Classic Bowie

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nebeel

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Got bitten by the knife bug again and looking for a classic Bowie style knife. Wondering if any have a recommendation of something that is actually usable, but not break the bank expensive (<$100 if possible).

I know that there are a lot of "cheap" bowies out there, but I'd like to find something where parts of the handle or blade is not going to come apart if I try to use it. On the same token though, I'm definitely not looking for Randall-like quality/prices (at least not yet).

This will mostly be a "to have" piece, but may be used on occasion. Would like to have a stainless type blade (not blued), maybe wood/horn handle, and the classic big beefy thick blade. Does something like that exist?
 
Cold Steel's Natchez Bowie might be in your price range. Unlike the Case, it's not made in the USA, if that is a consideration.

Condor makes an affordable Bowie style, but is not "classic," if by that you mean having 19th-century appearance.

If you want one that is affordable and "classic" in styling, you might consider Atlanta Cutlery's offerings. They are made in India by Windlass Steelcrafts, and are reasonably good quality. They won't fall apart on you, at any rate.
 
Thanks for the suggestions!

RC, that's REALLY close to what I was thinking of, I'll have to keep my eye on it, although I was hoping for one a bit cheaper. Who knows, maybe not possible if I want a decent quality blade.

Baba, those are some good looking blades, I'll have to keep that site in mind if I get in the mood for a project knife.
 
That Case is good quality.
Unlike something from Pakistan, all case knives are collectible.
And they will never be any cheaper.

rc
 
hso said:
What do you mean by "usable"? What would you use it for?
Click to expand...
Probably not a whole lot, but maybe just take it out with me when working in the woodpile or something like that.
 
rcmodel said:
Maybe this?

http://www.amazon.com/Case-Cutlery-00286-Stainless-Synthetic/dp/B0028ZGMFC

rc
Click to expand...
Piraticalbob said:
Cold Steel's Natchez Bowie might be in your price range. Unlike the Case, it's not made in the USA, if that is a consideration.
Click to expand...

I'm more partial to the Cold Steel Larendo Bowie as a slimer blade and straighter false edge

But then I just sold off all my Cold Steel pieces (Trail Master, Master Tanto, Moran), because I wasn't getting much (OK any) use out of them
 
9mm,

If they were the older Japanese knives I hope you got a nice price for them considering the CS collectors pay premiums for the older ones.

neebles,

Here's my problem. If you're going to just cut things with it, that's a light use, but if you're going to take it to the woodpile and chop or try to split wood, that's rough use. Stainless knives don't tolerate chopping or splitting well and bowies are not designed for it. They may not have the broader edge geometry to allow you to avoid chipping or rolling/denting the edge. So it is very important that we know exactly whether you're going to try to chop or split with it or if you're going to limit the use to cutting rope.
 
6261468657_635b45dd1b.jpg

How about a Ban Tang Mini Bowie? 3.5" blade. You might actually be able to carry it and use it for EDC tasks and I have no doubt it would suffice for a SD knife.

Kind of a bowie for the modern man.
 
hso said:
9mm,

If they were the older Japanese knives I hope you got a nice price for them considering the CS collectors pay premiums for the older ones.

neebles,

Here's my problem. If you're going to just cut things with it, that's a light use, but if you're going to take it to the woodpile and chop or try to split wood, that's rough use. Stainless knives don't tolerate chopping or splitting well and bowies are not designed for it. They may not have the broader edge geometry to allow you to avoid chipping or rolling/denting the edge. So it is very important that we know exactly whether you're going to try to chop or split with it or if you're going to limit the use to cutting rope.
Click to expand...
Good point, I'll be a little more specific. I wouldn't be using the knife for trying to split logs or anything like that, more like lopping smaller branches off of a log. Even that would be few and far between. Mostly, it would just be a rope cutting, "just to have it" knife.
 
rcmodel said:
Bowie's are good "Just to have it".
But not much else.

I have a WWII Kinfolks and a Viet Nam era Western very similiar to the Case I linked.
KinfolkV-44.jpg
..........
rc
Click to expand...

That'a a really nice looking bowie you have there. I think the one you linked may do very well for what I'm looking for. Thanks for the suggestions!
 
nebeel,

The steel and heat treat are critical in whether you're dealing with a knife that will stand up to lopping limbs off of seasoned wood on the woodpile.

You need a tool steel blade and not stainless if you're looking to do anything other than cut with it. You risk wrecking your knife if you use a stainless as a lopper.

Bowies are cool looking, but there are much more practical knives for the same price or less than your budget. If you want the looks of the bowie and you want it to be able to lop and cut, you're going to need a carbon steel blade. You have to maintain then again rust and staining, but they work for what you're suggesting. If you want the bowie to look shiny and nearly new you can go with stainless as long as you don't try hacking at limbs with it. You risk chipping the edge. There are some compromises you'll have to make and we don't want you to get an unpleasant surprise thinking a $100 bowie will do everything you expect of it.
 
Wow, loping off branches with a bowie knife? You'll surely snap the tang. Better to use a machete or a small hand axe to do that.
 
hso said:
nebeel,

The steel and heat treat are critical in whether you're dealing with a knife that will stand up to lopping limbs off of seasoned wood on the woodpile.

You need a tool steel blade and not stainless if you're looking to do anything other than cut with it. You risk wrecking your knife if you use a stainless as a lopper.
Click to expand...

That makes sense. I'm looking for something mostly for show and just to be fun to handle now and then. If I carry it, I'll hold off lopping any branches off ;)
 
nebeel, if you haven't been dissuaded already and are still looking, the Western Bowie will do all you want. I've had one since 1975, K Mart, and have carried it huntin', campin', and hikin'. It will chop, cut and keep a good edge. And, if you just want to look at it from time to time, you will see a good, classic style Bowie that, IMO, fits the hand well.
 
Western went away when Camillus went away so he'll have to find a good used one (which are out there).
 
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