Windlass mini bowie

[PocketKnifeJimmy]

I actually ordered two versions of these mini bowies (each just over 4" long) made by Windlass Steelcrafts in India. I have always looked at their products as being very spotty and hit or miss. No different here, with my having sent one back because of poor craftsmanship and a cracked handle... while this other one is a real keeper in every way

Here it is with a quarter and pen for size comparison... The detail is executed very nicely, imo

 

[Ten4leader]

Wow, the detail work is amazing

 

[PocketKnifeJimmy]

Yes, thank you! I do wish I had taken pics of the one that got sent back for a replacement, it simply was on the other side of things. Kind'a like night and day. The other one had a cracked handle and much less care in overall detail. I am hoping the replacement will come to the quality level of this one. Windlass is capable of doing decent to very good work, but are seemingly not yet to the level where they can be considered consistant, imo. One thing about Windlass, they still use alot of hands on work, and can represent some, what we still consider, hand craftsmanship, when they get it right

 

[PocketKnifeJimmy]

I was just in the process of wiping her down, and even though this pic may be a bit blurry, it still shows how this miniature knife has a full length and diameter tang! I continue to be impressed with the level of detail this item has, especially at it's very low purchasing price. If this knife were made in the USA, I would guess it would easily carry a $100 or more price tag, imo. None of the pics above do it total justice... it really is that nice. I am pleasantly surprised with this specimen

 

[PocketKnifeJimmy]

Hmm, seems I was way off in "assuming" these miniature Windlass Steelcrafts bowie knives are products of India. I was again doing an inspection of this little beauty, and it was funny, because I was thinking to myself that the Indian made products are fast catching up to the Chinese made items (which have done leaps and bounds from back in the day stuff). Then, I notice on one side of the miniature bowie blade the word Windlass, followed by PRC. So, it seems that Windlass is also having things made in the Peoples Republic of China. I believe the labor costs in India are actually lower than in China, but the detail involved in making these miniatures may be a bit more than the Indian firm can handle correctly in their home locations, so China likely gets the work (still being cheap labor, and quality a few levels higher than the India firm can currently handle). I know Windlass purchased Spain's Marto cutlery firm some years ago, so maybe they also have factories in China now. Or, maybe they just contract Chinese firms to do it for them. In any case, it seems the days of a Windlass Steelcrafts product being made in India, is no longer a given.

Btw, I believe Windlass Steelcrafts is currently the leader in the world for producing total number of swords. They are one of the accepted makers for atleast one of our military's dress swords (Marines). They hold other contracts around the world for military swords/cutlery. I still feel a bit iffy on most of their stuff... but believe improvements may be happening as they grow and expand their production locations (learning and sharing as they go along). Cold Steel has a knife I am considering buying soon, and I know Windlass is the one making it for them. So, diversity and learning continue for me and my collection

 

[PocketKnifeJimmy]

Ahh... so now i wonder, did the egg or the chicken come first?...
AG Russel seems to have sold miniature bowies that were also made in the PRC, and sold under the Wrangler tradename (yeah, same Wrangler tradename as the jean company). Seems a US knife firm paid for the rights to use the tradename for knife branding. Anyhow, I am not sure if the Wrangler bowies predate those offered by Windlass.. but I believe they do.
My guess is that the miniature bowies, while very cool, were not big sellers. So, then Windlass steps in and gives their sales a try (but under the Windlass name). I only discovered about them recently, and am just glad I have a shot at getting a few (of the Windlass marked bowies) before they too go DoDo bird. Here is a picture I found online of one of the Wrangler offered bowies, which is also sold now under the Windlass name...

These are the three Windlass Steelcrafts miniature bowies I believe they have offered thus far. I have the 'Lone Star' model, but also have the other two heading my way...

Two are polished blades, the other has a satin finished blade.