Sub $150 Bowie Knives

[The Highlander]

A friend of mine has a budget of ~$150 and would like to get a bowie style knife that looks good but is also functional. He initially expressed interest in the laredo bowie from Cold Steel but he wants to see what else is out there.

I know there are a million different interpretations of the bowie knife (pretty much any knife with a clip point is a bowie these days), I'd just like to see what bowie style knives you guys are partying with. (in other words I need help brainstorming since I keep drawing a blank)

He has no preferences as far as length/materials are concerned, though I think he'd be better off with a stainless steel since this won't see too much action.

 

[JShirley]

What kind of length is he looking for? If he looking for something that looks "traditional", or just a clip-point knife of a certain size? If he wants a large, modern, well-made clip point, the BK-9 is called a "Combat Bowie", and I'd buy a Ka-Bar before most Cold Steel products.

My personal favorite bowie is an HI Crow. It's the knife to the left. They're usually over $150 now, but if someone was patient and willing to wait...




John

 

[hso]

like to get a bowie style knife that looks good but is also functional

What does he think "functional" means in a bowie? They were primarily large fighters and unless he's planning on getting into a duel there's not a lot of "functional" to worry about. He can just focus on what's pretty and save himself a lot of money.

Cas Hanwei's new Rock Creeks are very good. Ontario Hell's Belles were great, but you have to get lucky to find one these days. The CS if fine.

 

[Coyote3855]

Buck 119. About $50. Functional, but not "traditional." I carry one in the woods.

 

[Boomm]

I have a Laredo bowie, but its the old one in the carbon v steel. Its an awesome knife, I've used it for about 6 years and its a ferocious chopper!

I also have the fallkniven thor, another awesome knife.

 

[rcmodel]

It has been my experience that a big 9"+ Bowie is just about the most useless knife I own.
And I have a Vietnam era Western bowie, and a WWII Kinfolks V-44 in my collection

They are too big & unwieldy for any sort of cutting or hunting chores.
And they don't chop brush as well as a machete or Woodsman's Pal.

I even think I would rather have a shorter lighter fighting knife, or longer thinner machete if I had to get in a real knife fight.

Probably the best use I can think of for one is to mount it on a nice wood plaque and use it as a wall decoration!

rc

 

[Piraticalbob]

Case Bowies are available in your price range.

 

[Vonderek]

Puma

 

[leadcounsel]

I got this one off a local posting for $10, used but in great shape. Made in Pakistan but looks great, strong sharp steel.

 

[rio nueces]

Western Bowie. I like the older ones in carbon Steel, the new ones are stainless and that's what you specified.
Still US made (I hope).

 

[rcmodel]

No, not lately.

Western was acquired by Coleman in 1984.
Coleman sold Western to Camillus Cutlery in 1991.
Camillus closed down all Western operations and production ended in 2007.

rc

 

[IlikeSA]

I have a BK9 that I am quite happy with. There are also BK7s, and BK2's. They all run about 70-80 bucks, and are very functional. They are carbon steel though.

 

[ArfinGreebly]

Ontario

Ontario makes a not-exactly-traditional Spec Plus Bowie which can usually be had for under $100.

It's Bowie-sized, but lighter than the traditional thick-n-heavy versions.

I believe I actually have one of these in a box somewhere.

I don't carry it because it's just too large to be generally useful. Maybe in a camping context, though, because I have been known to strap on something that size when out in the wild. Note that the lighter weight reduces its usefulness for chopping, but makes it handier in other applications.

 

[The Highlander]

Thanks for all the input guys, you've given me a ton of options, and I'm gonna go relay them to my buddy. I actually think that last one you (AG) posted will be the best for what he's lookin for. He doesn't have too much experience with knives, and I think a $100 plus knife would be wasted on him, but it's his money not mine.

@HSO- He probably won't get a Hanwei, but I'm thinking abotu getting one of their skinners for myself. I dig their drop point and trailing point models, and I've got a thing for stacked leather handles.

@PiraticalBob- I have one of those myself. Nice blade, but pretty much everyone I show it to calls it my pirate sword. It came with the old black leather sheath with the metal trim, but it was defective and I ended up with that leather faux-basketweave sheath. The knife is probably around 30 years old.

 

[FiremanJim]

Heck,
If he wants a Big Bowie, he can buy one of the "Hibben Old West" bowies from United Cutlery.
It bears a striking resemblance to the Musso bowie knife, and a replica of it was used in the last "Alamo" movie, and also in "The Expendables".
It's a biggee, and can be bought for about $130 with the damascus version selling for about $150.
Practical? No. But can cleave a big hole in just about whatever.

 

[jhansman]

Take a look at Linder (http://www.linder.de/en/shop/Knives_Made_In_Solingen/Bowie_Knives). Almost all of their Bowies are available in the U.S.

 

[FoMoGo]

I have an Ontario SP10 Spec Plus Marine Raider Bowie.
You can get one for under $75.
Very good knife.

Jim