All About Pocket Knives

I picked up this Bowie that has been re-handled because it sure looked like and old Case Bowie blade to me. There are no markings on it. I know old Case Bowies had two fullers along the blade and a similar hand guard. The three rivets on the handle seem to match up. Here is a photo next to a newer Case Bowie. Anyone think that it might be an older Case Bowie? Any thoughts for the experts out there?

I believe your knife is an unmarked Australian survival Bowie. The Case versions were deeply stamped with "CASE XX" in a straight line unsing curly X's. The guard on your knife also matches that of an Australian knife. The bulbous ends of the Case knives are more squared and less rounded.

The original Case "V44" bailout kit bowie had Case XX deeply stamped into the blade. The Aussies made may variations of these knives also with many being unmarked. Quite possibly your knife started out as an Australian "V44".

NO NO NO NO!!!!!!

They are NOT V44s. I don't care that Cole called them that and then Silvey followed and then Knife World magazine called them V44s. And then Walters chose to perpetuate the falacy by acknowledging the name is wrong but choosing to follow along with the incorrect nomenclature because "everyone else does".

They are, in the case of Case, Western and Kinfolks, authorized copies of the Collins #18 Pequeno Machete and in the case of Australian made, unauthorized copies.

The only V44 is the Case V44 fixed blade machete with a bulbous point rather than a clip point.



Off my soap box for a while.

I agree with assessment that the OP knife is an unmarked Australian version of the #18. The Aussie versions have those "teardrop" quilion ends. Most of the Aussie versions I have seen have been unmarked. I have seen pictures of ones that had a manufacturer's name on it - "MARSDEN" over "SYDNEY", parallel to the guard on the mark side ricasso and they also have the teardrop quillion ends.

Wayne, I know full well what a true V44 is, that is why I put it in quotes for the post.

I just hate seeing "V44" used to label these knives.

OK thanks for the info gentlemen!