All About Pocket Knives

At dawn on March 6, 1836 the Mexican army, estimated at 5000, attacked the Alamo, defended by 189 "Texians". All the defenders were killed. The battle lasted approximately 90 minutes. Depending on the source Mexican army casualties have been reported to be anywhere from a few hundred to over 2000, but most estimates say around 600. This year marks the 180th anniversary of that famous event in Texas and American history, which has been commemorated often with various cutlery items. If ya'll have any Alamo commemorative knives let's see them. Post your pictures here. "Remember the Alamo!" http://texasheritagesociety.org/The-Tra ... eath-.html

Ken

Here is a photo of my only Alamo related knife. I feel sort of guilty that it is the only one I have.
Not one of my better photos but the theme is "From the Alamo to the Moon"

Ray

Great thread! I've got both Alamo movies (John Wayne 1960 & Billy Bob Thornton 2004) on the DVR, sounds like a viewing is in order.

Here's a Boker USA offering from the 1970s "Great American Story" series.

Thanks to all who have posted so far on this 180th anniversary of the fall of the Alamo. Keep em coming. Anyone have one of those Case Jim Bowie Alamo knives?

Ken

Thank you for pointing out the date, Ken. I do not have any Alamo related knives. I do not plan to watch an Alamo movie tonight, but I will listen to Marty Robbins Ballad of the Alamo in honor of the date.

Surprised no one posted a Case Alamo Bowie.

I didn't put that price tag on it, nor did I pay that.

Alamo Day today. Mexican forces stormed the Alamo and the legend of the Bowie knife began.

OLDE CUTLER wrote: ↑Thu Mar 06, 2025 12:30 pm Alamo Day today. Mexican forces stormed the Alamo and the legend of the Bowie knife began.

Yep, and thanks for the reminder. RIP to you heroes.

Ray

OLDE CUTLER wrote: ↑Thu Mar 06, 2025 12:30 pm Alamo Day today. Mexican forces stormed the Alamo and the legend of the Bowie knife began.

Thanks for the reminder!

The legends of the Bowie knife, and ol’ Jim Bowie along with it, began at the “Sandbar fight” years before the Alamo, but his presence and role at the Alamo cemented them both in fame. There’s a good article about the Bowie knife in the current issue of True West Magazine, written by noted weapons author Jim Dickson.

I have a couple of good books on the subject, one historical fiction and one non-fiction. Of course, both end at the Alamo. I recommend both if you haven’t read them. (The Wellman novel was made into a movie by the same name, starring Alan Ladd and Virginia Mayo. But as usual the book is far better than the Hollywierd movie.)

Ken

This thread has been dormant for nine years. Thanks for bringing it back to life, Olde Cutler.

Here is a Bowie that is supposed to be a replica of one made in the 1830s. And a little Schrade, probably made in China. I like the shield.

There is a 3rd "Alamo related" movie - The Man From The Alamo" starring Glen Ford. Released in 1953, the premise is that before the fall of the Alamo, he is sent to warn a nearby community about something (can't remember what) and finds a massacre perpetrated by non-Mexican forces. While tracking down the bad guys, he's labeled a deserter for leaving the Alamo.

zzyzzogeton wrote: ↑Thu Mar 06, 2025 7:52 pm There is a 3rd "Alamo related" movie - The Man From The Alamo" starring Glen Ford. Released in 1953, the premise is that before the fall of the Alamo, he is sent to warn a nearby community about something (can't remember what) and finds a massacre perpetrated by non-Mexican forces. While tracking down the bad guys, he's labeled a deserter for leaving the Alamo.

ZZZ,,,, I recall that movie and as I remember he and several other member of the Alamo contingent were from a particular Texas community. The group elected him to leave the Alamo and go home to whatever that community might have been in order to protect the families of the absent Alamo defenders. He was hated as a deserter. Don't recall how it all ended up but I'm sure the families lived happily ever after.

Ray

Thought l'd toss in a pic of the Franklin Mint version of the Bart Moore bowie; supposedly the original was owned by Bowie himself. Must have been as J.BOWIE was carved into the blade!

knife7knut wrote: ↑Fri Mar 07, 2025 5:49 am Thought l'd toss in a pic of the Franklin Mint version of the Bart Moore bowie; supposedly the original was owned by Bowie himself. Must have been as J.BOWIE was carved into the blade!

Beautiful knife! Looks very tough: just right for skinning a buffalo or defending a wall.

Imperial "The Alamo" souvenir knife.

knife7knut wrote: ↑Fri Mar 07, 2025 5:49 am [...] owned by Bowie himself. Must have been as J.BOWIE was carved into the blade!

Fortunatly, before dieing from his own wounds, after his last stab Jim B. wipped the blood off it, applied a thick coat of Renisance Wax and hid it in a humidity controled crevice so Franklin Mint's archaeologists could recover it still bright and shinny.

While most large bowies are barely worth a yawn I lke that one. Either it's more artistic or I have bad taste.

Like I have always said, there is only ONE Bowie knife, the one in Bowies hand when he died at the Alamo. All others are copies, clones, replicas, or fakes. lol

Now here is a Bowie knife!

In the southern part of Texas
In the town of San Antone
There's a fortress all in ruins that the weeds have overgrown
(Marty Robbins)

Thanks for the reminder, Mel!

Ken

Mumbleypeg wrote: ↑Fri Mar 06, 2026 5:17 pm Thanks for the reminder, Mel!

Ken

Yes, and I'll bet you were like those at my house where we remembered but just did not post.

Ray

Paladin wrote: ↑Fri Mar 06, 2026 6:31 pm

Mumbleypeg wrote: ↑Fri Mar 06, 2026 5:17 pm Thanks for the reminder, Mel!

Ken

Yes, and I'll bet you were like those at my house where we remembered but just did not post.

Ray

Correct. I'm happy Mel reminded everyone. In our household events in Texas history seldom go unoticed. My wife taught Texas history for years, as did my late BIL. We once toured the battlefield at San Jacinto with him - I swear he knew where every Mexican soldier fell during the fight!

Ken

Raising a shotglass to those brave patriots.