What "spins your crank" with the bowie crowd... Wow!

[steve-in-kville]

One of my latest investments arrived today, BK&T 7. This thing is HUGE!! Can't imagine what the #9 or a big bowie might be like. I really dig this knife!! Nice balance, came nice and sharp.

BTW, if you haven't noticed, this is the biggest knife I've had so far.

Possibly someone could recommend a reasonably priced production bowie? I will need one for each car, each room of the house, my wife....


steve

 

[Chambers]

Personally I love the hell out of My Ontario Bagwell bowie. They run in the $100-$150 range wich in my book ain't bad considering how sweet they are. I have the Hells Bell model georgous knife man, Big puppy too. BTW Cold steel puts out a great series of bowies in a pretty wide range of prices I think from around $60 and up.

 

[John Watson]

I picked up and unused Ontario RTAK from a guy over on the other forum just this week. I already had the Cold Steel Trailmaster and the coffin handled Gerber Bowie. The RTAK is supposed to have a 10" blade but it sure looks a lot bigger especially next to the other two. It may be because the blade is so much wider than the other two. It isn't as thick as either of the others, thank God or it would be way too heavy.

I like all three. The normal price is around $80 for the RTAK. The Becker is cheaper than any of the ones that I have.

I see no reason why the Becker shouldn't give good service in an emergency and carried in your car for that purpose. I can't think of anything cheaper that I would trust. I think even the Greco knives of that size would be more than the Becker.

If you would like a picture of the three together, I could arrange that. Just email me.

 

[Josh Feltman]

For slightly more than the cost of a production bowie, you could get something hand made by somebody like Ted Frizzell of Mineral Mountain Hatchet Works. I've been very pleased with my White River bowie.
--Josh

 

[glockman99]

Get either an Ontario/Bagwell Hell's Belle or a Camillus/Becker BK-9. I have both, and although they are totally different "Bowie knives" by design, they are both excellent for what they are designed for...(The Hells' Belle being a "fighter", and the BK-9 as a "Combat knife").

 

[steve-in-kville]

Thanks, guys. I had read an article on Cold Steels line of re-production bowies a long time back. I may look into them a little closer.

I also will look at Ontario's line. I want to give the BK&T #7 a good work out, then maybe purchase another BK&T.

steve

 

[Semper Fi]

The Becker BK 9 is a heck of a knife at a very good price. I like mine.

 

[MelancholyMutt]

I love bowie knives, but like them short. 6 inches is the perfect length for me. 5 is a good compact size and 7 when I have the space. If I can't do what I want to do with 5 inches, then I'm using the wrong tool.

 

[steve-in-kville]

Thanks for the suggestions.

steve

 

[steve-in-kville]

Just checked out the Ontario Bagwell Bowies. They all looked like sweet knives! The one had a 11" blade. Looks like something I'd be afraid to use, just put in the curio cabinet to look at!!


steve

 

[swede79]

It's hard to go wrong with a Becker. Another Bowie that I'm really starting to enjoy is the Cold Steel Bush Ranger. They are being discontinued, you can pick up a factory 2nd for around $40 or $50. Pretty much the same steel as the Beckers (I think), not too thick, and great balance!

Give one a try!

 

[RobertHankins]

the original Iron Mistress Bowie from the movie!

 

[bquinlan]

I recently picked up a Paragon-made and Larry Harley designed Slim Battle Bowie from A.G. Russell.

This is a 7.6" blade that feels weightless in the hand. The balance point is right at the index finger indent. It is not a great chopper, but it has excelled at everything else I've thrown at it.

The Beckers are still better bargains though. I don't think anything can beat them on price vs performance.

--Bob Q

 

[Guro_Jeff]

i have a custom bowie made by Kevin Cashen... by far the BEST i have seen of this breed in over 23 years of owning and collecting...

Kevin's pricing is incredibly reasonable for a using bowie...

handle design and alignment is great

blades are forged, and tapered distally

light in the hand, very fine detailing and grind lines are impeccable

point is perfect relative to the handle

understated, strong as heck... simply perfect.

try him out, you won't be disappointed.

respects, Guro Jeff

 

[UnclePhilthy]

Originally posted by MelancholyMutt:

>>>>If I can't do what I want to do with 5 inches, then I'm using the wrong tool.

My ol'lady has been saying that same sh*t for years.....never figured out what it meant.....

I once traded a .36 Navy Colt for a real hand made "Smithsonian" Bowie. It was big and heavy with a big solid brass hilt and a handle made from elk horn....I used to bring it out at parties ocasionally and it got known as my 'cerimonial sword'.

The dude that built it, ground the blade from a big piece of stock that was originally used as a chipper blade in a pulp mill. It was scarry sharp.

My oldest son now has possesion...I miss it sometimes.

Philthy

 

[Keith Montgomery]

I don't consider knives like the Beckers and the Ontario RTAK to be Bowies. As far as I am concerned they fit more into the bush or camp knife classification. Just because a knife is big and has a clip point doesn't make it a Bowie. Most of these knives look more like small machetes than they do Bowies. For it to be a true Bowie the clip should be sharpened or at the very least have a false edge. A guard is not needed.

My recommendation for a true Bowie that is well priced and exceptionally well made is the Ted Frizzell/Mineral Mountain K-19. If you want to spend somewhat less, look at some of Ted's guardless models.

If you want to spend under the price of these knives I would recommend looking at the Ontario Bill Bagwell Bowies. I don't find the handles to be all that comfortable, but that is for my hand.

If you are looking at spending under $100.00, I can't think of anything that I can recommend.

Sorry if this seems like I am a Bowie snob, but it is my consideration that there are many knives being called Bowies that just don't fit the mold.