The Best Bowie Knives, Tested and Reviewed

What’s extra American than Apple Pie and Baseball? A Bowie Knife, in fact. The Bowie Knife was made well-known on September 19, 1827, throughout an epic knife and gun combat that adopted a proper duel on a Mississippi River sandbar close to Natchez, Mississippi. The now legendary James “Jim” Bowie (pronounced “Boo-ee”) was a second within the duel and obtained caught up within the combating that adopted. 

Bowie was shot twice, bludgeoned, and stabbed no less than seven occasions. One other account says he was shot 3 times and stabbed 4. Bowie used his massive knife to kill one man and take off a part of one other man’s forearm. Bowie miraculously survived his accidents, and phrase of his knife and grit unfold shortly.

The sandbar combat is simply a part of Bowie’s lore as an American pioneer, culminating in his well-known demise on the Alamo. Within the early 1800s, a number of knife makers started making knives and calling them Bowie knives, however their designs diverse. In reality, nobody actually is aware of what Jim Bowie’s knife appeared like, however what we all know and settle for as a Bowie Knife immediately was only one design that claimed to be the true Bowie knife and occurred to grow to be widespread after the 1952 film “The Iron Mistress.” 

The massive clip-point blade with a false high edge and brass guard is now accepted as a Bowie knife and remains to be an enormous a part of knife tradition and American tradition, almost 200 years after Jim Bowie’s sandbar brawl. I’ve examined a number of one of the best Bowie knives that can assist you determine which one is best for you. 

How We Examined the Bowie Knives

The Unique Bowie Knife was carried as a defensive weapon and utilized in on a regular basis life on the frontier. It will have been employed in duties like meals prep, processing recreation, and gathering wooden for fires or clearing trails.

Sadly, I couldn’t discover anybody keen to have a number of knife fights with me to check out these knives of their roles as fighters, however I did have some enjoyable hacking up an previous archery goal whereas pretending I used to be on the fabled sandbar to see how they dealt with. The knives on this check vary in blade size from about 2 inches to just about 12 inches, and have deal with supplies of polymer, composites, wooden, and antler. A few of these knives are removed from a standard Bowie, however they’re all impressed by the enduring blade form, and are all nicely suited to their meant makes use of. 

The Greatest Bowie Knives: Evaluations and Suggestions

Greatest General: Cold Steel Wild West Bowie

See It

Key Options

• Blade Size: 10.75 inches
• Dangler-style leather-based sheath with snap retention
• Rosewood scales with brass guard and {hardware}
• Value: $95
• Made in India

Professionals

• Traditional Bowie feel and appear
• Dangler sheath makes massive blade simpler to hold
• “Hook” on deal with helps maintain knife safe whereas swinging/chopping
• Giant “S” guard affords good safety

Cons

• Match and End just isn’t nice
• Heel of the blade unsharpened from the manufacturing facility

The Chilly Metal Wild West Bowie didn’t earn my high choose due to its craftsmanship, match and end, consolation, or supplies. It obtained finest general as a result of, to me, it’s the most trustworthy illustration of Bowie lore. That is the knife I image hanging off of Bowie’s hip in his well-known knife combat or as he fought to his final breath on the Alamo. His knife more than likely appeared totally different, however the Wild West Bowie checks all the bins for me once I take into consideration America’s picture of his iconic blade. The Wild West Bowie has a snug deal with, a helpful blade for chopping and most camp duties, and it was an awesome slicer and stabber on my previous archery goal. If I ever had the misfortune of being in a knife combat, I might be considerably comforted by the big brass S guard, and the truth that the Wild West Bowie handles shortly for a blade of this dimension. This knife brings a smile to my face every time I choose it up, and as somebody who consistently buys and sells knives, this one is simply too cool to let go. The Wild West Bowie permits you to have the full-size Bowie experience-lines, appears to be like, feel- with out breaking the financial institution, and that makes it my general choose.  

Greatest for Looking: Buck 119 Special

See It

Key Options

• Blade Size: 6 inches
• Leather-based sheath with snap retention
• Phenolic and aluminum deal with
• Value: $75
• Made in USA

Professionals

• Light-weight however sturdy building
• Buck’s “Endlessly Guarantee”
• Good match and end
• Confirmed design

Cons

• Guard might be in the way in which for some carving duties
• 420HC metal isn’t the softest on this checklist, however will want sharpening greater than some others

The Buck 119 is likely one of the most recognizable looking knives in America, and each outdoorsman both has one, or is aware of somebody who does. It’s simply sufficiently small to do most element work and simply discipline gown, and simply large enough to get the roles carried out round looking camp. 

The Buck 119 was made by hand beginning in 1942 and commenced manufacturing facility manufacturing in 1961, which implies that folks have been shopping for this sample for over 80 years. Unhealthy merchandise don’t have that type of endurance. Whereas tastes in looking knives change, and designs have trended in direction of ultralight and replaceable blades in recent times, the 119 continues to promote and see motion within the looking woods and fields every fall. It’s comfy, succesful, controllable, and part of looking tradition. A high-saber hole grind and fuller maintain the 119 well-balanced and light-weight for its dimension, and the shallow finger grooves appear to suit nicely in each naked hand and gloved use. The clip-point blade with false edge and guard are quintessential bowie traits, and in case you’re trying to take a Bowie to the whitetail woods, the Buck 119 Particular ought to be on the high of your checklist. In case you are a metal nerd like me, there are 119’s accessible with S30V, MagnaCut, and S35VN steel, which might be an enormous improve.  

Learn Subsequent: An Ode to the Buck Knife

Greatest for the Chef: New West Knifeworks Yellowstone BBQ

See It

Key Options

• Blade Size: 10.75 inches
• Leather-based Sheath with magnetic retention (no belt loop)
• Desert Ironwood Deal with
• Value: $575
• Made in USA

Professionals

• Lifetime Guarantee with free sharpening included
• Premium S35VN metal has glorious edge retention
• Excellent match and end
• Extremely nimble in hand

Cons

• Skinny blade inventory makes for wonderful slicing, however limits outside utility
• Craftsmanship is expensive

The Yellowstone BBQ is likely one of the most interesting knives I’ve ever had the pleasure of utilizing. The one purpose this isn’t one of the best Bowie knife general is due to its slender focus. It’s an unbelievable slicer, an extension of your hand, and unparalleled within the kitchen. 

The New West Knifeworks Yellowstone BBQ is a stupendous interpretation of the Bowie Knife. Its lengthy clip level, brass guard, and desert ironwood deal with are all spot-on Bowie knife, however in hand, the Yellowstone BBQ is extremely mild and simple to wield, not like a heavier combating knife. The stomach within the deal with makes this knife very comfy, and the blade is an absolute lightsaber that cuts effortlessly by way of something. I discover myself on the lookout for any excuse to make use of it as a result of it’s so good in hand. I did carve some wooden and make hearth sticks with it, and it might be completely at dwelling butchering and breaking down recreation, however the true dwelling for this knife is the kitchen. The standard leather-based sheath doesn’t have a belt loop, so it’s not meant to be carried. The blade is simply too skinny to combat or chop wooden, however it excels on a slicing board. It has one of the best metal of any knife within the check, and I can’t say sufficient concerning the slicing efficiency. It’s exhausting to elucidate simply how good it’s. In case you are somebody who loves the Bowie look and historical past, and also you additionally recognize or want an expert degree chef knife, the Yellowstone BBQ is an distinctive selection. 

Greatest for Survival: TOPS Knives Longhorn Bowie

See It

Key Options

• Blade size: 7 inches
• Nylon sheath with MOLLE and “extras” pouch
• Micarta Scales with G-10 Liners
• Value: $180
• Made in USA

Professionals

• Thick blade (.025 inch) is sort of indestructible
• Very comfy grip
• Ahead finger choil permits for higher management for finer slicing duties
• Comes with grip lanyard for heavy chopping

Cons

• Wonderful knife considerably let down by “late 80’s” fashion nylon sheath

The TOPS Longhorn Bowie is a wonderful fashionable tackle traditional bowie traces. It doesn’t have a guard, however it retains the clip level blade and huge, comfy grip. The Longhorn is tremendous powerful, straightforward to sharpen, good at chopping, and nonetheless manages to be a controllable carver — all qualities I search for in a survival knife.

If it’s a must to combat zombies, your attain will likely be a bit restricted in comparison with full dimension bowies, however for all the pieces else, the Longhorn Bowie’s compact dimension will likely be a profit. The rounded backbone could be very comfy, and this knife feels nice within the hand. Micarta is sweet and grippy, and doesn’t get slick when moist. The Velcro retention within the sheath is OK, and no less than they doubled up the straps. The sheath pouch permits for carrying a compact sharpening stone or hearth equipment and even an emergency fishing equipment. The TOPS Longhorn is a beast of a knife that received’t allow you to down and appears superior whereas doing it. 

Greatest Presentation: Joker Knives Zorro

See It

Key Options

• Blade Size: 8.07 inches
• Leather-based sheath with snap closure
• Real European Stag deal with
• Value: $105
• Made in Spain

Professionals

• Wonderful Match and End
• Gentle and simple to wield
• Completely formed antler
• Snug grip

Cons

• Warmth remedy just isn’t as exhausting as others, so resharpening could also be extra typically
• Not nicely fitted to heavy-duty use on account of stick-style tang

The Joker Zorro is a superbly crafted blade, and appears and looks like a way more costly knife. Joker did a superb job on the end on all surfaces: the polish on the guard and bolster is good, the satin blade is simply how I like them, they usually smoothed out the antler simply sufficient to be comfy however retain grip. The leather-based sheath is properly stitched and completed, however it does look like bonded leather-based as a substitute of full grain. That is the one place the place you may detect the corporate making an attempt to economize.

All the pieces else is a minimize above. In hand, the Zorro could be very comfy and light-weight, making it very straightforward to swing and slash on the goal, and stopping fatigue whereas carving and prepping meals. Due to the deal with building, most of these knives can’t be full tang, and are usually higher fitted to mild obligation. I wouldn’t need to chop an excessive amount of wooden or baton with this blade.  Many knives are constructed just like the Zorro, and folks use them for years with no points, however stick tangs don’t have the power of a full tang blade, and I might hate to break the attractive Stag on this knife underneath heavy-duty use. If you happen to’re on the lookout for a good-looking Bowie with some lovely stag, the Joker Zorro is a house run. 

Greatest Combating Bowie: Bear & Son Freedom Fighting Bowie

See It

Key Options

• Blade Size: 8 inches
• Dangler fashion embossed leather-based sheath with strap retention
• Cocobolo deal with scales with brass guard and pommel
• Value: $159
• Made in USA

Professionals

• Thicker blade inventory makes this a troublesome blade
• Sufficient weight to cut nicely
• Lovely sheath and wooden mixture
• Conventional look

Cons

• Match and End of the deal with scales was barely missing, however didn’t have an effect on consolation
• Grip is slightly slippery for chopping

The Bear & Son 15-inch Freedom Combating Bowie is a pleasant thick slab of D2 metal that took all the pieces I dished out with no complaints. It feels powerful while you choose it up, and it doesn’t disappoint in use. The preliminary weight would make you suppose it wouldn’t deal with nicely as a “combating” knife, however it’s so nicely balanced, you actually don’t really feel the load whereas wielding it. It’s a stupendous traditional fashion Bowie that brings in a extra fashionable instrument metal to make a really good bundle. The sheath has an old-school sample stamped into the leather-based that completes the traditional feel and appear of the knife. The dangler loop makes it simpler to hold, and the snap retention does a pleasant job preserving the knife in place. I selected this as one of the best combating Bowie knife as a result of it appeared to have one of the best stability of weight for energy, attain, and maneuverability once I was “combating” my archery goal. I had quite a lot of enjoyable swinging this blade round. It additionally has loads of utility round camp and was fairly first rate for meals prep as nicely.  General, the Freedom Combating Bowie is a properly balanced blade that ought to be capable to tackle almost any process you throw at it.   

Greatest Large Bowie on a Price range: Cold Steel Black Bear Bowie

See It

Key Options

• Blade Size: 12 inches
• Nylon and plastic sheath
• Polymer deal with and guards
• Value: $32
• Made in China

Professionals

• Full dimension blade with mini worth
• Nice brush clearer
• Prime edge is sharpened, not a false edge
• Ambidextrous sheath

Cons

• Thinner blade is extra versatile than conventional knife blades
• Retention strap permits blade to slip up and expose a number of inches of the sting

The Chilly Metal Black Bear Bowie is a wonderful possibility in case you love Bowie’s, however are on a good funds. The blade is thinner than most, and warmth handled to maintain some flexibility, much like a machete. This makes is nice for clearing brush and limbing timber and helps maintain the load down. The grip is comfy, and being left handed, I just like the ambidextrous sheath. Whereas the Black Bear definitely has the traditional Bowie knife traces, the blacked-out blade and grip give it a extra modern- nearly tactical- look. The sharpened high edge and light-weight weight made this straightforward to slash and again slash with. Nice for outdoor work, and with the way in which this factor tore up my goal, I’m guessing Jim Bowie would have been in a position to do some actual injury with it again within the day. Is that this blade glossy, refined, and pleasing to the attention? Not a lot. However will it take a beating and maintain coming again for extra? Completely. A greater Bowie fashion blade for the cash you’ll not discover. 

Greatest for Each Day Carry (EDC): CRKT Minimalist Bowie

See It

Key Options

• Blade Size: 2 inches
• Zytel Molded Sheath with neck lanyard and removeable pocket clip
• G-10 deal with Scales
• Value: $30
• Made in China

Professionals

• Inexpensive
• Simple to hold
• Snug grip for such a small knife

Cons

• Dimension limits utility
• Edge retention isn’t nice with this metal

The CRKT Minimalist Bowie is a superb little blade that works nicely for what most individuals encounter on any given day. Some bins, an apple, or perhaps eradicating a splinter or slicing zip-ties. It has a snug grip, a helpful sheath with strong retention, and an simply controllable blade. The hole saber floor blade makes it slicer, and the finger groves in some way appear to be comfy in nearly anybody’s arms. Will this knife prevent in a sandbar combat? I might suppose not. It simply doesn’t have the attain. However no less than it can prevent from opening a field together with your keys — don’t be that man. The Minimalist isn’t simply confined to EDC duties both. I gave the drop level model of this knife to a associates’ son who makes use of it to wash squirrels. If you happen to love the Bowie look, however need one that’s simply concealable and authorized size in almost each restrictive metropolis, the CRKT Minimalist Bowie may simply be the Bowie for you. 

Learn Subsequent: Best EDC Fixed Blades

The Tactical Bowie: Spyderco Perrin Street Bowie

See It

Key Options

• Blade Size: 5 inches
• Polymer sheath with a number of carry choices
• FRN molded deal with with Kraton Rubber inserts 
• Value: $130
• Made in Japan

Professionals

• Ambidextrous, multi place sheath
• Wonderful grip, moist or dry
• Light-weight and simple to hold

Cons

• Not Styled for Bowie purists
• Little little bit of rattle within the sheath

The Spyderco Perrin Bowie definitely has the blacked-out tactical appears to be like, and it additionally has a lot of traction on the blade’s backbone and deal with because of beneficiant jimping. The clip on the sheath might be adjusted to hold vertically, horizontally, canted, and even the wrong way up. The sheath has nice retention whereas nonetheless being simply accessible. To maintain issues glossy and simple to attract, the Perrin drops the normal guard in favor of a deep finger choil to lock your hand in place. In lots of senses, that is designed as a combating/defensive knife, however, with a full flat grind, this blade does very well across the kitchen, and even holds its’ personal within the outdoor. Whereas the styling might not be for everybody, you may’t actually argue with its utility as a belt knife or last-ditch defensive instrument. Though I wasn’t instantly drawn to it, the Perrin Bowie positively grew on me the extra I used it, and I can now welcome it into the Bowie household. This Bowie knife could be nice for a bigger EDC blade, and those that are drawn to the tactical options, however nonetheless just like the Bowie impressed styling. 

Greatest Mini Bowie: Bear & Son Baby Bowie

See It

Key Options

• Blade Size: 3.5 inches 
• Embossed leather-based sheath with snap retention
• Real India Stag Bone handles
• Value: $71
• Made in USA

Professionals

• Seems similar to a full-size Bowie
• Brass guard retains fingers away from the sting whereas coaching
• High quality knife that may be handed down

Cons

• Sheath is bonded leather-based, not full-grain

The Bear & Son Child Bowie is the proper dimension for little arms to be taught knife abilities on. It’s not a folding knife, so that you don’t have to fret about it closing on a finger, and maybe my favourite factor about it’s that it appears to be like similar to a “common” Bowie knife. It doesn’t appear like a toy or a coach — its only a scaled down Bowie. It’s simply controllable for small arms, and, in case you’re on the lookout for a small mounted blade, this can give you the results you want, too, so long as you’re OK with a three-finger grip. The Stag Bone scales are properly completed, and the leather-based sheath has strong retention to maintain the knife secure when not in use. This may make an awesome first “actual knife” for a child as its completely sized for smaller arms. My solely remorse with this knife is that my very own youngsters are already of their teenagers and too massive for the Child Bowie. I might have beloved to offer this to them after they have been studying to make use of a knife. 

How To Select the Proper Bowie Knife

As with every knife, the very first thing to take a look at while you’re shopping for a Bowie is what your meant use will likely be. If you happen to love the Bowie fashion and look, and also you count on lots out of a knife, you need to select one with a full tang building and difficult supplies within the deal with like Micarta. If you happen to’re a collector who largely enjoys your blades and simply dealing with them, then simply go for the one that appears finest to you.

• Will this be a knife you’re taking backpacking or looking? Effectively, a lighter possibility will go well with you higher.
• Are you placing this to work within the woods? Perhaps a bigger blade for clearing brush will go well with you higher.
• Will this be an EDC blade? Look on the smaller facet.
• Are you getting ready for the Zombie Apocalypse? Get a well-balanced fighter with some attain.

The primary level is to decide on a knife to fit your meant use. The NWK Yellowstone BBQ is an incredible blade with premium materials and high quality craftsmanship, however I wouldn’t purchase it for a survival knife or to hold on my hip in the identical approach I wouldn’t purchase the Wild West Bowie if I have been trying to beat Bobby Flay. Select the knife that can fit your wants finest. It’s finest to be pragmatic if you’re solely on the lookout for one knife. However, as each knife and gun guys is aware of, it by no means stops with only one. 

FAQs

Ultimate Ideas on the Greatest Bowie Knives

The Bowie knife has not solely had a huge effect on the knife business and design in America however went worldwide and has confirmed to have true endurance. For my part, no knife assortment is full with out no less than one instance of a Bowie-inspired blade, and there may be simply one thing particular about proudly owning and holding a traditional-style Bowie. The Pioneer and frontier days formed a lot of American tradition, and the Bowie was the knife that formed the pioneer days. So, get pleasure from your personal piece of American historical past, take among the finest Bowie knives out and have some enjoyable and get some work carried out. 

 

Knowledgeable Reward Suggestions

The most effective outside gear, plus in-depth product opinions and proposals for looking, bowhunting, fishing, and tenting.