Who's Your Favorite Bowie Maker and Why?

[Jerry Hossom]

Another who is very hard to beat in the bowie genre especially a fighting bowie is Rob Patton. Here's one of his with a companion hawk to go with it. You have to hold this knife to believe it. It flies!

 

[Happy Camper]

There are a bunch of beutiful Bowies in this thread, but I'm surprized nobody has mentioned Terry Primos! I just got my first Bowie from him (picture and specs in separate thread here), and it is simply astounding!

Personally, I think his Bowies are underpriced, but as such they fall right in the price range given, and it's a heck of a value as such.

 

[RogerP]

Charles Ochs - everything on this forged Bowie is highly ploished, from the stag handles and brass fittings to the mirror finished blade. Another knife with great balance and a nice, quick feel.

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[Danbo]

Keep them pics a comin! By the way, I am on Micheal Connor's long waiting list. Have no idea where on the list either. I will fire up the ole digital camera this weekend and see what else I can come up with.

 

[NickWheeler]

Me, me, me..

Seriously though, this is an awesome thread and I love all the photos! So far the list accumulated is all great makers and I totally agree with why each has been listed. I am surprised to not see Alex Daniels name more, and I don't think I saw Rich McDonald's name, but from what I've seen he does great bowies.

Thanks!
Nick

 

[DancesWithKnives]

I have one from Bill Herndon that won Best Fighter at the Oregon show some years ago. Also a really nice Barton Bowie (sadly, he passed away a year or two ago).

 

[Bladeandbarrel]

There is no best Bowie maker.

Fisk, Dean, Crowell, Connor, Neeley, Flournoy, Massey, Williams, and Fitch all rolled into one would be pretty awesome. All have unique characteristics that make tehir knives uniquely perfect in their own way.

I own knives by many makers. I think you can catch some makers at different points of their career and get a terrific knife that is also a terrific value. Currently I would put John Fitch and Roger Massey into that category. Their knives are as good as anyones and better than most but still priced reasonably.

As far as a piece of working art that will be collectible for many years in the future, I would personally choose Fisk because Jerry makes a superbly crafted knife at a premium price that will also become more valuable because Jerry is Jerry. Fisk is also accesible and not wrapped in a cloud of bullshirt and vanity like a lot of other equally as talented, but less prolific makers.

Harvey Dean also stands out because he is always striving to make a better blade although few can spot the flaws now except for Harvey.

Attached is a picture of a Joe Flournoy fighting bowie.
It is not my favorite bowie, but probably my most valuable one and is very well done. Flournoy makes superb fighters that just happen to look like Bowie knives. The ladder pattern is gorgeous and the handle is aged ivory.

The bottom line is -Buy what you like within your budget. Some of these knives will appreciate, some will not. Look for clean workmanship and good fit and finish. If anyone tells you their knives are crudely made because they make "period" knives, walk away.
Knives that look like trash now will look like trash to future generations as well. The Classic Bowie will never go out of style.
After 160 years it is stronger than ever.

 

[Mongo]

Wow! Keep 'em coming.... just what I need after having the flu. Now I have me yet another case of Bowie Fever! Seriously, there are some beautiful bowies here, most I will never be able to afford...either time-wise or money (yet?). I salute all the makers mentioned and pic'd here as well as many that haven't yet deserve to be. I am fairly new in getting into serious (i.e. good quality ) knives, and I have BFC and all of you fountains of knowledge here to thank for educating me on what is good. I have always loved Bowies and it is threads like this one that allow me to plot my next move!
Thanks everybody, and keep the pics coming.
Much like Danbo.... droolin' on my keyboard, Mongo

 

[Jim Richardson]

I've always enjoyed the variety of expression found in Bowies. Here are pics from six different makers and their vision of a Bowie.

Here's a Ken Richardson with carved and scrimed Antler. Blade is 10+", double edged and too sharp to even think about.

Ron Leuschen of Little Hen Knives did this one. It's had forged and differentially tempered O-1 Steel with a burled maple handle.

This one is a Washburn with a hammered copper guard. It's one of my favorites.

Larry Mensch did this upscale Bowie and the smaller Utility to go with it.

Terry Urdal from down in deep Texas did this one.

And this is one from David Brodziak from Down Under.

 

[PhilL]

I love Bowies, but I have only one custom it was made by Max Burnett of Ogg Custom Knives. It was modeled after a Daniel Winkler Bowie.

My next custom Bowie will also be by Max Burnett, it will be a Scagel style Bowie inspired by a knife made by Wayne Goddard for Ed Fowler. Max is my buddy and one heck of a knife maker and I'm convinced there's nothing he can't do, as long as I bring him a project that interests him. I think his name will be right up there one day with Winkler, Goddard & Fowler, it's just a matter of time.

 

[Mongo]

Wow! More beauties! Mr. Richardson, are these pics out of your collection? If so, I am impressed and ashamedly jealous. I especially like the first one... is Ken Richardson a relation? That is a very nice piece. Heck, all of them are beyond nice.
Keep 'em coming everybody.
Wearing a large bib, Mongo

 

[V.Oller]

I have to admit I'm partial to Rob Patton, Bill Bagwell, Wendell Fox and Jerry Hossom.

Just my .02¢


Vince

 

[MtMike]

Thanks to all who've added to this OUTSTANDING discussion. Saturday morning I saw the first few entries, including a mention of Keith Kilby's bowies. Two hours later I was at the Crossroads show in Denver, and guess what I saw on one of the tables? A damascus and stag Kilby which the owner had picked up in Albuquerque only a few weeks ago !! I'd seen pictures before, but never had a chance to actually see and handle one. Hi-lite of the show !! (the story of how the owner got the knife was also unbelievable, but I'm sure he wouldn't want it posted here !!)
I've got to post a vote for Max Burnett too -thanks for reminding me Phil- Max did a beautiful refinishing job on one of his late father's knives (Bob Ogg for those who don't know.) It's Bob's version of a 6" fighter (similar to the RMK mod 15), and it's now my "favorite" knife. (sorry Lee, it's not for sale !)
MtMike

 

[Jose Reyes]

Here's a pic of a Fowler bowie, there are more examples in his book, "Knife Talk".

 

[Roger Gregory]

Tim Lively makes some really good bowies. Fully forged, hand-powered, Neo-Tribal knives.....

This one is O-1 with mild steel fittings, osage orange handle, stick tang, great filework and a forged Spanish notch.