Which bowie for a fighting knife?

M

Monoceros

Joined
Nov 8, 2006
Messages
17
I have been interested in classic bowies for a while now and would like to know what is the best pure fighting bowie for under 500 bucks? I love the look of the ontario bagwells and would like to know if these are any good, as they seem to seem true fighter bowies. It seems as though there are a lot of different bowies out there but I just want a somewhat general consensus as to which company makes a truely fine product. I appreciate any and all help.
 
As a fighting knife I like the configuration of the Cold Steel Trail Master Bowie. The slightly hour-glass shaped checkered handle gives a secure grip in either cut or thrust. The full grind blade gives good cutting performance. The length gives good reach and heft yet it is light enough for quick action. The current SK-5 alloy is a tough carbon steel. They are available online for a lot less than the price Cold Steel lists on their website. For example www.1sks.com (which sponsors Bladeforums) lists it "On Sale! $105.99", but they don't have a picture http://www.1sks.com/store/cold-steel-index-ss4.html#5594. Here it is on the Cold Steel website:
http://www.coldsteel.com/39l16c.html
 
look for a carbon steel bowie with a sharpened clip with a 9 to 10 1/2 inch blade. The ontario bagwells are nice for the money. some come through better finished than others. The only real problem is that they are stainless. For the money you want to spend there are alot of choices. You might even be able to get into a custom. For one look at steve voorhis's work. Alot of knife for the money. Just my opinion

jp
 
I am not planning on fighting anyone Garth, I just love the look of a fighting bowie. Thanks for all of the responses.
 
Rudy Ruana's Mexican Bowie....just went off list on Ebay for $1100. Purdiest Bowie ever made, but you FIGHTERS never even sprung fer' it.
 
wolfyII said:
Rudy Ruana's Mexican Bowie....just went off list on Ebay for $1100. Purdiest Bowie ever made, but you FIGHTERS never even sprung fer' it.
Click to expand...

I'm a lover, not a fighter.

Which, of course, is why I can't spend that kind of money on a knife. Got kids to put through college.
 
1100 bucks is indeed a good many frogskins.....,but how much do each and every one of you FIGHTERS consider your life to be worth. Sittin' around the TV an clutchin' and parryin' with yer Cold Steel or other pseudo-bowie is one thing, but depending on a malleable Mexican axe worthy of the head-loppin' title is another.
 
I have no intention of getting into a knife fight. :eek: (I'd cheat and use a gun:D )

But I'd dearly love to have Bob Dozier make me a Bowie identical to the Cold Steel Trailmaster, but from D-2 and with genuine ivory scales.;)

Unfortunately, that will probably remain on my wish list for life.:(
 
Ben Dover said:
I have no intention of getting into a knife fight. :eek: (I'd cheat and use a gun:D )

But I'd dearly love to have Bob Dozier make me a Bowie identical to the Cold Steel Trailmaster, but from D-2 and with genuine ivory scales.;)

Unfortunately, that will probably remain on my wish list for life.:(
Click to expand...
:thumbup: Nice dream.......
 
Ek, model 5
DSCN2560.jpg
 
For a fighting knife you want a tough alloy more than a wear resistant alloy. SK-5 is superior to D2 for this application. D2 would be more brittle than SK-5. You want a knife made from a lower-alloy and lower-carbon steel. SK-5 is good, 5160 is good, 1075 or 1084 would be good. Don't go for stainless and don't go for most wonder steels except for the tough ones. You might go with a laminated blade or a differentially hardened one, but simple carbon steel will do the trick.

You could get something like a Trail Master and put a custom handle on it. It might make a good hobby project.
 
I have a voorhis large bowie that I like really well and they are a lot of knife for the money $500 or less.
 
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