Big Blades

[for_hire]

I'm very intersted in getting another big blade knife.

I have been doing a little research and I'm interesting in either getting a bowie knife or an Arkansas toothpick..Could you guys give me the names of some designers or companies that make these types of knives...

 

[hso]

There is a huge range in prices based on material and maker. Can you give us some bounds to the question.

Length? Blade material? Handle material? Custom or Production? Forged or stock reduced?

In production companies Cold Steel and Ontario make good looking Bowies as does Muella.

Bill Bagwell, Kim Breed and Jesse Davis have all been featured here and make excellent custom Bowies.

 

[for_hire]

Yes I can give you a little more detail...

I'm wanting to spend no more that 250-300...

I would rather have coustom but given the price range I'm not sure if that is possible..

A friend of mine had the Bagwell Bowie I liked it but its not what I'm looking for..I want something a little more rugged looking that can be functional..

The length- I want about 6-8 inch...
The steal- Something that is strong and very durable...
The Handle- Micarta or some time of wood..NO BONE

 

[CWL]

Hey there,

6-8" blades aren't really "big blades", especially for a bowie. Sounds like you want more of a 'heavy use' knife than a bowie.

Aside from hso's recommendations, you may also want to take a look at SOG. They may repros of typically Vietnam-era or modern bowie designs, in the 6-8" range. These blades are 1/4" thick. Well-within and under your price range.

Also, if you want a semi-handmade big blade, try Ranger knives. they grind and harden some big blades all for under $200 (more like $120). Justin will even custom make a knife based on your design within your price range outta tool steel.

 

[sixgunner455]

Here's a custom bladesmith who can make whatever you want in a tough, using knife, or add some art to it:

http://www.angelfire.com/mac2/knives/

 

[for_hire]

I've been looking at some big blade knives...Your right CWl I have the SOG Tigershark but I want something bigger..at first i said 6-8 but now i'm thinking more along the lines from 9-11inch or even 12....

 

[22-rimfire]

Colt Steel Master Bowie; 9.5" blade may fit your requirements. Randall of course still makes their very large bowies, but they far exceed your price range. The Bagwell bowies by Ontario come close but may not be tough enough for you.

How about an Ontario 12" machete? Great tool for the price.

 

[Mike Sastre]

Probably the best "all around everything you'd want to DO with a Bowie" production Bowie knife is the CS Laredo. Bill Bagwell will even say this - the Ontarios are fighters only. We're talking about the Carbon V version here because I haven't seen their newer version in high carbon whatever it is. I do know there was a significant price drop and would assume it too performs well. The Laredo has the classic coffin handle look and the sheath is the classic stud style "old time" carry, which IMHO is the best way to carry a big blade. At some point I'll wring one of the new versions out to see how it performs.

 

[Guyon]

Yes I can give you a little more detail...

I'm wanting to spend no more that 250-300...

I would rather have coustom but given the price range I'm not sure if that is possible..

A friend of mine had the Bagwell Bowie I liked it but its not what I'm looking for..I want something a little more rugged looking that can be functional..

The length- I want about 6-8 inch... (changed to 9-12 inch)
The steel- Something that is strong and very durable...
The Handle- Micarta or some time of wood..NO BONE

Lots of possibilities here. I'm just going to throw out a list of knives you might check out:

Ranger RD-9
Ontario RTAK II
Camillus Becker BK-1 Brute
Camillus Becker BK-9 Combat Bowie
Scrap Yard Dog Father
Swamp Rat Battle Rat
Swamp Rat Rat Mastiff
Swamp Rat Rat Daddy
Busse Basic 9
Fehrman Final Judgment
Also check out David Wesner's custom work at http://www.kelseycreekknifeworks.com/

Out of your price range, but still worth looking at...
Busse Battle Mistresses (range of configurations)
Busse Steel Hearts (similar range of configurations)


Basic 9

Camillus Beckers (BK-1 and BK-9 are 1st and 10th from the left, respectively)

Some choppers (Busse Fusion Steel Heart, Ranger RD-9, Becker BK-9, RTAKII, a couple of Battle Mistresses)

Swamp Rat Rat Daddy

David Wesner KC-4MC

 

[JShirley]

Excellent pics.

 

[Guyon]

One more...

 

[steeltiger]

Wonderfull collection, whats second from the bottom, right collum on you last photo?looks like a blackjack of some sort.
How well do the rats perform ( been eyeing a RAT7 for nigh on to two years, looks to be a great survival/bugout knife.

 

[rbmcmjr]

Check out Ted Frizzell's Mineral Mountain Hatchet Works (MMHW). He makes working grade knives in 5160 that are tough and bargain priced. This monster has a 12" blade and 7" sharpened top clip:



Busse HOFSH and Reeve Shadow I for scale.