Recommendation? The Case Bowie Knife?

Eh. I like bowies, but that particular one....not so much due to the handle. Not aesthetically pleasing to me if even to only hang on a wall.
 
As someone who likes cake, and who likes nice clean slices, that is a horrible knife for cutting and type of cake or pastry dessert. You are just going to smush it all. No one likes smashed dessert. No one.
 
In addition to the Buck 124 Frontiersman or 916 Bowie, can anyone recommend another American-made Bowie, that would be suitable as a presentation knife?

CUs3uvS.jpeg
 
Last edited:
Check out the Cold Steel 1917 Frontier Bowie for wall hanging and cake slicing. It would also do well in a woods or SD scenario. I think you can still find them. Edit: My bad. It isn't made in America. Condor has some nice bowies in your price range, and South America is still America. If you like the looks of the Case bowie I think you'd dig this one: https://www.knifecenter.com/item/CN...bon-steel-blade-walnut-handles-leather-sheath
 
W. Anderson said:
Check out the Cold Steel 1917 Frontier Bowie for wall hanging and cake slicing. It would also do well in a woods or SD scenario. I think you can still find them. Edit: My bad. It isn't made in America. Condor has some nice bowies in your price range, and South America is still America. If you like the looks of the Case bowie I think you'd dig this one: https://www.knifecenter.com/item/CN...bon-steel-blade-walnut-handles-leather-sheath
Click to expand...
Good looking knife. Is it any good?
 
SanLuisObispo said:
In addition to the Buck 124 Frontiersman or 916 Bowie, can anyone recommend another American-made Bowie, that would be suitable as a presentation knife?
Click to expand...

What do you mean by "presentation knife"?

Is that the same as a wall hanger for cutting cake? That's what you asked us about.
 
T
SanLuisObispo said:
Good looking knife. Is it any good?
Click to expand...
They handle well, look good and are made of decent steel. I can 100% recommend at those price points. Expect the CS Frontier bowie to come less than shaving sharp, but that is easily remedied. As far as the Condor, the fit and finish is as good as my example of the Svord Von Tempsky, and has a better sheath. Just my opinion.
 
If you really want that Case Bowie get a beat up cheaper one.
Trim the guard if you want and you can even change the handle some.
Polish it up and it'll be yours.
Is it the best out there? No. But does it have to be?
No Bowie knife collection is complete without one :)
BowiesBowie_1.jpg


W49Headhunter-1403.jpg

I vote for the Western W49 myself. See above about purchasing and modifying :)
 
W. Anderson said:
T

They handle well, look good and are made of decent steel. I can 100% recommend at those price points. Expect the CS Frontier bowie to come less than shaving sharp, but that is easily remedied. As far as the Condor, the fit and finish is as good as my example of the Svord Von Tempsky, and has a better sheath. Just my opinion.
Click to expand...
Many thanks. I appreciate it...
 
The Case is based on the Collins #18 Bowie-Machete, a version of which was chosen as a AAF/AAC survival knife during WWII. Case, Kinfolks, and Western would later make their own versions to help bolster Collins production. The Collins and Western (Bx-54 Bushman) have the best hand feel.

The Case version suffers from too short and too thick a handle in my opinion, also the changed grind style on the recent versions is meh compared to the WWII models. The grip is the real sticking point though, it really scrunches your hand between the guard and bird's beak and it's way thicker than 90% of the knives you'll find today.

If you like the style, find a vintage Western W-49 or maybe try the Ontario Marine Raider.

Cold Steel makes a copy of the Western W-49 as their Wild West Bowie, but I haven't seen enough reviews of it to judge it.

Edit - The plastic on the Case is a bit slippery too. If you've held or owned an Ontario mil issue machete, it's the same.
 
Last edited:
tltt said:
The Case is based on the Collins #18 Bowie-Machete, a version of which was chosen as a AAF/AAC survival knife during WWII. Case, Kinfolks, and Western would later make their own versions to help bolster Collins production. The Collins and Western (Bx-54 Bushman) have the best hand feel.

The Case version suffers from too short and too thick a handle in my opinion, also the changed grind style on the recent versions is meh compared to the WWII models. The grip is the real sticking point though, it really scrunches your hand between the guard and bird's beak and it's way thicker than 90% of the knives you'll find today.

If you like the style, find a vintage Western W-49 or maybe try the Ontario Marine Raider.

Cold Steel makes a copy of the Western W-49 as their Wild West Bowie, but I haven't seen enough reviews of it to judge it.

Edit - The plastic on the Case is a bit slippery too. If you've held or owned an Ontario mil issue machete, it's the same.
Click to expand...

Thank you so much for this history. It's fascinating to learn about the history of this knife. Quite a proud heritage...

tGiIjvO.jpg
 
Never mind the knife snobs, if you like it, then that's all that counts. Some people buy exclusive knives made from meteors and unicorn horns that could cleave the earth and can still shave arm hair only to keep them in a dark safe. They don't care about my opinion so why should you?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top