Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on June 29, 2014 at 17:32

Comment by CaptJeff Saylor on January 5, 2010 at 12:21

here is the latest knife to come out of the CJS Factory,
the CJS 5" Broad Skinner....

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on June 29, 2014 at 17:33

Comment by Kevin Gilbert on December 28, 2009 at 18:19

Antti L-you need to think in terms of utility! Get out of the past and into the modern era. Serrations are very useful and will work longer even when dull. They also will cut certain materials more easily and I have founfd them to be VERY, VERY Valuable in camping and should be included at least in about 1.5" to 2.5" serrations at the base near the guard of all large Bowie style knives in the modern era.

Also a hand held camp saw is indispensible! Although a hatchet or heavy knife allowing choppoing will suffice! But how many knives are built to do this today? It's been said that a big knife can take the place of a small knife, but not the reverse!

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on June 29, 2014 at 17:34

Comment by Andy Voelkle "AxeMan" on December 27, 2009 at 23:11

One of the finest modern Bowie knives I've seen. Jim Bowie died at the Alamo, a sacred site here in Texas, and your knife islike the one he had that day. Please PM me and tell me how I can order one.

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on June 29, 2014 at 17:34

Like this??
From Italian Knifemaker Milko di Paco....

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on June 29, 2014 at 17:34

Comment by Richard Weber on December 26, 2009 at 23:51

Working on my first 15" Bowie Will post pics of the process when complete. Using 1095. And Thanks for allowing me in your group.....OUT!

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on June 29, 2014 at 17:34

Comment by Kevin Gilbert on December 26, 2009 at 19:38

I think more of these large bowie knives should include aboit 2" of Spyderco type serrations at the base of the blade. I find that these serrations offer an added plus in the Modern camping/survival era in which we use these knives!

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on June 29, 2014 at 17:35

Comment by Dario on December 25, 2009 at 13:28

I love the BOwie knives

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on June 29, 2014 at 17:35

Comment by Andy Voelkle "AxeMan" on June 20, 2009 at 17:11

Here's Jim Bowie's actual knife from the last battle at The Alamo. He had others before this, but none were like the pretty Hollywood versions. Fighting knives are not embellished. They are purposeful. Jim Bowie died with this knife in his hand, facing hundreds of enemy soldiers.

Permalink Reply by Lars Ray on March 13, 2015 at 9:48

Yes, it's true...I am a Bowie Buddy - and it takes one to know one. I am glad to have found my kin here!

My Ash Avalon Bowie - 9 1/2" of delicious 440C SS on a 15" frame, Brass cross guard with custom file work, brass butt cap and spacers, buffalo horn spacers. 

Permalink Reply by Lars Ray on March 13, 2015 at 10:23

It just occurred to me that this is both the time and place to ask...now that I have posted this, can anyone explain what that little blade feature at the choil is for? I just assumed it was a false line cutter, similar to a false edge swedge, or maybe a bottle opener. But in truth, I have resolved that it is purely a design feature. 

Any clues, ideas, or insights? Wasn't sure if this had a function and has since been evolved out of fashion only to be a design element.

Permalink Reply by Mark Zalesky on March 16, 2015 at 10:08

As a collector of antique bowies I was asked to jump in and try to help with Lars' question. The little doohickey at the choil has come to be called a "spanish notch" by collectors and is traditional to antique bowie knives, mostly of the 1830s and early 1840s, and also one of its ancestors the Mediterranean dirk. You'll get different answers depending upon who you ask, but I think most would tell you that the purpose was either decorative or is not known. There are a few that look as if they might be suitable for removing a stuck percussion cap from a firearm.

The style of the spanish notch illustrated in Lars' post is not at all traditional, but there are a number of different styles that are -- ranging from a tiny notch in the blade to piercings and elaborate curlicues.

Here's a photo of two original Samuel Bell knives from my collection, one with a spanish notch and one without.

Permalink Reply by Lars Ray on March 16, 2015 at 11:24

Oh this is fantastic Mark - thank you. I wasn't sure if mine fit in the "doohickey" category or the "little dauber" one.

In all seriousness, this is great information and I am thrilled to have learned it. Thank you. And your blades are magnificent! Give it a century or two, and mine will be right there with yours!

Mark Zalesky said:

As a collector of antique bowies I was asked to jump in and try to help with Lars' question. The little doohickey at the choil has come to be called a "spanish notch" by collectors and is traditional to antique bowie knives, mostly of the 1830s and early 1840s, and also one of its ancestors the Mediterranean dirk. You'll get different answers depending upon who you ask, but I think most would tell you that the purpose was either decorative or is not known. There are a few that look as if they might be suitable for removing a stuck percussion cap from a firearm.

The style of the spanish notch illustrated in Lars' post is not at all traditional, but there are a number of different styles that are -- ranging from a tiny notch in the blade to piercings and elaborate curlicues.

Here's a photo of two original Samuel Bell knives from my collection, one with a spanish notch and one without.

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