Never would have thought...

Keith Montgomery

Keith Montgomery

Joined
May 9, 2000
Messages
29,205
...that there would come a time that I would be considering ordering a knife that will cost more than all the custom knives that I have purchased to this point. A few years ago you would have had a hard time convincing me that any knife was worth $400.00, now I am seriously thinking of spending ten times that amount on one knife. What has happened to me over the last few years to bring about such a change? Only a year ago, the only knives that I would purchase would be ones that I planned on using. Now I have all the users that I will ever need, and it is time to start getting the knives that I have lusted after, and damn it I have expensive tastes. Not being a wealthy person, I am going to have to give up some luxuries (like food) to be able to afford this knife, but you know something? As far as I am concerned it is worth whatever I will have to sacrifice. Most people would think that I am crazy to be contemplating doing what I am thinking of doing. They might be right.

There are no questions I wanted to ask of the rest of you, such as; have any of you gone through this, or; do you think I am crazy for doing this? In the end the only thing that matters is that I am happy with the final decision that I make.

Over the next ten years I may only purchase two or three knives, but oh what knives these are going to be.
 
I am not one to judge, while I would never spend $4k on one particular knife, firearms are a completely different story.

One rifle I have is $8,000 with Optics, another is $4,300 with Optics and I have one on order that will be $2,700 all said and done.

If this knife is going to make you happy, go for it, life isn't a rehearsal.

I don't think you're crazy :)
 
Just look at it like this: $4000 is a nice down payment on a new car. If your're not in the market for a car, why not a knife? Does it come with white wall radials; extra strong suspension; leather interior? Keith, you are hooked! :D :D
 
A $400 knife for someone working as a clerk at a department store is a much different purchase then the same knife for a lawyer, doctor, SW engineer, etc. It is all relative to disposable income. I had a friend that would think nothng of spending $200 at a bar on the weekend but, wouldn't spend $50 for a Spyderco knife. I don't know your economic status so, relative hardship may make this unreasonable to consider or a very practical choice - only you know that.

I saved for a very long time and bought (at the time) a very expensive rifle for myself. I haven't regretted it in the almost 10 years since the purchase. After watching the stock market soar and, my friends portfolios grow, I had reconsidered my position but, still remained happy with my purchase. After all, you can't take it all with your ;) When Enron and MCI collapsed, I still had my expensive rifle....
 
Keith,food is over rated and life is short.:D Enjoy having that special piece made that's why we all work so hard.I'm with Coonskinner give us a hint or two.
 
The knife that I am considering is a reproduction of bowie #1. The famous knife attributed to James Black. This is a very difficult knife to make. A few years ago some ABS Mastersmiths agrred to make official reproductions of this knife. They were not to be made for private sale. Of the smiths that agreed to give it a try only three completed the knives: Roger Massey, Jim Walker and James Cook. The Massey knife is in the San Antonio, Alamo Museum.
 
Keith
I commend you for your thoughts and suport of this business. I also made one of those. I will not do another. That is undoubtable the hardest knife that I have tried to make and do it exactly like the old one. Odd, but mine went overseas instead of staying here in this country. If you can pick up one of these it would be a wonderful thing because you will not find many people at all that will make more than one of these knives. And only a very few that has been allowed to work directly off of the orginial piece.

The knife design itself is interesting. I have only found one other in history with that little peculiar upside down kick up it has. There was an early Japanese style of knife that was very much like it an basic design, other than that one, nada. Course they may be others that I am not aware of, but that is all I have found.

The James Black connection is also interesting. I know some say he did not make knives etc etc. However James Batson has uncovered his last will and testament. In it he bequeths some shear steel that was used to make knives. So, the man did make knives. James Bowie did come through this area a number of times to be in court because of his fradulent land dealings.
Good luck with it.
jf
 
Keith,

That sounds like a truly inspired choice and I really look forward to the day when you can share pictures of that wonderful knife with us all. And there's nothing wrong with buying knives less frequently but getting something truly special when you do.

As to whether spending $4k on a knife is crazy - since I know I'm crazy when it comes to knives, I'm in no position to judge.:)

All the best,

Roger
 
A chance in a lifetime. May never come by ya again. In this day and age, 4k goes pretty fast. You can always get more money but a knife like that.................once in a lifetime at best. It won't get any cheaper. Just my view Keith. And yes, I too have taken the plunge,on a few occasions, with no regrets what so ever.
Greg
 
Originally posted by Keith Montgomery

In the end the only thing that matters is that I am happy with the final decision that I make.

Over the next ten years I may only purchase two or three knives, but oh what knives these are going to be.
Click to expand...

No, you are not crazy.

My motto is "No Regrets," to which I see you also subscribe

:D :cool: :D
 
I struggle with this all the time Keith, your certainly not alone in that regard. I didn't read one post here that even remotely questioned your sanity. In fact in a round-about way everyone told you to go for it if it makes you happy..(how much does THAT cost?). After reading a little about the knife your considering, sounds to me like that if the need ever comes up, there would be plenty of us out here to to help you recycle it...I'd go for it...I enjoy your posts, Good Luck...Rich
 
Heck, to OWN a knife like that! Just like babies, you just get more attatched to them as time goes on.And appreciate them even more.
 
Keith, what turned you around about Bowies? I could swear, at one time I had the impression they didn't interest you and now sounds like you've gone to the 'top of the line'!
 
I have always loved bowies, but thought of them as not being practical. They are not something that you can wear on your belt in the city (this is something that upsets me, but it is a fact of life) and I was only interested in owning knives that I could use. That has changed. Even if I never wear this knife (I placed the order today, by the way) it will not matter to me. Knives have come to mean something different to me. They are not just a tool, they are also a passion. The look, the feel and the history have all come to mean as much or more to me than the utility.

There has been no knife in history that is more important than the bowie. For many years after March 6th, 1836 when aproximately 189 men lost there lives defending the Alamo, it became the sidearm of choice. The history of this knife is tied incontrovertibly to the history of the United States itself. How could someone that is as interested in the history of the knife not be fascinated by the bowie?

My fascination with Bowie #1 was fostered by Darby. He is a strong proponent of James Black being the maker of this knife and pointed me in the direction of some articles about this fact. Since that time I have come to admire the tremendous difficulty that must have been encountered in the making of this knife. Recently I found a bladesmith that I have every confidence is capable of and who is willing to take on the project.

Now for a slightly of topic question; should bowie knife be capitalized or not? I usually see it as Bowie Knife, many times as bowie knife and sometimes as Bowie-Knife.
 
Keith, as others have said "eating is overrated"...I would DEFINITELY get things of that caliber if I could afford it...high on my wish list are a Mad Dog Saxon ($3,000) and various Hartsfield big blades ($4,000+)...I agree, go for it!

Incidentally, could you post a scan of the bowie that you want to get??

RL
 
Here is a picture of the original knife as it appeared at auction in 1992.

 
Personally, I think when referring to this knife it should be capitalized as the/a Bowie knife. But a quick look in the Webster's College Dictionary (1996) it is not capitalized. (Bowie, James is capitalized but next entree is bowie knife, not capitalized). If you want to be technical, I guess only James Bowie's Bowie should be capitalized?;) I. too, will be waiting to see your pixs of this masterpiece.
 
Gee Keith, you must be crazy. I myself have never spent more than 3200$ on a knife. Of course if you are talking about 4000$ Canadian then what are you waiting for?


Go for it dude?

:cool:
 
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