I bought my Western Bowie in 1972 when I was 12 years old. I mowed enough lawns to finally afford what I had been staring at fir a year in the display case. It followed me into the service and hunts in Virginia, Nevada, Alaska, and finally Minnesota where it is still on my hip when I walk me property. Best knife I ever bought.
I live an hours drive from Sheffield, and feel proud that most of the Bowie knives around in America in the 1800's were made by Yorkshiremen,, 😊😊,, Great video btw, 👍
But the real Bowie knives of that era were made by American blacksmith James Black in Old Washington Arkansas. There were many knock off replicas made by others, including the English and Mexicans. But the real one's were forged in Arkansas by James Black.
I like these knife videos. A Bowie is simply a scaled down back sword made popular in America in the 19th century, the same way a dagger is a scaled down longsword, and a tanto is a scaled down katana.
Good video. I suppose some of the allure to the Bowie Knife has to do with the mystery surrounding it. I’m subjectively sure of one thing, Bowie owned (and carried) different knives throughout his lifetime.
Thanks for sharing this information. I have always been a wild west fan. I bought my first Bowie knife when I was 12. I had other knives, but the Bowie was the knife to have.
I can see why, back then they needed a large but practical knife to fight and defend themselves while being used to cut up their meat and potatoes for supper.😂 I never bought the story of the gargantuan clip point knife as being the “Bowie” knife they actually carried everyday. No one wants to lug around such a large monstrosity of a knife like you showed while getting on and off a horse, walking for miles everyday etc…Thanks for showing how the Bowie knife came to be.😊
Hi desert dog. Awsome video. And your collection is very nice. I still use my grandpaps hunting knife. And his 1894 30wcf. And his Woolrich hunting coat. I had to have a new case made . The original was completely worn out. Our history is so important to me. . When I was young. I almost lived a grandpaps farm. He passed away when I was 8. That's when I inherited his things. Ided rather not get a deer because to far than hunt another way with new rifle. You have a very awsome channel. And have a friend in Pennsylvania. . 😊😊
Great video. I enjoy the variety as I love to hunt, fish, shoot and collect knives. I like the way you mix history in your videos. Great channel Desert Dog!
Hi DD I have always had an interest in the early history & settlement of the North Eastern USA/ Canadian lands , particularly the French, Indian wars of the 1750's . In the Decades following the war , there was a continuous conflict between the native tribes & the land settlers , the American woodsman of the time along with his trusty long rifle also carried a knife very similar to those Butcher's Knife you displayed, the Indian name for the woodsmen was "Longknife". Enjoyed your show. Cheers.
You ever hunted? Ever gutted a deer or antelope, elk or moose? I have and I will tell you this. Gutting a critter, you want a knife no more then 3.5 inches long, with a drop point blade. Since your working by feel. As for skinning. I've used my Buck Personal, and or Pathfinder to skin deer and antelope. That is until I bought the Buck Kalinga, a dedicated skinning knife. Don't get me wrong. I love Bowie knives and I have many, a couple with blades over 10 inches long. But they really have no use, except for self defense. I also have the Buck 119, and 120. Very nice examples of Modern Clip Point Bowie knives. And my favorite is my Western W49, that I bought back in 1985, when I worked in Yellowstone National Park.
In my humble opinion, as a Bladesmith a 6" Bowie is one of the best knives to be carried in the woods. It is truly a "Jack of all trades" knife. A Bowie is my favorite to forge.
Great video! I have my issue Kabar still to this day it sits on a shelf. There are some fixed blade knives that I find most useful, the Cold Steel SRK is a fine fixed blade knife and easy to use. My prize knife often take into the hunting field is a Mike Irie TFK (Tactical Fighting Knife) which, I suppose, could be considered a scaled down Bowie. Thanks for the video DD.
I like the some of the original designs that had a coffin shaped handle. There has been many renditions of the bowie knife over the years. I have researched this topic extensively. I have came to the conclusion what ever knife design Jim Bowie carried at any given time could be called the Bowie knife. I am from and live in Mississippi. I have seen some good replicas in the Natchez area.
Unfortunately, that was an urban legend that was debunked about 10 years ago. A Cooper knife was was presented to Redford, but never used in the movie. They used an off the shelf W49. This was proven years ago by taking screen shots of the knife in the movie and comparing it to pictures of the Cooper knife. If you look closely at screen shot of the film, they even used the factory W49 sheath.
David Bowie (actually David Jones) changed his name to not be confused with Davie Jones (lead singer of The Monkeys). He actually chose "Bowie" in honor of Jim Bowie. Although, he unknowingly pronounced it wrong. So there really is a connection.
Great video, I enjoyed the history. I love my Buck 119. I still use it. And try presenting THIS topic in a HS US history class in today's social climate.
A contemporary "Bowie" as the classical shape that they have taken on is as good a "what is a Bowie" as anything, as the original tool he used isn't known for a fact. So it really doesn't matter what it was, compared to what it has become.
I teach edged weaponry. The best design of a fighting knife depends on your fighting style. Like Bill Bagwell, I carry a bowie daily. I wear a 10 inch blade bowie inside my waistband. I tell people that I don't teach the block, thrust and parry stuff. I teach slash, gash and kick ass. A bowie with at least a 9 inch blade and a sharpened clip of at least 3 inches is most suited to my fighting style.
Excellent. Great information. I bought my first Bowie knife from a Trustworthy Hardware Store in Ogden Utah in the late 1960's. It's a Western brand knife with a stacked leather handle made in Boulder Colorado before we all lost our minds and let China make our knives. I was a pre-teen and bought it with money earned mowing lawns back before the nanny-state. I'm 66 years old and I still have it today. Probably my favorite Bowie knife is my Cold Steel Trail Master. I make knives for fun, and I'm currently making a Bowie knife in 1075 steel.
One movie that should be considered is the John Cooper Knife, from the movie with Alan Ladd as Jim Bowie to Paint Your Wagon with Lee Marvin and Clint Eastwood.
From what I've researched about the Sand Bar Fight. Jim Bowie killed the man with a thrust to the heart. So Bowie's knife had to have had a sharp point. In that screen with the Bowie knife on top, and the other knife on bottom. That Bottom knife is more then likely what Bowie used. So good on ya.
I still prefer a large Bowie for a woods knife in 2024. I alternate between an Onterio knife SP-10 and a Cold Steel carbon steel Bowie. I like a large Bowie because it can pull triple duty as a knife, a hatchet, and a machete, plus, if I get jumped by a black bear or a wild hog, I’ll be more likely to make it out of there with a knife that size.
If you do a TH-cam search on Sheffield knives you can find some interesting old videos of the English knifemakers. I don't know which would've been worse, gettin hit with a minie ball or sliced and diced with a bowie knife. Nice collection.👍🍻
Thanks for such a thorough review of the Bowie knife history. The simple utility knife used by Mr. Bowie at the Sand Bar melee is a testament not to the weapon, but to Mr. Bowie's skill and courage. Like many true fighting men, it didn't seem to matter much what weapon is used.
Very interesting video DD. My brother in law and his son my nephew both had identical staghorn "Bowie" knives. I'd like to have one now that they've passed on. I think they are Kabar brand knives.
Pretty good presentation, especially about the earliest “Bowie” knives. I figured that the knife Bowie had at the Alamo was probably picked up, doubtful that anyone realized it’s significance, and it may have been taken back south or lost in subsequent events between San Antonio and San Jacinto. I paid a guy back in the mid. 80s to make me a Bowie from a truck spring. It’s got about a nine inch blade and a full tang that I still haven’t managed fit with grip panels. I don’t know how it would take or retain an edge, but looks pretty wicked.
I've seen a copy of the Jesse Clift knife , the blade is very similar to the Searles knife, note : there's only 1 verified instance of Bowie killing anyone with a knife, Norris Wright.
Have you ever wondered which one of them Mexican soldiers took? Jim Bowie's life home with him and probably still hanging and his grandkids living room as a trophy of the war
I would argue it's history (& that of big knives in general) is long from over. Modern steel & design has led to mamy choosing some larger knives over hatches etc. People can like it or no but if it works more power to them.
Great Video. I have a WESTERN BOWIE from 1964 that does not have the W-49 markings. It says Western, Boulder,Colo. USA on one side, and in bigger letters upsidedown from the letters on the other side BOWIE. Looks like a well used knife that MAYBE found it's way to Vietnam. Does not have the look of a camping knife it's pitted a little and looks like it had a hard life. Been offered $400.00 for it and turned it down. It's a pre- W-49 knife.
I lost a K bar in the 80's. To replace it then, I think was about $36. I bought a Western Bowie for 19 out of Shotgun News Mag. I like it because it is full tang and the K bar was not. It lasted through a many of knife throwing contest. But in reality, a survival knife only needs to be about 5-6 inches. That is mainly for buttoning. In a knife fight a knife only needs to be 3 inches to reach a vital. I use a ESEE 6 1/2, a cold steel that is about 4 maybe 4 1/2, a knife I made from 1056 I believe, it's about 5 inches. Several knives for filleting fish. The bowie and the K bar stay in the closet. lol
A Bowie Knife is a knife you can feel confident defending yourself with or without a guard ,but oftentimes a skilled fighter would definitely want a guard ,but a Bowie knife is a fighting knife first and foremost but it can be used for general cutting when needed to. 😊
In this time period all large knives were referred to as butcher knives. I believe you are correct about the design of the knife Bowie carried at the sand bar fight. Rezin Bowie ordered a knife from Black as a gift to his brother Jim after the famous duel. I don’t think Jim Bowie carried a knife from England. If I owned a knife factory. I would tell everyone Jim Bowie carries on of my knives. Very good video.
At that time in that part of the country men carried large knives in shoulder holsters under their frock coat , hence no " s" guard that would foul the draw.
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I bought my Western Bowie in 1972 when I was 12 years old. I mowed enough lawns to finally afford what I had been staring at fir a year in the display case. It followed me into the service and hunts in Virginia, Nevada, Alaska, and finally Minnesota where it is still on my hip when I walk me property. Best knife I ever bought.
Awesome you got so much good use out of it. Buy once, buy well
I live an hours drive from Sheffield, and feel proud that most of the Bowie knives around in America in the 1800's were made by Yorkshiremen,, 😊😊,,
Great video btw, 👍
But the real Bowie knives of that era were made by American blacksmith James Black in Old Washington Arkansas.
There were many knock off replicas made by others, including the English and Mexicans.
But the real one's were forged in Arkansas by James Black.
And now the English can’t even have butter knives, next sporks will be outlawed
But the good old Bowie the IXL one is still made by the same family owned company in Sheffield.
German here, same danger in Germany.
I suggest adding a Randall No.1 fighting knife in the mix IMHO. Excellent content.
This was a very good video. Bowie knives are my favorite type of knife. I have been collecting knives all my life.
The, you'll see a lot of them out in the woods in the form of the Buck 100. Buck 110 is an excellent hunting knife
Excellent content. Well delivered. Thank you,sir.
I’ve stacked truckloads of wild hogs over the years with either a trusty Buck 119 or Kabar Mark 2 .
historical bowie knives can become useful and popular once again if a global SHTF situation happens
I like these knife videos. A Bowie is simply a scaled down back sword made popular in America in the 19th century, the same way a dagger is a scaled down longsword, and a tanto is a scaled down katana.
Originally, a Bowie was a simple butcher knife.
Good video. I suppose some of the allure to the Bowie Knife has to do with the mystery surrounding it. I’m subjectively sure of one thing, Bowie owned (and carried) different knives throughout his lifetime.
I’ve read a lot about the Bowie knife and this is the most succinct and thorough video that I’ve seen. Great work!
Thank you for posting, Desert Dog. Glad you mentioned the Buck 119 and my personal favorite, the Buck 110.
Very good presentation! Thank you.😊
Thanks for sharing this information.
I have always been a wild west fan. I bought my first Bowie knife when I was 12. I had other knives, but the Bowie was the knife to have.
Best Bowie Video ever seen!
A couple of years ago I purchase a Fallkniven NL2 Odin Bowie. My fav hunting knife. 🇺🇸 🇳🇿
I can see why, back then they needed a large but practical knife to fight and defend themselves while being used to cut up their meat and potatoes for supper.😂 I never bought the story of the gargantuan clip point knife as being the “Bowie” knife they actually carried everyday. No one wants to lug around such a large monstrosity of a knife like you showed while getting on and off a horse, walking for miles everyday etc…Thanks for showing how the Bowie knife came to be.😊
Speak for yourself, I love my gigantic knife.?
Great video and very informative. Thanks, man!
Hi desert dog. Awsome video. And your collection is very nice. I still use my grandpaps hunting knife. And his 1894 30wcf. And his Woolrich hunting coat. I had to have a new case made . The original was completely worn out. Our history is so important to me. . When I was young. I almost lived a grandpaps farm. He passed away when I was 8. That's when I inherited his things. Ided rather not get a deer because to far than hunt another way with new rifle. You have a very awsome channel. And have a friend in Pennsylvania. . 😊😊
Fantastic video! pure gold.
Great video. I enjoy the variety as I love to hunt, fish, shoot and collect knives. I like the way you mix history in your videos. Great channel Desert Dog!
I loved this video.
I'm a bit of a bowie addict.
I enjoy your table-top presentations.
Hi DD
I have always had an interest in the early history & settlement of the North Eastern USA/ Canadian lands , particularly the French, Indian wars of the 1750's .
In the Decades following the war , there was a continuous conflict between the native tribes & the land settlers , the American woodsman of the time along with his trusty long rifle also carried a knife very similar to those Butcher's Knife you displayed, the Indian name for the woodsmen was "Longknife".
Enjoyed your show.
Cheers.
You ever hunted? Ever gutted a deer or antelope, elk or moose? I have and I will tell you this. Gutting a critter, you want a knife no more then 3.5 inches long, with a drop point blade. Since your working by feel. As for skinning. I've used my Buck Personal, and or Pathfinder to skin deer and antelope. That is until I bought the Buck Kalinga, a dedicated skinning knife. Don't get me wrong. I love Bowie knives and I have many, a couple with blades over 10 inches long. But they really have no use, except for self defense. I also have the Buck 119, and 120. Very nice examples of Modern Clip Point Bowie knives. And my favorite is my Western W49, that I bought back in 1985, when I worked in Yellowstone National Park.
Subscribe to my channel and scroll through my videos. The answer to your question will become obvious.
In my humble opinion, as a Bladesmith a 6" Bowie is one of the best knives to be carried in the woods. It is truly a "Jack of all trades" knife. A Bowie is my favorite to forge.
Another informative video, thanks for sharing your experience and thoughts on the history and mystery of this fascinating knife!
Great video! I have my issue Kabar still to this day it sits on a shelf. There are some fixed blade knives that I find most useful, the Cold Steel SRK is a fine fixed blade knife and easy to use. My prize knife often take into the hunting field is a Mike Irie TFK (Tactical Fighting Knife) which, I suppose, could be considered a scaled down Bowie. Thanks for the video DD.
I like the some of the original designs that had a coffin shaped handle. There has been many renditions of the bowie knife over the years. I have researched this topic extensively. I have came to the conclusion what ever knife design Jim Bowie carried at any given time could be called the Bowie knife. I am from and live in Mississippi. I have seen some good replicas in the Natchez area.
The Redford knife was similar to a w49 but was a handmade custom knife made by John Nelson Cooper.
Unfortunately, that was an urban legend that was debunked about 10 years ago. A Cooper knife was was presented to Redford, but never used in the movie. They used an off the shelf W49. This was proven years ago by taking screen shots of the knife in the movie and comparing it to pictures of the Cooper knife. If you look closely at screen shot of the film, they even used the factory W49 sheath.
...i thought david bowie had something to do with it...ill leave the chat now😂
David Bowie (actually David Jones) changed his name to not be confused with Davie Jones (lead singer of The Monkeys). He actually chose "Bowie" in honor of Jim Bowie. Although, he unknowingly pronounced it wrong. So there really is a connection.
👍
Great video, I enjoyed the history. I love my Buck 119. I still use it. And try presenting THIS topic in a HS US history class in today's social climate.
16:23-16:31
I have two Buck 119s & one Buck 120. Love them.
Without guard you cannot stab another person. It Leuku knife from Finland. big knife without guard.
A contemporary "Bowie" as the classical shape that they have taken on is as good a "what is a Bowie" as anything, as the original tool he used isn't known for a fact. So it really doesn't matter what it was, compared to what it has become.
In the service I carried a ka bar knife 🔪 😅
I teach edged weaponry. The best design of a fighting knife depends on your fighting style. Like Bill Bagwell, I carry a bowie daily. I wear a 10 inch blade bowie inside my waistband. I tell people that I don't teach the block, thrust and parry stuff. I teach slash, gash and kick ass. A bowie with at least a 9 inch blade and a sharpened clip of at least 3 inches is most suited to my fighting style.
I have a Western Bowie from 1964.
Alright! Friday night Desert Dog video! Like the new footage in the opening 👍🏻
Terrific Historical video!!👏👏👏. What was the Manufacturer of the last Bowie knife you presented? Sweet looking Bowie!!
Great video! I love this kind of stuff 👍
Excellent. Great information. I bought my first Bowie knife from a Trustworthy Hardware Store in Ogden Utah in the late 1960's. It's a Western brand knife with a stacked leather handle made in Boulder Colorado before we all lost our minds and let China make our knives. I was a pre-teen and bought it with money earned mowing lawns back before the nanny-state. I'm 66 years old and I still have it today. Probably my favorite Bowie knife is my Cold Steel Trail Master. I make knives for fun, and I'm currently making a Bowie knife in 1075 steel.
One movie that should be considered is the John Cooper Knife, from the movie with Alan Ladd as Jim Bowie to Paint Your Wagon with Lee Marvin and Clint Eastwood.
Marvelous homage to a all time classic and still used knife
Excellent as always. Thanks DD
From what I've researched about the Sand Bar Fight. Jim Bowie killed the man with a thrust to the heart. So Bowie's knife had to have had a sharp point. In that screen with the Bowie knife on top, and the other knife on bottom. That Bottom knife is more then likely what Bowie used. So good on ya.
What's a 'bowie knife'? Well, I dunno, but I know one when I see it... Many thanks to USSC Justice Potter Stewart in Jacobellis v Ohio 1964...🤣
I still prefer a large Bowie for a woods knife in 2024. I alternate between an Onterio knife SP-10 and a Cold Steel carbon steel Bowie. I like a large Bowie because it can pull triple duty as a knife, a hatchet, and a machete, plus, if I get jumped by a black bear or a wild hog, I’ll be more likely to make it out of there with a knife that size.
If you do a TH-cam search on Sheffield knives you can find some interesting old videos of the English knifemakers.
I don't know which would've been worse, gettin hit with a minie ball or sliced and diced with a bowie knife. Nice collection.👍🍻
If you get hit with a minie ball, you can dig it out with your Bowie, just like in the movies LOL.
If we define it simply as a large fixed blade, what is your favorite Bowie knife from what’s available today? Thanks.
Thanks for such a thorough review of the Bowie knife history. The simple utility knife used by Mr. Bowie at the Sand Bar melee is a testament not to the weapon, but to Mr. Bowie's skill and courage. Like many true fighting men, it didn't seem to matter much what weapon is used.
They say handguards are vital ... JB didn't have one? ....cool video
What is a Bowie Knife? It’s an awesome piece of Americana. 🤠
Great video, as usual.
Americana or Britannica? Sheffields were English made
Very interesting video DD. My brother in law and his son my nephew both had identical staghorn "Bowie" knives. I'd like to have one now that they've passed on. I think they are Kabar brand knives.
Very good information which I new about the Bowie I have a Shrffield Bowie knife which is engaved on the blade. which I wish to sell, any buyers. Bob
Pretty good presentation, especially about the earliest “Bowie” knives. I figured that the knife Bowie had at the Alamo was probably picked up, doubtful that anyone realized it’s significance, and it may have been taken back south or lost in subsequent events between San Antonio and San Jacinto. I paid a guy back in the mid. 80s to make me a Bowie from a truck spring. It’s got about a nine inch blade and a full tang that I still haven’t managed fit with grip panels. I don’t know how it would take or retain an edge, but looks pretty wicked.
Wonderful video Sir. I love the history lesson.
I've seen a copy of the Jesse Clift knife , the blade is very similar to the Searles knife, note : there's only 1 verified instance of Bowie killing anyone with a knife, Norris Wright.
good job Desert Dog. the Video kicks butt.
Great video, DD! I enjoyed it immensely.
🔪How can I get a knife like the one you are holding? Please reply. I do not live in America. I am from Libya.
Have you ever wondered which one of them Mexican soldiers took? Jim Bowie's life home with him and probably still hanging and his grandkids living room as a trophy of the war
Supposedly it is in a safety lock box in Mexico City. Person won't let anyone see it either. Maybe it is , maybe it isn't.
Hi desert dog. Awsome video. You have a nice collection of knives. Your Pennsylvania buddy Jeff. 😊
I would argue it's history (& that of big knives in general) is long from over. Modern steel & design has led to mamy choosing some larger knives over hatches etc. People can like it or no but if it works more power to them.
Just take a look at Perseo bronze statue made by Benvenuto Cellini in 1545-1554.
All large knives 7 inches long or more word call bowie knives from the past to the present today..
👍 Very good video. Makes us all want to ask, “what is an authentic Bowie knife”.
Awesome video bro
Top shelf 🇺🇸
Desert dog. Are your old knives green river blades? Awsome video Jeff. 😊
I'll eventually do a video on Green River knives.
I still have a few Improved Bowies from Herter's
I always thought the story of the man was more interesting than the knife gotta love some history and tall tales.
Cold steel Bowie machete is the stoutest knife I have ever owned
The Bowie knife is a thing of the future
Love the history lesson DD!
It's Called BOW,,,,E not BOO E
Look How His Last Name Is Spelled.
Please tell me you are not serious?
I have a Randall model 11-6 Sportsman's Bowie , hell yeah ! 👏
Sorry I meant 12-6 Sportsman Bowie , but a chance to say how great this video was !
Bowie was also known to carry a clasp knife.
i guess that the old medieval european short swords that were 10'to 12' inches in length don't get a historical connection to the bowie 😮
They would have to get in line behind the simple butcher knife, which is the original Bowie.
Great Video. I have a WESTERN BOWIE from 1964 that does not have the W-49 markings. It says Western, Boulder,Colo. USA on one side, and in bigger letters upsidedown from the letters on the other side BOWIE. Looks like a well used knife that MAYBE found it's way to Vietnam. Does not have the look of a camping knife it's pitted a little and looks like it had a hard life. Been offered $400.00 for it and turned it down. It's a pre- W-49 knife.
I lost a K bar in the 80's. To replace it then, I think was about $36. I bought a Western Bowie for 19 out of Shotgun News Mag. I like it because it is full tang and the K bar was not. It lasted through a many of knife throwing contest. But in reality, a survival knife only needs to be about 5-6 inches. That is mainly for buttoning. In a knife fight a knife only needs to be 3 inches to reach a vital. I use a ESEE 6 1/2, a cold steel that is about 4 maybe 4 1/2, a knife I made from 1056 I believe, it's about 5 inches. Several knives for filleting fish. The bowie and the K bar stay in the closet. lol
Really good video mate .
A Bowie Knife is a knife you can feel confident defending yourself with or without a guard ,but oftentimes a skilled fighter would definitely want a guard ,but a Bowie knife is a fighting knife first and foremost but it can be used for general cutting when needed to. 😊
In this time period all large knives were referred to as butcher knives. I believe you are correct about the design of the knife Bowie carried at the sand bar fight. Rezin Bowie ordered a knife from Black as a gift to his brother Jim after the famous duel. I don’t think Jim Bowie carried a knife from England. If I owned a knife factory. I would tell everyone Jim Bowie carries on of my knives. Very good video.
"I don't know who Jim Bowie was, but he must've been BIG!!!"...
115
They may not get as much traction, but I‘m still a big fan of your knife content, DD. Keep them coming!
The rezin
At that time in that part of the country men carried large knives in shoulder holsters under their frock coat , hence no " s" guard that would foul the draw.
Good video
Pig sticker. Well done historical presentation.
F’n awesome history lesson DD!
Bowie Tx ? There's a Bowie MD too !
Confederate D gaurd Bowie
Your ancessores are German
That's a big false assumption.
If ol' Jim were alive today he'd trade in that big knife for a pocket friendly Spyderco PM2.
I’m alive today and no