Randall vs Bagwell Bowie

B

blusk

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May 13, 2012
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I have several smaller Randall knives (up to 7.5 inch blade) and was interested in getting a larger Bowie knife such as Randall's Smithsonian, Confederate or Raymond Thorp Bowies. They are visually impressive and I would think make very effective tools for self defense. Based on my past knowledge and experience, Randall has some of the best, most effective, custom combat knives. I recently saw a number of posts regarding Bagwell bowie knives and some tout that his knives are the most effective for combat in terms of large Bowies due to shape and quality of construction.

I like the thickness of the Smithsonian (in pictures)...but maybe too heavy?

The Bagwell knives look leaner but maybe the design is better or more effective for combat?

Would the Confederate Randall be a nice intermediate option b/t the Smithsonian and the Bagwell?

Can anyone shed some light on which would be a better purchase?

Thanks in advance

Bryan
 
Why do you feel that your current Randall with 7.5 inch blade is not sufficient for combat? Just curious.
 
NStricker said:
Why do you feel that your current Randall with 7.5 inch blade is not sufficient for combat? Just curious.
Click to expand...

I think it is sufficient and have found it quite useful as a hunting and camping knife. Having grown up on tales of Jim Bowie and Crocodile Dundee movies, I like the idea of having a BIG bowie knife. They are visually impressive and capture the imagination. From a more practical perspective, while a smaller knife seems like it would be easier to move around, a larger knife you give you more reach and force with your strikes.
 
Apples and oranges really. The Bagwell is like a finely tuned machine as a Bowie compared to the Randalls which while perfectly good knives, are more just an adequate representation of some historical patterns. I like Randall for their smaller field knives and the very practical military models. But for a true to purpose fighting Bowie it's Bagwell all the way.
 
I own many custom made Bowie knives.

I also own a Randall Raymond Thorpe Bowie with a 13" blade. It has great balance for a large knife, better than some of my custom blades. I can't compare it to a Bagwell knife because I have never held one.
 
"From a more practical perspective, while a smaller knife seems like it would be easier to move around, a larger knife you give you more reach and force with your strikes. "

That's very true. Historically, carry knives became much shorter after repeating handguns (e.g. Colt revolvers) became more readily available.
 
I would suggest you also look at Jason Knight and Matt Lamey bowies. These are custom knives that would suit your needs very well.
 
Treat yourself to a custom Bowie - you'll have fun deciding which maker, made in what, which shape blade, what guard...........:)

A Randall, while a wonderful knife indeed, is a production knife.........is it not, albeit not in the mass production way..?
 
Between these two, I'd go with the Bagwell for sure. But there is a whole wide world of compelling choices in a custom fighting bowie. The Bagwell would remain a creditable choice, but I'd do a little reasearch and try to gain a better idea of your options before making a final decision.
 
Kevin Jones said:
I would also recommend you widening your search, as there's many options out there.
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Thanks everyone for the input. I will expand my search but from what I gather from you and from further research I made, a custom Bagwell is one of the best, if not the best option out there, esp given Bill's knowledge regarding knife fighting tactics and his ability to design the most effective combat bowie blade to fit you.
 
You can't compare a production Randall with a properly made custom combat Bowie

Randall's are great production knives but not in the same league

There are a few great Combat Bowie makers out there

Bagwell IMHO is the father of the modern Combat Bowie

He was preaching radical Distel Taper and sharpened clip when many had forgotten that these ingredients are the key to a great Fighting Bowie

I have Bowies from IMHO some of the finest Bowie Makers out there and if I was really looking for a Bowie to go into harms way with I would pick up a Bagwell or a Knight

It's not that the other great Bowies in my collection aren't great blades its just the Bagwells and The Knights just feel better

Knight Founders Bowie : IMHO the. Finest rendition of a fighting Bowie that Jason has made

Radical Distal Taper - convex edge and talan sharp clip.

Knight011-1.jpg



The King of the Fighting Bowie Bagwell


L1000482-1.jpg


Alamo013.jpg


But again there are many great makers out there that are know to make a proper fighting Bowie



Wheeler

Fisk

Lamey

Foster

To name a few
 
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I would go with the Bagwell hands down, but the last Bagwell I saw for sale was going for 2k. I think there are plenty of great makers out there though for the price of a Randall.
 
About a dozen years ago or so I ordered a Randall Smithsonian and it's not to bad of a knife. It was big and on my scale it came out to 34oz worth of heavy. It can be a bit decieving in general it's a slow knife but can be fast and it cuts like a sword being capable of cutting through 8 inches of wara mats in a single stroke which is not to bad. Moving the knife fast can put strain on the joints so I don't recommend doing a lot of it. In 2010 I finally bit the bullet and talked to Mr Bagwell about a Hells Belle. I took delivery last Year and........ well to be honest in holding the two the only thing I can think of is the randall is to the the HB as a D9 cat is to a Formula 1. Now to be fair the Smithsonian was created to fit a demand created by the 1952 movie Iron Mistress for a "Bowie Knife" whereas the HB was created to be a fighting/dueling knife. The HB is a fine balance of a foil and a saber, it posseses both the speed and point control of the foil and the cutting power of the saber and all this is a 16oz package. I reciently sold my Randall for various reasons and I really don't miss it the HB tooks it's place very nicely........
 
Gents,

Just had a fabulous day hanging with the real Bagwell himself! I called him and as it turns out, we do not live far from each other. My wife and I had the privilege of visiting his shop and the opportunity to talk some knife shop with him, gain a deeper understanding of what he's all about and I can tell you it's a lot more than just Bowie knifes, though he is the man when it comes to these edged weapons. Having the opportunity to observe a Hell's Belle first hand, handle the knife, and then get a few "tips from the pro" was an invaluable experience. I can say that if you have a keen interest in combat knives, knife history, lore, and/or primitive weapons such as black powder rifles, there is no substitute for talking to Bill one on one. His knowledge about edged weapons is encyclopedic. I am sure there are many other excellent custom knife makers out there, but after meeting Bill in person and seeing his work in person I believe that I am going to acquire a superior product and learn a superior art from him than 99% of other knife makers / thinkers, if not 100%. He is a bright and talented individual who has dedicated much of his life to understanding the design, production, and implementation of the most effective fighting knives the world has ever seen and I think that is hard, if not impossible to beat. I want to also put in a plug for his book "Bowies, Big Knives, and the best of Battle Blades". This was a very helpful resource to pour through prior to talking to Bill. I quickly ordered it last week and receive the book in a matter of days. It was a quick read and a great starting point for many of the topics we discussed. Thanks to everyone who helped steer me in this direction. Keep you posted!
 
Bill is the man and that's great you got to spend some time with him

He is a wealth of knowledge and a good friend
 
I have many Randall knives e and only three Bagwell bowie,
Randall is the american knives history and i love them,is a great story!
Bagwell is a great knifemaker and great master forger,and built the living history of bowie.
The Bagwell bowie are lightweight and balanced for combat,but robust for other work,only by owning the Bagwell bowie
you can see the best quality.
I love my 230 american custom and handmade knives,but if I had to keep only three ,doubtless the three Bagwell bowie's.
Between Confederate Randall not is the intermediate option.
Bagwell is a project the more thought.


I hope I have not made ​​a mistake in translation :)
 
Bryan,
No doubt, Randall's Smithsonian, Confederate or Raymond Thorp Bowies are visually impressive knives and would make effective tools for self defense.
But, if you want the absolute BEST... have Bill Bagwell forge you a Hell's Belle bowie. You may be on a waiting list for awhile (six months or longer), you may pay $3,000 on up depending of what you want. But, what you will get is a no-nonsense Bowie forged with incredible strength, sharpness, balance and feel unlike no other that you have ever handled or owned. I personally own two of Bill Bagwell's Bowies... they are 11 1/2 and 12" forged damascus blades.
B i l l
 
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