Questions about Bowie blades.

[groy87]

I've seen several styles of Bowie knife blades out there and was curious how many different variations exist? What are the most popular styles? What defines each of them? Is the difference purely esthetic or is there a use for every style? Finally what is your favorite?

 

[BladeScout]

I've seen several styles of Bowie knife blades out there and was curious how many different variations exist?



Finally what is your favorite?

Bowie knife styles are legion; from a simple butcher type knife with a straight spine and no clip (as the original knife carried by mr Bowie on the sandbar most likely was) over a wide variety of knives to over the top clown knives with a very big curved clip, spine strip, oversized hand guard and of a type, which some (utterly scrupulous) persons have bamboozled others into believing was carried at the Alamo......and bamboozled into buying said clown knife.

I like both the aforementioned simple straight spine type Bowie knife and a type of knife with a relatively long drawn back clip.

 

[gadunz]

Svord Hunter deluxe 7"

for those pig hunters who don't want to carry both a sticker & a skinner

 

[Officer's Match]

Today I'm carrying a new-2-me Spyderco Slysz Bowie. Love it already. I also often carry a Hinderer XM18 Bowie, truly a great knife.

 

[marcinek]

Bowie knife styles are legion; from a simple butcher type knife with a straight spine and no clip (as the original knife carried by mr Bowie on the sandbar most likely was) over a wide variety of knives to over the top clown knives with a very big curved clip, spine strip, oversized hand guard and of a type, which some (utterly scrupulous) persons have bamboozled others into believing was carried at the Alamo......and bamboozled into buying said clown knife.

I like both the aforementioned simple straight spine type Bowie knife and a type of knife with a relatively long drawn back clip.

Nailed it.

There is the sandbar knife. The first Bowie. While there is no definitive proof what it was, it was more than likely one of the Searles knives or the Forrest knife. I think it was the Forrest knife. Beefed up butcher knife meets punal.

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

Then there are the Bowie era Bowies. Anything went because everyone wanted a Bowie knife, and nobody was sure what it looked like. Folders, daggers, etc etc etc.

Then there is the whole question of what knife Bowie carried at the Alamo. That is less documented than the sandbar knife, it seems.

Then in comes Raymond Thorpe, who invents, based on Scagel knows what, the "original" Bowie. The one BladeScout mentions. Pulls the design out of the ether or something. That design gets crazy popular, they make a movie called The Iron Mistress about Bowie featuring that design, that it gets even more popular.

The sandbar knife was express built as a weapon. Pure and simple.

What is a Bowie now and what is done with it? Just about anything.

If you can get your hands on a copy of Levine's Guide the Knives and Their Values, 4th edition or earlier...he gives a great history based on actual fact and documentation.

 

[Rich S]

Get a copy of Flayderman's "The Bowie Knife" - it is the bible of bowies.
Rich

 

[Rhinoknives1]

Many and ANY have called their knife a Bowie, There is one that was supposedly made by Rezin in the Smithsonian.

As mentioned above. a " large Butcher knife" with geographic & class differences.

The hooked swedge comes from the movie with Alan Ladd,
Iron Mistress.

 

[Rat Finkenstein]

the term is meaningless, it has been applied to just about anything.

 

[Charlie Mike]

Here's a few of mine...

 

[22-rimfire]

That's beautiful Charlie Mike!

 

[marcinek]

Here's one of my "Bowies"...by the way....

 

[Charlie Mike]

Here's one of my "Bowies"...by the way....

Much sex.

 

[marcinek]

Much sex.

Thanks, man! That's a high complement coming from you! Its a Justin Gingrich custom.

 

[groy87]

So the essential take away is if it's big, sharp, and I want it to be a Bowie, it's a Bowie

That aside I didn't realize how much history there was behind this iconic knife. I'll have to look into getting my hands on a copy of Flayderman's "The Bowie Knife" (Thanks Rich S).

Here's a few of mine...

Here's one of my "Bowies"...by the way....

Awesome knives Charlie and marcinek! They all look great and could without a doubt get the job done.

After making a sheath for a co-worker's Bowie I've been itching to get my hands on a blade to handle for myself.

As it stands I've been eyeing the Tennessee or Texas blade from Jantz. I figure either would be a good, usable practice blade that wont breaking the bank. :thumbup:
http://www.knifemaking.com/category-s/329.htm

 

[gadunz]

Phil Collins' Alamo bowie

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...luding-gun-used-Davy-Crockett-home-Texas.html

 

[Zuchus]

Although I've seen the term used for just about every type of knife, to me a Bowie will always be a big knife with a clip point, like this one of mine made by Matt Lamey (W2 and walnut).

 

[bdmicarta]

Got your Bowie knife right here- this one is totally authentic because it comes from the town of Bowie, TX:

But then this one is IN the town of Bowie: