This story could be fact or it could be fiction. Even if it was fictional it very well could happen. The outcome might be different depending on weather the character in the story is prepared or not.
QuoteThe "Last Defense", LaClair Bowie
It was late October, in Iron County in Michigans western upper peninsula. The sun had set long ago and I didn't get out of my treestand until it was pretty dark. I started my long trek back to the truck, My longbow carried at my side as I walked, the bow quiver that was attached to the bow held four razor sharp broadheads and a hex blunt.
The hunt this afternoon had been pretty uneventful. Except for a doe with twin fawns, a grouse and a porcupine the four hour set had been relaxing but unproductive. It was a very dark night. As my dad use to say, "as black as the inside of Toby's hat" My small "Nebo" flashlight powered by a single AAA battery was attached to the brim of my cap by the clip on the light. The small beam of light was enough to see the trail in front of me but it was ink black to my sides.
As I walked I was wishing it wasn't so far back to the truck. I had help from a couple of the younger guys in camp when we packed in my ladder stand, and I knew if I was lucky enough to take a deer back in there I'd have to have help again getting it out. The trail I was walking out on had become pretty packed down from the many trips in and out to the stand. Over time most of the sticks and twigs had been cleared off the path so my footsteps hardly made a sound as I moved over the ground.
Suddenly I heard something behind me...a rustle...something, that raised my hackles. I unzipped my heavy CarrHart vest so that the bowie knife that was riding in it's sheath under my arm was more accessible. Then before I could turn SOMETHING hit me on my back...HARD!.... I pitched forward, my bow went flying somewhere off to the side, my cap with the light attached also went flying. My body twisted in mid air so as I hit the ground I rolled a half turn. The "Thing" on my back was off for a split second but right back on me in a flash.
That split second gave me time to be on my back and bring up my right arm to shield my neck and face. As the creature lunged for my throat, his jaws clamped down on the heavy leather armguard on my forearm. I could smell his foul breath and I could feel the pressure as his legs and claws raked at my heavy CarrHart outerwear. What seemed like minutes was really only seconds.
Somehow my free left arm was able to reach the butt of my knife under my right arm. The big blade cleared it's sheath and came up in an arch to bury it's nearly 10 inch steel blade all the way to the brass guard. The animal screamed and reacted by letting go of my arm and in an instant it was off of me and scrambling away through the brush.
I kind of rolled on my side and sit up. I reached for my cap which was close by with the little light still burning brightly. I turned the light on the knife still clenched tightly in my left hand. The blade was covered with blood it's full length. Some tawny brown hairs clung to the blood and gore. Hairs that would latter tell that my attacker was a cougar.
My CarrHart clothing was torn in several places by the big cats claws, but somehow, other than some minor cuts I had avoided any serious injury. What would the outcome have been if it were not for my trusty blade? I dread to think of how it could have turned out. The Jungle Book story of Mowgli who turned his knife that he called his "Tooth" against the tiger Shere Khan come to mind. My tooth was my LaClair Bowie...my "Last Defense"
(http://***********.bowsite.com/tf/pics/00small31336005.JPG)
(http://www.shrewbows.com/bowieknife/underarm_carry.JPG)
(http://***********.bowsite.com/tf/pics/00small55920834.JPG)
Well, I don't carry a bowie, but I do carry a knife on a daily basis. Good habit to have.
Thanks for the share.
My knife saved a horse from getting a broken leg once. Had I not kept one in my pocket it would have been a sad ending for the horse. Her leg got wrapped in a lead line and it was pulling against it fiercely torquing the bone and knee joint. The lead line was tied to a horse trailer. A swift slice of the lead line ended the incident quickly. The horse was free with only a slight sprain.
Keep'em close. Keep'em sharp.
:clapper: :clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
WOW..what a man, what a salesman, and what a product. I gotta admit I don't have one, yet, but I do have about a half dozen others. I'm wantin' one of your Buffalo knives real bad. One of these days, one of these days.. :archer2:
I like big knives.
I really like the finish on this blade Ron.
(http://www.shrewbows.com/bowieknife/LaClair_Bowie1.JPG)
Is it color-case hardening from charcoal/bone?
Those knives need to see moose hunts, bear hunts, and hog hunts.
This is 10,000% why I ordered and carry my Laclair bowie every time I am in the woods. I hunt 90% of the time alone!
Thank you Mr. Laclair for a great product
F-Manny
Last Sunday, testing broadheads
(http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i144/frenchymanny/IMG_0578.jpg)
Great story! Can't wait for mine to arrive!
Like the finish like on the LaClair Bowie as well - is this the finish on your Fighter?
Bob C
Nothing the LeClair Skinner couldn't handle. :D
Bob, your knife is done I'm waiting for the sheath and harness from Art. It should be any day now. Your knife has the same blade finish as the single guard bowie... :thumbsup:
But, in the picture, your wearing it under the wrong arm! Love your stories Ron. Real life factional!
Your website continues to impress.
Every time(almost) I visit there's something new to see. Great story, and very well could be true.
The knife shown at the end of the tale has a few different features than the one you're wearing and as advertised. Is that a variation that is available?
Great story! I like blades!
QuoteThe knife shown at the end of the tale has a few different features than the one you're wearing and as advertised. Is that a variation that is available?
Yes, that's the newest version of the Bowie and it will be on the web site very soon.
I dont have a big Bowie but I need to get one "just in case". I even carry my knive to church!
Ron-great story and really gives you something to think about when you are outdoors in the boonies and all alone! This story might not be so far fetched! Two years ago in the UP, west of Escanaba, my cousin Tom was in his evening stand for just a few minutes and he heard and saw what he thought was a doe heading his way. He quickly gathered his bow and before he knew it, there was this cougar right in front of him! Tom commenced to shaking in his boots with a massive adrenalin rush! He realized then that he did not want the big cat to know he was there! Then suddenly, that cat looked up at him and let out a snarl that about curdled Tom's blood! When Tom came back to the cabin that night I knew immediatly that something had happened!
Thanks for the reminder! lol
Kenny :bigsmyl:
Every time I see one of Ron's designs I get excited. I make knives and I still get excited! I just cant help it. It just speaks preparedness!
Just a few short years ago I would scoffed at some of the claims that he is making about his knives. I have never held one of his but now I have held many knives big and small and I know them as well as about anyone. His knives are what he says they are. There are too many knife guys that can testify. Granted, some big "cheap" knives are nothing but glorified boat anchors, but this is not one of those. This a real tool.
Some dont care for the big knives as I once did myself. I have since come to appreciate the awesome cutting ability of a well made, balanced, 10 inch Bowie in the right hands. There is some techinique involved in cutting through different mediums and once a person learns a couple of these techniques, it will probably cause a doubter to start to understand. It's not mystic and it's not a macho thing, as such. It's simply learning how to cut.
I really want to get my hands on one of these knives.
Cool story Ron!
I thought I already had the perfect knife. Now I know better.
Great story! :thumbsup:
carry mine OFTEN, it has been many places with me.
Lin, you are too kind Sir :readit:
I'm flattered that you'd want to get your hands on one of our knives. I've been admiring your featured knife, the "Hombre" ....can we work a trade?... :rolleyes: ... :knothead:
Thanks, Ron, for the great service! I am 100% that this knife will get as many positive comments as both my Shrew Hawk and LIL' Shaver have.
Need to place an order for some more LIL' Shavers (two) for customers of mine. I'll email in order with details this AM and will contact you this morning to follow up!
Thanks, again, and give my compiments to your blacksmith and sheath maker as well!
Bob C
Great story my friend!
Ok Ron, like I did not already have a rough time walking out in the dark. Now I will be looking for big cats;)
I got charged to 20 yards by one last week. It was just a small Momma Bobcat. I got in between her and her kit. Very cool! OK, I admit, I pulled my sidearm. But I did put it back when she stopped :)
Katie, as if you weren't already a dangerous woman,..now you're packing heat.. :scared:
:biglaugh:
The new "Defender" Bowie is now available on the web site. http://www.shrewbows.com/bowie_defender.html
Thanks Ron: finally a good post without any Tec stuff.
GREAT story :scared:
Yes, you should always strive to be as high up on the food chain as possible.
I carry a fixed blade knife even though my folder is what I generally use, but as you say "you can't be too careful". That's one reason I also carry a sidearm. Even though I have the gun, there is a very reassuring feel to a sturdy knife. Perhaps that is a throw back to my Neanderthal roots. Ron LaClair's knife is truly a goodie, and I wish I had one.
Cool stuff Mr. Ron. Big knives,longbows,Hawks and a 45. You would fit in good down here...you sure you ain`t a swamper???. lol.RC
Been carrying one like that a friend made me 30 yrs ago. Hunt an area in Eastern NC, called Pungo, the area is loaded with deer, also bears, and red wolves. Have had many a deer taken from me by bears. The place is a wildlife refuge and only open during bow season and in Nov. The only allowable game to take is deer, and its not rare to see 10 bears every time you take a stand. Real spooky riding your bicycle out in the dark. Rons story made me think about how dangerous it is to hunt there, and thats why I had my friend make me a bowie knife to carry. The bears make it scary hunting there but you see more wildlife in a day than you see all year in some places.
So there's that many bears in the area and you're not allowed to hunt them?...Sounds like Game Mismanagement to me..
Some may think that carrying a big knife is not much protection against bears but it'll give you a comfortable feeling to have none the less.
I just got off the phone with C.L. Matteo the blacksmith who makes my knives and Hawks and we were discussing the new "Defender" Bowie. I told him it would be reassuring to have the knife with you not only in the woods but also if you ever had to go into some of the rough areas of some of the big citys it might come in handy. (remember Mick Dundee in NYC?) He said he didn't think you should use a knife like that on a human. I told him, with a knife like this you don't have to draw blood, just draw steel ... :bigsmyl:
Ron,if you haven't,you should read the story of Harry Wolhuter,Kruger National Park's first game ranger who killed a male African lion with a 6" sheath knife as it was dragging him off to make a meal.
http://www.kimwolhuter.com/harry.htm
A large knife is good to have, a .45ACP better, but, both are worthless unless you have the will to use them.
Thanks for the link Jim, I've read that story before but it's been a long time ago. It kind of gives credence to my fictitious tale.. :readit:
It definitely does.There was also an older gentleman that saved his own life with a buck folding knife when a tom lion jumped on him while hiking on Vancouver Island,BC.He got hurt pretty bad but he managed to pull the knife,open it and kill the lion,after it latched onto his neck.
I haven't carried a knife on my belt for years but this story and some others,plus a big increase in lions where I often travel alone,has changed that.This year I've started to carry a 6" sheath knife across my chest(and it's honed) in addition to another weapon under my arm.I think the big knife is a very good idea.Probably never need it but I bet the guy on Vancouver is glad he carried his.
I think the method of carry needs to withstand a hard slam also.Your shoulder harness looks just right to me.
That story raised the hair on the back of my neck! I went up into Ontario with my two sons. Actually, we were rifle hunting, but having read all of the horror stories on Canada's gun laws, I was being very law-abiding. After leaving my stand at dark, my gun was unloaded and securely in it's case hanging from my shoulder. I had at least 3 bears prowling around me as I stood at the end of a two-track waiting for my older son to come pick me up. Every once in awhile, a large dark form would cross the two-track silhouetted by the moonlight.
I never told my son, but I did have a medium sized "hunter's bowie" in my hand the whole time. Not as good as a man-sized one like yours, but would sure beat fingernails and teeth :)
Thanks for the Read Ron, definately has happened before. No Big Cats in my neck of the woods but I have been "Hunted" a couple of times by Wild Dogs.
The Scariest was Hunting on my own way out in Western Queensland several Kilometres from Camp. It was fast approaching Dark when the Hairs on the back of my neck "Stood Up' just as described in your story Ron. I turned and was startled to see a large German Shepherd Cross Feral Dog, crouched ready to attack just about 20 yards away.
I attacked it first, running and screaming at it. At that time I only carried a large folding knife. The Dog retreated but shadowed me 30 yards to my left through the Scrub as I jogged back to Camp. I have carried a Green River Hunter Sheath Knife since
Only a couple of weeks ago when I came back to browse Tradgang after a long absence I visited your Site Ron. I spied your Shoulder Harness and being a Leather Craftsman I will be making one for my new Bowie which has a 9" Blade. Not what you want to hear on a commercial basis but thanks for the inspiration
regards Jacko
QuoteOriginally posted by Ron LaClair:
I just got off the phone with C.L. Matteo the blacksmith who makes my knives and Hawks and we were discussing the new "Defender" Bowie. I told him it would be reassuring to have the knife with you not only in the woods but also if you ever had to go into some of the rough areas of some of the big citys it might come in handy. (remember Mick Dundee in NYC?) He said he didn't think you should use a knife like that on a human. I told him, with a knife like this you don't have to draw blood, just draw steel ... :bigsmyl:
The city streets can be nasty indeed. Problem is concealing a big Bowie knife while in the city. I carry an SOG twitch which I can pull out of my pocket and flick open with one hand in an instant. I get into some rough city areas at times. That Bowie knife is awesome though!
Proper dress for the city?... :rolleyes: ... :D
(http://www.shrewbows.com/rons_linkpics/Hoss_conceled.JPG)
I carry a pocket knife every where...as i am not able to carry concealed on the job and a couple other areas...not best solution but still more than my bare hands.
Also be aware that carrying a large knife is akin to a concealed weapon in many locations and could be illegal...so check with local laws but in the end do what you need to be safe.
good story
Just don't be quick to walk around NYC with something like that, NYPD will grab you before you have a chance to explain. Keep em in the woods and forget about street defense.