The more I learn, the harder my Bowie choice becomes

B

Big Ugly Tall Texan

Joined
Jan 27, 2006
Messages
107
I had made up my mind on the American 49 Bowie, but it was not a perfect choice. The blade is wider than I believe the true Bowie knife was and I didn't like that birds head on the end. So I looked some more and found Bear and Sons. Can anybody tell me about the quality of those knive?
 
Mixed quality. They do look nice and the ones I've handled had a good build quality, but the materials leave something to be desired. Personally, I'd buy a Bear bowie, but only if it were on closeout somewhere. Sierra Trading Post has them sometimes.

-Bob
 
Fallkniven Thor! Seriously, you have lots of choices, just stay away from 440A, 440B or 420, or anything that says high carbon stainless. High carbon steel is fine, and tough, you just have to maintain it a little to keep it from rusting.
 
Lokk, if you or a friend is good with leather work, order the Primitive Bowie from Atlanta Cutlery and pay to have them sharpen it. It still will need more sharpening, but it will be better than what I have. Then, you or the above friend make a period appropriate scabbard for it, since the one that comes with it is junk. Then you will have an historically correct piece that will do damned near anything you ask of it.
 
A friend and I spent part of last weekend putting a good working edge on my primitive Bowie and it made all of the difference. Now, if I can do somehing about that terrible scabbard.
 
Hugh,
I have one,I bought it after seeing The Alamo,I believe it was a knockoff of the Jason Patric/Jim Bowie,Bowie knife,before it grew hardware as the movie progressed.
Had the primary edge hollow ground,am just careful when using it as I don't know how well attached the handle is.It is made in India.
The blade is very wide.Edited to add.The scabbard does suck.

Doug
 
Tex, that's the reason why we collect knives.
There is no one true bowie. There are many.
You should have at least one of each school...
Big Butcher style, by Schively
Guardless Coffin Handle style, byJames Black.
California Gold Rush style(s), by Price, Will & Finke, Bell.
And a couple of the
Sheffield style.

Reach deep in those pockets, it's gunna be a long ride :D
 
This is the one I am buying

bearbowieknife.jpg


because it is the design I have always thought of when I thought of a Bowie knife.

Is this a Sheffield style or what. That Atlanta Cutlery Primitive is sure close to the Musso design and I almost bought it, but I was concerned about the workmanship.

The Bear MGC I am buying is American made. I just wish it was carbon steel and not stainless.
 
I guess you could call it generic sheffield, if there is such a thing ;)
Good luck with it.
Maybe a review after you've lived with it for a while?
 
Ebbtide,
We may need BRL on this one.:)Generic Sheffield. :confused:Doesn't the clip look a little long on Tex's to be considered that?Dunno'! :confused:Have four Sheffield style Bowie's, 3 have the very short clip and one has a slightly longer one,barely half the length of Tex's.
Tex! :D My name is Doug.Castor.I didn't know Phil was Phil over on the Schradeforum for the first six months I was here.Phil's handle here is txtpk and I called him Tex all that time.Apologies to Phil!
Anyhow,I think it is cooler to operate on a first name basis,then we all kinda' know each other on a first name basis.Sorta'.
Unless you prefer Tex.
Sorry for the rant.

Two of my Sheffields are the Nowill's.

Doug



:D
 
leatherbird said:
Tex! :D My name is Doug.Castor.I didn't know Phil was Phil over on the Schradeforum for the first six months I was here.Phil's handle here is txtpk and I called him Tex all that time.Apologies to Phil!
Anyhow,I think it is cooler to operate on a first name basis,then we all kinda' know each other on a first name basis.Sorta'.
Unless you prefer Tex.
Click to expand...

At work, I'm known as BUG. Stands for Big Ugly Gringo.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top