THE BOWIE KNIFE: History and Relevance

[@clrkglnn]

Excellent as always. Thanks DD

[@Paughco]

Thank you for posting, Desert Dog. Glad you mentioned the Buck 119 and my personal favorite, the Buck 110.

[@mackellyman5642]

I suggest adding a Randall No.1 fighting knife in the mix IMHO. Excellent content.

[@mikek4443]

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.

[@davidneal6920]

Awesome you got so much good use out of it. Buy once, buy well

[@jeremynedrow7003]

This was a very good video. Bowie knives are my favorite type of knife. I have been collecting knives all my life.

[@michaelpreddy5514]

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!

[@GreenKnight1979]

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.

[@desertdogoutdoors1113]

Originally, a Bowie was a simple butcher knife.

[@paulsimmons5726]

Another informative video, thanks for sharing your experience and thoughts on the history and mystery of this fascinating knife!

[@Bunduki]

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.

[@John..18]

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, 👍

[@SoldierDrew]

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.

[@NelsonJ1]

​@@SoldierDrew Nope, James Black copied the Sheffield style too...

[@DadTough]

The first name brand and semi expensive knife I bought, was a Buck 119. It’s been over seas four times with me. I still use it for camping and hunting. And I’ll pass it on to my son when he’s old enough.

[@climbingoutlaw9554]

I’ve read a lot about the Bowie knife and this is the most succinct and thorough video that I’ve seen. Great work!

[@tonyaz5516]

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.

[@alexansari2138]

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.

[@Ammo08]

My first "Bowie knife" was a Ka-Bar Model 1209. They were called "PX knives", however mine was issued to me in 1972 by the USAF. The blade is only 5.5 inches long, but it's been a great hunting and utility knife. I still have it. I'm looking at getting another Bowie knife just to have it, maybe a Cold Steel or Bear and Son. I do have a Ka-Bar USMC fighting knife...Excellent presentation.

[@gud2go50]

Very good presentation! Thank you.😊

[@davidneal6920]

A couple of years ago I purchase a Fallkniven NL2 Odin Bowie. My fav hunting knife. 🇺🇸 🇳🇿

[@bobsmoot2392]

Excellent content. Well delivered. Thank you,sir.

[@jamesmcclendon1203]

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.

[@jamescooper2618]

I enjoy your table-top presentations.

[@gamallsdokkalfs7253]

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.

[@candowonpressup6962]

Marvelous homage to a all time classic and still used knife

[@lecta4170]

Best Bowie Video ever seen!

[@JeffreyCotle]

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. . 😊😊

[@richardkramer1094]

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.

[@muxmurki1497]

very insightful and thoughtful video!

[@HamSlicer]

Wonderful video Sir. I love the history lesson.

[@eugenevictortooms4174]

I loved this video. I'm a bit of a bowie addict.

[@borkwoof696]

They may not get as much traction, but I‘m still a big fan of your knife content, DD. Keep them coming!

[@Redmenace96]

Fantastic video! pure gold.

[@sombra6153]

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.

[@omf2007]

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.

[@dennissheehan7930]

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.

[@NCWoodlandRoamer]

Alright! Friday night Desert Dog video! Like the new footage in the opening 👍🏻

[@jackbuendgen389]

Love the history lesson DD!

[@billfisher6708]

Great video, DD! I enjoyed it immensely.

[@SmellyKnuckles]

Great video and very informative. Thanks, man!

[@michaelcervantez3570]

Great video! I love this kind of stuff 👍

[@codywilliams1506]

16:23-16:31 I have two Buck 119s & one Buck 120. Love them.

[@jefferyclement5721]

Awesome video bro Top shelf 🇺🇸

[@mikemelina7395]

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

[@JeffreyCotle]

Hi desert dog. Awsome video. You have a nice collection of knives. Your Pennsylvania buddy Jeff. 😊

[@charliedaniels1]

F’n awesome history lesson DD!

[@reachvictoria3386]

What is a Bowie Knife? It’s an awesome piece of Americana. 🤠 Great video, as usual.

[@charliedaniels1]

Americana or Britannica? Sheffields were English made

[@raphlvlogs271]

historical bowie knives can become useful and popular once again if a global SHTF situation happens

[@petrotmyrcz308]

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.

[@mikebillman8089]

The Redford knife was similar to a w49 but was a handmade custom knife made by John Nelson Cooper.

[@desertdogoutdoors1113]

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.

[@gladeshunter8796]

I’ve stacked truckloads of wild hogs over the years with either a trusty Buck 119 or Kabar Mark 2 .

[@Veesaki]

I have a Randall model 11-6 Sportsman's Bowie , hell yeah ! 👏

[@Veesaki]

Sorry I meant 12-6 Sportsman Bowie , but a chance to say how great this video was !

[@stevenmike1878]

i learn the original bowie looked like a chefs knife not what we have now, it was when sheffield knives in England heard about the knife and bowie duel that they decided to market it even though they had never seen it. so they gave it that and exotic back swoop near the tip like you would see on scimitars and Asian swords, then mass produced them like crazy. if you look at cassius clays bowie who live in that era and fought in the mexican american war a few years after the alamo, his bowie didn't have that back swoop, in the civil war you start to see both designs of the bowie start to appear, then hollywood popularized the British exotic looking bowie and its been that way ever since.

[@richardpcrowe]

I was issued a Kabar for use in Vietnam but, early in my 32-months in country duty as a combat cameraman, I began carrying a folding Buck instead of the bigger and heavier issue knife. This Buck was made in Southern California (I think that Buck knives were produced near San Diego - somehow El Cajon strikes a bell) and was not an import like the later Buck knives. It was an excellent knife and I used it almost every day for many purposes. However, I chipped the blade slightly opening a C-ration can. After that, I stuck to using my "John Wayne" opener for C-rations. That did not deter me from using this general purpose folding knife for just about everything else. I had no expectations of killing anyone with my knife and the smaller and lighter folding buck was just handier. I always felt that I could sharpen my buck to a sharper edge than I could sharpen the Kabar. I carried the Buck in a small belt case and could get away carrying it - even when I was in "more civiized" areas than Vietnam. There were larger fixed blade Buck knives but, the larger bladed knives were brightly polished stainless steel as opposed to the black colored Kabar. I was always conscious of wearing or carrying bright items or clothing. I even dyed my skivvy shirts - this was before the military issued brown skivvies.

[@CalvinMorris-cf8jk]

good job Desert Dog. the Video kicks butt.

[@concernedaussie1330]

Really good video mate .

[@robertrhinehart4779]

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.

[@longrider42]

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.

[@desertdogoutdoors1113]

Subscribe to my channel and scroll through my videos. The answer to your question will become obvious.

[@MichaelRobertson-i8f]

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.

[@williamemerson1799]

If you do a KZbin 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.👍🍻

[@petrotmyrcz308]

If you get hit with a minie ball, you can dig it out with your Bowie, just like in the movies LOL.

[@longrider42]

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.

[@larrycater-tx613]

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.

[@ROE1300]

👍 Very good video. Makes us all want to ask, “what is an authentic Bowie knife”.

[@gregorygolden1296]

I have a Western Bowie from 1964.

[@bobross3215]

I always thought the story of the man was more interesting than the knife gotta love some history and tall tales.

[@slademan2468]

Terrific Historical video!!👏👏👏. What was the Manufacturer of the last Bowie knife you presented? Sweet looking Bowie!!

[@powerplay4real174]

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. 😊

[@lukealberti5094]

If we define it simply as a large fixed blade, what is your favorite Bowie knife from what’s available today? Thanks.

[@outdoorlife5396]

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

[@exothermal.sprocket]

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.

[@JeffreyCotle]

Desert dog. Are your old knives green river blades? Awsome video Jeff. 😊

[@desertdogoutdoors1113]

I'll eventually do a video on Green River knives.

[@gregorygolden1296]

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.

[@robertburford6039]

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

[@johnt.chambers4204]

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.

[@qparxiii]

They say handguards are vital ... JB didn't have one? ....cool video

[@gud2go50]

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.😊

[@JuaneDosesII-wj6dd]

Speak for yourself, I love my gigantic knife.?

[@mickroe8798]

Good video

[@matts4852]

And now the English can’t even have butter knives, next sporks will be outlawed

[@bushcraft_in_the_north]

But the good old Bowie the IXL one is still made by the same family owned company in Sheffield.

[@brittakriep2938]

German here, same danger in Germany.

[@JCOwens-zq6fd]

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.

[@jdgoade1306]

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.

[@lonewolf286]

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

[@davidbell1619]

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.

[@JuaneDosesII-wj6dd]

The Bowie knife is a thing of the future

[@arnoldtm31]

"I don't know who Jim Bowie was, but he must've been BIG!!!"... 115

[@dwaynewalker986]

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.

[@jackdorsey4734]

In the service I carried a ka bar knife 🔪 😅

[@fordman7775]

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.

[@3Pillers]

👍

[@MrRourk]

I still have a few Improved Bowies from Herter's

[@SANTASTALK3R]

when he said, "ran up several beaches." i said " hell yeah."

[@user-zd3de8nd3y]

🔪How can I get a knife like the one you are holding? Please reply. I do not live in America. I am from Libya.

[@giuliogemino6407]

Just take a look at Perseo bronze statue made by Benvenuto Cellini in 1545-1554.

[@JefF-rv7gp]

Bowie Tx ? There's a Bowie MD too !

[@Denner771]

Pig sticker. Well done historical presentation.

[@jdgoade1306]

Bowie was also known to carry a clasp knife.

[@JuaneDosesII-wj6dd]

Cold steel Bowie machete is the stoutest knife I have ever owned

[@sonnysantana5454]

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 😮

[@desertdogoutdoors1113]

They would have to get in line behind the simple butcher knife, which is the original Bowie.

[@syedfuadin4861]

Without guard you cannot stab another person. It Leuku knife from Finland. big knife without guard.

[@wizardofahhhs759]

If ol' Jim were alive today he'd trade in that big knife for a pocket friendly Spyderco PM2.

[@JuaneDosesII-wj6dd]

I’m alive today and no

[@mattluszczak8095]

...i thought david bowie had something to do with it...ill leave the chat now😂

[@desertdogoutdoors1113]

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.

[@fredcolon2341]

All large knives 7 inches long or more word call bowie knives from the past to the present today..

[@jerrymartin5100]

Confederate D gaurd Bowie

[@JO-lx9bx]

The rezin

[@ronalddunne3413]

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...🤣