Gorgeous Custom Bowie

[SAFARIKIDD]

This is my Biggest Bowie..15" Blade and 3/8 Thick of D2 Steel...Crown Stag wirh Brass Blade Catcher..I think it weighs a good 4-5pds! Took a whole cow to make the sheath! [emoji13][emoji1783]
(To put in perspective its size look at last photo with a Big Horn Armory 500 Lever)[emoji33][emoji1783]

 

[WillMFerguson]

I give up! PM sent.

 

[SAFARIKIDD]

Sold ..Ready for Bear and Lion!

 

[WH1]

You all might be interested in a book, Mark Zalesky from Knife Magazine has written/published with amazing pictures of original Bowie type knives, "A Sure Defense: the Bowie Knife in America". Through him I have been fortunate to handle/trace/measure/pattern many of those original "Bowie" knives including a documented James Black coffin handle bowie and a Samuel Bell blade.
James Black of Washington, Arkansas was the probable maker of the Bowie #1 model, the large blade below with the angled handle. Samuel Bell was a jeweler/maker in Knoxville, TN and San Antonio, TX in the first half of the 19th Century who made amazing intricate gentleman's knives.
As several posters have already stated the original Bowies were large, heavy blades, I have seen them as thick as a 1/2" spine. They were for a specific cutting edge up style of fighting. My personal favorite has always been the Searles-Fowler Bowie (Right side, third from the bottom) made for Rezin Bowie to give as a gift.

I really like that New Zealand blade, you can definitely see the Gold Rush era, California spear point bowie influence in it. Neat carving on the handle.

Many Originals View attachment 515549

 

[Wishfulthinker580]

I’ve been rewatching the movie “The Alamo” (the one with Billy Bob Thornton and Dennis Quaid, not John Wayne) and it made me think of this thread. @VertigoBE you should check out the Belgian knife makers Samuel Lurquin and Claude Bouchonville. They make some big stuff.

I may buy a Bowie or big fighter myself. For the heck of it. Although that Randall 1-7 in the classifieds is tempting me..

 

[Wishfulthinker580]

RIP SAFARIKIDD

 

[zephyr]

Check out Jim Bensinger "Vermont Blade Smith"
Will make Bowie anyway you like it

J W Bensinger Bladesmith

handforged custom knives, made in Vermont. a veteran-owned business

www.vermontbladesmith.com

 

[Wishfulthinker580]

For your viewing pleasure:

Recently Added - Arizona Custom Knives

New knives are added every weekday at 3:30pm ET.

www.arizonacustomknives.com

Bowie Knives – Nordic Knives

nordicknives.com

BladeGallery: Fine handmade custom knives, art knives, swords, daggers

www.bladegallery.com

Josh Fisher - Bowie (Stag) | Knifeology

This is a Stag handled Bowie Knife from ABS (American Bladesmith Society) Master Smith Josh Fisher. This stunning work of art features a Laddered W Pattern Damascus blade of 15n20 and 1080 steels with a high contrast etch and is comprised of approximately 500 layers, the Damascus fittings...

www.knifeology.com

 

[jpr9954]

My Bowie is the more pedestrian Cold Steel Trail Master Carbon V. I can't say it is the most useful knife I own but what the heck.

 

[odonata]

Since this old thread about Bowie Knives got resurrected from a few years ago, I thought I would take the opportunity to give a nod of thanks to my favorite knife maker, Lin Rhea, who made my last hunting knife for me. It's always interesting to go sit in the forge & watch a skilled craftsman. He does good work:

 

[Wishfulthinker580]

I’ve been rewatching the movie “The Alamo” (the one with Billy Bob Thornton and Dennis Quaid, not John Wayne) and it made me think of this thread. @VertigoBE you should check out the Belgian knife makers Samuel Lurquin and Claude Bouchonville. They make some big stuff.

I may buy a Bowie or big fighter myself. For the heck of it. Although that Randall 1-7 in the classifieds is tempting me..

Randall was a 1-6. I just snoozed and lost. Just sold for a great price