Traditional Bowie

H

HuntingKnives

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Jun 7, 2013
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Hi guys, This is my first post to BladeForums, I have been searching for a good bowie knifeor a large chopper like a bolo . It must be traditional.... you know like leather sheath ( this can be an exception as I can easily make one) micarta or wood handles, dont really care what kind of steel just has to be durable. Try to keep the blade around 6-8 inches, nothing HUGE. It NEEDS to be full tang. My price range is around $150-$200. Any suggestions??

Please Reply
THANKS
 
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Blind horse knives makes the lumberjack toothpick that fits your description pretty well but the price is a little bit higher. Svord makes an awesome bowie but it's big. A good cheap alternative is the condor hudson bay, the fit and finish are a little rough but it is a nice big chunk of steel and it comes with a great leather sheath.
 
You could always hunt around on the big auction site for a western w49 bowie. They're a nice big slab of steel!
 
The Bark River Grasso Bolo 1 would be a solid choice. You might also want to check out their "Trail Buddy III."
 
I haven't handled a Bark River Bowie but I have handled other Bark Rivers and was very impressed!
 
HuntingKnives said:
Hi guys, This is my first post to BladeForums, I have been searching for a good bowie knifeor a large chopper like a bolo . It must be traditional.... you know like leather sheath ( this can be an exception as I can easily make one) micarta or wood handles, dont really care what kind of steel just has to be durable. Try to keep the blade around 6-8 inches, nothing HUGE. It NEEDS to be full tang. My price range is around $150-$200. Any suggestions??

Please Reply
THANKS
Click to expand...
If I were you I would contact John at JK knives about one of his Gambler's Bowies.
120oto2.jpg

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php/830-JK-Handmade-Knives
 
Kabar Bowie, 7” blade, stacked leather handles, $50

Buck Special, 6” blade, cocobolo handles, $80

Muela CAZ-16, 6 ½” blade, stag handles, $113
 
Question:

Are traditional bowies full tang?

My sense is that traditional bowies have full length hidden tangs, no?

Nothing wrong with full (exposed) tang (slab handled) knives using a traditional bowie blade profile. But are there examples of that combination among vintage knives?

I'm asking out of ignorance.
 
HuntingKnives said:
What about the Bark River Knives Grasso Bolo I?? Are they good??
http://www.bladehq.com/item--Bark-River-Knives-Grasso-Bolo-I--16164
Click to expand...


p1015819.jpg

Bark River Knives - Grasso Bolo Series (GB-I Center)


p1015847s.jpg

Bark River Knives - Grasso Bolo I



The Bark River Knives - Grasso Bolo I is indeed a very good performer.

In my testing I found the GB-I to be very close in performance to the larger GB-II.

And it is small enough to be easily carried on the trail.

I don't know of a better chopper in it's size range. :thumbup: :cool: :thumbup:





Big Mike
 
Svord has a smaller 6 7/8th inch version of their massive Von Tempsky bowie http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/SVOVTR/svord-vtr-von-tempsky-ranger-knife-6-78-carbon-steel-blade-wood-handles-leather-sheath

It's an extremely tough knife that has a very rugged, almost primitive look to it. The very good Swedish L6 Cold work steel ( Data provided by Latrobe http://www.latrobesteel.com/assets/documents/datasheets/LSS_L6.pdf ) comes convexed and very sharp. The full size is not much more if you want an 11 inch blade. :)

Another traditional looking knife that is rarely seen over here, and usually needs ordering is the Sheffield Bowie seen here: http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/IXL6054/IXL-Wostenholm-6-inch-Bowie-with-Stag-Handle It is made of English EN 9 steel equal to around 1060-70 carbon steel. Not nearlly the quality knife build wise, or steel wise as L6 but it sure looks like the "cowboy" knives of my youth.

The Large, or huge Von Tempsky bowies are very high quality working knives that look rough. I'd take them any day over a sleek, finely made pretty knife that just won't hold up. In fact there are very few knives that will hold up like the Svord Von Tempsky lines. Nope, not as pretty as a Bark River but I'd think twice before puting up any BRK up against the rugged but rustic Svord durability wise. I have both Von Tempsky's, and numerous BRK's including models in A2, 52100, and 3V. Ergonomics on the Von tempskys are a bit primitive compared to a nice BRK, or Black jack but not to the point it would bother me or sway my choice.

The Svords would get the first choice pick from me in very cold weather. That Nickel steel is known for cold weather toughness.

I believe it's ok to use knife center for this as it's a paying dealer here at BF's.

Joe
 
The Svord is a very tuff knife. Stupid is ,what stupid dose. I sold it. :( I put it through hell & it just soaked up the punishment.


 
pinnah said:
Question:

Are traditional bowies full tang?

My sense is that traditional bowies have full length hidden tangs, no?

Nothing wrong with full (exposed) tang (slab handled) knives using a traditional bowie blade profile. But are there examples of that combination among vintage knives?

I'm asking out of ignorance.
Click to expand...

Difficult question to answer since there is no strict definition of what constitutes a bowie. But some historical pieces had full tang construction as evinced by Caiaphas Ham's bowie.

- Christian
 
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