Bowie Knives: The Blade.

Рет қаралды 85,431

10 жыл бұрын

In this video, we look at the basics of several different aspects of bowie knife blades: steels, length, thickness, grinds, points and more, as well as a look at the total package, and what a good bowie can do.
At one point I say "heated" when I meant "heat treated", sorry for misspeaking, and for the occasional garble.
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This video ends a bit abruptly due to my camera running out of space- so thanks for watching, and while I realize that I do not know it all, I hope you gain some useful information from it!

Пікірлер: 78

@B-leafer Жыл бұрын

Well said. Great discussion. Agree with pretty much all you said. Bark River's A2 is awesome. Their heat treat is really well done.

@arctodussimus6198 6 жыл бұрын

Excellent video. Very informative. New subscriber after watching this video. I was beginning to think that I was the only person who thought a Bowie knife had to have a ten inch blade. And one more thing I'll say, I appreciate you pronouncing the name Bowie correctly.

@MajorComedown 9 жыл бұрын

Thoroughly explained and accurate too. The quality of video here is beyond anything else I've seen. Keep up the good work (hopefully others will follow) !!!

@WMDTVIDS 9 жыл бұрын

James Pullen Thank you sir!Ive been a bit tied up this spring, but more videos are in my head.

@diego-salvatorecontrino2889 9 жыл бұрын

Magnifiques couteaux !! Je vais en faire un bientôt !!!

@gusmcrae1120 9 жыл бұрын

John, I'm not into stainless steel blades either. I prefer carbon steel blades. They can call me traditional all day long, and I'll revel in it and ask for more. A big ol' Bowie with a 10" high carbon steel blade is simply a gift from God. I have an idea in the works for a tradition full tang Bowie of the above specs. It would have osage orange scales, 'blued' and ever-so-slightly recessed pins impressed with 5-point stars (5 total), a German silver guard (Bagwell type of course)...and 'contrasting' spacer, and a brass end cap. Older, more 'deep orange' color scales are a must have. I have some good osage orange blanks of the aforementioned type in a bag somewhere. I pulled some very old fence posts from the ground years ago. My idea would have the blade slightly 'rough textured or finished' to impede an imperfectness of the days of blacksmith-made days. It would be cold blued slightly to accentuate the silver and the brass. Of course, a nice edge on the clip point 2" long, would be a must-do for those wicked back flicks! This would be a Bowie to use...not to abuse....on some collector's shelf. ha! I love the hell outta nice Bowie knives, I surely do! Extra fine video, my friend, as usual! Thanks a million. My depression dropped at least 75% watching your video. Ohh forgot, John....why hell yes, Mr. Bill Bagwell was/is right! as you said...and always has been. haha! (agreeing with you) He is our modern day Jim Bowie plus, for certain! Stay sharp John, as always!!

@rivercitysheaths1654 10 жыл бұрын

Great information .. you know your Bowies, uses, and construction.

@WMDTVIDS 10 жыл бұрын

Thank you, SIR! That's high praise, coming from you.

@TheMNBlackBear 6 ай бұрын

My Bowie is the Track of the Wolf 15" Bowie. 1075. I've steeped the blade in vinegar for hours and put a sweet looking patina on it; put a brass guard on it and black Canvas Micarta scales w/ stainless steel pins. It's been a super-tough tool that accomplishes any task. It was so much fun! Think I'll build me another!

@WMDTVIDS 5 ай бұрын

Track is a great source, usually im looking for a specific BP related item when I visit the site. I'll take a closer look at the knife selection, thank you.

@awesomeone1106 8 жыл бұрын

Good video that's full of serious information, you really know about knives & that no joke. This is like a class lesson in video form.

@stayalivesweetheart 8 жыл бұрын

You're spot on, on all counts. I'm a Chef, as well as, a competitive thrower...Thanks for posting. Subscribed!

@WMDTVIDS 8 жыл бұрын

+stayalivesweetheart Thanks!

@DannoCrutch 9 жыл бұрын

Good video. Yes indeed, Bagwell was SO right. His sharpening tips were splendid too!

@jgreystoke 9 жыл бұрын

Very informative video. Thank you.

@Chefsjourneyhub 8 жыл бұрын

nice Bowie Knives bro!!

@B-leafer Жыл бұрын

The first three knives from the left are my style for sure. My favorite would be the 2nd one, next the third. Would love to own one.

@germanolivares4772 6 жыл бұрын

Nice video, here in Mexico bowie knives are really popular, more in the north part. I've been using the cold steel laredo for a while, I must confess that is kind of "overpowered" I'm just one of those guys who go to the forest just for walking, and I live in the City so the places where I usually go aren't really dangerous or wild, probably a victorinox is all what I need but I fucking love bowie knives, also I love the kabar usmc, it was my first knife.

@awesomeone1106 9 жыл бұрын

Ok I like the BUCK 119 but after seeing your videos of choping and getting shooled on blade philosophy I see it Bowie like knife, understanding is important and it's in this video.

@motomark9736 7 жыл бұрын

there are many great Bowie knives with less than 9 inch blade in the 1800s most of them I've seen arent over 7 inch blades

@WMDTVIDS 7 жыл бұрын

After cartridge pistols became common, the era of the true bowie waned, the knives shrank to become less than themselves. Though commonly called by the name, true bowies they were not. At least in my book. Peoples perceptions change: today, 4" is considered a LARGE pocketknife.

@sergeantdef.3572 8 ай бұрын

@@WMDTVIDS 4 inch is never considered as a big pocket knife..

@daiburt1833 5 жыл бұрын

I made one from a machete from 1948 made from Sheffield steel . I'm keeping this one . Mine Has an 11 blade . Unfortunately if I leave my property with it they can lock me up for 3 year's

@rncftw 9 жыл бұрын

Great video. What is your opinion on the cold steel Laredo bowie knife? I like the look of its length and slashing/sheering capability with that full flat grind.

@WMDTVIDS 9 жыл бұрын

rncftw its a good knife. people gripe about the cable tang, but the cable concerns me less than the actual tang transition.

@glenrobinson916 8 ай бұрын

This is so interesting but for me, living and working in Grizzly habitat and guns being difficult to acquire here in Canada I’m thinking to acquire a Bowie knife for self defence if a grizzly jumps me. I do have a cheap Chinese made Bowie with an 11 7/8 blade but even this seems small when thinking of defending from a grizzly. Probably the thrusting capability is most important. So how big can I go with a large, tapered fighting Bowie? Where can I find such a knife?

@WMDTVIDS 8 ай бұрын

If it were me, id work real hard on getting a Ruger Redhawk or the like. While i'm still pretty capable with a bowie knife these days, a Grizzly is one mean motor scooter. Your best bet is to get a knife that fits your hand and body so you will actually carry it, and sheathe it well so you can draw it. Measure the length from the inside of your elbow to the tip of your middle or index finger, whichever is longer, and that is the overall length of your knife, give or take a half inch or so.

@scottsherman5947 8 жыл бұрын

Cool video man, thank you. I do find your views on steel to be outdated. There are now many stainless or tool steels that I'd personally love to have in a bowie knife. A nice modern stainless can run circles around any simple carbon steel in edge retention, provide a relatively care-free experience, & more than enough toughness & edge stability for even a large bowie. Heat treats are so dialed in now that even hobby makers can consistently produce a bowie knife in CPM154 or Elmax or fill in the blank that will be a superstar performer. Many of the positive attributes that folks apply to simple carbon steels are more romance than fact. And I'm not saying that 5160 or 1095 or my favorites like 52100 or CruForge V can't make stellar bowies; they certainly can...I'm just saying that higher alloy steels can as well. Thanks again brother, I really enjoyed the vid, great stuff for a knife lover like myself!!

@WMDTVIDS 8 жыл бұрын

you are probably right. I never claimed to be on the "cutting edge"- no pun intended!- of knife construction. I also mentioned something to that effect in the video. I like the simpler steels as 1) I can source it easy, locally, often free off the dump 2) they heat treat easy with the setup I have.3) they do the job well. Do you heat treat any of the more modern steels? Could you recommend one that will stand up to bowie work, and be heat treated with simple methods?

@panamared3681 7 жыл бұрын

I find your viewpoint on steel selection, and Bowie knives in general, to be spot on. I recently purchased the TOPs Prather War Bowie in 1095 HC steel and I am quite pleased with it. Keep up the great work, thanks for the data.

@hansgrubber5212 8 жыл бұрын

great video , I've been reading a lot about Bowie knives but I could never buy one I like... costwise

@igorrayzo1895 9 жыл бұрын

Ножи красавцы!

@WMDTVIDS 9 жыл бұрын

Igor Rayzo Thank you my freind.

@nathan_navaja 7 жыл бұрын

A few quick questions: Where can I find examples of your work? Do you make custom bowies still? I may look you up in the future if I'm in need a quality battle blade.

@WMDTVIDS 7 жыл бұрын

Nathan, you've seen most of the last few years production in the video.Basically I sell what I make myself, word of mouth. I have a few more coming out this year, I'll either do a vid or put them on my FB page.

@anthonymaughan6103 7 жыл бұрын

WMDTVIDS can u read the comment left at the top , & please give me an opinion , the comment from Anthony Maughan , thanks !!

@cheapmovies25 8 жыл бұрын

Which of the cold steel Bowie's u like best, tm Laredo, Natchez,

@WMDTVIDS 7 жыл бұрын

I've done the most work with a trailmaster- had one after they first came out. They are a great knife. Briefly had a Laredo, so I did not get a lot of playtime on it. Ive only handled a Natchez, did not get to play with it in the woods. Based on what I know of all, i'd lean toward the Laredo as an all around carry bowie. The TM is good as well, but the longer blade fits me better, and the point is more suited to backcuts.

@justinprather8846 9 жыл бұрын

Would you recommend the trailmaster as a fighter/utility?

@WMDTVIDS 9 жыл бұрын

Justin Prather Sure. The TM's are good knives, not the knives they USED to be but they are a solid value.

@justinprather8846 9 жыл бұрын

cool

@justinprather8846 9 жыл бұрын

WMDTVIDS What would you say of windlass bowies as fighters?

@WMDTVIDS 9 жыл бұрын

Justin Prather Given good basic skills, a person could use one to good effect. They will be a bit light in the cleaving department, but they handle well, and quickly.

@matttoney2891 9 жыл бұрын

What's it take for you to make a knife? Very interested. I'm impressed so far

@WMDTVIDS 9 жыл бұрын

Matt Toney Matt, what do you mean- pricewise, or materials, or my level of motivation? :)

@kendric476 9 жыл бұрын

WMDTVIDS I would like to know pricewise.

@paytonsporleder6538 8 жыл бұрын

thank you somebody sais bowie knife right

@13bravoredleg18 5 жыл бұрын

My favorite Bowie design is the Western W49.

@WMDTVIDS 5 жыл бұрын

a classic!

@WMDTVIDS 5 жыл бұрын

hey, have you seen the video on the Windlass bowie? close to the Western design.

@julesthurongi1223 8 жыл бұрын

Is there a production or semi-production Bowie that is an 80/20 design? It's a bummer that Ontario's bagwell line is extinct, as that's as close to what I'm thinking of. Cold steels loredo and Natchez models look close as far as their blade shape and clip design... But something's holding me back from them.

@WMDTVIDS 8 жыл бұрын

+Julian Thueringer The CS knives are good bang for the buck, but lean pretty far in the fighter (Laredo) or tool (trailmaster) direction for an 80/20, at least for me. The Laredo is probably the best of the lot in that regard, but iv'e not had the opportunity to play with a Natchez for any real length of time yet.

@julesthurongi1223 8 жыл бұрын

+WMDTVIDS Thanks for the response! One of the best philosophy vids concerning the Bowie! Yeah, that's been my general observation. CS is pretty much the only semi-traditional Bowie game in town. And I'm thinking the Laredo is going to be the first choice of mine because of its slimmer form factor to the blade. If the only choice is a Bowie that's as long and beefy as the Natchez, I'll just go with a Kukri or bolo, because you're then dealing with diminishing returns as far as speed/power in a Bowie shape. It'd be cool if a Ontario or another knife company re-did a collaboration with Bagwell again and revived his designs or came out with a traditional styled long clip point Bowie...

@anthonymaughan6103 7 жыл бұрын

I bought a 6 inch bowie knife , its a good looking knife , the thing is it has " ORIGINAL BOWIE " professionally wrote doown the blade , I paid £20 for the knife , & I think it is worth a lot more , has anybody out their ever seen , or heard of this - 6 inch blade , & 4 & a half inch horn handle - I personally think ive getting a bargain !!

@WMDTVIDS 7 жыл бұрын

Does it have a nickle silver double guard? sounds like you might have one of the smaller solignen made knives. Good knives, they made a lot of them, and in a few sizes.

@anthonymaughan6103 7 жыл бұрын

WMDTVIDS the guard is silver , on most Bowies ive noticed they are brass , the trouble is , the blade is scratched , there is a number on the guard , the number : CK 2665 , does that mean anything ??

@samuraigrandmaster 6 жыл бұрын

How much is a bowie knife made by you in terms of price

@WMDTVIDS 6 жыл бұрын

Depending on the size and finish from $375-$650. I try to keep them in the same range as a good handgun.

@Schroeder_-yh4sq 7 жыл бұрын

so you wouldn't consider a Kabar or a Randall model 1 to be a bowie knife?

@WMDTVIDS 7 жыл бұрын

Not really. They are more of a combat knife. Good knives, but they lack the length, edge grind, and clip point configuration of a bowie knife. Though the #1 is available in a 9"+ blade length, i'd want a different grind. Don't get me wrong, i've used both and they are useful knives. The K bar would really benefit from a heavier blade stock, full flat grind, losing that fuller, and 2" more blade. We could give our troops a 15OZ bowie with some reach and power, but still be light to carry and quick in the hand if we applied ourselves. Bagwell was spot on in regards to the Kbar. The way I look at it, once you have a well constructed 7" knife, you might as well have a 9-10" blade, as you already have 95% of its weight already. Sheath it correctly and you'll never know its there.

@claytonblanchard7517 7 жыл бұрын

I like the K as a utility knife, but didn't care for it as a fighting knife. That's the reason took the Bowie to Vietnam. I used the Kbar for any task that might dull or damage the Bowie, like digging in that damn hard red clay.

@AnythingOfEvery 9 жыл бұрын

Bowies yes are a American knife but a lot of them were made in Sheffield England originally

@cha5 9 жыл бұрын

True, I always think it's something of an irony that neither James Bowie or any members of his family ever made any money from all those knives with Bowie's name on them that were being manufactured around the country and from different parts of the world during his lifetime.

@mr.quiltworth845 9 жыл бұрын

They say that the original Bowie knives looked more like a big ass butcher knife

@cha5 9 жыл бұрын

thorin dyer Jim Bowie's very first knife did look like a butcher knife yes, although he may have had as many as fourteen knives made for him by the time he died at the Alamo. And there are several early Bowie Knives from the 1830s that IMHO look nothing whatsoever like a butcher knife, 'Bowie No 1' 'The Musso Bowie' among others.

@mr.quiltworth845 9 жыл бұрын

+cha5 I did not know the last part. Thank you for sharing.

@cha5 9 жыл бұрын

thorin dyer Sure thing, One video that you might want to check is 'Bowie Knives 1820-1870', it gives a fascinating visual history of a large variety of Bowie knives from this part of history.

@stefantankersly9044 9 жыл бұрын

Hi John- great video and bowies. Please check your Western Maine Defensive Tactics Facebook page. I have a question there for you (using someone else´s Facebook page, as I don´t have one).

@WMDTVIDS 9 жыл бұрын

Stefan Tankersly Stefan, i checked the FB page and did not see anything. What can i do for you?

@sergeantdef.3572 8 ай бұрын

A Bowie can even be 8 inch.. My biggest one is a 13 inch blade.. My most little one is 23 cm.. Both real Bowie's..

@WMDTVIDS 8 ай бұрын

The smaller versions are a bit more convenient.

@Thecriticofdooooom 9 жыл бұрын

2:53 bronze did not rust ;p

@WMDTVIDS 9 жыл бұрын

Murmandamus Thank you for your comment, but i was speaking specifically of ferrous alloys, as i mentioned in the video. Ferrous= iron bearing materials: iron and steel. In the video on gaurds i also mention bronze specifically due to its less corrosive tendencies.

@zillahero 8 ай бұрын

Can you make me a bowie

@WMDTVIDS 8 ай бұрын

Possibly. What do you have in mind?

@zillahero 8 ай бұрын

@@WMDTVIDS I'd prefer you make something that just has your own vision on it. Far be it from me to tell you how to make your stuff, I wouldn't know what makes a bowie good