Recommendation for Bowies

ontarah said:
As an example I like the looks of this knife: http://www.cutlerycorner.net/productdetail.aspx?itemnumber=CCN-21002 but I've been told that Hen and Rooster has dropped in quality since it was acquired by Frost.
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Maybe it's not as good as it would be if it was assembled in Solingen rather than Toledo, but I'd say Hen & Rooster is still far from a bad brand.

I got my bowie as a graduation present. The guard rattles slightly but with a 440C blade, a nice full tang and sturdy ram's-horn handle slabs, I'd say something so scant as a drop of super glue would make it perfect for you.

The way I understand it: Germany forges the blade. Spain assembles the hilt. Frost advertises and distributes.

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Everything I've read about the Svord Von Tempsky Bowie makes me want one real bad.
 
Ogien said:
Oh come on, you can't say something like that and then not share the "cool history" of that knife. I'm now extremely curious to know the history of that unusual looking knife. Please share?
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...Google ,Gustavus Von Tempsky....I pulled down the original house that was built on the land he was killed on...He had the bowies made by a blacksmith in Auckland to his specifications and trained his men in knife fighting with a bowie...There is a story about what happened to Von tempskys sword after he was killed..apparently it is under the steps of one of the maraes (maori stronghold)...walking up these stairs is referred to as (crossing the divide)......fact or fiction,,,who knows?......FES
 
First check out the makers here who sell on the exchange, good variety and can get a great price on a custom knifem they do come along. one of my favorites not on here is ML knives, he makes a cool hudson bat knife for about $245. Also, you will see knives by Big Chris custom knives at very affordable prices here on the exchange and he is not back logged on orders yet, a maker to keep your eye on. If not want to spend close to that, check out Muela for interesting patters, Boker, kabar and Becker.
 
I understand that the von Tempsky is a cool beast of a knife.

But for the money it goes for I'd buy something of a custom maker.
Plenty of makers here on the forum that'll sell or even build you something cool for that amount.
 
Ogien said:
Oh come on, you can't say something like that and then not share the "cool history" of that knife. I'm now extremely curious to know the history of that unusual looking knife. Please share?
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Oh, that was the knife used at the Alamo. Well, just kidding, but Jim Bowie obviously used HIS knife at the Alamo. I don't know how that knife style made it to another country but it might have been an obvious knife style back in those days.


The more I think about it the more unsure I am about something. Is the KaBar USMC I mentioned above a Bowie Knife by some definition, I think it is, and if it isn't a Bowie knife than what criteria is missing from it that knocks it out of the running.
I guess I'm asking when is a Bowie Knife actually a Bowie Knife?
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I find a lot of definitions and descriptions in the knife world to be a little bit loose. A lot of state laws prohibit things like "daggers" and "dirks", and some even prohibit "bowie knives". But these are never actually described. To me a Bowie knife is a knife with a longer and wider blade than a normal hunting knife, and has a big clip at the tip. I've seen a wide variety of custom knives and even production knives that were labelled as Bowie but had a wide range of interpretations of these physical characteristics.
 
LX_Emergency said:
I understand that the von Tempsky is a cool beast of a knife.

But for the money it goes for I'd buy something of a custom maker.
Plenty of makers here on the forum that'll sell or even build you something cool for that amount.
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I'd say that for a piece of L6 with a guard, mahogany scales, and a leather sheath it's a pretty good bargain.
 
Just something to think about- you say you already have lots of cheap knives. The Bowie will probably be the top of your collection and a good one will outlast you and your children and be a pleasure to look at, handle, and use. I would save up (sell some of the cheapies?) and do what it takes to get a decent one that you will be happy with, otherwise you will just have another cheap knife.

There have been some good production blades mentioned here, and if you do some homework you can find more, but considering what some of the makers on this forum are putting out, and their prices, I would at least look at them for a Bowie. When you see a design you like, even if you can't afford it, you can always talk to the maker and see if he can make one in your price range with less expensive materials.

Also, if you decide not to keep it, you will always be able to sell a good, attractive knife, usually for very close to what you paid for it.
 
bdmicarta said:
...To me a Bowie knife is a knife with a longer and wider blade than a normal hunting knife, and has a big clip at the tip. I've seen a wide variety of custom knives and even production knives that were labelled as Bowie but had a wide range of interpretations of these physical characteristics.
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So I guess this knife wouldn't count as a Bowie...

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FortyTwoBlades said:
I'd say that for a piece of L6 with a guard, mahogany scales, and a leather sheath it's a pretty good bargain.
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No one said it was a bad deal. I don't know what the US price is for one of those. But the EU price is around €200......that's around $240 plenty of custom makers that'll make something to your specs for that price. Not the big name ones. But the new ones...I know I would for that price.
 
LX_Emergency said:
No one said it was a bad deal. I don't know what the US price is for one of those. But the EU price is around €200......that's around $240 plenty of custom makers that'll make something to your specs for that price. Not the big name ones. But the new ones...I know I would for that price.
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Ah--I've got 'em at $187 so that's a little harder to find custom work in. You still probably could with a bit of a search, though. Through a new maker like you said. :)
 
festerfromnzed said:
...Google ,Gustavus Von Tempsky....I pulled down the original house that was built on the land he was killed on...He had the bowies made by a blacksmith in Auckland to his specifications and trained his men in knife fighting with a bowie...There is a story about what happened to Von tempskys sword after he was killed..apparently it is under the steps of one of the maraes (maori stronghold)...walking up these stairs is referred to as (crossing the divide)......fact or fiction,,,who knows?......FES
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Holy crap, that is really quite a bit of history that, I'm ashamed to say, I didn't know anything about. This is compounded by the fact that I'm Polish as was Von Tempsky.

He was quite the adventurer and seemingly laughed in the face of danger. I mean from the little bit I've read, Von Tempsky is the definition of the guy who went "where the brave dare not go."

If you could PM me some more information on your knife and if you know where I could get a "true to life" modern production knife like it I'd be very grateful.

bdmicarta said:
Oh, that was the knife used at the Alamo. Well, just kidding, but Jim Bowie obviously used HIS knife at the Alamo. I don't know how that knife style made it to another country but it might have been an obvious knife style back in those days.

I find a lot of definitions and descriptions in the knife world to be a little bit loose. A lot of state laws prohibit things like "daggers" and "dirks", and some even prohibit "bowie knives". But these are never actually described. To me a Bowie knife is a knife with a longer and wider blade than a normal hunting knife, and has a big clip at the tip. I've seen a wide variety of custom knives and even production knives that were labeled as Bowie but had a wide range of interpretations of these physical characteristics.
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That's exactly it right there, definitions of knives are so extremely vague that it's really difficult to put an accurate label on anything any more. I think that the KaBar USMC fits into the category but I guess there really isn't one true answer that settles the question.
 
Lots of great suggestions here! I also like bowie knives, and this knife just speaks to me as a bowie, more than many other designs I've seen. It is a Boker Bowie Knife, and I want it! It is rather expensive at around $250.00, so probably not what you are looking for

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Another bowie style knife, from Boker's Boker-Plus lineup, is "a modern interpretation of the classic Vietnam bowies." It is called the Valkyrie. I have this this sub $100 knife and though produced in China, there is nothing but excellence to be found in it. I have a buddy that has one and he uses his on a regular basis as a camping knife and swears by it.

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Ogien said:
Holy crap, that is really quite a bit of history that, I'm ashamed to say, I didn't know anything about. This is compounded by the fact that I'm Polish as was Von Tempsky.

He was quite the adventurer and seemingly laughed in the face of danger. I mean from the little bit I've read, Von Tempsky is the definition of the guy who went "where the brave dare not go."

If you could PM me some more information on your knife and if you know where I could get a "true to life" modern production knife like it I'd be very grateful.



That's exactly it right there, definitions of knives are so extremely vague that it's really difficult to put an accurate label on anything any more. I think that the KaBar USMC fits into the category but I guess there really isn't one true answer that settles the question.
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..There is an original VON TEMPSKY bowie in the Waikato museum..next time im there i will take a photo and post a pic........FES
 
Ka-Bar imports this semi-traditional looking Bowie for under $50.

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Fox (made in Italy) has a nice-looking bowie in stag for under $200.

Canal Street Cutlery made an 1873 reproduction bowie that I think is beautiful. Around $250.

For lower cost bowies, maybe check out Bear Cutlery, Puma (German blades assembled in China), and Boker Arbolito (made in Argentina). The Puma "Gold Series" knives cost a bit more, but are still made in Germany.
 
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