The Bowie knife is a pattern of fixed-blade fighting knives created by Rezin Bowie in the early 19th century. He had made the knives for Jim Bowie, who had gained notoriety for wielding a sizable knife during the Sandbar Fight. Although in popular usage the word refers to any big sheath knife with a cross guard and a clip point, the Bowie knife has evolved to contain several recognisable and distinctive design elements. In addition to numerous knife manufacturing companies, there are hundreds of bespoke knife makers who produce Bowie knives with various types of steel and modifications. The knife pattern is still popular among collectors.
The first knife was made in Aboyelles Parish, Louisiana after being designed by Rezin Bowie and smitted by blacksmith Jessie Clifft out of an old file. Rezin’s brother, Jim Bowie, was quite the fighter and took the knife to what became known as the Sandbar Fight which was a famous 1827 duel between Bowie and other men including Major Norris Wright. The fight is named the Sandbar Fight because it took place on a sandbar in the Mississippi River across from Natchez Mississippi. Jim Bowie was stabbed, shot, and beaten almost to death but he managed to win the fight using the famous large knife.
This knife sparked what became the most famous Bowie knife, which was the James Black’s Bowie knife. Jim Bowie created the most well-known version of the Bowie knife, which he sent to Arkansas blacksmith James Black in December 1830 in the form of a carved wooden model. In addition to making the knife Bowie had requested, Black also made a second one based on his initial sketch but with a sharper edge along the curving top edge of the blade. Black gave Bowie a choice, and Bowie opted for the altered version.
In 1831, Bowie returned to Texas with his James Black Bowie knife where he engaged in a knife combat with three men who were carrying weapons. These men had been hired by the guy Bowie had previously fought in 1829 but spared to kill Bowie. The three assassins were all killed by Bowie using his knife, according to sources from the time: one was practically decapitated, the second was disembowelled, and the third’s skull was split open. After Bowie’s death at the Battle of the Alamo five years later, both he and his knife gained notoriety in the United States. The fate of the original Bowie knife is unknown, but a knife with the inscription “Bowie No. 1” that was purchased by the Historic Arkansas Museum from a Texas collector and has been scientifically linked to Black has survived.
There are rumors that James Black attempted to pass on the secrets of his tradecraft, but it is believed he was never able to due to his health deteriorating terribly. Nonetheless, the Bowie knife design carried on as by 1850 the Bowie design has spread across England, and Sheffield became the capital of Bowie manufacturing. From there, the Bowie design just sort of carried on but did not really become important again until World War II where it was heavily relied on by the Allies. Then in 1970, the Bowie got it’s biggest break when Hollywood picked it up and featured it in the movie, Rambo. Sylvester Stalone rocked the Bowie like a champ and suddenly, everyone wanted to have a Bowie.
Here are our favorite 3 bowie knives:
Ka-Bar U.S. Marine Corps Bowie
A classic, the Ka-Bar U.S. Marine Corps Bowie knife has been around since World War II. It is considered one of the original bowie style knives that really made them popular. It is 11.875 inches in length and has a weight of approximately 700g. One of the best reviewed knives, featuring a 1096 Crovansteel blade making it an easy knife to maintain.
Ontario Knife Company Marine Raider
A mid-tier Bowie knife, the Ontario Knife Company Marine Raider is one of the best buys you can find. It is 14 inches in length and has a weight of approximately 1.5 pounds. It features a Kraton handle making it easy knife to retain in your hands regardless of the situation or weather.
Cold Steel Black Bear Bowie
The cheapest one on the list coming in at a cool $20-30. It measures at 20 inches in length and weights approximately 250g, making it a light Bowie knife. It might not be the most visually appealing knife but it certainly does as good of a job you would expect from this price point.
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