There’s no secret about the fact that most patterns called “bowies” are ostentatiously large, imposing, and downright intimidating.
Often, a garish facade belies a design that is more for impression than it is for use. That is not the case with a bowie knife, assuming it has a full tang and is made from a good steel.
Let’s look at this a little closer.
What’s in a Name?
The first “Bowie,” at least according to convention and historical accounts, was a large fighting knife with a heavy blade, a clip point, and a crossguard, that was carried by Jim Bowie, hence the name.
A “bowie” was most famously used in the Sandbar Fight in 1827, in which Jim Bowie dispatched an opponent, Norris Wright, with the infamous blade.
So, to discard the pattern as ineffective for combat, first and foremost, would be fallacious. The clip point is ideal for piercing and the heft alone of the blade is ideal for chopping. The pattern also sports a crossguard which aids in control and protects the wielder by helping to prevent the grip from sliding forward up on the blade. This makes a bowie knife an effective fighting knife pattern.
Of course, anyone familiar with the pattern, or who has carried one, knows that it is much more utilitarian than this and should be relegated solely to the ranks of a “fighting knife,” however effective it is for combat.
A good bowie knife has a heavy blade that is ideal for chopping and can be used for processing wood and carving camp tools. Not many other patterns shy of machetes have the mass for this.
Despite the brusqueness of most bowie patterns, they often have fine points that are ideal for detail work. Some even have sawback configurations that are ideal for making crossgrain cuts.
It is often the case that a bowie knife has a large, accommodating, and comfortable handle, and as has already been stated, a crossguard that aids in control and protection.
As a result of these features, a bowie knife can be effectively used as a fighting knife, a camp knife, a survival knife, and hunting knife, or more. Really, the versatility of the pattern cannot be understated.
The one drawback to a bowie knife has got to be its size. These are large, heavy knives and don’t necessarily carry comfortably. But other than that, their utility and capability make the pattern well worth an investment into any collection.
Where to Get a New Bowie Knife
Whether you are a collector here for a new bowie knife pattern for your collection or you want one to carry in the field, get it online at BUDK. BUDK carries a wide range of unique and distinct knife patterns, and many of them are bowies or bowie inspired.
By the way, one final note. There are some that pronounce it bowie with a long “O” and some that pronounce it with a long “U”, so that the word rhymes with “gooey”. Both are acceptable.
Regardless, get something new for your collection online at BUDK today and get in touch with them if you have any questions about what they sell before you buy.
For more information about Sword Cane and Push Button Automatic Knife Please visit: BudK Worldwide Inc.
