Western 49 Bowie

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OMEGA DOOM

Joined
Jul 18, 2004
Messages
65
what model is THE best out there i know they made diff knives during the 60s 70s 80s 90s but what is the best. i seen a few with 420HC high carbon stainless steel do they get any better?
 
OMEGA DOOM said:
what model is THE best out there i know they made diff knives during the 60s 70s 80s 90s but what is the best. i seen a few with 420HC high carbon stainless steel do they get any better?
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First off, 420hc isn't "high carbon" It is higher carbon when compared to regular 420, but not higher than any other steel used in cutlery. It's carbon content is .45, not even 1/2 of 1%.

If you are looking to use the knife get one of the older knives made of carbon steel. They will hold an edge better and the quality of the finish of the older carbon steel blades was better than the stainless blades. The flats on the stainless blades look wavy because of buffing. 420 stainless is junk and a sign that the manufacturer no longer cares about the quality of the product they are producing.


Drew
 
Ilovetoolsteel said:
First off, 420hc isn't "high carbon" It is higher carbon when compared to regular 420, but not higher than any other steel used in cutlery. It's carbon content is .45, not even 1/2 of 1%.

If you are looking to use the knife get one of the older knives made of carbon steel. They will hold an edge better and the quality of the finish of the older carbon steel blades was better than the stainless blades. The flats on the stainless blades look wavy because of buffing. 420 stainless is junk and a sign that the manufacturer no longer cares about the quality of the product they are producing.


Drew
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I'm not sure, but I think the dude just has really, REALLY, poor grammar.
 
It IS a damn shame that the W-49 Bowie isn't re-done, with a slightly lower clip top...(a 1/2" narrower blade), a shorter/straight hand guard, either 154CM or 440C steel for the blade, and the handle out of G-10.

Now, THAT would be a KNIFE!.:).
 
the ontario marine raider bowie looks alot the same and is made in 1095 carbon steel if you are going to buy a bowie I would look at these
 
If you want traditional Bowie styling for a low price, I would go with one of the Windlass Steelcrafts Bowies from Atlanta Cutlery - they are all made from carbon steel & there are more than 1/2 dozen different models to choose from for less than $100.
 
I have one of the old ones, one I bought back in the early 80's. I also have a newer one made by camillius since taking over western. The quality of the "F & F" is not as good as the old one, but it performs quite well all things considered. I do have to say, even though I am not a fan of 420, that on the new one the 420 works fine as it primarily is a chopper.
 
Hi There glockman
You are almost describing the "modification" Bill Bagwell shows in his Big Blades etc... book. I have an older western W49 to modify.
Phil :)
 
pmel018 said:
Hi There glockman
You are almost describing the "modification" Bill Bagwell shows in his Big Blades etc... book. I have an older western W49 to modify.
Phil :)
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Exactly...I did that to a W-94 that I had (as well as modifiying the handle), and it turned out to be an ALOT better knife with those mods, than it was when it was "stock".
 
If you want traditional Bowie styling for a low price, I would go with one of the Windlass Steelcrafts Bowies from Atlanta Cutlery - they are all made from carbon steel & there are more than 1/2 dozen different models to choose from for less than $100.
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James Green Dragon, do you own one of the Atlanta Cutlery bowies? I'd want to hear from someone who does before I bought one. Atlanta Cutlery does not have a great reputation.

CAS Iberia has an ad on the back cover of the latest Blade Magazine, announcing some similar historical bowies. They might be made by Hanwei in China, and if that is the case, I definitely go with one of theirs before I bought an Indian made Atlanta Cutlery bowie. I have yet to read any good reports about knives made in India.
 
they have the worst fit and finish you coul imagine. I loosened up the handle on one just chopping small branches. They take and hold a good edge though.
 
Ilovetoolsteel said:
First off, 420hc isn't "high carbon" It is higher carbon when compared to regular 420, but not higher than any other steel used in cutlery. It's carbon content is .45, not even 1/2 of 1%.

If you are looking to use the knife get one of the older knives made of carbon steel. They will hold an edge better and the quality of the finish of the older carbon steel blades was better than the stainless blades. The flats on the stainless blades look wavy because of buffing. 420 stainless is junk and a sign that the manufacturer no longer cares about the quality of the product they are producing.


Drew
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Hmmm, hasn't Buck been using 420hc for about 40 years?

I'm not a big fan of stainless but there is a lot of myth surrounding it. 420 gets used on a lot of really cheap (and I mean quality) stuff and the soft stuff is unsuitable for most cutlery needs.

Lumping 420j2 and 420hc together is like lumping Yugo in with Maserati.

For an axe of a bowie, one can still find the Pakastani copies of this in non-stainless for about $12. Regrind to suit.

GC
 
Does anyone know anything about the Bowies sold by STANLEY LONDON ??? The site provides the dimensions, Weights & type of steel, With good photos, But they leave you guessing, On wether you're looking at full tang const. or not, They have 2 under $100, & a Damascus blade for over $400, For their total line, & if theres a way to contact THEM & ask questions, I'm unable to find it ..
 
I've had a Western 49 since it was new in the 70s, & would never think of letting it go, I love everything about it, But I never really liked its z shaped guard...
 
I've been thinking real hard about scoring myself an Ontario Marine Raider copy of my W-49, & USING that one, & reserving/preserving my old Western as an extra ...
 
Ilovetoolsteel said:
420 stainless is junk and a sign that the manufacturer no longer cares about the quality of the product they are producing.
Drew
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really:confused: Buck seems to do alright with theirs and Camillus bought Western and produced the Bowie until they closed (i think) and Camillus knew how to make a knife so i'm thinking the w-49 would be just fine with it.
just my opinion and i dont wanna turn this thread into the Mythical Buck 420 thread from a few months ago;)
cheers
ivan
 
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