Need help finding the right bowie knife!

[Ebbtide]

More DIY
A Brusletto blade from [a non-BF dealer] done in the Scagel style.
Scandagel?


These two were Buck 119 rescues

A little old school style with the coffin-ish handle


A little more modern, but if you Do It Yourself, you make all the choices.

I'm still looking for a 120 at the right price to 'rescue'



If you subscribe to the "Big Butcher" school, there is always the Marbles Trailmaker

You'd have to hunt one up, but again, the hunt is half the fun


Are we having fun yet?

 

[Phil29]

You guys are great! Thank you so much for all the informative posts. I love how much I have learned through you guys about the history and the different styles of bowie knives!

@Ebbtide:

Thank you for bringing up the coffin handle bowie knives. I have seen that style before but I had completely forgotten about it. I really like this style and the knives by Joel Bolden are absolutely beautiful! The kit knife looks good too. What do you think about the steel it is made of? I really enjoy doing kit knives, it is a bonding experience and I appreciate the knives I have worked on myself a lot! You are right the hunt is half the fun and this one has not been easy but very informative.

@ Sacramento Johnson: You are right there are so many things to take into consideration for this knife but at the end I have to listen to what my heart tells me. Right now I am really drawn towards the coffin handle style knives. And I think its going to be one of this type of knives!

@ Smithhammer: I definitely want to use the knife. I just enjoy a knife more if I actually use it, this way you really learn to appreciate it's qualities. I own a Bark River Lite Hunter and I never had any issues with the knife. I think they make some beautiful knives (I like all of the models you showed and mentioned). I think they are worth the money but they are a little bit pricey.

 

[Phil29]

More DIY
A Brusletto blade from [a non-BF dealer] done in the Scagel style.
Scandagel?


These two were Buck 119 rescues

A little old school style with the coffin-ish handle


A little more modern, but if you Do It Yourself, you make all the choices.

I'm still looking for a 120 at the right price to 'rescue'



If you subscribe to the "Big Butcher" school, there is always the Marbles Trailmaker

You'd have to hunt one up, but again, the hunt is half the fun


Are we having fun yet?

I definetly enjoy this hunt The coffin buck is awesome! The "scandagel" is really unique too, looks like a difficult project!

The marbles is pure beauty, but I would be afraid to use it!

 

[Ebbtide]

Let's see… where to start
The steel on the Jantz kit blade?
I'm no steel snob. It is stainless and takes a decent edge. I don't get to use these great big knives often so edge holding isn't such a huge concern.
There is lots of time between camping trips

The "Scandagel" was a skill level up from the guard less slab handle knife.
It took about the same time to make and fit the guard as it did for the slab handle project.

All the work is done by hand, the only power tool was a drill press.

You are right Phil, the Marbles is too nice to use. I've had it since the 90s and it stays in the case

Glad you are enjoying the photos

More reading:
http://www.tamu.edu/faculty/ccbn/dewitt/adp/history/bios/bowie/knife_like_bowies.html

2nd article down
http://notorc.blogspot.com/2006_09_01_archive.html

http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=F20E17FF3D5415738DDDAC0A94DB405B8485F0D3

Enjoy!

 

[Phil29]

Hey guys,

I am sorry for not replying earlier. First of I want to thank you all for the information and efforts. Because of this threat I decided to contact a custom knife maker from Oregon. His name is Jerry Davis and he is a really great guy. I met him at the Oregon Knife Show and I liked his work and him as a person. When I told him what I wanted he was immediately enthusiastic. You can find his work at: jerrydavisknives.com

He made me a beautiful coffin bowie with a blade of D2 steel just shy of 5 inches. The handle is stained maple. He also made a great leather sheath which is to fit me as a lefty. I am really happy with this knife. It was made to my specifications and Jerry did a great job.

Here is the knife:

 

[black mamba]

Looks great, Phil. A handier all-around knife would be hard to imagine.

 

[Double Ott]

Scagel Bowie

Tom

 

[Phil29]

The knife was my constant companion on a 2 week roadtrip through the national parks in the west, so I thought it´s time for another picture!

Here it is in the beautiful Yosemite National Park: