a gun that won't shoot..."

I'm thinkin' that it like some folks that collect de-mil (?) guns. ie: a 30 cal tripod mount machine gun with a welded shut reciever. It never appealed to me, but like my Granny used to say, "different strokes for different folks".
 
Dave,
Philisophically I agree with you that knives should be sharp. But in this case, and the fact that it came from the factory unsharpened, I would leave it as is. I would think that if it is altered from the condition it came fom the factory it would be reduced in value.
Click to expand...

Very precisely stated! Don't do it Dave!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you want to wack the hell out of something with a big ole knife, pull out that S30V Kalinga and go to work on it with that.
Just kidding and I do understand your analogy with the firing pin but I think if Buck decided to leave it unsharpened it should stay that way.
 
Very nice Dave! Now you need to get one of the build-outs Buck did with stag handles to get rid of the old stock blades;). It never ends...LOL

jb4570
 
I'll just leave it as is. I'd never use it for any cutting chores anyway.

jb, is there a model nimber for that pattern?
 
Sharpened or not, that's one beautiful knife plumber, thanks for sharing. (PS-I wouldn't sharpen it either!)
 
Plumberdv said:
I'll just leave it as is. I'd never use it for any cutting chores anyway.

jb, is there a model nimber for that pattern?
Click to expand...

Hi Dave,

Sorry I have no idea. They had some of these blades left over from the LE that you have. added the stag and sold them not all that long ago. I missed out on these like the stag steak knife you fella's got;) It looks quite a bit odd with out the hilt...But, I like it!

Here is a copy of "the_longbows" photo in the photo thread!
He states it is a 1 of 50 issue
[/QUOTE]
jb4570
 
Last edited:
I agree John that looks a little odd with out the guard.
Boy would I be all over one of those with a plain blade, S30V, and double NS guard like a #1 Randall. Now that would be a much sought after LE.

Edit: The guard used on Dave's knife would be just fine. Oh, since I'm building a dream knife here, it should be sharpened as well.;)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top