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Small Bowies

We're looking for classic or western style Bowie Knives but just not all growed up!

We're thinking knives that have:

1) A clip point blade under 8 inches (20 cm) long, between 1.5 - 3 inches (38-76 mm) wide and 1/8- 1/4 inches (6-13 mm) thick.

2) a handle that is between 4-6 inches long providing a comfortable hand grip and not too strangely shaped

3) a full cross guard

You know! the all around traditional general purpose fighting/hunting knife! Something like the knife below:

Above: Appalachian Bowie, 7.5 inch clip blade, full brass guard, full hidden push tang, elk antler grip.

Handmade by me. The pommel sports an old cuff link from when I was kid. Blade was a 440 C blank bought online

Modern Bushcraft, Upswept Skinners, Guthooks, and Drop Point Hunters need not apply. We'll start new discussions for those!

5 members like this

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Michael Squier on June 10, 2015 at 8:35

I go there too, I wouldnt mind a couple of there fancy sheathes for my Shefield bowies, there naked now. A bit to expensive for me thoug, but not for the product.

Permalink Reply by Shlomo ben Maved on June 10, 2015 at 17:55

Might like these, I certainly do;

Wild Rose

http://www.wrtcleather.com/index_knifesheaths-main.html

KnifeMakerPermalink Reply by Chris Sievert on June 11, 2015 at 18:49

My Newest "Small" Bowie WIP

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by Doug Webber on August 7, 2015 at 8:48

I just got the White bone and the Ram's horn in the mail. I've wanted a Bowie ever since I saw Daniel Boone on the Wonderful World of Disney. Had to wait awhile, but these were worth it. These Bowies, customized by Herman Williams, take pride of place in my collection

The Bowie on the right in the last picture was done by Herman back in the 80's. He represented Schrade at all the knife shows and awarded a custom Schrade to whoever had the best Schrade Collection. The blade is engraved, "Best Schrade Collection". Now, I can't claim that, but it does put a smile on my face.

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on August 7, 2015 at 14:02

I am having so much fun watching your Bowie collection grow! I think that Disney show may have prompted many folks to become Bowie collectors!

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by Doug Webber on August 10, 2015 at 18:11

The one on the right in the above pic was my first custom from Herman Williams. After 2 years of corresponding he re-handled 2 folders for me. After another year of questions and a few Ebay purchases I saw the Best Schrade Collection Bowie for sale on Ebay with the story about it being done by Herman and awarded at a show in the 80's. I sent Herman an Email asking him to verify the story...you know how stories can change in 30 years. He said it was all true and that he could make me my own for less that the asking price for the one on Ebay. I jumped at the opportunity, he even put my personal serial # on it. About 4 months later, the Best Bowie hadn't sold on Ebay and the asking price had come down. I made an offer and got it for $200. A couple months later, he offered me the 171UH..the middle one. After that, I was completely hooked on Herman's Schrades.

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by Doug Webber on August 15, 2015 at 1:33

Here is a link I found that discusses the original patterns of the Bowie

http://www.relentlessknives.com/newsletter0411.html

Permalink Reply by Mike on January 26, 2016 at 16:06

Hey Mike, I recently picked this up for $30. Would you mind giving me more info on this knife. I have been able to see it was made in Solingen, Germany. Its 10" overall, but someone put it on a grinder.

Michael Squier said:

Hers an old one, Thomas Fenton, Sheffield England. This is what I concider a typical "small" Bowie knife. The blade is just 6" long, 10" overall.

Permalink Reply by Michael Squier on April 13, 2016 at 13:55

Mike, just saw this post. Ill try to get you a better answer later. I think i have a simular knife. sorry for the delay life trumps knifes some days.

Permalink Reply by Michael Squier on April 13, 2016 at 17:04

Mike, Bowies of that size and style, 6" clipped blade, flat brass or nickel silver gaurd and slab grips usually stag or jigged bone are known as "hunter bowies" or "hunting bowies" . The style dates from the late 1880's thru the 1930's and later in less quantities. The majority of this style were made in Shefield England but may makers from Solingen Germany, USA , Even Chekoslovakia and Japan made them.

Yours looks to me to be from the 1930's maybe later. For some reason the Germans liked real stag for the grips, the English used jigged bone mostly like mine in the picture. Germans also often engraved or etched Bowie or The Original Bowie on the blades. This is exactly what i meant by small bowie, nice knife. I think you did good for $30.

The true antique Bowie collectors look down there noses at these later knives but I think they are a great bargain and are nice knives, you could put a hige collection together with dozens of makers and still spend less than one pre civil war bowie. Prices generaly range from $20 to $200 or so. i hope this helps some.

Permalink Reply by Michael Squier on April 13, 2016 at 17:08

Here is one I picked up for $35, Its from Solingen also but was made in the early 1960's. Notice the simular shape of blade and guard. My blade saying is etched on yours looks engraved.