Choosing the best knife to manage your hunts can pose to be difficult alright, but much less troubling with a bowie knife. It was initially created as a fighting knife in the early 19th century by its designer. Now it is widely used as a hunting knife.
It is a large bladed fixed knife which you can use on your hunt to gut and skin your catch easily. Hunters prefer Bowie knife over others for versatility; you can also use it as self-defense, combat knife, and also it’s the one knife you wish you carried in case of survival in a land without outside help.
Bowie knives are great to have tools in hunting; its curved tip makes accurate cuts easier. In this article, I’ll brief you about all you need to know about the best bowie knife, before buying one.
10 Best Bowie Knife
Guide to Buy the Best Bowie Knife
- Timber Rattler Western Outlaw Bowie Knife
Timber Rattler is an original bowie knife, made with 11 3/8” stainless steel that is sharp and resists corrosion. Suitable for all sorts of heavy-duty work, to enhance it, it’s guarded with a brass plating, making it safer and durable.
The pointy tip gives you the advantage of making small precise cuts. And unlike most brands, the sheath included with this one is made of rich quality leather.
The handle is made of premium grey hardwood, made while thinking of your complete comfort of using. It is a big knife so, stability is a big issue to look into, thankfully, this outlaw is a full tang blade providing ultimate balance and strength.
Pros:
- Sharp and strong blade.
- Hardwood-made handle.
- Comes with a stylish leather sheath.
- Quite affordable.
- Large enough to handle heavy jobs.
Cons:
- Needs frequent sharpening.
- Ka-Bar Becker BK9 Combat Bowie Fixed Blade Knife
This is an affordable bowie knife that excels in both performance and quality. Ka-Bar’s 9” fixed knife is constructed with a 1095 Cro-Van steel blade, finished with molded Kydex, giving the knife an elegant matte black look, which is sure to stay intact even after years of use.
With sharpness and durability, you get a guaranteed grade of quality that has been thoroughly tested. The people in the service choose Ka-Bar’s combat knife for its efficiency, longevity, and easy maintenance.
Take this professional combat level to your future hunts without a second thought. The ergonomically designed handle makes sure that it doesn’t put a toll on your hand. Constructed with nylon ensuring a firm grip with comfort.
Pros:
- Sturdy built combat knife.
- Aesthetically pleasing.
- Quality material.
- Reasonably priced.
- The sheath has a Velcro attached.
Cons:
- Poor quality control.
- Gets slippery when wet.
- Buck Knives 124 Frontiersman Fixed Blade Knife
Buck Knives have been out there for many generations, their products are completely American made. This bowie knife is a great example of their great craftsmanship and experience.
The straight back blade is made of 420HC steel through proprietary heat treatment, which holds its edge well, corrosion-resistant, and very easy to sharpen. Such type of steel is known for its toughness; you can rely on it even for the heavy work.
The handle is very uniquely designed with Black Micarta with a resin finish; making it a strong handle featuring a comfy grip with an integrated finger guard. The sheath is convenient to carry around, and you can draw out your knife without having to undo the sheath.
Pros:
- Ultra-sharp blade with a satin finish.
- Well-designed; Comfortable to use.
- Aluminum guarded handle.
- A leather sheath with snap fastener.
- Features lifetime warranty.
Cons:
- Bad Quality control.
- The sheath design could be better.
- 12″ Survival Bowie Knife
It’s an all in one survival tool that can accompany you with hunting, camping, or fishing, anywhere. The knife is not only lightweight for its size, but also very agile and smooth in action. The handle of this professional knife is made of plastic with a scale design, ensuring a firm grip and slip resistance.
This blade consists of 7 ½” inches of the massive knife made with 440 stainless steel fashioned with a black coating. It is very sharp out of the box, very well designed, and goes a long way. For the price you pay, the performance will surely leave you in awe.
Pros:
- Large and sharp blade.
- Solid, sturdy build.
- Great sheath with clasp fastening.
- Easy maintenance.
Cons:
- The handle feels cheap.
- Not full tang.
- United Cutlery USMC Marine Force Recon Giant Bowie Knife
It is most probably the largest knife in our list. If massive is your priority, check this deal out. 11.5 inches long blade is sure to slash down any obstacle standing in your path. The blade is made from anodized stainless steel known for its high resistance to corrosion.
The handle is the other great feature of this knife; rubberized handle with well-designed finger grip ensures better comfort while holding and yielding the knife; making it suitable for combat.
What’s more, it features a serrated edge on a bowie knife, you can use it in a saw-like manner, using motion to enhance strength. The sharpness is also quite extraordinary for such a big knife.
Pros:
- Rubber molded handle; firm comfortable grip.
- Large hefty knife.
- Made with quality material.
Cons:
- Disappointing customer service.
- Ridge Runner Executive Wooden Bowie Knife
Ridge Runner is an elegant knife, which is bound to catch your eyes from the very first moment. Apart from its exceptional services, the highlight of this product is the handle. A perfect balance of vintage looks and modern functions; comfortable grip.
The handle is custom made from dark hardwood inlays that have intricate styled scrollwork carved on it – a beauty to look at. The tough AUS-6 stainless steel is also very sharp to get all your job done whether you’re going camping or hunting. This knife is also compact and lightweight; the full-tang blade offers a great balance.
Pros:
- Compact and lightweight.
- The handle’s aesthetics is a 10/10.
- Solidly built.
- Beautiful knife on a budget.
- Rust-resistant; durable.
Cons:
- The sheath comes off as loose.
- Hard to sharpen.
- Ontario Spec Plus Marine Raider Bowie
This chic black knife will serve you like no other. It’s a great deal in this price range overall, considering every aspect, weight, sharpness, longevity, and comfort. It’s a fairly large boy with 9.75 inches long thick blade.
The blade is made from 1095 high carbon steel, much easy to sharpen, and once you do, it holds its edge pretty well. The knife is epoxy powder coated to minimize the oxidation effect. The handle is Kraton made, slip-proof and very durable, provides a strong grip, and reacts well to strength.
With Ontario, quality is guaranteed; this is why they offer a limited lifetime warranty of replacement if you’re not contented with the service.
Pros:
- Well, a balanced quality knife.
- Suitable for heavy work.
- Easy Sharpening.
- The package includes a Cordura sheath.
Cons:
- Needs to be oiled every once in a while.
- Small lanyard hole.
- 9″ Navy Seals Tactical Combat Bowie
Another compact knife of this list, easily portable with your gears, you will not even feel it’s there, as it’s very lightweight. This fixed blade makes a solid fit for camping and carrying it as a self-defense knife.
It may be small but, the 5-inch blade is razor-sharp just out the box, made from high carbon stainless steel is 3.5mm thick, holds its edge exceptionally well. It a serrated edge containing reverse saw, able to saw through ropes, tree barks, etc.
The ABS handle is durable and offers a fairly comfortable grip. Its full-tang blade enables it to be a stable knife that you can rely on.
Pros:
- Full-tang blade.
- Ensures longevity.
- Sharp – retains edge well.
- Great for people who aren’t comfortable with big ones.
Cons:
- Cheap feeling sheath.
- Winchester 22-41206 Large Bowie Knife
Even though the name says large knife, the blade is about 8.57 inches, where the overall length measures 14.25 inches’; it’s fairly on the big side, but not exactly what you call massive.
The high-grade stainless steel is capable of making precise cuts, retains edge better, and yet weighs comfortably less for its size. You’re gonna love the brilliantly designed finger grooved handle – made of wood and cross guarded with brass.
This knife is a steal for the price you pay for it. Made of quality materials, serves better than the expectation.
Pros:
- Comes with a great sheath.
- Large yet lightweight knife.
- Brass guarded knife handle.
- Full-tang blade.
Cons:
- Not suited for hefty works.
- SZCO Supplies Carbon Steel Bowie Knife
This is pretty much a basic knife containing features that you search in your bowie. This knife offers you nothing much extravagant nor too straightforward. It’s a large knife that has gone for quality more than visuals. Maybe this is what you need after all!
It’s a large 15″ knife with a high carbon steel blade; its full tang blade enables it to hold its ground against its competitors. It comes pretty sharp but to make it razor-sharp, you’ll have to spend a bit of time with it, but the result will be worth it.
It is designed with a wood handle that offers both strength and comfort. The handle is separated from the blade with a brass guard preventing accident slip of fingertip.
Pros:
- Large knife to withstand fairly heavy works.
- Sturdy construction.
- Comes with a leather sheath.
- Great price.
Cons:
- Faulty finish.
- Cheap sheath.
Final Verdict:
Bowie knife has been through a lot of history change, but it stayed as it’s a complete package that opens many doors for you. With the right one, you can even survive on an isolated island like Crusoe!
So, I’m not exaggerating when I’m saying how equally important, but somewhat frustrating choosing the best bowie knife can be. The market offers many but, you need the one that checks most of your boxes.
In an attempt to make the job easier for you, we have accumulated some of the bests that we loved, and we hope you will too! Best of luck!
Buyers Guide to Purchase the Best Bowie Knife
In this review post, along with getting to know what knife is offering what features best in the price range, we will also let you know about some certain fundamental knowledge that will come in handy while evaluating the knife you should buy.
Construction of Material: This is quite an easy thing to find out as it’s usually written in the product description. The only thing you are expected to know is what the material is beneficial for.
The traditional knife blades are constructed with carbon steel, known for retaining edge and for being extremely sturdy. But they tend to rust faster if you don’t oil polish them regularly. On contrast, stainless steel stays good as new for the longest time, hard to rust, but not as sharp as carbon steel.
Blade and Length: This part requires most of your attention. Along with the size of the knife required for your purpose, you need to keep the state laws about carrying a knife in mind, so you aren’t breaking any laws.
For hunting, people tend to go for knives on the larger side, as they have to take care of beefy hefty jobs. Compact knives are a better choice for hunter and hikers’ secondary knife choice, and for those who want one as a self-defense resort. There are also blade varieties of flat and serrated edge, for bowie’s people usually lean towards flat edges.
Sheath: Sheaths are vital so that you don’t accidentally injure your part of the body or others nearby. Many materials are used in a sheath; leather is mass-favorite also good to look at. Nylon is a modernized choice, suits for tons of purposes.
The sheaths are designed with clasp or Velcro fastener, for easy buckling with your belt or gears. It is recommended that you custom make or buy your sheath separately. As the sheath that comes with the package is often not up to the standard.
Bowie and Ergonomic Design: The knife’s handle is what ensures a good grip. So, you should be on a lookout for a handle that does not put a toll on your body. The handle, which minimizes the chance of mishaps should also be a priority.
Users have liked the ergonomic design better, as it’s very comfortable to use even after using it for long hours, puts the least strain on hands, and does not slip. The balance is also great than other designs out there.
FAQ
Q: What is a Bowie Knife?
A: Bowie is a traveling-lightweight knife that is carried around by adventurers and hunters for both survival and protection. Originally designed as a combat knife, it has many versatile uses now for outdoor activists.
The knife’s blade ranges between 5 to 12 inches, made of carbon or stainless steel with a double-edged pointy tip.
Q: When do I need a Bowie Knife?
A: Depending on how you use it, there are many numbers of sectors where a bowie can prove to irreplaceable. They are a must-have for hunters, to save himself from, say a wildcat, to gut the prey or skin it, even chopping the meat, all from one multi-purpose knife. It’s equally useful as a survival and self-defense knife.
Q: How is a Bowie knife sharpened?
A: If you have the experience, it’s a simple process, quite like how you sharpen other knives. Depending on the material of the blade, the method will significantly differ. Carbon steel can easily be sharpened by hand with a diamond stone. While stainless steel can be tricky to sharpen with a few strokes at 600- grit stones going with 800- grits then, ending with a 2000- grits. For better insight, check YouTube videos, or get professional help.
