Poll Question

Strictly speaking, should Bowie blades be forged blades?

  • YES

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • NO

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Unsure

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    0
ptgdvc

ptgdvc

Joined
Feb 27, 2003
Messages
2,369
As the original Bowie knife was indisputably a forged blade, strictly speaking, should a modern Bowie knife also have a forged blade?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Unsure
 
Even though I'm really into the heritage, history and accomplishments of the forged blade, I don't necessarily believe a modern Bowie needs to be forged to be enjoyed and celebrated as an outstanding piece.
 
Kevin Jones said:
Even though I'm really into the heritage, history and accomplishments of the forged blade, I don't necessarily believe a modern Bowie needs to be forged to be enjoyed and celebrated as an outstanding piece.
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Ditto for me.

Roger
 
Given the huge contribution of Sheffield to the realm of bowies - none of which were handforged - I don't think it makes sense.
 
I really prefer forged and went for that :D but I think skill and the whole package has to come into consideration. yea the blade is a very visible and striking part of the knife but it's never the whole deal. It's only about 95% of the deal for me :D
 
I also prefer the forged blade, but to say a stock removal Bowie is not a Bowie...... Let's just say if the shoe was on the other foot I would not agree, so I vote no. It's a good question though. Lin
 
Don Hanson III said:
I prefer forged but it's not necessary, so I voted no.

Think of the work of D.E. Henry and Roger Green.
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Although I attempt to forge bowies and tend to prefer forged blades, D.E. Henry is the 400 lb. gorilla in the room when it comes to this question. You could argue that his finishing methods have as much to do with how great the FORGED bowies look today as Bill Moran and Bill Bagwell's contributions in forging and damascus.
 
Was 'stock removal', as we know it, readily available to the knifemakers of the era that defined the 'Bowie' knife?

This could matter: If this was a choice then, then, historically speaking, the truest Bowie knives would be finished as forged. Like the original.

If it wasn't readily available, then makers simply used the technology of the era. That opens up more horizons for today.

I vote no, anyway. :p

Coop
 
Evening everyone and Merry Christmas. I prefer forged blades, big surprise, but as mentioned before, D.E. Henry. Roger Green, Fred Carter, etc. So I vote no. These days I believe "bowie" has come to refer more to a style of knife rather than a construction method. Great question.

Brion Tomberlin
 
I voted no. Do I prefer a forged blade? Yes, but that's not what makes me buy a knife. I buy knives for the fit and finish and for the perfection of the grinds.
 
I voted No. The same water wheels that powered the bellows and trip hammers in the early 1800's powered grinding wheels. Files have been available for ever. Stock removal was available then as it is now. I think both methods were just as legitimate then as they are today. It is the determination of the maker to produce the best knife he can, and not be satisfied with anything less, that separates Bowies today, not how they are made.
 
Voted no on this one. I'm a huge fan of forged blades, but I don't see why a bowie should have to have a forged blade.
 
Sorry but i vote Yes. As a member of the ABS, our goal is to preserve the forged blade. I believe you can make a bowie through stock removal, it could be beautiful and it could work great. But, it would, in my eyes, be missing part of its soul.
 
D lisch said:
Sorry but i vote Yes. As a member of the ABS, our goal is to preserve the forged blade. I believe you can make a bowie through stock removal, it could be beautiful and it could work great. But, it would, in my eyes, be missing part of its soul.
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Dave, Your such a purest.
 
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