21 Nov 09 What Qualifies a Knife to Be a Bowie Knife?
Knives have always played a prominent role in human affairs. From the first flint knife blade to today's carbon steel weapons, the knife has a long and illustrious history. However, few types of knives have ever matched the mystique, mystery and magic commanded by the Bowie knife. You'll find that this legendary weapon has spawned numerous modern derivatives, some so altered that they can scarcely be recognized as Bowie knives. What qualifies a knife to claim such heritage? Actually, this can be a sticky question to answer.
Because of the intense popularity of Bowie knives, you'll find a wide range of different styles. In fact, there are so many different types, that it can be hard to tell what is real and what is not. For instance, you'll find knives from the Rambo movies that are derivatives of the Bowie knife, but feature a serrated back (spine). You'll find "Bowie" style machetes, as well. The real determining factor in the equation is your own personal tastes. For instance, if you are a purist, then the Rambo and Predator editions are certainly out of the running for true Bowie status.
This begs the question, what will a purist accept as a Bowie knife? The answer is actually pretty simple. The blade should be at least six inches in length, though they can be 12 or more inches long, as well. The blade should also be single-edged, with no serrations along the blade's spine. The tip of the blade should also be clipped; that is, the tip should be lower than the spine (this is a trademark feature of Bowie knives). In addition, the knife should have an S shaped cross guard, with the upper guard tilted toward the point of the knife and the lower guard angled toward the butt of the knife.
The classic look is what most purists accept as a true Bowie knife, though even here, there is much disparity. Some collectors even accept Sheffield Bowies as true Bowie knives (these feature a sharpened back curve on the point, where the clipped portion curves up to meet the knife's spine).
Of course, purists will dispute some of these elements, as well as modern innovations. For instance, most collectors and purists will not consider a folding blade Bowie knife as authentic, as the original was a fixed blade style. In addition, most collectors frown on "Bowie" knives with two edges, as the original and all early reproductions featured only a single edge. However, remember that the true value and "qualifications" of a knife lie with their owner, not with anyone else, or even any knife guide that you might find.
Dylan Sabot is the owner of an online bowie hunting knife store featuring the Cold Steel jim bowie knife. Additionally, Dylan is also the President of a specialty lighters store.
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