One that I kept-JM Smith bowie

Bladeandbarrel

Bladeandbarrel

Joined
Oct 5, 1998
Messages
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In my mind, along with Bagwell, Fisk, Dean and Crowell, John M Smith of Centralia, IL was instrumental in creating bowie knives in the 80's and early
90's that were more than just glossy reproductions and wall-hangers, but were true functional bowie knives.

Here is a rather dressy piece from him that is probably the best knife I own in many regards.

2d97pcm.jpg
 
Stunning.

Both simple and complex (if that makes any sense!). You can only tell so much from a picture, but everything appears finished with enormous skill. All the lines are smooth and harmonious. Even the damascus is really quite subtle and handsome.

Looks like it would cut like the very devil, too.

Easy to see why you kept this blade. I could never sell it.
 
Anthony Lombardo said:
In my mind, along with Bagwell, Fisk, Dean and Crowell, John M Smith of Centralia, IL was instrumental in creating bowie knives in the 80's and early
90's that were more than just glossy reproductions and wall-hangers, but were true functional bowie knives.

Here is a rather dressy piece from him that is probably the best knife I own in many regards.

2d97pcm.jpg
Click to expand...

Don't forget guys like Tim Poitier, who was at Batson's this weekend. What ever happened to John Smith? I remember reading about this bowies in the early 90's and seeing one or two. VERY nice.
 
I really like that knife. What is the BL and OAL on that piece? Do you have any idea what year it was made? The other makers I'm familiar with but not John M Smith. Can you give us any more information about the maker? I'll have to say it again... I really like that knife!
 
Don't forget guys like Tim Poitier, who was at Batson's this weekend.
Click to expand...

I will post pics of my Potier's tomorrow :)
Great knifemaker with immense talent who also makes few knives. Probably one of the best for fit and finish. Not a "trendsetter" in my opinion, but certainly a big talent.

Krug,
JM Smith is/was a protege of Bill Bagwell who took the best that Bagwell had to offer in design and historical perspective and added world class fit and finish. His earlier knives look like Bagwell's but his later knives look like Smith's. He has frequently written up in Fighting Knives and even once in Tactical Knives I believe. He was really the first tactical bowie maker after Bagwell along with Fisk, Dean and Crowell. Most of their knives of the late 80's and early 90's were field grade, hard working fighters and whackers--not tarted up dressy jobs like this.
 
I think I now remember reading about him in the back of Bagwell's book where he recommended other knife makers. Bill listed Fisk as well. I wasn't able to find him at the Blade show when I went looking that year. He sounds like my kind of knife maker. Is he still making knives?
 
9.5" blade, 14.25" OAL.

The blade is a wispy .190" thick and 1/4" wide. The knife weighs 14.5 ounces and has a sharpened clip.

I am hoping Matt Lamey will make me a field grade carbon copy of this piece except with micarta and w-2.
 
John M. Smith was making the best Bowies that were being made in the early/mid 90's. He made some of the best modern Bowies in my opinion, ever.

My favorites were the earlier, very low point, angular "Inner City" Bowies. There is a member here that owns a few of them, and is supposed to ship me a few to look over and maybe sharpen etc.

The early "Inner City" had about zero belly, a very straight angular clip, and a slight drop to the handle.

I would love to make a few, may take a bit. I owe Anthony a favor (or twenty) So I will get you one out fairly quick.


The above Smith Bowie, is much more traditional than the Inner City, but I still love it, great work.

Edited to ad- I just recieved a BUNCH of W2 round bar, so the steel wont be a problem. Ironic that you pick W2 as it was one of JM Smiths favorite Bowie steels
 
Matt,
Comparing this knife to some Inner City pics I have, its pretty close. the clip is longer than most "Inner city"'s I have seen.

The picture is very deceiving. I will talke a better pic tomorrow from a straighter angle and you will see what I mean.
 
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