What, exactly, constitutes a "Bowie" knife? (also, boo-ee or bow-ee)

J

J.Davey

Joined
Feb 10, 2004
Messages
1,620
Anytime I see "mini Bowie", or anything knife with a blade under 9 inches labeled a Bowie, I cringe a bit. Does a clip point make a knife a Bowie? I don't think so, personally. To me, it's like calling ANY knife with a blade between 9 and 15 inches a "Bowie". Is a Smatchet a Bowie??? Nope.

The pronunciation thing is just a curiosity. I've always said 'BOW-ee', and always will.
 
Good question, I would imagine any fixed blade that resembles the original used by Jim Bowie. The folks on Cutlery Corner may have a different opinion.
 
J.Davey said:
Anytime I see "mini Bowie", or anything knife with a blade under 9 inches labeled a Bowie, I cringe a bit. Does a clip point make a knife a Bowie? I don't think so, personally. To me, it's like calling ANY knife with a blade between 9 and 15 inches a "Bowie". Is a Smatchet a Bowie??? Nope.

The pronunciation thing is just a curiosity. I've always said 'BOW-ee', and always will.
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The clip / trailing point is a hallmark of the Bowie knife. Although, originally, it was a plain butcher blade. The butcher knife is still one of the most efficient patterns worldwide... Go figure...
 
Many would say "any large fixed blade."

I kind of like the Bowie knife history, so I lean more towards "in the style of the documented knives Bowie carried"

e.g., this

BDQrg7F.jpg
 
marcinek said:
Many would say "any large fixed blade."

I kind of like the Bowie knife history, so I lean more towards "in the style of the documented knives Bowie carried"

e.g., this

BDQrg7F.jpg
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This is a knife I want !
 
herisson said:
This is a knife I want !
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Something between this and the above uploaded picture. I'm definitely in... The interesting historical fact is that the gauchos did seldom use the Verijero - shorter, thinner - (introduced end of 19th century). They were just happy to use their overly long usual blade (falcon, daga, punal, or whatever). This tells a lot about knife use...
 
afishhunter said:
Shame that You Tube ain't got audio at a level you can actually hear what is being said, even with the audio on your device at maximun volume. :(
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My hearing level is actually quite fine. I'm definitely surprised at this as I was subjected to extreme audio stresses trough out my professional life. Go figure... And to be polite : If you have something to say, explain it. Linking to a crappy video doesn't do it.
 
herisson said:
The clip / trailing point is a hallmark of the Bowie knife. Although, originally, it was a plain butcher blade. The butcher knife is still one of the most efficient patterns worldwide... Go figure...
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Ya' know, I've always hoped someone would make a "Scimitar" butcher knife style in a true outdoor size (12 inch blade...minimum, 1/4", high saber grind). And a decent handle.
 
marcinek said:
Few people that want a very historically accurate Bowie realize that they already have one in their kitchen

pu7y7Bj.jpg
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Hey, hey shame on you to make people realize some of their favourite patterns are just butcher knives !
 
J.Davey said:
Ya' know, I've always hoped someone would make a "Scimitar" butcher knife style in a true outdoor size (12 inch blade...minimum, 1/4", high saber grind). And a decent handle.
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You got it : F.Dick, Victorinox, Foerster, and american brands like Green River / Ontario Knives, make splendid knives in the butcher department. I currently use one of their largest butcher as a garden machete. It is a scimitar and a machete... Very exciting !
 
T
marcinek said:
Few people that want a very historically accurate Bowie realize that they already have one in their kitchen

pu7y7Bj.jpg
Click to expand...
This looks very much alike an Argentinian Verijero. Butchering and all that kind of stuff (castrating, too, sorry but it has to be done, so they say.)
 
herisson said:
You got it : F.Dick, Victorinox, Foerster, and american brands like Green River / Ontario Knives, make splendid knives in the butcher department. I currently use one of their largest butcher as a garden machete. It is a scimitar and a machete... Very exciting !
Click to expand...
 
herisson said:
You got it : F.Dick, Victorinox, Foerster, and american brands like Green River / Ontario Knives, make splendid knives in the butcher department. I currently use one of their largest butcher as a garden machete. It is a scimitar and a machete... Very exciting !
Click to expand...

Yeah, I know of the knives available. Please re-read the post you're replying to. No disrespect meant.
 
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