You want one, they made tons of them, but nothing ever seems to line up.

[Hickory n steel]

So for a while I've wanted one of the common " original Bowie "knives that were imported by the thousands from Germany back in the day.
They haJapan carbon steel, they're very common, and have lots of potential for customization .
I've been looking on Ebay for over a year now at used examples hoping for something in decent condition , looking for either one of the full tang models or smaller stick tang stacked handle models ( I eventually want both as I've got two projects in mind ) for under $40 and all I find is either rough or made in Japan.

Today I found a similar though slightly chintzier Tramontina in good condition that would do just fine, I was sure I had it at $12 and change +shipping but with one second left I got an email alert that someone else won it for 50c more, it didn't even show on the Ebay page that I was outbid but somehow I was


Does anyone else have a very common knife or general type of knife they've been looking for but cannot find in a condition or at a price they want ?

 

[AntDog]

Lol, been on the lookout for some for over 20 years. Some I’ve nabbed, and some I haven’t. Same with some guns too.

Most of what I’m chasing was common enough at the time but has since dried up. Just goes to show you - if you want something, get it while you can if you’ve got the dough.

Just ask anybody who wants an SKS, AK, Mosin, Mauser, etc. now and didn’t buy one when they were cheap and there were crates full of em at gun shows.

 

[Hickory n steel]

Lol, been on the lookout for some for over 20 years. Some I’ve nabbed, and some I haven’t. Same with some guns too.

Most of what I’m chasing was common enough at the time but has since dried up. Just goes to show you - if you want something, get it while you can if you’ve got the dough.

Just ask anybody who wants an SKS, AK, Mosin, Mauser, etc. now and didn’t buy one when they were cheap and there were crates full of em at gun shows.

I remember when sportsmans guide I believe had the mosins for $100 with the ammo pouch and such.

 

[AntDog]

I remember when sportsmans guide I believe had the mosins for $100 with the ammo pouch and such.

I remember them being $50 each at gun shows, or a few hundred a crate. They were packed full of cosmoline and needed to be cleaned up, but what a bargain on a good rifle.

 

[eveled]

The one I can never get my hands on I’ve always wanted?

1918 knuckle knife.

 

[jp9mm]

Lol, been on the lookout for some for over 20 years. Some I’ve nabbed, and some I haven’t. Same with some guns too.

Most of what I’m chasing was common enough at the time but has since dried up. Just goes to show you - if you want something, get it while you can if you’ve got the dough.

Just ask anybody who wants an SKS, AK, Mosin, Mauser, etc. now and didn’t buy one when they were cheap and there were crates full of em at gun shows.

Didn't realize but always like to hear my guns going up in value sold my sks but kept the mosin. Think it was around 80$ and i also bought a couple spam cans of ammo. too much cheap fun to sell

 

[Hickory n steel]

The one I can never get my hands on I’ve always wanted?

1918 knuckle knife.

What collector wouldn't?
But of course those aren't too common, and being hard to find is expected.
I'm faced with the frustration of a knife that's for all intents and purposes a dime a dozen, but people always seem to think every Bowie type knife is gold or something.

Good luck in eventually getting an authentic 1918 trench knife.

 

[sliceofaloha]

The one I can never get my hands on I’ve always wanted?

1918 knuckle knife.

I think I’ve seen those trench knives on the ‘bay.

 

[Hickory n steel]

I think I’ve seen those trench knives on the ‘bay.

Rarely are the authentic though, one of those things where you gotta do lots of homework first from what I understand.

 

[eveled]

When I was actively looking for one, I’d get involved in bidding and auctions would get pulled. Because the knuckles make it a prohibited item.

So even if an auction ends it puts you on shaky ground in terms of buyer protection. “He never sent the item I never should have bought”. On the same level of “He never sent the kilo of coke I bought”. Lol.

Plus at some point I realized my fingers barely fit in the holes anyway. So being so impractical to own I realized it was better to just admire from afar.

Although not as common as the Bowie you seek it is the knife that fit the criteria of the OP the best.

On the same level as a genuine US PROPERTY 1911. They aren’t rare by any means but are beyond my means. At one time at least they were common and cheap but I missed that boat.

 

[jideta]

So for a while I've wanted one of the common " original Bowie "knives that were imported by the thousands from Germany back in the day.
They haJapan carbon steel, they're very common, and have lots of potential for customization .
I've been looking on Ebay for over a year now at used examples hoping for something in decent condition , looking for either one of the full tang models or smaller stick tang stacked handle models ( I eventually want both as I've got two projects in mind ) for under $40 and all I find is either rough or made in Japan.

Today I found a similar though slightly chintzier Tramontina in good condition that would do just fine, I was sure I had it at $12 and change +shipping but with one second left I got an email alert that someone else won it for 50c more, it didn't even show on the Ebay page that I was outbid but somehow I was


Does anyone else have a very common knife or general type of knife they've been looking for but cannot find in a condition or at a price they want ?

Deals on Solingen Bowies are hard to come by. Less expensive than Sheffields though.
I just kept searching everyday until something popped up. Didn't think too hard just bought it. I think I paid $80.
It was a fixer upper but handles were intact and blade was in good shape.



Had to make my own sheath.
Blade has been worked on some after pics were taken. Opposite side sys 'Jim Bowie knife.'
$40 isn't going to get you much in a large Bowie. It will probably require a ton of work if you do find one (pitted and rusty and worn cutting edge).
I'd step up and just be happy.

Meanwhile, the quest goes on for a nice Sheffield...

 

[Hickory n steel]

When I was actively looking for one, I’d get involved in bidding and auctions would get pulled. Because the knuckles make it a prohibited item.

So even if an auction ends it puts you on shaky ground in terms of buyer protection. “He never sent the item I never should have bought”. On the same level of “He never sent the kilo of coke I bought”. Lol.

Plus at some point I realized my fingers barely fit in the holes anyway. So being so impractical to own I realized it was better to just admire from afar.

Although not as common as the Bowie you seek it is the knife that fit the criteria of the OP the best.

On the same level as a genuine US PROPERTY 1911. They aren’t rare by any means but are beyond my means. At one time at least they were common and cheap but I missed that boat.

Oh I understand for sure, I was just saying you're lucky to not be looking for something that's common but still ends up being hard to get.

 

[Hickory n steel]

Deals on Solingen Bowies are hard to come by. Less expensive than Sheffields though.
I just kept searching everyday until something popped up. Didn't think too hard just bought it. I think I paid $80.
It was a fixer upper but handles were intact and blade was in good shape.

View attachment 1339450

Had to make my own sheath.
Blade has been worked on some after pics were taken. Opposite side sys 'Jim Bowie knife.'
$40 isn't going to get you much in a large Bowie. It will probably require a ton of work if you do find one (pitted and rusty and worn cutting edge).
I'd step up and just be happy.

Meanwhile, the quest goes on for a nice Sheffield...

I dont need a clean shiny edge, and honestly lots of patina and pitting would probably work in my favor.
I have some decent modifications planned.

 

[not2sharp]

I dont need a clean shiny edge, and honestly lots of patina and pitting would probably work in my favor.
I have some decent modifications planned.

A decent example of a large bowie is going to be more than $40. But, I would suggest posting in the knife wanted section to see what you find. IIRC, the bowies were made with up to 12" blades, and there was a wide variety of components and mounts.

n2s

 

[Hickory n steel]

I've realized that the price I'd have to pay for one is just not worth it when the knife is too large to really be practical for me.
I upped my max to $50 and went looking for one of the smaller clip point German hunters.

I found one in good condition and payed just under $50 shipped for it.
Marked RW webber, doesn't really matter to me which German firm actually made it.
Handle is no good, but the blade and maybe the pommel ( I'll decide when I get it ) are the only parts that matter.
The important part for me is the Bowie-esque look to the blade.