Starter custom bowie?

Buffalohump

Buffalohump

Joined
Sep 7, 2006
Messages
6,199
Greetings,

I have long desired a traditional custom bowie as produced by Bill Bagwell and other masters of the art.

Unfortunately I have to be realistic and accept that I should probably start off with something a little more attainable.

I was wondering then what journeymen makers could be considered to offer a superb example of the traditional fighting bowie that is still within reach of someone on a modest budget?

Thanks!
 
First, it would help is you attached a dollar figure to "modest budget".
And second, would you be interested in a knife from a maker who is working towards their JS or do you definitely want a knife from someone who has achieved JS status?
 
I guess budget wise would be around $500 - $700. I'm just looking for something of a fairly high standard.
 
Check out Joe Mandt, Erik Fritz, Andrew Takach, Phillip Patton, Matt Roberts and Stephan Fowler. All are members of this forum.
 
There are a lot of makers that would have basic, very good quality bowie for near the upper range that you have listed. The best thing to do is to check out the work of as many makers as possible and to contact the ones who's work you feel is what you are looking for. You may be pleasantly surprised by the prices that many makers charge.
 
That price range will open up some pretty darned good knives. Here are a few I have owned that more or less fall within that range.

Sam Butler makes a very solid knife for an extremely appealing price:

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A Brion Tomberlin piece like this will push through your ceiling, but not by much:

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Matt Roberts will fall within your range:

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As will Matt Lamey:

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A few other names to consider might be:

Shawn Ellis
Mike Ruth
Brett Gatlin
Craig Camerer
Don McIntosh
Tommy Gann
Gordon Graham
Bill Buxton
Lin Rhea
Phillip Patton

A few of those will push your ceiling a bit, but not so far as to not be worthy of a look to see if the stretch is worth it to you. That's just off the top of my head. You will be spoiled for choice.

Roger
 
Another vote for Matt Roberts, he rocks!

Burt Foster might make a smaller fighting bowie with micarta for $700, and it would also rock.

Matt Lamey takes forever and a day, but he rocks.

Mike Ruth most certainly rocks.

Best Regards, and rock on,:cool:

STeven Garsson
 
is feeling a little like chopped liver himself
*grins*

seriously though if you enjoy the rustic look my work ranges in price from 300-500

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All mentioned are great

Take your time and talk to some of the makers

Eric nice work
 
Kohai999 said:
Sorry, my BAD.:o

Karl ROCKS!:thumbup:

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
Click to expand...

Yes - Karl most definitley rocks. Problem with lists is you always leave somone out.

Kyle most certainly rocks as well - I just didn't really have any idea where his pricing was at.

Roger
 
Buffalohump said:
I guess budget wise would be around $500 - $700. I'm just looking for something of a fairly high standard.
Click to expand...

there is a long long list of very qualified makers who work in that range.

any other requirements on your part that might help narrow the field slightly


? Handle Material
? Preffered Steel
? w/ or w/out Hamon
? length
? special patterns (recurve, clip point, S-Guard, etc)
? file work


some makers specialize to one degree or another
 
RogerP said:
Yes - Karl most definitley rocks. Problem with lists is you always leave somone out.

Kyle most certainly rocks as well - I just didn't really have any idea where his pricing was at.

Roger
Click to expand...

You're right. I usually e-mail so if I do forget, I don't get into trouble. :eek: :cool:

Kyle's $600-$700 on a 7"-9" blade carbon steel bowie with ironwood handle or similar.

I believe we tend to think he's higher than that because some of his embellished, damascus frame handle pieces can run double the above.
 
I'm sorry. I apologize.
Since I was a kid, they always told me I was in some kind of category by myself.
Something about "special".....
 
like I said earlier all make great knives I have expierence with Matt Lamey's blades and a piece like this should be in your range. There are also some excellent deals on the second hand market right now.
Lamey002.jpg
 
Karl B. Andersen said:
I'm sorry. I apologize.
Since I was a kid, they always told me I was in some kind of category by myself.
Something about "special".....
Click to expand...

You are special, Karl, but it's the good kind of special!

Wow! there are some very nice knives being posted up in this thread as examples. Very nice knives Senor Fritz.

Joe, the top of that Lamey sheath is crooked. Who made that?

Paul
 
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