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Bowie Buddies by Alden Rowe
This a home for those who enjoy the large bowie survival knife.
Original Style Bowie
by Leopold Lacrimosa on December 10, 2011
Wanted to show off this Bowie by Frank Kramer.
It is in the style that some believe that Jim Bowie actually carried in the "Sandbar" fight.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on
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Western Bowie Knives
Ron Cooper had posted some great information on another section of the site. I also have been trying for some time to compile dating info on Western bowie knives, (there are some gray areas). I had put together this table that I'm going to post and if anyone can fill in any blanks or dispute any of the data, I am receptive to discussion. Any pictures of your Westerns would be interesting as well, especially with confirmed date association. Thanks in advance!
Reply by Shlomo ben Maved on
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A Fighting Man's Bowie
by Leopold Lacrimosa on December 10, 2011
A Fighting Man's Bowie by Custom Knife Maker Ellis Sloan
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Zombie Apocalypse Bowie
To have a knife to help you survive the Zombie Apocalypse, you'll need a big, big knife.
Zombie Apocalypse Bowie: Damascus steel, Walnut handle, Brass guard, 17" long Overall:
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"The Mississippi" Bowie
by J. Neilson on February 18, 2010
I just finished this one at the request of one of our knife/sheath-making compadres. I love this whole etched, forge finished, wrought iron and stag thing... one of my very favorite styles...
[IMG]http://www.jerzeedevil.com/gallery/files/1/0/6/4/bowie_mississippi_...[/IMG]
This Bowie is forged from multi-quenched W2 steel with acid soaked/forged flats and an etched hamon. The blade itself is 7 1/2" long. The fullered oval guard is wrought iron as is the pommel, filed to match the stag. The handle is Sambar Stag, with black spacers on each end, and a spacer behind the guard of mosaic damascus. The overall length of this piece is 12 1/2" and the knife comes with a tooled leather blade sheath, of course.
Reply by Mike Carter on February 18, 2010 at 12:17
Very nice classic design. Well done!
Reply by Andy Voelkle "AxeMan" on February 18, 2010 at 17:44
This is a magnificent Bowie. My family came here shortly after the Texas War of Independence, and for generations we have made the pilgrimage to The Alamo to see Jim Bowie's actual knife. It was a simpler incarnation than apparently his fancier models, and had a simple wooden handle and, I thing, a more grotesque point. Our member Antti Letola of Finland has obtained one from, I think, New Zealand which seems the more old fashion of these two designs. I prefer yours!
Reply by Trent Rock on February 20, 2010 at 3:07
I think you would like the book===>
Three Roads to the Alamo: The Lives and Fortunes of David Crockett, James Bowie, and William Barret Travis by William C. Davis
It tells EVERYthing about Jim Bowie
He was kind of a real estate scammer...heheheh
http://www.amazon.com/Three-Roads-Alamo-Fortunes-Crockett/dp/006093...Reply by Mark Towers on April 11, 2010 at 17:33
That is one nice Bowie. Like that fullered guard.
Reply by John Woodcock on May 14, 2010 at 5:50
love the hamon. very nice knife
Reply by Jess Cobb on August 23, 2013 at 17:41
Beautiful!
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my new bowie
by John Woodcock on May 14, 2010
005.JPG finshed package
002.JPG handle
012.JPG blade before handle fitted
hi everyone. thought i'd post a pic of my new bowie. made from 01 toolsteel, 6ml thick, 12"blade, real crocodile skin handle, and sheath. comes with a rig for back carry, or front shoulder carry, or belt. isnt mirror finished as it was designed to use. made by UK maker Bernie Garland.
pics are courtesy of the maker as i cant get my phone software working properly to take any. he sent me lots of pics as he was making it. thanks for looking. i've bonded with this knife.even the missis is jealous of it :)
Reply by Garry T Moore on
- That is one tough looking Bowie. I like the toolsteels and the handle and sheath combination are exceptional, really impressive. Congratulations on an awesome Bowie.
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who makes their own bowies?
by rein heht on January 2, 2010
Does this count?Reply by Karl B. Andersen on
I had to throw this in too.
She's called - "Belle Blue" as I live on Bluebell Bend Rd.Reply by CaptJeff Saylor on
here is my latest knife it is a 5" Broad Skinner, 9" overall length
here is a 5" Upswept Skinner, 12"overall length
Reply by Tim Noble on January 9, 2010 at 17:54
Wow! Love that. How is the bolster finished? Has it been etched or sand blasted?
Reply by Karl B. Andersen on January 9, 2010 at 17:57
Now that I think about it, both guards on those knives are 1903 wrought iron. The wrought iron on the top butt cap was first forged round, twisted, and then forged flat. You can see the twisting going on there.
Thje guards on both were done the same way.
Then, they were taken up to 2000 grit finish and deeply etched to show the striations in the wrought.Reply by Tim Noble on January 9, 2010 at 18:01
I thought I could see something like that going on. Lovely piece of cutlery Sir. Very nice. I've got a Bradley Bradshaw that is similar in some respects.
Reply by rein heht on January 9, 2010 at 18:47
very nicely done,looks like you might be a fan of Bill Moran.
Reply by J. Neilson on January 25, 2010 at 6:37
I do...
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bowie_monster_2.jpg, 188 KB - hunter_lone_star.jpg, 670 KB
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Reply by John Carver on
I just love your work. I've seen your work on ukblades.com before. That blade on the Lone Star is just out of this world. You are a true artist that is for sure.
Reply by J. Neilson on
Thanks John, I appreciate that.
J.Reply by Hylton Rutherford onI feel awed and humbled looking at such great work! I never thought of twisting old iron, so gonna give this a bash!
Hylton -
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Comment by Daniel Altgilbers Jr on January 31, 2014 at 9:01
My step dad was Darrel Ensign… His Father being Joe Ensign, My grandfather & his brother helped Gill start up their company in Manti, UT in the late 60's in a lil old gas station!! I still have the original Bowie from Manti,UT circa 68…The one in the Alamo museum I believe was made in the 80's
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Comment by Jan Carter on November 17, 2013 at 10:59
Not that I thought any of us would be in the market but I did find the explaination on this one amazing
QUOTED FROM JIM MADDOX'S LETTER TO the current owner, IS THE FOLLOWING..."I COLLECT BAYONETS AND THE EARLIEST FORM OF A BAYONET IS CALLED A PLUG BAYONET. THESE WEAPONS ALL HAD TAPERED OR CYLINDRICAL HANDLES WHICH ALLOWED THEM TO BE INSERTED INTO THE MUZZLE OF SINGLE SHOT MUZZLE LOADING MUSKETS. THEY SAW BRIEF MILITARY USE, REPLACED BY SOCKET BAYONETS, WHICH LEFT THE BORE UNOBSTRUCTED. HOWEVER, THEY WERE USED FOR OVER 200 YEARS IN EUROPE AS A HUNTING KNIFE/BAYONET. I ENDED UP TALKING GARY INTO DOING A PAIR. THE ONE YOU SEE HERE IS A SPORTSMAN'S BOWIE WITH A LARGE LUGGED HILT, SCALLOPED BRASS COLLAR AND COOLIE CAP, AND PLUG BAYONET HANDLE OF BLACK MICARTA. THE HANDLES WERE ONE PIECE, LIKE THE OLD PLUG BAYONETS, BUT WERE VERY DIFFICULT FOR THE SHOP TO MAKE. BORING OUT THE INSIDE TO ACCOMODATE A 3/8" TANG APPARENTLY RUINED A FEW HANDLES. THE OTHER WAS EXACTLY THE SAME HANDLE, BUT WAS A 8" #2 STILLETTO BLADE IN STAINLESS. THE BOWIE WAS GREAT, BUT THE #2 WAS REAL UGLY...ALL OUT OF PROPORTION AND LUGGED HILT WAS MUCH TOO SMALL. I DID NOT ORDER A SHEATH WITH IT (THE BOWIE). IT'S A ONE-OF-A-KIND RANDALL."
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Comment by Steve Hanner on November 14, 2013 at 19:56
Pretty sure you got more too!
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Comment by Alexander Noot on November 5, 2013 at 1:54
Which reminds me....I need to make more bowies LOL. I have virtually no use for the blighters...but they're just so awesome.
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Comment by Ron Cooper on November 4, 2013 at 14:04
Steve, your comments pretty much capture my feelings about these knives. I had never owned a Bowie knife before and now, with the acquisition of these two, I'm afraid that I have opened up an entirely new and costly can of worms.
Nowadays, big Bowie knives are about all I ever think about!
Thanks for your comments. These are indeed some really good, usable knives if you are in need of a heavy chopper.
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Comment by Steve Hanner on November 4, 2013 at 9:49
To me Ron, those Western Bowies have about everything going for them, almost perfect size, gorgeous handles and perfectly serviceable sheaths. More like that might just get me on that Bowie bandwagon!
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Are you also collecting info on the WW2 models like the V-44 as well?
Reply by Rocky Bowker on March 3, 2014 at 9:21
Yes. I have that model noted on the first line of the table as the "Bx54 Bushman" and any info would be valued. I don't currently have one of those myself, but would love to someday.
Reply by Rocky Bowker on March 3, 2014 at 13:09
Going to upload pics of different variant stamps to correspond with the table.
Bx54 Bushman - Stamped one side only
W49 Bowie 1st Variant - Side 1 and 2
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Reply by Rocky Bowker on March 3, 2014 at 13:10
W49 Bowie 2nd Variant - Stamped one side only
W49 Bowie 3rd Variant - Side 1 and 2
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Reply by Rocky Bowker on March 3, 2014 at 13:16
W49 Bowie 4th Variant - Side 1 and 2
W49 Bowie 5th Variant - Stamped one side only with letter date code below.
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Reply by Rocky Bowker on March 3, 2014 at 13:19
W49 Bowie 6th Variant - Stamped one side only - Thick Straight Peened Guard Model (Coleman - Western)
W49 Bowie 6th Variant - Stamped one side only - (Camillus)
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Reply by Rocky Bowker on March 3, 2014 at 13:25
W49 Bowie Limited Edition Variant - Stamped one side only. Texas Sesquicentennial 1836-1986.
S-649 Bowie 1st Variant - Side 1 and 2
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Reply by Rocky Bowker on March 3, 2014 at 13:28
S-649 Bowie 2nd Variant - Side 1 and 2
Updated Table.
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Reply by Robert Burris on March 3, 2014 at 13:35
You have certainly picked out a great brand and pattern to collect. Good luck with it.