Hey all,
YEP, another knife thread. PICS are encouraged too!
One of my other loves are knives. Can you ever have too many knives? Anyway, I was looking through some AG Russell catalogs and website and thinking about what would be a good LARGE knife to also carry on a hunt. SO many great knives out there though. I'm not talking about anything too outrageous, I probably would limit my choice to UNDER 8 inches of blade length.
Some of the ones I have looked at and thought about maybe getting are the Puma Bowie, Cold Steel Recon Scout, Becker BK6, Grohmann Survival Knife, Randall Model 25(if I ever had that much extra cash), Becker Magnum Camp Knife, and the AG Russell Field Knife 2. Like I said, a LOT of AWESOME knives out there.
I also don't want to shortchange some of the custom makers here who make gorgeous knives every day. I'm sure I could get exactly what I wanted with any of them and one day I hope to own a few of them.
SO, I'd like to see what LARGE knives you all carry and use when you go afield hunting, fishing or just hanging out in the woods just to BE in the outdoors.
If you have pics....please post.
If you have recommendations, that would be great too.
So, lets see 'em....and hear what you like and use on your trips afield.
Thanks,
Nalajr
USMC KA-BAR full size 7" blade
I always carry a copy of the crocodile hunter bowie (as used in the movie "Crocodile Dundee"). The blade is 10 inches and I like it very much. I own this knife for more then 25 years and it has seen lots of abuse. It is a real user and my wife gave it to me as a present :) . It still cuts paper without any problems. It was made by a German blacksmith.
Knives are my second love too! I own 4 Bark Rivers, some Bucks, some Kabars, one SOG (the legendaric Scuba Demo) and then some more.
My latest purchase was a semi-custom Bark River Bravo-1. Blade made of CPM 3V steel and the handle is made of blue/gold elder burl. Not bad at all...
(http://img560.imageshack.us/img560/18/b3vbluegoldelder37995me.jpg)
those Bravo 1's are sweet !
Yup, Bark River has great stuff, but the Bravo-1 is one of my favorites. Build like a tank and nuke-proof! It is insane sharp, the hairs will jump offf your arm when they see that knife coming... Another model I like very very much is their Canadian Special. There is something about that knife that is just right!I have one made of A2 steel and with an antique Ivory micarta handle:
(http://img842.imageshack.us/img842/583/cansplaims.jpg)
Cold Steel Recon Scout
I carry the "LaClair Bowie"... :rolleyes: It has a 10" blade of 5160 carbon alloy steel. A choice of stag or walnut scales, it's a beefy knife that gets any job done.
http://www.shrewbows.com/bowieknife/
(http://www.shrewbows.com/bowieknife/LaClair_Bowie1.JPG)
LIke RLA said, Ka-Bar USMC with a 7" bowie is hard to beat, had one since I was 12, am 50 now. I also use a newer Ka-BAR Warthog, shorter blade, but much wider, deep hollow ground and same weight as the full length one. I am making one for myself now, classic bowie, with a 8 1/2 inch blade, sharpened clip with a tip you can pic briars out of your hand with. Making this from an old sawmill circle saw. Last year at the Tenn. Classic, Rob Tattoo on here and I were at my booth, discussing knives. Rob brought up a saying I strongly agree with, which is"You can do a little job, with a big knife, but cant do a big job with a small knife".
I usually carry a 10in BR Golok or Marbles Trailmaker for clearing brush. Then for everything else I use a 3.5 in hunting knife my brother made.
Here is my Laclair bowie in its natural environment:
(http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i144/frenchymanny/IMG_0381.jpg)
Love that knife! (It has special scales to boot!)
F-Manny
Mannys knife is a special one of a kind. He wanted an osage handle on his knife and I didn't have any on hand. I had a bow on the wall that had been made for me by Don Adams in 1981, 83#@ 28". I killed a nice buck with it before it broke. I wrapped the broken limb and hung it on the wall under the mounted buck. When I need some osage I took it down and we got enough wood for Mannys knife out of it.
Then we put an elk horn burl on it and made a walking stick out of the rest of the bow.
Maybe someday Manny will have the walking stick but for now, I need it... :D
(http://***********.bowsite.com/tf/pics/00small13917616.JPG)
Hunting I carry an old Uncle Henry's stockman 3 blade my Dad gave me as a teen, or one of my other "family knives".
Camping; I use a Cold Steel Trailmaster Bowie, it's so sharp, I can get cut just thinking about it.
If I carry a Camp Knife, this is it. The blade is 9 3/4 inch with the over all length being 15 inches. I like spring steel for the blade, this one is 5160. The carry system is as importand as the knife. I like a belt with a shoulder strap or a harness similar to Rons LaClair's. This keeps it where you want it and easy to hand.
(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3164/2989520105_7d6388933f_z.jpg?zz=1)
I tote a Lin Rhea hunter on my side everyday. If I got my snake boots on there is a Original Bowie stuck down in one of them. I have a Kershaw Outcast that I take if I'm building ground blinds.
QuoteThe carry system is as importand as the knife. I like a belt with a shoulder strap or a harness similar to Rons LaClair's. This keeps it where you want it and easy to hand.
(http://www.shrewbows.com/bowieknife/Back%20of%20sheath.JPG)
(http://www.shrewbows.com/bowieknife/underarm_carry.JPG)
(http://i1254.photobucket.com/albums/hh619/_9alex/100_1963.jpg)
Bob Dozier Wilderness Knife
(http://i1254.photobucket.com/albums/hh619/_9alex/100_1964-1.jpg)
Other side.
KaBar Becker BK2. It certainly isn't the quintessential "deer skinner", but it will do that and everything else a razor sharp pry-bar should do. If Armageddon starts while in your tree stand, it's the knife you want on you. (and I've got one with Xtra's listed in the classifieds)
(http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab105/olddogrib/BK2.jpg)
Here's the one I'll never be without when I'm in the woods.
http://shrewbows.com/laclair_skinner/index.html
(http://www.shrewbows.com/rons_linkpics/LaClair_Skinner1.JPG)
Ron,
That Skinner is just a good lookin' blade!
Recently purchased a Karl Anderson forged blade that is a little large for everyday carry. This will be my designated camp or pack knife. Its not one of Karl's TD models, but truly a knife to be proud of. :thumbsup:
I always have my fallkniven f1 with me and a small gransfors bruks wildlife hatchet.
This tag team handles it all.
just picked this beauty up in a trade.
(http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z267/horatio1226/bowieknife001.jpg)
I saw Ron at Denton hill last year, the stick was more for looks than really needed to walk!
:wavey: :campfire:
Brian that's a great one you scored!
F-Manny
WW II vintage K-Bar that saw action in the South Pacific......holdS an edge and is just a great old blade!
Not big by most standards but the biggest I carry and my favorite.
(http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee391/rjwalton8/P1000211.jpg)
Gil Hibben Bowie, beautiful and very sharp!
Frenchmanny said
quote:
I saw Ron at Denton hill last year, the stick was more for looks than really needed to walk! :bigsmyl:
Hen and Rooster Stag Bowie, mine is 8.5" blade I think, they make several
Hey guys.....thanks for sharing your pics and selections. Some GREAT KNIVES here for sure. Let's not stop here though.
KEEP 'EM COMING!!!!
I have also been thinking about getting a Helle blade and putting my own handle on it. Either that or getting a blade from KnifeKits or Jantz and adding a handle. Been wanting to try my hand at such a project for a while.
Can you ever have too many knives? It's like someone saying they have too much money...it's just something that should NEVER be said aloud.
Thanks everyone.
Nalajr
I forgot to add something I have been thinking of doing.
When I look at the old Fred Bear kits with the Western Blade, stone and file it gets my brain turning around and I think about making my own "kit" that would handle all knife chores I would likely face.
As an example, I would get a PUMA Bowie with the 6 1/2 inch blade and then get a PUMA Hunters Pal, the one that Bear actually carried, with a 4 inch blade and then have someone make me a sheath that would allow me to carry both of them. It could be done with any number of knife combos, depending on what YOU like. I think it would be really cool to have such a setup. It could even be a 4 or 5 inch fixed blade with a nice, heavy duty and capable FOLDER in a pouch on the sheath. I think about what would be a good combo all the time and I haven't decided on what ones to start with. Getting there is half the fun too.
This is a project I'll take up after I get the Hill style bow I want.
What do you all think about such an idea? Has anyone you know of, or you, done such a thing?
Thanks again.
Nalajr
They are not big knives...but if you want a nice knife that will hold it's edge and do a nice job...check out McCroskey Knives. Do a search and read some of the comments on them. Really nice guys and great prices....Don't have pics of mine.
Just dreaming......this one from from Lin would be my pic...by far. Man it felt so perfect in the hand and so balanced....
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5274/5866466338_71f0c77d3e_z.jpg)
Hey Nala.
Look at the fallkniven knives. They sell blade blanks so you can put your own scales on them. They are awesome knives I have a few myself.
Sorry I hit enter before I was done.
I used to have the f1 and wm1 piggy backing on a smal leather sheath. The f1 was also swapped out for my h1 when I knew I was going to do some skinning.
I wonder if I can get another one of those sheaths made.
This Doug Campbel bowie and its sister hunter is what I carry.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v75/comanche/Custom%20Knives/Dcampbellknife.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v75/comanche/Custom%20Knives/knife.jpg)
My dad gave me a box of old butcher knives. In the box I found an old draw knife and this Cattaraugus Commando 225Q (Quartermaster) WWII. It was in bad shape but I'm slowly working it back into shape. I took it to dads the other day and he said that this knife was his when he was a boy and had forgot about it being in the box. I don't think it's very collectable but it is special to me. It has a very thick tip (for prying) and is 1095 steel. I got it shaving sharp and I need to get a sheath made. This is what I'm going to use as my current camp knife.
(http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff47/cahabarivr/NorthernMist075.jpg)
I have 3 that are my regular carry knives. The largest is my go-to camp/wood splitting/hide building knife.
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y110/robtattoo/photobucket-6802-1341680320067.jpg)
These are my camp knives for now anyway. Love Osage...tippit
(http://images5a.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp6357%3B%3Enu%3D32%3A4%3E%3B87%3E672%3EWSNRCG%3D379634%3A5%3A232%3Cnu0mrj)
(http://images5a.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp635%3B6%3Enu%3D3795%3E%3A%3B2%3E5%3C%3B%3E2886%3A%3B26%3B%3C23%3Bot1lsi)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v110/tippit/Knives/OsageTomatoSlicer003.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v110/tippit/Knives/OsageTomatoSlicer010.jpg)
I like all of these, even though they aren't as big as some listed.
(http://i1111.photobucket.com/albums/h477/njloco/IMG_1684.jpg)
I carry a Randall model 25-6 for general use, and a Swafford Autumn hunter for dressing game. One day soon I plan to ask Swafford to make me a 6" blade knife with the autumn hunter profile, that will be the main carry then.
This one is a Special Edition in a display case, in honor of Mountainman Seth Kinman
(http://www.shrewbows.com/rons_linkpics/Kinman%20case.JPG)
(http://www.shrewbows.com/rons_linkpics/Kinman1.JPG)
(http://www.shrewbows.com/rons_linkpics/kinman2.JPG)
That thing triples as knife, machete, and sword!
(http://i715.photobucket.com/albums/ww152/tking1323/2012-07-07_18-42-37_394.jpg)
It was my grandfathers. 7 inch blade. Could use a little clean up but it shaves hair. Honestly always thought it was an old K-bar but don't know that for sure. All it says on it is US Camillus NY
The older I have become, the smaller the knives have become. LOL
Favorites:
Puma 3087 jagdnicker and a restored skinner, similar to the original Russell Green River skinner.
Have many others, including the Puma Original Bowie.
You can keep them...
Here are a couple work horses i picked up in a trade some time ago. There not customs, but good blades none the less. (http://%20[url=http://images.imagelinky.com/1341707814.JPG%5D%20%5Bimg%5Dhttp://images.imagelinky.com/1341707814.JPG)[/url] [/IMG]
i always carry my little dozier slim outdoorsman. 3.5". i have no use for pre-broken knives.
i've always loved big knives, too, though.
most of the men i hunt hogs and elk with carry a pistol.
i just don't like to carry a firearm when bowhunting. not an ethical thing, not a judgemental thing.
just an aesthetic thing.
anyway, i still like to have a last-ditch weapon, against bear or boar.
i recently bought 2 laclair bowies. meant to have 1 as a spare, but the ranch manager, who treats me way better 3than i deserve, really admired them, so i gave him 1 yesterday.
call it unemployment insurance. not really. he's a good friend, and i learned a long time ago you reap what you sow.
anyway, cl matteo forges a remarkable 10" bowie knife, and ron laclair sells it.
it's not just fairly priced, it's stupid-cheap.
joe
This Bagwell Bowie and this little Caper have seen a lot of the world
(http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa302/jparanee/P6030001.jpg)
This Wheeler is getting a lot of carry these days
(http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa302/jparanee/WheelerFighter007.jpg)
I'm in the other camp... I am not such a knife guy... but then again, I am usually packing heat, so a knife is just a tool for cutting up game....
I have a machete in the truck or camper...
a benchmade Pardue Auto-Axis or Old Henry Schrade in the pocket
and a stockman knife in the pack- used to be an old carbon bladed boker (german made-lost) now a buck stockman...
Really I find for field dressing, the stockman is my goto knife... For butchering at camp, I usually go for the single bladed lock blades... At home, the Henckels kitchen knives get the call...
Those big knives don't do it for me... I can appreciate craftsmanship, however, I find the small blades are easier for a whitetail... It is a finesse job to gut and skin...
NICE Stuff everyone. I love it. Keep 'em coming.
That's OK if you're not a knife person. No problem with that at all. I like and carry a "pocket" knife every time I step outside. I used to carry a Benchmade Pardue Auto, but gave it to my nephew. Ever since I have been carrying Spyderco knives. They make some really nice knives for the money and have a helluva warranty. I sat down in a funky office chair one day with a G10 handled Endura and the "housing" where the belt clip was held got caught and tore it all up. I called Spyderco and asked them if they could take a look at it and fix it and let me know how much it costs. After about a week of waiting to hear from them, I got a box in the mail that had a brand new Endura in it. GREAT COMPANY and knives.
I carry an Endura each day and would love to get a Spyderco POLICE version with the serrated blade and stainless handle.
Thanks all.
Nalajr
This "Longhunter" knife is 12.5" OA and has a ball grip bone handle. It's 8" 1095 carbon steel blade takes an exceptionally keen edge. When I carry this one it gets used for a multitude of cutting chores.
(http://www.shrewbows.com/images_2012/Longhunter_and_sheath.jpg)
Joe, what make is that 1911?
Ill be toting this tricked out Kabar this year. (http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o244/2crazyboys_photos/IMAG0639.jpg)
(http://i884.photobucket.com/albums/ac45/samstephens71/Bearhunt2012meandFelix056.jpg)
(http://i884.photobucket.com/albums/ac45/samstephens71/b3fe1bcf.jpg)
(http://i884.photobucket.com/albums/ac45/samstephens71/RidgeRunnerBearHuntFelix476.jpg)
Wow what some knives. Great stuff gentlemen.
Here's my EDC package. The big knife is Busse Combat Anniversary Steel Heart. Haven't seen any Busse's yet so I figured I'd better throw one in the mix.
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g108/briarjumper12/DSCN0634.jpg)
Custom by Ben Tendick...BRT Bladeworks
(http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg54/PierreLucas/SRT1.jpg)
God Bless, Pierre
Here's a nice trade knife from Sticshooter. I just need to figure out a better way to carry it. I've got a cross draw belt holster for it, but it gets it the way.
(http://i934.photobucket.com/albums/ad183/wclooper/DSC_0211.jpg)
(http://i934.photobucket.com/albums/ad183/wclooper/DSC_0217.jpg)
(http://i934.photobucket.com/albums/ad183/wclooper/DSC_0168.jpg)
This vintage Schrade 171 UH is by my side most times. 5.5" blade and just about 10" overall it has a nice sized handle that fills up my hand just right.
(http://images.imagelinky.com/1341779490.jpg) (http://images.imagelinky.com/1341779490.jpg)
(http://images.imagelinky.com/1341779722.jpg) (http://images.imagelinky.com/1341779722.jpg)
Ron's "LaClair Bowie" goes with me most trips to the woods. It is a great knife, both beautiful and functional.
Briarjumper, if that is your Every Day Carry setup, I'd hate to see what you'd be packing IF you thought trouble was on the way.
Nice collection of gear though. I like it.
Nalajr
QuoteOriginally posted by Nala:
NICE Stuff everyone. I love it. Keep 'em coming.
That's OK if you're not a knife person. No problem with that at all. I like and carry a "pocket" knife every time I step outside.
Gee Nala, I sorta got my nickname *Slasher* because in the Marines I was considered a knife person.... But a karambit doesn't do much for the outdoors... And I tend to be more of a CCW guy these days for defense...
As they say don't be remembered as the guy who took a knife to a gunfight!!! But within 5 yds a knowledgeable fella witha knife will win 9x outa ten....
I'm a small knife person. I get myself in trouble up inside a deer with a long blade.
Having said that, I do like the idea of a hawk or camp knife in my rucksack. I took a forging class one time with Robin Hudson when he lived on the eastern shore of Maryland. He had a camp knife that he never loaned out. Wore it on a swivel sheath on his strong side. It always hung straight down whether he sat or stood.
He was doing a forging demo at a camp when it started raining. I had a small tarp and another guy had miles of para cord so all we needed was a few saplings to make an awning. One slice per sapling was all he needed and we were in business. Sure, I could have whittled them down with my little belt knife, but that would have been sadly lacking in panache. :)
bill bagwell said that something magical happens between 9" and 10" blade length.
i agree. a 10" knife will CHOP.
just yesterday, my dogs were fighting a dying raccoon which had a sharp broadhead sticking out of it.
i couldn't get a clear shot, so i moved in and ended the fight with a chop to the back of the coon's neck.
severed the spine. none of the good guys got hurt.
I will always carry a small hunting knife. But for clearing around camp and a ground blind, a 10 inch bowie with the edge "set up" correctly to handle some chopping, is hard to beat. I actually like 9 3/4 with a 5 1/4 inch handle for a total of 15 inches. I rarely will make any camp knife over that. If longer, there are diminishing returns to a degree because of sheer size, but they are cumbersome if the weight distribution is not perfect. I agree with that "magical" thing Mr Bagwell talks about. I think it has to do with efficiency and ergonomics if pressed to explain. All of that palaverin aside, I'm making a 12 inch bowie with very good distal taper that is scary to hold. It's is well balanced for a long blade. I'm wanting to use it for a camp knife myself. I'll post it up soon.
If I didn't already have this one I would be carrying Ron Laclare's Bowie knife (I still might and pick up a Trapper Companion). Love that Shrew Steel.
I never liked big knives but someone mentioned to me once that they could save your life. I thought of all things that could happen on the back country trips I take and thought they were right. From now on I would be rather caught with it when I don't need it, than caught without it when I do need it.
(http://i696.photobucket.com/albums/vv324/distantmeadows/Picture023.jpg)
(http://i696.photobucket.com/albums/vv324/distantmeadows/Picture022.jpg)
Full size K-Bar Fan here. I carry that with my smaller homemade belt knife /file kit when hunting backcountry.
I use it as a multipurpose tool for chopping, hammering tent pegs, splitting wood, machete, and bear medicine.
It does not get any utilitarian than that.
i don't think i've ever met an outdoorsman who carried a big knife INSTEAD of a small knife, by the way.
the small knife is indispensable, and a given.
joe
I believe it was Randy Ruana who said "if a man is attacked by a bear, but keeps his wits about him he can survive with a well placed thrust up into the heart while he's lying on the ground being chewed on".
Wouldn't want to attempt that with my little 3.5".
Thats really cool Ron..... :campfire:
QuoteOriginally posted by Bladepeek:
I believe it was Randy Ruana who said "if a man is attacked by a bear, but keeps his wits about him he can survive with a well placed thrust up into the heart while he's lying on the ground being chewed on".
Wouldn't want to attempt that with my little 3.5".
If you do a search,you should be able to find the story.
"In 1903 Harry Wolhuter, the first Game Ranger of Kruger National Park, Africa, killed a lion, (that was dragging him away by his right shoulder), with a sheath knife having a 6 inch blade of the "Pipe Brand," manufactured by T. Williams of Smithfield, London. It was "an ordinary butcher's knife of the sticking type," as described by Harry, in his book, Memories of a Game Ranger."
Pretty amazing!
It's hard to keep my wits about myself even when I'm not being chewed on. Man, that's gotta hurt. But when you dont have a choice, a longer blade would be better under the circumstances.
:scared:
Okay. I'll be the total rebel here. If I'm carrying that much weight for a "camp knife" it's going to be this one :D
(http://www.treemanknives.com/images/products/dsc06256f257-1.jpg)
There we go, a Nice Hawk!!! :scared: They are ALL Great!! :clapper: :clapper:
My everyday camp knife carried on my person is a common butcher with 6" blade. Carbon steel, easy to sharpen and you can slice meat, veggies, and spread mayonaisse. One of the most practical knives I've ever owned and I've used it the past 32 years.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0603/reddogge/Hunting/IMG_1871.jpg)
Now the heavy work I don't carry this thing but have it in camp along with a couple of hawks. It's a Model 1910 WW1 bolo knife. 15" of heavy steel. You could do amputations with it (and they did).
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0603/reddogge/US%20Rifles/IMG_1503.jpg)
During WWII all of my uncles were in the service. One of them was in the Philippines and he wrote home to my aunt that the natives on the islands were making bolo knives out of the propellers of downed fighter planes. When my aunt wrote back to him she let me put a little note at the bottom of the letter. I ask him to send me one of those bolo knives. I was really disappointed when he didn't send me one. But then I guess it was for the best, I probably would have chopped off one of my fingers....I was only 8 years old... :goldtooth:
The WW1 bolos continued to see heavy service in WW2 mainly in the Pacific theater island campaign. The Marines used them to clear shooting lanes for the machine guns.
hawks and hatchets do 1 thing very well. chop.
they generally do that better than a big bowie, but not always, as in my 'coon fight. i had more margin for error on a moving target.
but chopping is ALL that 'hawks and hatchets can do.
a big bowie can slice, stab, rip, and chop.
and, as bagwell did to prove a point, skin a mouse.
i think 'hawks and hatchets are cool. got some.
but they don't approach a bowie in versatility.
joe
I know of one man in VA who roughs out decoy heads and bodies with a hachet. Watching him work is poetry in motion. He holds it by the head and it is scary sharp.
cool, reddogge.
right after i posted that, i thought of hammering, pounding. they beat knives all hollow for that.
i repent of dissing 'hawks and hatchets.
a man who loves a given tool can make it do amazing things.
joe
I am a bit of knife nut and own gazzillions of them ...
I don't think you can go past an ESEE 6" for a all round 'camp knife' and it chops so well that I am always suprised it is only a 6" blade ... plus its reasonably priced with an amazing warranty ... if I damage or lose it I won't be too heartbroken ... unlike my customs and Randalls :eek:
Ditto the Junglas ... 10 inches of chopping power and a fantastic 'camp ' chopper ... Boy have I given mine some punishment round the farm and camp !
but they come in kydex ... which I loath .. so I had leather sheaths made for them ... sweet
But my best bang for the buck ... things have gone wrong ... I am in trouble ... need a camp/ everything knife that'll never let me down I go to Scott Gossman and his spear point Tuskers .....
The ESEE knives are nice too. I have been looking at the Becker series knives as well. I particularly like the BK17, BK15, the Becker Necker, the BK7 and BK5.
WAY too many nice knives out there to narrow them down. Kinda like bows...
Thanks all.
Nalajr
ESEE over Becker ... every time !
Fit and finish is much better IMHO .....
Ben... my good man. I'll be packen' that there Wombat in 'combat' up the Cape next week mate. I shall give you a run down on it's performance upon my return to white man country!
ak.
P.S... made some calls re; my line of knives...stay tuned. Does a chap buy the name John Foxwell ring any bells?
I met Bill Bagwell of Bowie Knife fame in 1980. I was longbow hunting turkeys with Ben Rogers Lee in Coffyville Alabama. Bill lived it the Texas panhandle at the time and made the trip up to get together for some longbow shooting. Back in those days longbow shooters were spread pretty thin.
Anyway a couple years later Bill and I planned a spring bear hunt in Ontario. During a phone conversation before the hunt Bill ask, "Ron, do you have a "Bar" knife"? I told him that I had a lot of knives but I didn't have a specific "Bar" knife.. :dunno: to which he said I'll bring you one when we meet in Canada.
This is the knife that he gave me and I still have today. In Bill's catalog it was called the Riverboat Bowie and listed for $800.00, a lot of scratch in those days..(even today) :eek:
(http://www.shrewbows.com/rons_linkpics/Bagwells_%20Bowie.JPG)
Thats my kinda knife there Ron, what a treasure.
A treasure indeed. That is a classic. I guess that's where I'm blessed......or cursed, which ever the case. I LOVE Bowies and I dont realy care who makes them. Of course, I like the Bagwell style, but will defer to him as the authority and wont tread to closely on his style. He and I have discussed this and I view his work as iconic.
I should add that the knife Bill gave me was Damascus steel. That was back in the day when Smiths made their damascus the hard way by folding and forge welding and before "cable" damascus. A good damascus blade was bringing $100.00 an inch back then.
i really appreciate your expert input, lin.
reckon we all do.
you mentioned a bowie/camp knife having its edge properly "set up" for chopping.
could you elaborate on that?
thanks.
joe
Thank you sir.
A Camp Knife and some Bowies would need their edge to be slightly thicker and the edge rolled to a more "blunt" shape. This is hardly noticable by most people, but it's there and it makes a difference.
When you hear of the combined edge angle of 20-24 degrees, a Bowie's should be nearer 24. A hunting knife/skinner would naturally be closer to 20 degrees.
Heat treat is important, of course, but the edge geometry is what makes it cut and flow through material.
The lesson I had to learn when sharpening my katanas, wakazashis, and tantos was to maintain an apple seed edge shape not a flat taper all the way to the edge. We have cutting as part of our regular practice. It matters more than one would think when you start to cut through something that is 8" thick.
MAP
lin-
i do sharpen a more blunt or abrupt angle on my bowies than my knives which will only cut, and not see impact.
but "rolled" seems to indicate rounded. true?
i have not rounded my edge bevel.
should i?
thanks.
joe
Another one for the pile (http://i850.photobucket.com/albums/ab70/JonathonQuill/IMAG0051.jpg) (http://i850.photobucket.com/albums/ab70/JonathonQuill/IMAG0050-1.jpg)
my, i'm chatty...but i love me some knife talk.
that is a beauty, pack. you can beat 1095, but not by much.
i love the beckers, but like you, can't abide the cheap scales.
i replace mine with gas pipeline
compressor fan blade stuff.
it either is black micarta, or looks like it, and i get it free.
what is the blade treatment?
again, very cool.
joe
Thanks Joe
forced patina with Ketchup and mustard
QuoteOriginally posted by sledge:
hawks and hatchets do 1 thing very well. chop.
they generally do that better than a big bowie, but not always, as in my 'coon fight. i had more margin for error on a moving target.
but chopping is ALL that 'hawks and hatchets can do.
a big bowie can slice, stab, rip, and chop.
and, as bagwell did to prove a point, skin a mouse.
i think 'hawks and hatchets are cool. got some.
but they don't approach a bowie in versatility.
joe
I'd take an axe or hatchet over a bowie any day :D I've skinned a rabbit with a Gransfors Bruks Small Forest axe, as well as sent myself to the ER.
If I expect trouble, my S&W 696 is never too far away (the joys of bowhunting in Grizzly country)
The Outdoorsman Axe from GB is new, and I've not used it as much. But with it in my pack, I can make fire, when ever, where ever, plus more tricks.
But since this IS a knife thread.
Here's what I usually have in the pack because I can't afford an Ingram
(http://www.knifeworks.com/productimages/benchmade/BM201.jpg)
And then I also ALWAYS have my Spyderco Delica on me too
(http://www.spyderco.com/pix/products/large/C11_L.jpg)
At least that was what they both looked like new :D
Joe, Yes it is indeed rolled. Someone mentioned the appleseed edge. That's it. The shape of an appleseed immitates the cross section of a chopping blade's edge. It's very strong. Think of a slimmed down version of a axe cross section.
treeman knives out of ray mi still hand forges out of o1 great knife kick ass sharp check him out
I'll take these two since I made them. Can't afford the big ones.
My first two attempts of knife building
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/doublelung/WaterBuffaloandHelleBlade2.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/doublelung/DeerAntlerandHelleBlade2.jpg)
That's a SWEET looking Becker with the modded grips.
I like to see factory knives that owners have modded out to make them work better for them.
Any others out there?
Nalajr
My go to big knife is a USMC Kabar. Tuff and sharp and
does anything I need it to.
dan- that 696 smith is a very cool concept.
i haven't seen 1, but i love the idea of a medium-frame 5-shot big bore revolver.
super-snub!
joe
I'd LOVE to have a S&W 696. One of my all time favorite revolvers.
Nalajr
since when is this about revolvers?
Hey, big bore revolvers in L frames are almost as cool as bows :D
Especially when they launch a gas checked 250 Keith at 1000 FPS.
Don't tell me I'm the only guy on here with a S&W Revolver hobby ;)
I won't tell the group about my Nose Hammer 4" barreled 625 Mountain Gun in 45 ACP then.
:dunno:
Quotesince when is this about revolvers?
Ya, if ya gotta have a gun, 45.acp, because they don't make a .46...
Besides, "never bring a gun to a knife fight"...or was it the other way around?? :dunno:
I like that "B'ar" knife Ron posted---that looks exactly like what I would consider an ideal knife for me.
As for handguns and grizzlies---be sure you file off the sight etc---keep it well greased---know what I mean?
Joe
A few more big knives from my stash.. :saywhat:
(http://www.shrewbows.com/rons_linkpics/Big_Blades.JPG)
I know that a 44 special won't kill a Grizzly dead in its tracks, but then many popular centerfire rifles won't either. But I do know that I will feel better letting a Grizzly eat me that has 1250 grains of lead in it's skull.
I've had more than a couple way too close encounters with Grizzlies over the years. So yeah, I take my gun to the knife fight :D
Ron, I like the second one from the top. Nice knives!
I used to pack an Old Hickory butcher knife in a homemade sheath.Now I favor my Kabar extra large bowie with a 9" blade, good for just about any camp chore
Oh yeh Ron,
That top one is nice, whats the skinny on that one?
CTT
Chuck, it's a copy of a Scagel who was the man that inspired Bo Randal to make knives.
I thought it might have that influence. Sure is good looking.
CTT
"Thats not a knife....heres a real knife" Croc Dundee
The Expedition
High carbon tool steel, pinned phenolic scales.
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d22/johndill/084.jpg)