help i need to know the name of this old german bowie knife

tech_image · Post by **tech_image** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 9:27 pm

hi i came across this old german knife and i would like to know more about it, and the value. There is a german word on the blade which translates into stainless steel. There is a name on the box that says the best defense. the blade is etched with buffalo and trees. here are a few pictures

smiling-knife · Post by **smiling-knife** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 3:26 pm

Hi tech-image. Is there a maker's mark on it? forgive me if this sounds negative. In my opinion, your knife looks like an example of a modern 'bowie-style' knife. I am no expert on these, but based on the photo and with no further info, I would say it is not particularly valuable. I am happy to be proven wrong though.

s-k

El Lobo · Post by **El Lobo** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 3:47 pm

Welcome to the forums!

As smiling-knife alluded to, a closeup of the markings on the ricasso (between the handle and the blade), or maybe on the rear of the sheath, might help further identify your knife, or at least who made or marketed it.

Many German cutleries made this Bowie style blade in the 1970s-80s, with mostly stag handles, especially for export to the U.S. My old eyes can tell what the material is on your knife. Is it rubber/polymer? The blade is etched, rather than engraved, with a popular marking (another was Original Buffalo Skinner) as a marketing enhancement. The ROSTFREI marking was to differentiate it from carbon steel, since some companies considered this an "upgrade."

Bill