Bowie is a custom-made knife made for the famous fighter Jim Bowie back in the 1800s, and since then, it is used for various tasks, but this knife is perfect for hunting. There are three things common in the blade: a long blade, wooden handle, and a full tang.
Like all the other knives, this knife is also made of high-quality carbon steel, which makes it sharp and strong to remove the skin from a carcass, and as this is a hunting knife, you can also cut the meat with it. The blade of this knife has a curved edge which makes it suitable for all hunting tasks.
If you are interested in the Bowie knife and want to buy it, then you have to do some struggle to find the best one in the market, but many so-called best brands in the market claim to be the best, but we have done our research and found the seven best bowie knives for you so, you can choose from them.
Table of Contents
- What is a Bowie Knife?
- What is a Bowie Knife Used For?
- How much is an Original Bowie Knife Worth?
- How Much Does a Bowie Knife Weight?
- Best Bowie Knife – High-Quality Bowie Knives
- Best Bowie knife under $50
- Best Bowie Knife under $100
- Product Technical Details
- How to Sharpen a Bowie Knife?
- How to Choose the Best Bowie Knife?
- Conclusion
- FAQ’s
What is a Bowie Knife?
There are many people here who might not know what a bowie knife is, and they are curious to know so, the best thing about this knife is that it was introduced in the late 1800s or early 1900s. This famous knife was created by James black for Jim Bowie. This was a hunting knife that was used for butchering.
If you are planning to buy this bowie knife, then many brands are manufacturing these kinds of knives, and many other people are manufacturing this bowie knife is custom on the demand of their customers so that you can try them too.
Many variations and materials are used in this type of knife, but one thing is to confirm that the material is high-quality and very hard because it is a fighting knife that must be hard and sharp to perform well. It has an enormous blade with a wooden handle.
What is a Bowie Knife Used For?
Now you know that what is the bowie knife you might be thinking that what are the things in which you can use a bowie knife? The first thing is when you have the bowie knife; you would notice that this knife has the maximum power to cut the meat, and it is tough too. The size of the blade of the bowie knife is around 6 to 24 inches.
This is the most versatile knife we can have, but the most common three uses of this knife are hunting, self-defense, and survival. People use this knife for these activities.
The hunters love the length of the blade because the long blade gives them the power to cut the meat of their prey. The same feature makes it a very suitable knife for people looking for some knife to defend themselves. The sharpness and hardness of the blade make it a perfect knife for cutting sticks and bushes in a jungle and cook some food.
How much is an Original Bowie Knife Worth?
If you are an antique collector and love to collect the original products, you might have a bit of an idea that it would be expensive because the knife from the 1800s would be antique. Nobody can tell you the exact price of the original price.
But for an idea, the worth of the original bowie knife would be more than $200000 because it was custom made for Jim Bowie and it would be somewhere museum so, that is why it is quite expensive. There are some mass-produced Sheffield Bowies in the 19th century which were sold in the range of $5000 to $15000 so, you can see how expensive a knife would be.
How Much Does a Bowie Knife Weight?
As you know by now, the Bowie knife is a huge knife that is good for hunting, self-defense, and survival techniques, but for exemplary performance in these activities, the knife’s weight plays a very important role.
The length of the blade is around 6 inches to 24 inches, and if we look at the knife that we have, then its length is around 14.25 inches, and the weight is 14 ounces which makes it very lightweight for the use of this knife in different activities. To be precise, this weight helps you to hold and use it very quickly.
Best Bowie Knife – High-Quality Bowie Knives
Image | Product & Features | Ratings | Price |
---|---|---|---|
KA-BAR Full-Size US Marine Corps Fighting Knife
|
9.7
|
Buy Now On Amazon | |
Ka-Bar Becker BK9 Combat Bowie Fixed Blade Knife
|
9.5
|
Buy Now On Amazon | |
Smith & Wesson SWHRT9B 9in High Carbon S.S. Fixed Blade Knife
|
9.1
|
Buy Now On Amazon | |
Tactical Bowie Survival Hunting Knife
|
8.8
|
Buy Now On Amazon | |
MTECH USA MT-A705BG Spring Assist Folding Knife
|
8.6
|
Buy Now On Amazon | |
United Cutlery USMC Marine Force Recon Giant Bowie Knife
|
8.2
|
Buy Now On Amazon | |
Schrade Fixed Blade Knife
|
8
|
Buy Now On Amazon |
1: KA-BAR Full-Size US Marine Corps Fighting Knife
In November 1942, the United States Marine Corps introduced the 1219C2 combat knife named Ka-Bar, which later became known as the U.S. Navy’s 1219C2 combat knife. The blade length of the knife is 7 inches, and it was designed in 1942. If we look at the hardness of this knife, then it is around 56 to 58 HRC.
Specifications
- Brand: Ka-Bar
- Model: KA-BAR
- Material: Carbon Steel
- Blade length: 7 inches
- Dimensions: 13.25 L x 3.13 W x 2.25 H inches
- Weight: 317 g
- Edge: Compound Bevel
Features
In the Second World War, the USMC introduced the Ka-Bar knife due to the inadequate performance of standard-issue knives. The USMC still issues marines the same tool to this day.
There are no weak points in this fixed blade knife because it has a full tang. Because the blade of a fixed blade knife extends through the handle, it is very strong. This is due to the lack of a pivot point between the blade and the handle.
Moreover, the handle material has a well-designed construction. A leather handle provides a comfortable grip for the USMC Fighting Knife with a Ka-Bar blade. The most significant advantage of leather handles is not only that they are comfortable, but they also last a long time.
It also comes with a leather sheath which is to carry the knife very easily. There are straps in the sheath which allow you to tie it with your belt and take it wherever you want very easily. This is not an ordinary knife that you can buy for a few bucks, but it is a very high-quality knife that is used by the US army and very hard that you can’t even put a dent on it after very rough use.
2: Ka-Bar Becker BK9 Combat Bowie Fixed Blade Knife
In November 1942, the United States Marine Corps introduced the 1219C2 combat knife named Ka-Bar, which later became known as the U.S. Navy’s 1219C2 combat knife. The blade length of the knife is 7 inches, and it was designed in 1942. If we look at the hardness of this knife, then it is around 56 to 58 HRC.
Specifications
- Brand: Ka-Bar
- Model: Combat Knife
- Color: Black
- Material: 1095 Cro-Van steel
- Blade length: 9 inches
- Dimensions: 15.25 x 3.38 x 1.63 inches
- Weight: 476 g
- Edge: Flat
Features
This is a very famous knife from the Kabar designed by Ethan Becker, and you might be thinking that this is a very high-end knife and would be very expensive, but it comes under the price tag of $100. All branches of the US military also use this knife.
A clip point, full tang, flat grind, and an anti-corrosive coating are the features of this fixed blade knife. It is coated in 1095-cro-van metal. Knives are manufactured in the United States. It has an ergonomically designed hard but lightweight handle that reduces the fatigue of your hand after working for a long time.
To protect the knife, it has a sheath made of polyester and harder plastic. It has a velcro belt loop which makes it very easy to carry for you. It can be tied with your waist, and you can take it wherever you want to go.
There are many exciting things about Becker. The first thing is their very creative designs, and another thing is their testing system. Their knives go through many testing systems before coming into the market for sale.
Best Bowie knife under $50
1: Smith & Wesson SWHRT9B 9in High Carbon S.S. Fixed Blade Knife
American manufacturer Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc. manufactures firearms, ammunition, and restraints. The headquarters of the corporation is situated in Springfield, Massachusetts. Daniel B. Wesson founded this company, Horace Smith, in 1856 so, it is a very old and reputed company in this field.
Specifications
- Brand: Smith & Wesson
- Model: SWHRT9B
- Material: High Carbon Stainless Steel
- Blade length: 4.7 inches
- Dimensions: 12 x 7.5 x 2 inches
- Weight: 7.7 ounces
- Edge: Compound Bevel
Features
There’s no doubt about it: it looks like a tactical and self-defense knife. Its sleek and tactical look is owed to its matte black handle and its black powder-coated blade. It is also easy to conceal due to its color. The blade is made of high-carbon stainless steel, which makes it very durable and very sharp.
There is a grove on the blade which makes this knife very lightweight without compromising the strength of your blade. Another benefit of this grove is that it makes the knife suitable for self-defense because it hurts the object more.
You need to sharpen many knives on arrival but not with this because it comes sharpened from the manufacturers, and this is very sharp and hard, making it the first choice when you are looking for a good knife on a low budget.
Rubberized ribs in the handle ensure the knife has a good grip, even when wet, which keeps it from slipping. A leather sheath is also included with this knife. I like how thick the sheath is and how the stitching is solid. This is not a cheap sheath that will rip open after a couple of days.
2: Tactical Bowie Survival Hunting Knife
This knife is from a brand, Defender Xtreme, which is not a very famous brand, and after finding a lot, we didn’t find their official website. But they have different kinds of good quality knives that would work for you, and as the name says, their knives are good for survival and self-defense.
Specifications
- Brand: Defender Xtreme
- Model: MIISPEC
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Blade length: 7 inches
- Dimensions: 14.49 L x 3.11 W x 1.77 H inches
- Weight: 1.6 lbs
- Edge: Compound Bevel
Features
It is again one of the best budget knives in the market; if you look at this, then you can’t guess that the price of this double saw edge spine knife is under $50. It seems like a costly knife for self-defense. The blade is made of stainless steel, so it is very hard and a perfect tool when you are stuck in the jungle.
The total length of the knife is 12 inches, and from which, five inches is the handle made of high-quality plastic that gives you a strong grip while using it, even if your hands are sweaty. It also comes with a very awesome-looking sheath which can be stuck with your belt.
The sheat saves the knife from the dust and makes it very easy to carry for you. Many people might think that this blade is not sharp, but we have used it, and believe us, this gives you excellent sharpness when you are cutting the sticks in the jungle.
If you ask us, then there is no other knife in the market that can match its looks and performance in this price range, you should go with it.
3: MTECH USA MT-A705BG Spring Assist Folding Knife
This manufacturer is renowned for its premium tactical knives, swords, martial arts gear, ninja weapons, and self-defense items. We carry a wide variety of knives at Knife Country USA. Travelers, hikers, camping enthusiasts, and collectors can all benefit from MTech knives.
Specifications
- Brand: MTech USA
- Model: MT-A705GD
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Blade length: 3.75 inches
- Dimensions: 1.75 x 0.75 x 5.25 inches
- Weight: 3.5 ounces
- Edge: Partially_serrated
Features
If you can’t carry big knives, this is a foldable knife for you. It is a gold titanium-coated knife that is very sharp and hard because this is also made of high-quality stainless steel. It is a tiny pocket knife that comes in different colors to choose from according to your fashion sense.
The length of the blade is 3.75 inches which are very small but enough fr your self-defense or for cutting the sticks, opening cans, or cutting the ropes when you are out in the jungle for camping. The blade of the knife is 3mm thick, which makes it very strong and hard.
This knife has a lock that keeps the blade in its shade, but you can unlock it very easily with one hand so, if you are stuck in some situation and your one hand is available, you can still open and use the knife. It comes with a pocket clip so you can tie it with your pocket and take it wherever you want to go.
4: United Cutlery USMC Marine Force Recon Giant Bowie Knife
In recent years, United Cutlery has produced some of the finest blades on the market. While they are mainly designed for collectors, they can also be used for practical purposes. The company was founded in 1984, and since then, it is providing high-quality knives to its clients.
Specifications
- Brand: United Cutlery
- Model: UC2863
- Material: AUS-6 Stainless Steel
- Blade length: 11.5 inches
- Dimensions: 16.38 x 4 x 6 inches
- Weight: 1.4 lbs
- Edge: Plain/Serrated
Features
It is another very long and sharp bowie knife that is very good and can be used for self-defense, hunting, and surviving techniques, which means if you are stuck in the jungle, then this knife would help you to survive because it increases the chances that you would find some food.
The total length of the knife is 16 inches, but in these 16 inches, 11.5 inches is the blade made of Aus-6 stainless steel and is very sharp. The other five inches are the handle which is made of over-molded rubber and makes your grip very strong.
If you are a sports player or you like camping, hiking then this is the one thing which you need the most, and the best part is that it comes at a very reasonable price under when we look at this knife we thought that it would be more than $150 but surprised to know that its price is only $50.
There is also a sheath where you can put this knife; the sheath is made of nylon with straps to tie it with your belts and take it wherever you are going without any problem.
Best Bowie Knife under $100
1: Schrade Fixed Blade Knife
In 1872, George Schrade founded this company, and since then, it has become one of the most iconic knife companies in the world. Schrade knives have seen the turn of the century, the Industrial Revolution, the Great Depression, the Second World War, and even a man on the moon in its long history. Schrade has been around for far longer than the other knife companies that came and went.
Specifications
- Brand: Schrade
- Model: SCHF45
- Material: High Carbon Stainless Steel
- Blade length: 10.4 inches
- Dimensions: 18.5 x 4.5 x 1.75 inches
- Weight: 2.63 lbs
- Edge: Compound Bevel
Features
The knife is made of high-quality carbon stainless steel, which makes it very hard and sharp. The good thing is that this knife is also very long, with a length of 10.4 inches. The overall size of the blade is 16.5 inches in which the handle is 6 inches, and as compared to the other knives, the handle of this knife is very long.
The knife’s handle is made of the black thermoplastic elastomer handle, which has a perfect slabs texture that would strengthen your grip even if the hands are wet. The sheath of the handle is also made of the same material as a handle and makes it very easy to carry for you.
When you are cutting something, you have a fear in mind that the knife would slip from your hand, and it would cause injury, but you don’t have to fear with this knife because this knife has a finger guard, choil, and grooves. If we see the price range, this is an excellent value knife in this price range compared to some other knives.
Product Technical Details
Point | Brand | Model | Color | Blade length | Material | Dimensions | Weight | Edge |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
KA-BAR Full-Size US Marine Corps Fighting Knife | Ka-bar | KA-BAR | Black and brown | 7 inches | Carbon Steel | 13.25 L x 3.13 W x 2.25 H inches | 317 g | Compound Bevel |
Ka-Bar Becker BK9 Combat Bowie Fixed Blade Knife | Ka-bar | Combat Knife | Black | 9 inches | 1095 Cro-Van steel | 15.25 x 3.38 x 1.63 inches | 476 g | Flat |
Smith & Wesson SWHRT9B 9in High Carbon S.S. Fixed Blade Knife | Smith & Wesson | SWHRT9B | Multi | 4.7 inches | High Carbon Stainless Steel | 12 x 7.5 x 2 inches | 7.7 ounces | Compound Bevel |
Tactical Bowie Survival Hunting Knife | Defender Xtreme | MIISPEC | Black | 7 inches | Stainless Steel | 14.49 L x 3.11 W x 1.77 H inches | 1.6 lbs | Compound Bevel |
MTECH USA MT-A705BG Spring Assist Folding Knife | MTECH USA | MT-A705GD | Gold | 3.75 inches | Stainless Steel | 1.75 x 0.75 x 5.25 inches | 3.5 ounces | Partially_serrated |
United Cutlery USMC Marine Force Bowie Knife | United Cutlery | UC2863 | Black | 11.5 inches | AUS-6 Stainless Steel | 16.38 x 4 x 6 inches | 1.4 lbs | Plain/Serrated |
Schrade Fixed Blade Knife | Schrade | SCHF45 | Black and steel | 10.4 inches | High Carbon Stainless Steel | 18.5 x 4.5 x 1.75 inches | 2.63 lbs | Compound Bevel |
How to Sharpen a Bowie Knife?
There are some knives in the market that you don’t need to sharp every other day, and they retain their sharpness but not with this kind of knives; the bowie knives need to sharpen regularly. But many people don’t know that how you can sharpen your bowie knife.
So, there are two ways to sharpen your bowie knife: whetstone and the other is s a sharpening kit that you can buy from the market. Here we are going to tell you how you can sharp your bowie knife.
- First, you need to inspect the angle of your knife.
- Now bring the whetstone and lubricate it, and put the knife at a right angle on the whetstone because otherwise, it can harm the edge of your knife.
- Now rub the knife with the stone from forward and back again and again.
- Now flip the side of the blade edge and done the other side. You have to rub the same knife time on both sides.
- If you are not sure that if the knife is sharpened or not, then take a piece of paper and cut it from one hand. If it cuts, then good otherwise sharp again.
- Now when your knife is sharpened, wash the whetstone and knife and put them in their places.
This is how easily you can sharpen the blade of your bowie knife with the help of whetstone. You can also do it with the sharpener kit in the market.
How to Choose the Best Bowie Knife?
The above are some bowie knives that you can buy from the market, but there is some more information that you need to know to get the right bowie knife for yourself. We are here to tell you about that information that can help you in making the right purchase.
If you are interested in the bowie knife, then you need to study the points below:
Material
This is the number one thing that you need to check when you select the bowie knife, and that is material. The material of the blade tells you that if it will perform well or not. Your bowie knife needs to be full tang. These kinds of knives need to be strong.
When you select a knife with weak material, and you are in the jungle cutting sticks and implementing survival techniques, then the weak knife would not last with you; on the other hand, good material would be your permanent partner.
When you are selecting the knife, go for the high carbon steel because it is the most durable product, and most of the good brands use this material. It is very hard, sharp, and very durable.
Length and Weight
It is another one of the most significant factors that you need to consider when selecting the knife because if the length of the knife is not as required. You might be in trouble; if you are looking for a self-defense knife, you need to look for the longer ones, and the bowie is mostly longer.
The But only length does not; you need a good combination of length and weight because if the knife is heavier, then it would be very hard to use it for a long time and so, the knife you select must be lightweight and good in length then it would do the work.
Tang
It is believed that a blade with a full tang will not break. Half tangs of heavy blades will not hold up to hard use. In terms of value for money, the spine of the thing could snap abruptly, knocking you flat on your face.
With the same amount of stress, full-tang knives will stand up well, but half-tang knives won’t: you’ll be stuck purchasing a new one. So, when selecting the knife for yourself, your priority would be to look for the full tang knives.
Handle
It is also a very important part of the handle that you would not ignore when buying the knife. There are many kinds of handles in the market that is made of different materials. Some have straps for the grip; others have some texture.
But a comfortable and firm grip handle is very important for you because otherwise, there are chances that the knife would slip, and that is a very dangerous situation.
There is one more important thing, and that is ergonomic design. You might have noticed that when you are using the knives for a long time, there is a pain in your hands called fatigue; this is because your knives are not ergonomically designed.
If you used the ergonomically-designed knives, it would reduce fatigue. SO, whenever you select the knife, make sure that your knife is ergonomically designed, and its handle is made of a comfortable and gripped surface.
Sheath
It is double important for the knife because it helps the knife keep away from dust and moisture in the air, and on the other hand, it also allows you to keep it with you wherever you are going because of its straps. You can tuck it with your belt, and you are ready to go.
Most of the time sheath and the handle are made of the same material so, in case if the handle is durable, the sheath would also be durable, but one thing that you should do before checking is to check that all the straps are available or not and if it would tuck easily with your belt or not.
Budget
The budget is a very important factor for buying a knife. There are two types of people in society. One is those who can spend millions without even thinking and on the other hand those who have to think twice to fulfill their basic needs. So, when you are in this society, you have to think about both types of people.
This is why we have included both knives, ones that are a bit expensive and high-quality, and for the people who don’t afford these, they can go for the other ones, which are under $50. You can see and select from those above according to your needs.
Which are the best Budget Bowie Knives?
There are many good bowie knives that are under the price tag of 50$, and those are not less in the quality too, so; if you are interested below, we are mentioning all those knives that come at a very affordable price.
- Smith & Wesson SWHRT9B 9in High Carbon S.S. Fixed Blade Knife
- Tactical Bowie Survival Hunting Knife
- MTECH USA MT-A705BG Spring Assist Folding Knife
- United Cutlery USMC Marine Force Recon Giant Bowie Knife
These are the best budget bowie knives in the market. You can read the full review above, which fulfills your needs; you can buy from Amazon through our link.
Conclusion
The most irritating feeling came when you bought a product, and it does not work as expected. I can feel those things because they happened to me a lot, so, preventing this from happening with others, I have made these small steps that I am going to share my experiences with the products and help people choose them.
These are the seven best bowie knives in the market that you can buy; in these knives, some are budget, and some are expensive. You can choose according to your own needs and budget. We hope that we help you in finding the best knife for your needs.
If yes, then we owe a thank you to you, and you can say that by purchasing the product from our link, it would earn a very little amount of commission, and you don’t have to pay a single penny extra.
Thank you for buying.
FAQ’s