Pics of a neglected WESTERN Bowie

Nice story boss. Would love to see a Becker Raider bowie.
 
Ethan, Sorry to take so long to reply. I hope this picture helps with the answer.

IMG_0073.jpg


I would say that the way the handle is molded on the SP-10 the axis is different than the main blade. As a result when your holding the knife it presents the point at a different reference than it would if the handle was more in line with the blade. I hope that makes sense.
 
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I like the lightness of the Western Bowie. I have that model by Western, Case, and Collins. All are the same pattern. I cut the finger guards down on my user.


W49001.jpg
 
Horn Dog said:
I like the lightness of the Western Bowie. I have that model by Western, Case, and Collins. All are the same pattern. I cut the finger guards down on my user.


W49001.jpg
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Nice work, Horn Dog. I've been contemplating the same with my knife.
 
Hey SAC......

What you say makes perfect sense......Thanks for the spiffy comparison photo......Splains it all.......


All Best.....

ethan
 
They started the letter code in either '77 or '78, and it ended in 1991, as Western went out of business and was sold to Camillus. Keep that knife, it has a history, and may have saved or took a life. It deserves a place of honor in your home.
 
Yes! A Becker Raider Bowie! Are you listening Mr. Becker? (Love the BK9 by the way, best feeling grip I ever... gripped)
 
Cool thread!
Ethan Becker said:
One of the best of Bill Bagwell's columns for SOF Magazine was how to mod the Western to make it a more useful, relatively inexpensive, field blade for a soldier on a budget...
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That sunuvagun ruined my life... I could have had a real job by now if I'd never read that article and got started modding and making knives :p
 
I would never argue with Ethan Becker, but I believe the steel was chrome vanadium on the W49, it was advertised as such, at least. I'm sorry, I LOVE and collect Westerns, and especially W49's, it was my first bowie, bought at a closeout price of $49.99 at Smoky Mtn. Knife Works right down the road! Great blade!
 
Nice sheath on the W49, who made that? He/she does great work! P.S. That is some darn thick brass on that W49 guard, factory?
 
Hey Rugercat......

We are both correct........ THE U.S. Carbon cutlery steel that every major mfg used was made by the now defunct Sharon Steel Co.......Their catalog number was O170-6...... It was and is 1095 Chrome Vanadium steel.....at KA-Bar we use the short version- 1095 CroVan...... This stuff has more trade names than a very sneaky cat...... Great steel no matter what the moniker.... You heat treat it right and it is hard to find a more useful steel.....

Ethan
 
I have a w49 its 1095 steel I think I paid about 70 bucks for it over 20 years ago lol its a great knife and one of my few safe queens!!
 
western-1-XL.jpg


This is a photo of my Boulder Colo. Wesrern W-49.
 
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