What make it a Bowie?

[edge213]

Nice knife cooky

[LongBlade]

Lots of interesting discussion in this thread as to the definition ... and many different aspects of the definition covered... as was said all depends on who you read... I lean towards the narrower definition - from date standpoint technically I believe the Bowie ended with the end of the Civil War in 1865 (at least from the marketing standpoint in the few years following the war less were bought and as guns evolved as repeaters there was less need for a backup knife). However I think of Bowies taking many different blade designs - be it a clip or spear point... nonetheless as has been noted Bowies in my opinion continued as a big fixed bladed knife and obviously still made even today (yes nice knives Terry and Cookyboy ) though after the war many were called Hunters-Bowies... I also like Bagwell's book which is a more functional aspect of what makes a good Bowie and how to use one as a weapon... I actually quite enjoy Norm Flayderman's book on Bowies as well which is great for photos and lots of detailed info...

[CheckSix]

This is an interesting thread for me. I'm in the middle of reading the Bagwell book right now.

What good choices are there right now for a Bowie that is in the 10"-12" blade range, that have the backcut part of the clip sharpened and use good materials and construction?

The one I potentially see, is the Fallkniven NL1 Tor. Maybe one of the Ontario's? A Cold Steel? Seems to be slim pickin's on the quality side.

[Quick Steel]

CheckSix: For your first Bowie I highly recommend the Cold Steel Laredo Bowie. CS has several style of Bowies but the Laredo was their second following the great success of the Trailmaster. Bagwell specifically mentions the Laredo praising it for its design and quality. In fact he used it to demonstrate to students how a Bowie should be designed. It is offered in O-1 steel or the much more expensive san mai.

I have the entire series of Ontario Bowies designed by Bagwell. They follow his pattern but such are the limitations of production that they did not meet his requirements for the length of the blades. These and the Laredo are designed primarily as weapons. The Trailmaster pattern would be more of a general purpose/camp knife pattern.

As to the back cut. I believe you will have to sharpen the clip yourself or have it done professionally. If you plan to carry the Bowie off your property be sure to check local laws. Several states, including Texas (of all places) forbid outright the carry of a Bowie. A double edge (the clip) will also be widely illegal.

[CheckSix]

QS,
Thanks for the insight! The Laredo O-1 looks good then. No need for San Mai III. I know the knife laws where I am now are horrible. I'm technically not allowed Autos but... well, you know.

Personally, if you are an upstanding citizen and have no record of any kind and have no ill intent whatsoever, I don't see why you couldn't carry a proper Bowie, if you wanted to... just like a concealed carry weapon with a permit. What's the difference?? I hope this is what Knife Rights is addressing on a State by State basis. And when I retire in a few years, I plan on moving... you can be certain I'll be checking into these kinds of details for the new residence.

[Quick Steel]

And when I retire in a few years, I plan on moving... you can be certain I'll be checking into these kinds of details for the new residence. [/quote]

You will want to check this when the time is right, but KY has no restrictions as to any type of knife. Even more interestingly the state law is universal in the sense that local jurisdictions can not establish laws or ordinances which are more restrictive than the state. In many states the laws vary from one town or county to the next creating a mess.

[Dinadan]

Funny how the law works. I have a concealed carry permit in my state so I can legally carry a handgun, but to my reading the statutes are not clear as to my legally carrying a knife. I have a few boot knives that I like and I will stick one in my boot if I am out in the woods. In town ... I do not want to be the fellow who has to be the test case for the law. I would have expected Texas to be bowie friendly!

[Quick Steel]

Dinadan: You are right to be cautious on knife carry. We live in a strange era when a youngster will be confronted by a SWAT team and probably expelled from school if a Boy Scout knife is found in his book bag.

I remember being startled and disappointed when I discovered that Texas had no tolerance for Bowie knives.

[ken98k]

Dinadan: You are right to be cautious on knife carry. We live in a strange era when a youngster will be confronted by a SWAT team and probably expelled from school if a Boy Scout knife is found in his book bag.

I remember being startled and disappointed when I discovered that Texas had no tolerance for Bowie knives.

How things have changed. Several of us made knives from old files under the tutelage of our high school metal shop teacher.