Alaska Bowie
A Bowie knife is an American icon and is one of my favorite knifes to make.
A Bowie knife is an American icon and is one of my favorite knifes to make.
A Bowie knife is an American icon and is one of my favorite knifes to make.
I tend to make these more slender than the traditional profile, likely because it reduces the weight greatly with minimal loss of utility.
I also like a long and slender clip point to increase ease of insertion and bone separation. After the clip a Bowie should be thick perhaps between 3/16 and 1/4 inch - to ensure the knife has enough strength for literally anything. Chopping, digging, chiseling, hogging out, splitting - anything is fair game for Bowie knife.
The Alaska Bowie (see photo on the left) is a good example of my preference for a bowie knife. This particular knife has a feather damascus pattern that is time consuming and complex to create. A polished steel Bowie may cost $750-$1,250 and a damascus or feather damascus version could cost up to $2,500 depending on how much time the particular knife takes.
I am working on a template and system for the Alaska Bowie that might bring the cost down. I think it is a blade that every man should own.
The sheath for the Alaska Bowie is a work of art in it's own right and should be mandatory if you buy one. The sheath is made custom to fit the knife and is a worthy companion. A proper sheath for a large Bowie knife could be up to $400.