The Bowie knife is one of the most remarkable tools to ever be created. This knife serves equally well during camping, fishing, hunting or as a form of personal protection. While most people are familiar with the general shape and form of a Bowie knife, understanding what actually qualifies a knife to claim that particular name can be a little difficult.
Because of the intense popularity of Bowie knives, you’ll find a wide range of different styles. In fact, there are so many different types, that it can be hard to tell what is real and what is not. For instance, you’ll find knives from the Rambo movies that are derivatives of the Bowie knife, but feature a serrated back (spine). You’ll find “Bowie” style machetes, as well. The real determining factor in the equation is your own personal tastes. For instance, if you are a purist, then the Rambo and Predator editions are certainly out of the running for true Bowie status.
The blade should be at least six inches long. It can exceed this length, though. You’ll find Bowie knives with blades as long as twelve inches, or even longer. The blade should be at least one inch wide, though longer knives might be up to two inches in width. The blade should only have a single edge, running along the bottom of the edge. These may or may not have a Spanish Notch – an area supposedly designed to trap an enemy’s knife blade, but more likely used in a utilitarian manner.
The classic look is what most purists accept as a true Bowie knife, though even here, there is much disparity. Some collectors even accept Sheffield Bowies as true Bowie knives (these feature a sharpened back curve on the point, where the clipped portion curves up to meet the knife’s spine).
Of course, purists will dispute some of these elements, as well as modern innovations. For instance, most collectors and purists will not consider a folding blade Bowie knife as authentic, as the original was a fixed blade style. In addition, most collectors frown on “Bowie” knives with two edges, as the original and all early reproductions featured only a single edge. However, remember that the true value and “qualifications” of a knife lie with their owner, not with anyone else, or even any knife guide that you might find.
Dylan Sabot is the owner of an online bowie hunting knife store featuring the Cold Steel jim bowie knife. Additionally, Dylan is also the President of a specialty lighters store.