James Bowie and his Bowie Knife!

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 25 ธ.ค. 2024

ความคิดเห็น • 476

  • @scholagladiatoria
    @scholagladiatoria  2 ปีที่แล้ว +27

    Sign up to the British Newspaper Archive now with my link! tidd.ly/3uHA8xo

    • @BUZZKILLJRJR
      @BUZZKILLJRJR 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      I love your videos! I'm quite a patriot and hand made a Bowie knife, just for the same purpose as a woods man's knife. a chopper and heavy duty cutting tool. I carry a smaller knife as well but it replaced my hatchet and will be passed down to my son 8). Very cool history in not know it was used as a wood craft knife BUT I thought it would definitely fill that spot. finding out that's what it's designed for was very entertaining thank you for such a great video!!

  • @wompa70
    @wompa70 2 ปีที่แล้ว +163

    I vote for more period accounts of ANY weapons. Your commentary in addition to the articles is great.

    • @juvenal8929
      @juvenal8929 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I third this proposal

    • @alexandernewman9735
      @alexandernewman9735 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Too late to second the motion, but I wholeheartedly agree!

    • @alexandernewman9735
      @alexandernewman9735 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@dick_richards You're a gentleman and a scholar sir.

    • @tapioperala3010
      @tapioperala3010 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Yes

    • @WhatIfBrigade
      @WhatIfBrigade 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Yes! Seems like it would be excellent to rotate through different weapon's period accounts: sword, musket, rifle, pistol, knife, tomahawk.

  • @rezlogan4787
    @rezlogan4787 2 ปีที่แล้ว +77

    Prior to the Colt cap and ball revolvers, the Bowie knife was the sidearm of choice in the American frontier. Sportsmen of the pre1850’s must have been better acquainted with stick fighting, knife fighting, fencing, and pugilism in general since single shot muzzleloaders were the standard military arms.

    • @genghiskhan6809
      @genghiskhan6809 2 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      Don’t mind me as I take this to note for the making of a future DND campaign.

    • @gungriffen
      @gungriffen 2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      Even after the Colts productions the Bowie Knife remained the primary back up weapon to being out of ammo.

    • @bartonbrevis3831
      @bartonbrevis3831 2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      @@gungriffen Very true. Prior to the patent revolver, you had one shot (possibly two, if carrying a pair) before having to resort to a knife or 'hawk. Even after the patent revolver, you had five or six, and a lengthy reloading process to recharge the pistol, prior to the advent of the metallic cartridge.

    • @gungriffen
      @gungriffen 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@bartonbrevis3831 While the Cartridge did change everything I think the Knife remained the back up weapon of choice till we got the first reliable magazine for autoloader.
      Being out of ammo is your chance to rush in or be rushed, and a Combat knife of shorts may be the best weapon or maybe even deterrent.

    • @johannesbauer4490
      @johannesbauer4490 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      I might go with the tomahawk being the older and preferred sidearm.

  • @-Zevin-
    @-Zevin- 2 ปีที่แล้ว +11

    Mentioning that this is basically a podcast episode made me realize how much I would love a long form genuine podcast format for these type of discussions. I would be thrilled to listen to a 1-2 hour long episode like this.

  • @juliawatts1866
    @juliawatts1866 2 ปีที่แล้ว +67

    I happen to be descended from the family that made that knife for James Bowie. I am pointing out that James Black did not make that coffin knife for Bowie until Bowie went to the Alamo. I am also pointing out that what James Bowie used in all of his knife fights prior to the Alamo was in fact what is referred to as "the Arkansas Toothpick".

    • @owb4937
      @owb4937 2 ปีที่แล้ว +11

      Not sure that is true at all. Whilst the Arkansas Toothpick was certainly a style of knife that was popular at the time there is NO literature that describes Bowie carrying anything other then a large ‘butchers ‘ like blade that he had commissioned. Subsequently referred to as the Bowie knife. Interesting to note though that what we currently perceive as being the original Bowie knife actually pre dates Bowie. In short whilst he may well have carried an Arkansas Toothpick this is mere speculation

    • @juliawatts1866
      @juliawatts1866 2 ปีที่แล้ว +10

      @@owb4937 The original Bowie knife, which was verified when returned to Arkansas in 2020, was specifically made for James Bowie by my family just prior to James Bowie went to the Alamo. James Bowie was the person who designed it to best fit his fighting style. The Arkansas Toothpick being used prior to that is documented in Arkansas history.

    • @-Zevin-
      @-Zevin- 2 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      @@juliawatts1866 "documented in Arkansas history" Ok, so give us a source, I would like to read it.

    • @juliawatts1866
      @juliawatts1866 2 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      @@-Zevin- Those documents are in the Arkansas State Archives in Little Rock, Arkansas. I would be happy to contact the state archive for you if you would like.

    • @-Zevin-
      @-Zevin- 2 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      @@juliawatts1866 That would honestly be fantastic. This has been a topic I have seen debated numerous times online, to have some solid indisputable evidence would be be great. With a direct source we could even update the Wikipedia on Bowie.

  • @jackrice2770
    @jackrice2770 2 ปีที่แล้ว +53

    There is no single design for a "Bowie" knife. During this period, many were more like a short sword, around 12", some longer, some shorter. They were the product of local smiths and thus varied in design according to the customer and skills of the craftsman. Demand for them encouraged European manufacturers, especially the great steel centers of Sheffield and Solingen for export. The clip point design familiar to us is more from this source. They remained popular for defense even long after reliable revolvers as it was more easily concealed than a bulky pistol. The "coffin" handle was designed to be more easily concealed and Bowies were frequently carried in a shoulder holster. "Doc" Holliday killed a man with one. According to Wyatt Earp, who witnessed the fight, Doc gutted his adversary before the man's pistol had cleared the holster. I think we would all enjoy any other material you can dig up on this legendary weapon.

    • @andrewstephens2687
      @andrewstephens2687 2 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      It's hard not to like the clip point style of bowie. Broad belly and single edged blade geometry mean great chopping through brush or bone, and clipped point both adds curve to slicing belly, and is one the best points for penetration where single edged blades are concerned.

    • @jasondelong1683
      @jasondelong1683 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Almost every killing that has been blamed on Doc Holliday are pure BS.

    • @jackrice2770
      @jackrice2770 2 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      @@jasondelong1683 Well, I read that account some time ago and no longer recall the source or the details of who, what, where and when. The fight occurred over a poker game. Doc's opponent kept trying to look at the deadwood, and the second time Doc called him on the offense, he claimed the pot. His adversary objects, jumps to his feet and starts to draw. According to Earp, who claimed to have witnessed the affair as a city marshall, Doc drew his knife and gutted the fellow before his pistol had cleared the holster. Earp said he had never seen a man with faster reactions. True? Who knows?

    • @jasondelong1683
      @jasondelong1683 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@jackrice2770 This would have taken place in Dodge City then and if it did happen it is not mentioned in any of the surviving papers or court cases from then.

    • @wizardofahhhs759
      @wizardofahhhs759 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

      So Doc Holiday took a knife to a gun fight and won!? Sounds far fetched to me.

  • @CaptainLackey
    @CaptainLackey 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Yes, from San Antonio, Texas. More Bowie knife goodness, please.

  • @Charlie-nj9ne
    @Charlie-nj9ne 2 ปีที่แล้ว +31

    Last Friday was my first Bowie knife lesson. It was awesome. I’ve been reading up a bit about Jim Bowie since so looking forward to this one!

  • @paultowl1963
    @paultowl1963 2 ปีที่แล้ว +14

    That was really entertaining. Yes, more Bowie knife please!

  • @daemonharper3928
    @daemonharper3928 2 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    Really enjoyed it - thanks very much for taking the time to research and relay.
    It wasn't until I started smithing and making knives that I appreciated the Bowie - now I'm quite partial.

  • @RobG001
    @RobG001 2 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    Yes please to more accounts, that was fascinating.

  • @bearislandjosh5279
    @bearislandjosh5279 2 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    I grew up right by Galveston and only a couple of hours drive from where the Alamo happened. The stories of Jim Bowie and the Natchez sand bar fight are still well known around there, as well as the Alamo, of course. I'd love more contemporary bowie stuff in the future!

  • @zacktoby
    @zacktoby 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Bowie knives were popular during the Australian gold rush in Victoria (1850-53) and were introduced by the influx of Californian gold miners who traveled to Australia following the 1849 gold rush.
    I have read that pistols were unreliable and needed to be reloaded daily because some of the black powder tended to absorb moisture. There are accounts of mass firing of guns at dusk each day, this also let your neighbours know you were armed.
    The knives were considered every day apparel and are seen in many photos of the era.

  • @stuartduke999
    @stuartduke999 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    We all love Bowie knives on here Matt! More of the same please... I look forward to your videos, many thanks !

  • @DesignerBerg
    @DesignerBerg 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Oh goodness! This was amazing to listen to! Those little details in the text really reveal how incredibly diverse those times were within the area we now consider the US. It's really easy for me to forget how much more physical distance meant back when airplanes were not invented yet!

  • @josephmartin1540
    @josephmartin1540 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Yes, any of these articles and videos of your collection are very appreciated!

  • @wrobelmike
    @wrobelmike 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    I love this format. I'll probably never go and read any of these articles myself but hearing you tell it with comments and illucidations thrown in is wonderful listening. Thank you.

  • @anthonybuskulic4675
    @anthonybuskulic4675 2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    I read that book that was pictured in the thumbnail. At the beginning of the book it said that James Bowie and his family mostly used knives and lassos because firearms and ammunition was expensive. I love Bowie knives too. Another great knife was the Arkansas Toothpick. Your videos are awesome.

    • @donaldknowlton3179
      @donaldknowlton3179 ปีที่แล้ว

      Knives don't run out of ammunition, besides firearms were all muzzle loaders.

  • @rab7034
    @rab7034 ปีที่แล้ว

    Matt.....I always love the videos of period accounts of "past" use of the weaponry and people of the times! Please keep producing them. They are highly interesting and fully educational, as well as your interpretation and explanations of the stories! So, in conclusion I can't wait for the next history lessons you provide, via articles, stories and "first person" accounts of history! Thank you for them, and please keep bringing them to us!

  • @andreweden9405
    @andreweden9405 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    This was a treat! It would be awesome if you did a similar video about Canadian and American knives during the colonial period, and the Early Republic. The cutlers of Sheffield played a huge role during this period as well! For example: the knives that Lewis and Clark took on their expedition into the Louisiana Purchase in 1803-1806. Or, the knives carried by the members of Alexander McKenzie's expedition into Canada, etc., etc.

  • @bryangrote8781
    @bryangrote8781 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Please do make more videos like this one. This type of frontier history is still popular but rarely written about or spoken of in recent years. It’s very interesting and needs to be remembered.

  • @MaidenFan666
    @MaidenFan666 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Please continue to do these newspaper videos your commentary on top of period accounts is amazing

  • @ClumpyLemons
    @ClumpyLemons 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    I do listen to a lot of your videos as if they were podcasts, so this was right up my alley.

  • @Tommiart
    @Tommiart 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    I love story time with Uncle Matt. Love that you appreciate the lens through which such accounts were written

  • @sjohnson4882
    @sjohnson4882 2 ปีที่แล้ว +33

    Yes, please. More accounts. As a native Texian, I refer to Bowie Knives as Boo-ie, as opposed to Bow-ie. I'm not really sure if there's a consensus on that and I doubt that modern pronunciations are valid indicators of past pronunciations. I haven't lived there for years and rarely speak to Texans, especially in reference to Bowie knives.

    • @channingb2577
      @channingb2577 2 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      Any Texan today will likely pronounce it Boo-ie.

    • @steezydan8543
      @steezydan8543 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      It's like car-by-ne and car-bee-ne, neither sound even remotely close to the French "carabine", which would be ker-ahh-bin. As long as the person understands you, you pronounced it correctly lol

    • @brinks2469
      @brinks2469 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Wikipedia says boo ee so idk. English is dumb.

    • @austinatherton6577
      @austinatherton6577 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      It’s a persons name so it’s boo-ee

    • @sjohnson4882
      @sjohnson4882 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@austinatherton6577 Yeah, kind of like David Bowie.

  • @BoomerMcBoom
    @BoomerMcBoom 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    The scrap that made Bowie famous came to be known as “The Sandbar Fight”. Bowie was one of several seconds observing a duel when things got squirrely. He was shot and stabbed, killed his opponent with a knife and survived.
    He was a bit of a frontier rogue, but he wasn’t alone.
    He was a man of his time.

  • @jamesallred460
    @jamesallred460 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Hell yeah! Definitely do another video or 2 about the bowie knife! I love your work Matt! Keep it up!!

  • @ivymike2691
    @ivymike2691 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Enjoying these old accounts. More please.

  • @gldojm
    @gldojm 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Wow. Matt Easton performs story time isn't something I expected I needed so badly

  • @tumbleweed6658
    @tumbleweed6658 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Your reactions are priceless to your reading this account. Never bored with your contact mate keep up the good research 🧐

  • @Bob_Lennart
    @Bob_Lennart 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    So glad to hear you say you will be Matt Easton next time as well. I always worry a little bit. And yes, i do want you to talk more about Bowie knives.

  • @jlreger
    @jlreger 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Loved your reading of the article. I have the Cold Steel Loredo Bowie and it is truly fierce tool for self protection.

  • @lukeweber9350
    @lukeweber9350 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Honestly one of my favorite videos of yours in a while Matt, though I always enjoy your content. If you have inclination and time, more videos about the weapons and history of North America would be very welcome!

  • @elionzo
    @elionzo 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Truly delightful!
    Thank you from Tucson AZ

  • @AWAG_FK
    @AWAG_FK 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    A wonderful reading. Thank you. Yes, please share more stories of Bowie knife escapades.

  • @barddan7203
    @barddan7203 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Yes please, I love it when you read from the news archives or tell these crazy stories about Duels and battles in such! Long time viewer I love your channel

  • @friedfish69
    @friedfish69 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Other versions of the Bowie tale state that James Bowie's brother Rezin came up with the design of the knife and had it made for James.
    Another feature of the knife's legend is that the length of the knife was dictated by the man's length from armpit to waste, as that is the length that can reliably be hidden under a gentleman's coat. Knives were often not allowed indoors.

    • @wadetaylor1299
      @wadetaylor1299 ปีที่แล้ว

      Had made for himself 9 in half inch hunting knife resemble ordinary butcher knife of the time . He loaned Jim

  • @nilo70
    @nilo70 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Please make more of these ! I’ve also seen this type of knife with a brass strip across the top . Cheers from California !

    • @kleinjahr
      @kleinjahr 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Case XX 1836 model. Brass guard and Bakelite grip with three brass pins. Also has an etching that appears to be Davy Crockett in his coonskin cap, with the knife.

    • @CandidZulu
      @CandidZulu 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      The idea is that the brass will catch the edge of the enemies knife. Iron mistres is a famous example.

  • @beepboop204
    @beepboop204 2 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    i enjoy the historical accounts. its also interesting to note that in Canada you can basically legally open carry any knife that is a tool (not a weapon, not designed to be used on people). there are a few restrictions for weapons or automatically opening knives. but firearms are zero tolerance. since pepper spray for people is illegal, since it is designed for people, where i live, there is a lot of bear spray that gangs and criminals use since you can easily acquire it as it isn't designed for humans. laws can be weird

    • @nirfz
      @nirfz 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      You can find such strange weapon laws everywhere: In the country i am from, thanks to a bankrobber at the end of the 80's, pump action shotguns are a prohibited item, and can only be bought by law enforcement and military entities.
      Those that were in private ownership when the law came into effect, had to be registered, and can't be sold. So if the person want's to get rid of it, the authorites will collect it. If the person dies, same thing. But and here is the strange part: it is legal to own a semiautomatic shotgun. (but like for anything else semiauto, you need a license). And pump action rifles aren't prhibited either.

    • @beepboop204
      @beepboop204 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@nirfz may i ask which country? that is a fascinating factoid

    • @nirfz
      @nirfz 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@beepboop204 🇦🇹 austria

  • @joshuabordelon2192
    @joshuabordelon2192 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    I can’t believe you’re naming all these places I’ve seen hundreds of times. These are stories I’ve not had the pleasure of hearing. Thank you for sharing some of my own history with me.

  • @kw03hanel82
    @kw03hanel82 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    I enjoy the accounts of the Bowie knifes and Swords the best. Very interesting

  • @kavemanthewoodbutcher
    @kavemanthewoodbutcher 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Wonderful video Mr. Easton! Looking forward to more.

  • @FuzzyMarineVet
    @FuzzyMarineVet 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    I live in the Great Smoky Mountains and carry a Bowie knife for use as a tool. It's utility at cutting brambles and trimming branches is not able to be overstated. The particular knife I use is forged in Pakistan and sold by Chippaway in Tennessee. I wouldn't feel dressed without it doing yard work.

  • @CaptRons18thcentury
    @CaptRons18thcentury 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Love these period accounts… lends much to the documentation of historic weapons…

  • @gregb2092
    @gregb2092 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Very interesting! I'm from the Northern US, West of the Mississippi, but spent about 20 or so years down South and in the (modern) South West - mostly in Texas, New Mexico and Arizona but as Far East as Florida - as recently as the later part of the 20th Century. And even in large cities it was the custom for many men to cary a knife, not a bowie, but rather a lock blade folding knife such as a Buck, or Schrade. Usually with a blade of around 4" long. Usually in a pouch attached to their belt. In rural areas it was almost universal. Or course most of the folks I worked with or encountered spent a lot of spare time fishing, hunting, or just being outdoors.

  • @simoneriksson8329
    @simoneriksson8329 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    I love your videos where you read from historical sources. Both your recent ones from the newspapersarcives and the older ones from " Swordsmen of the Brittish Empire"

  • @Tom-ji1wn
    @Tom-ji1wn 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Yes please, more bowie knife newspaper articles would be awesome

  • @fathersonsurvival
    @fathersonsurvival 11 หลายเดือนก่อน

    This was incredible. on the edge of my seat. thank you sir.

    • @fathersonsurvival
      @fathersonsurvival 11 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Did you by any chance dig up any more bowie?

  • @seanferguson5460
    @seanferguson5460 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    This was tremendous fun. More please!

  • @Oooo-bi7bi
    @Oooo-bi7bi 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Your a good narrator, I’m enjoying listening.

  • @nickarpino9309
    @nickarpino9309 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    So interesting. Please do more in the subject

  • @shaidrim
    @shaidrim 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    This account videos are brilliant! Please keep them up!
    And yes, there is a lot of stories about Bowie's life. One of the numerous versions of the first meeting with Wright in Alexandria may better explain (at least imho) why Bowie vowed never to leave the house without his dagger instead of buying a gun himself: apparently, meeting him by chance, Wright shot Bowie at point-blank range only slightly wounding him (in other accounts the bullet missed or was deflected by a silver dollar). At this point, a wounded and enraged Bowie attacked Wright with his bare hands, but since he was unarmed, Wright managed to stun him down with his walking stick (or sword cane).

  • @edgaraquino2324
    @edgaraquino2324 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Good video! As I understand it, when duels were fought with Bowies, the opponents tied their wrists with a scarf or a cloth & fought "in close" with the knife in the other hand...all of the knives discussed in comments can be used as GP knives...however, imho, a knife like a FS & a Bowie should be considered "fighting knives"....a fk should not be used as a pry bar or to eat with...that is why soldiers carried 2 blades...& the GP blade was not used as a pry unless it was an emergency...I have a Western bowie from the '70's...they were used in the 'Nam, mostly by U.S. Special Forces....

  • @spektr540hemi
    @spektr540hemi 2 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    I have been carrying a Bowie and Tomahawk more often than not for well over 30 years...in many places around the world.
    Since mostly staying State side for the last decade or so, I have had them on my side nearly every day.
    It is my intention that I will be returned to the earth with one of each on my belt...or in hand. Though which one of each I know not, as I have been collecting them since childhood, and though I have my favorites, I do rotate them on occasion.

    • @wadetaylor1299
      @wadetaylor1299 ปีที่แล้ว

      U carry a bowie and Hawk all over the world?

    • @spektr540hemi
      @spektr540hemi ปีที่แล้ว

      @@wadetaylor1299 Strangely, the "free western countries" make up most of the exceptions to carrying them. So no, not all over the world. Most places however, yes. Without issue I might add.

  • @PelenTan
    @PelenTan 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Fascinating that they drew the comparison to the Roman Gladius. When I bought my Bowie recently, that was the first thing that came to mind when I handled it. The blade on mine is 11.5 inches.

    • @julianshepherd2038
      @julianshepherd2038 ปีที่แล้ว

      Shortest gladius was 18 inches long. It's a sword a Bowie knife is a knife plus marketing. Its fine but just a knife.

  • @mattlaunt1438
    @mattlaunt1438 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Yes please! More accounts of the Bowie would be great!

  • @RandomNPC-sy6gj
    @RandomNPC-sy6gj 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    The first time I read anything historical on the Bowie knife was from an early 90's article from a Soldier of Fortune magazine. I remember the article claiming that the knife fighting styles and techniques associated with bowie knives were heavily influenced by Spanish and French fencing of the day(and of course the deadliest, look for our bowie knife fighting vhs tapes in the back pages). I know basically next to nothing about actual weapon martial arts, but this made some sense as places like New Orleans were frequently brought up as centers for knife fighting teachers and schools. Definitely an iconic piece of American history.

    • @CollinKillian
      @CollinKillian ปีที่แล้ว

      I believe this, fencing schools were still very popular in the 19th century in the South. Dueling was considered relevant to American southern gentlemen of the period, with schools training these young men in various forms for swordplay, pistol, and yes the Bowie or knife. Dueling became so prevalent that local magistrates finally had to step in and make it illegal in GA, and soon afterwards most of the South. Considering that dueling was largely made illegal in most of Europe long before, the French and English fencing masters found work were their skills would still be valued, in the American South.

  • @ziggydog5091
    @ziggydog5091 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I own a Cold Steel frontier Bowie, it doesn’t even have to be sharp to be a formidable weapon 😊 it is my modern day Dussak!

  • @jwrine3631
    @jwrine3631 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I'll have to share this with a friend, he and I were attempting to make some bowie knives and this is interesting history!

  • @Rob-pl9vo
    @Rob-pl9vo ปีที่แล้ว

    Love these videos! Lee’s shock troops from Louisiana were said to fire a few volleys, drop their rifles, and charge union soldiers with Bowie knives and hatchets. It’s still kind of a novelty weapon down here.

  • @1minutecomicswalahollywood648
    @1minutecomicswalahollywood648 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    We love Bowie knife,
    But we didn't know the story.
    Thank-you.

  • @colton72395
    @colton72395 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    I do a lot of hunting game big small medium and there is a need for multiple styles of edges but if I could pick one it’s the Bowie my main hunting knife that I always carry is my grandpa’s old buck 120 and it’s a Bowie style blade I love it and it’s done everything for me

  • @davidfletcher6703
    @davidfletcher6703 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Yes, I would most definitely like to see you do more videos on things to do with my homeland

  • @Ammo08
    @Ammo08 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    One of your best videos....I like the Ka-Bar USMC knife as a general purpose knife...it's a little too big for skinning animals, but great for hacking bone and cutting the game up. Pistols were fairly unreliable for years, but a knife was always going to work.

  • @TheOakleysworld
    @TheOakleysworld 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    "It was so meaty, and so big, I thought I'd give you the whole thing". Cheers Matt!

  • @dennislloyd494
    @dennislloyd494 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Many decades ago I was reading similar newspaper op-eds from the era you're reading from. One that sticks in my memory was this fellow bewailing the devastation that the Bowie knife has caused, speaking of the widows and orphans created by this evil device and one day he said we can pray some politician will have the vision and fortitude to ban this weapon. Reminds me of the crusade to ban the 'assault rifle' these days.

  • @Koatl
    @Koatl 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    I've been enjoying these videos.

  • @glenlivett78
    @glenlivett78 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Consider an 1873 peacemaker had a capacity of 6 (though often only 5 rounds were carried and the hammer sat on an empty cylinder) the reload time was substantial even with the introduction of metallic cartridges. A capable fighting knife was considered a valuable item. I will admit in what I see in period sales catalogs and old photos, often the knives were of a smaller size than an early bowie knife. 4-6 inches stilettos styles were often seen rather than the 8-12 large hack and slash blades
    you often see in earlier references.

    • @scholagladiatoria
      @scholagladiatoria  2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Yes, in the antique world, 6 or 7 inch blades are much more common than 8+ inch blades. Though in fairness, most of these knives were seen as hunting and general purpose field knives, rather than specifically fighting knives.

    • @glenlivett78
      @glenlivett78 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@scholagladiatoria I think that's because most frontiersmen were sane rational people. However, you do read many accounts of people (rationally or otherwise) in the muzzleloading era ordering massively large knives or even hunting swords, with the mindset of "I may be under threat and have to defend myself therefore I need the longest sharpened iron bare I can carry comfortably." The correlation I noticed was the more effective the firearms got, generally the smaller the bladed weapons got. Also, Maturity probably has something to do with it. I served as an infantryman in the army for 2 hitches, when I was a young private I had a KABAR I always carried, by the time I got out as a Staff sergeant I had a case trapper pocket knife. A book you may enjoy about personal weapons of American frontiersmen is "Gunsmoke and saddle leather. Which covers the end of the American colonial period to the introduction of smokeless powder and deals almost exclusively with private citizens rather than military-issued weapons.

  • @Mp3rocks9
    @Mp3rocks9 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Very relaxing and informative listen, keep up the good work Matt!

  • @seankeller7
    @seankeller7 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Yes! Please, more!!

  • @corneliussulla9963
    @corneliussulla9963 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    An episode about shepherds axes some day would be cool. Recently I ordered the head of one from a Polish blacksmith.

    • @titanscerw
      @titanscerw 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Valaška?

    • @corneliussulla9963
      @corneliussulla9963 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@titanscerw Yep. Or Ciupaga in Polish.

    • @titanscerw
      @titanscerw 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@corneliussulla9963 cool, čupaga is also in Gorol language as it is here in song form:
      th-cam.com/video/nctlpVeKTkw/w-d-xo.html
      Gorol is spoken in Podhale and parts of todays Czech rep., Slovakia and Poland

    • @OhioCruffler
      @OhioCruffler 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I found your comment interesting so I looked them up. Ended up buying one.

    • @corneliussulla9963
      @corneliussulla9963 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@titanscerw I know bracie, Im Polish. But from the North. I thought it would be a nice tool for forrest walks, so I ordered the head and want to make a handle from Yew wood by myself.

  • @samthehikingman9484
    @samthehikingman9484 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Very interesting read,great find...thankyou for sharing this with us, I'm enjoying your uploads.
    Speaking of that time, when guns were subject to misfiring etc....a knife was always ready and always loaded. : -)

  • @rizzo4206
    @rizzo4206 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Would enjoy more Bowie knife information and stories.

  • @raphlvlogs271
    @raphlvlogs271 2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Bowie Knife is a blade type that would make sense when made in to various different sizes and with different hilt types.

    • @Bikewer
      @Bikewer 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      And so they are… There are dozens of “modified” Bowie blade shapes on the market. Arguably, the famous “K-Bar” Marine knife is one.

    • @beepboop204
      @beepboop204 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@Bikewer a Bowie is kinda modified Seax 😅

    • @steezydan8543
      @steezydan8543 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@beepboop204 An upsidedown Seax, but there are features of a Bowie that really are distinct. It has a false edge, it has a "drop" point and it usually has a guard and a finger choil/a flat section on blade closest to the hilt so you can put your finger over the guard in a fencing style grip.

    • @beepboop204
      @beepboop204 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      ​@@steezydan8543 yes both the Seax and Bowie have different knife modifications. always comes down to the .... .... context

  • @Kenicavus
    @Kenicavus 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    I love story time with Uncle Matt

  • @karlholladay2640
    @karlholladay2640 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

    The bowie is still a very popular shelf defense weapon of choice even up in the northern states.
    You questioned in your video why Bowie would have chosen a knife for self-defense?
    You made one point in regards to the pistols of the day being singal shot.
    I would like to make another point. A man with a knife poses a bigger freat within 25 feet than a man, with a pistol.
    This has been proven. A man with a knife from twenty-five feet can charge and stab you before you can pull aim and fire your pistol.
    Of course, many men of James Bowie's days carried both a pistol and a knife.
    They would discharge their pistol from a distance, then through or use it as a club, then go for their knife.
    Thank you for sharing the article. I really enjoyed it.

  • @stormiewutzke4190
    @stormiewutzke4190 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I found it interesting that on your patrion video you said that you might have problems with knife related content. I was not aware of that sort of issue. I have always wanted more knife related content since they are one item that we use in modern life that has a historical tie in. As such a common weapon there is very little western technique that is legitimate out there. I definitely would enjoy more content on knives.
    I always love these looks into history.

  • @CraigLYoung
    @CraigLYoung 2 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    Don't know about the past but both of my sons carried Bowie knives in Afghanistan and we're from Kentucky.

    • @bartonbrevis3831
      @bartonbrevis3831 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Good choice, I knew some Canadian Forces who carried various types of blade in Afghanistan, Bowies and Kukri's among them. The Afghans themselves have a very old and prominent 'blade culture'.

    • @friedfish69
      @friedfish69 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      The Ka-bar is pretty much a Bowie. Very serviceable for all kinds of chores. Combat, too, but soldiering is mostly being ready, occasionally fighting and fighting mostly with firearms and munitions. Knives keep you alive in all kinds of ways.

  • @danredding7901
    @danredding7901 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    This was great! I would totally be interested in more

  • @tapioperala3010
    @tapioperala3010 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thanks to you, I started looking into Bowie knife which I could buy

  • @TheKnifeJunkie
    @TheKnifeJunkie 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    GREAT video, thanks you!

  • @Steambull1
    @Steambull1 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    To people with Disney+ access, I recommend "Davy Crockett: King of the Wild Frontier" (1955). The movie features the Bowie knife, mostly when the characters talk about its fame and reference it while talking about Bowie himself, who has a cool scene in the end, at The Alamo.
    [Just ignore this compulsively attached part]:
    Originally the footage was aired on TV, in B&W and three weekly parts, so the movie version has been edited to be 1h shorter, but I found it a very cohesive film that never drags. The 1.85:1 widescreen is done by matte. I don't know if they had this in mind while photographing / framing the Academy ratio footage, but I didn't find issues with it, certainly nothing jarring, like halves of heads getting out of frame etc. Beautiful nature shots!

  • @swordsmen8856
    @swordsmen8856 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    More accounts of the time !!!!! These are amazing

  • @texasbeast239
    @texasbeast239 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Woohoo, Bowie knife and Texas mentions in one video! Yes, please, more, more, more! 😎

  • @joshuabordelon2192
    @joshuabordelon2192 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Yes more more more. Thank you.

  • @augiedad54
    @augiedad54 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Great “Podcast”! Let’s see some of the Bowie knives in your collection!

  • @dertodesking8379
    @dertodesking8379 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Yes, more Bowie pls!

  • @richardmcginnis5344
    @richardmcginnis5344 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    hell yes! i love hearing about the bowie knife since i collect them and wear one when i'm at home or hunting but they aren't legal to wear any other time so i wear a kershaw secret agent on my hip modified to be a cross draw and a cold steel counter tac 1 - the japanese steel one on a shoulder rig i put together myself under my right shoulder hidden under a long sleeve shirt

  • @mtgAzim
    @mtgAzim 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I always love the period accounts, but I'm also perfectly fine with more audio based video's, because I often listen while doing kitchen stuff. ^_^

  • @longrider42
    @longrider42 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    The first Colt revolver came out in 1837. The Colt Paterson Revolver, a 5 shot .36 caliber percussion cap revolver. It wasn't until 1851 that Colt came out with a true belt, or holster pistol. The 1851 Colt Navy, also in .36 caliber. Made for the US Navy at the time, but became very popular with civilians.

    • @scholagladiatoria
      @scholagladiatoria  2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Baby Dragoons of the 1840s were predecessors to the '51 Navy. I shoot an 1851 London Navy and a 3rd Model Dragoon incidentally :-)

    • @longrider42
      @longrider42 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@scholagladiatoria Okay, yes the Baby Dragoon, .31 caliber was primarily created for the Pony Express. As for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd model Dragoons, those where any thing but belt guns. Way to big. They where carried in holsters on a saddle. I guess you could carry one, but you'd want to wear suspenders. The 1851 Navy, was light enough that it was comfortable to wear in a holster, on your belt. See what I"m saying?

  • @Juiceboxdan72
    @Juiceboxdan72 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    My first knife was a crappy Chinese Bowie, but it's what got me started. I still love the various Bowie designs quite a lot. It's a relatively useful tool, and (often) a fearsome thrusting weapon as well.

  • @guitargallery2375
    @guitargallery2375 ปีที่แล้ว

    Excellent video, thank you

  • @mandalorianactual1215
    @mandalorianactual1215 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Yes please, more accounts would be awesome!

  • @Leftyotism
    @Leftyotism 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    I certainly have an appetite for more of this! 🙂

  • @shinjiikari1021
    @shinjiikari1021 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    i just happened to learn the Mexican American war lesson in social studies recently, this is such good timing!

  • @phillipallen3259
    @phillipallen3259 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    A little tidbit for you, at that time, (really most of the 1800's) certain places in the United States did not allow firearms. Places like State Assemblies, Travers and the like but they also didn't allow knives under four inches in length (usually measured by laying the knife across the palm of ones hand). The reason was if a knife was that small, it was far too easy to conceal and therefore harder to find someone if they committed murder versus with a large knife. Some places in the US, those laws have never been taken off the books but I've not heard of anyone arrested for that.

  • @theeddorian
    @theeddorian 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    You probably want to remember that Baltimore is in the eastern US, in fact a ship building and port city. That is a more or less 1,000 miles or so east of where the Bowie knife was common. This newspaper account inverts the order of the invention of the duel and Bowie knife according to other accounts.

  • @FLYFfly
    @FLYFfly 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Really enjoy listening you

  • @Joe3pops
    @Joe3pops 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Addition to this two American icons first met on the steps of St Louise Catherdral New Orleans 1817. James Audubon, that budding early American wildlife artist, introduced himself to Jim Bowie.

  • @garyhiggins6718
    @garyhiggins6718 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Yes please, as much as you can!