Coffin handled Bowie - pro or cons?

BladeScout · Mar 13, 2014

I'm a huge fan of the classic coffin handle Bowies (well, a fan of most Bowies...) a la the vintage James Black style et al.

I'm considering asking a knifemaker to make me a medium size less-is-more minimalistic coffin handled Bowie with a minimum of guard.

It wouldnt be used for stabbing anything, but just as a general user/utility knife. I would say around the camp, but that would imply, that I wanted a heavy duty chopper and that is not the case.

An unobtrusive knife easily carried for lawful purposes when for example camping/hiking etc.

Yes, a Mora could do the job, but where would the fun and pure joy of ownership be in that.

I know a Bowie might not be the first choice of many for that and I likewise have a 'bushcraft' knife, which would cover most outdoor bases, but Im just committed to Bowies and would like to have the option of choosing to carry one when out and about and with a legal purpose for carrying one either in the ruck or one the belt when camping. Besides, when was carrying only one knife an option when camping!

The question is, how practical or comfortable are coffin handled knives?

Any of you gents care to share pros or cons, pls?

pootsythesamurai · Mar 13, 2014

I have to say I'm a fan of coffin handled bowies too but it's only be recently that they've appealed to me a lot. I'm a big Bagwell fan but have always strayed to stag instead of his coffin handled ones as that's my personal preference. Though the first Bowie I ever had was the Cold Steel Laredo and I used it for everything - though i did take a rasp to it and radiused it into more of a coffin teardrop shape.

I was at the guild show at Atlanta and there was a coffin handled bowie by Jason fry and well I hit myself for not buying it when I was there and emailed him after but it was gone, but it worked out okay cos I got it in the end. I think when you look at a coffin handle it comes across as uncomfortable but if the maker contours everything right and puts a nice radius on the edges it's surprisingly comfortable. That was the main reason I wanted that vest Bowie off Jason, it was so comfortable in the hand.

I usually go with stag for any sort of camp knife and reserve coffin handles for vest bowies and fighters. I think the squareness of it will always give you a hotspot somewhere while stag or a nicely contoured wood handle would be more appealing comfort wise, but if you wanna try it - hey why not.

this is the coffin handle one i have, it's about the right size for a bushcraft knife:

BladeScout · Mar 13, 2014

Thanks for valid input.

pootsythesamurai said:
I'm a big Bagwell fan..........

As am I (what knife afficionado wouldnt be

).

pootsythesamurai said:
I think when you look at a coffin handle it comes across as uncomfortable but if the maker contours everything right and puts a nice radius on the edges it's surprisingly comfortable. That was the main reason I wanted that vest Bowie off Jason, it was so comfortable in the hand.

I usually go with stag for any sort of camp knife and reserve coffin handles for vest bowies and fighters. I think the squareness of it will always give you a hotspot somewhere while stag or a nicely contoured wood handle would be more appealing comfort wise, but if you wanna try it - hey why not.

I agree. A 'coffin handle hotspot' was amongst other factors, that I considered. The angular 'unformfortable looking' features practically predict a hotspot. Conturing a coffin handle and ever so slightly 'melt' the corners but still hint at the coffin outline, would go a ways of alleviating hotspots though IMO.

pootsythesamurai said:
this is the coffin handle one i have, it's about the right size for a bushcraft knife:

Thats a beautiful understated elegant knife. Less is more. Good, that you got it in the end....well, not like that....., you know what I mean

Doug C · Mar 13, 2014

Early Sfreddo, Gambler Bowie.
Haven't used much at all.
Do like the slimming taper of handle.

Doug

BladeScout · Mar 13, 2014

Thats a beauty, Doug.
I like that taper as well. Must make for a good hand hold.

pootsythesamurai · Mar 13, 2014

I've always been found of this Bagwell handle shape, I know it's not strictly coffin handle but you could say it has it's birth in it:

http://www.blaydzpurveyors.com/gallery-bagwell-09.html

Jason Fry · Mar 13, 2014

Thanks for the shout out, Phil.

Here's a thread of great coffin handles, from when I was doing research to build the knife shown above.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...e-some-coffin-handles?highlight=coffin+handle

betzner · Mar 13, 2014

BladeScout said:
The question is, how practical or comfortable are coffin handled knives?

Any of you gents care to share pros or cons, pls?

They are not comfortable to carry or handle, but they can certainly be beautiful to carry:

Kevin Jones · Mar 13, 2014

I've found a 'well executed' Coffin Handles to be practical, comfortable and beautiful. Unfortunately, there's quite a few out there that are not.

The Amazing Virginian · Mar 13, 2014

I think coffin handle pieces are way cool from an appearance standpoint, and I am sure some are not too bad to carry. But personally, I would not choose a coffin handle for a carry piece as I just think there are so many better options. I would prefer something more ergonomic like a lot of the pieces we see here from Jason Knight and Nick Wheeler, such as:

AVigil · Mar 13, 2014

Coffin handles are some of my favorite. I have a Bowie from Rick Browne that is a real treasure. The coffin handle does not limit your grip and you are not locked into one hand placement.

This was important when they actually were being used as tools and weapons and that is why you see so many in the past that have the coffin handle

Kevin Jones · Mar 13, 2014

AVigil said:
Coffin handles are some of my favorite. I have a Bowie from Rick Browne that is a real treasure. The coffin handle does not limit your grip and you are not locked into one hand placement.

This was important when they actually were being used as tools and weapons and that is why you see so many in the past that have the coffin handle

I agree, a good Coffin Handle has just enough to swedge towards the butt to offer an index point but as stated doesn't lock one in to a predominant hand position.

BladeScout · Mar 14, 2014

pootsythesamurai said:
I've always been found of this Bagwell handle shape, I know it's not strictly coffin handle but you could say it has it's birth in it:

http://www.blaydzpurveyors.com/gallery-bagwell-09.html

A beauty and a handle that looks comfortable.

Jason Fry said:
Thanks for the shout out, Phil.

Here's a thread of great coffin handles, from when I was doing research to build the knife shown above.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...e-some-coffin-handles?highlight=coffin+handle

Some great knives there, thanks.

That Jerry Lairson - WOW!

betzner said:
They are not comfortable to carry or handle, but they can certainly be beautiful to carry:

-PIC-

That certainly is a beauty!

BladeScout · Mar 14, 2014

Kevin Jones said:
I've found a 'well executed' Coffin Handles to be practical, comfortable and beautiful. Unfortunately, there's quite a few out there that are not.

Agreed. The key words being 'well executed.' Gotta have that.

The Virginian said:
I think coffin handle pieces are way cool from an appearance standpoint, and I am sure some are not too bad to carry. But personally, I would not choose a coffin handle for a carry piece as I just think there are so many better options. I would prefer something more ergonomic like a lot of the pieces we see here from Jason Knight and Nick Wheeler, such as:
-PICS-

I agree with you to a certain degree, but since when did common sense have anything to do with it!?

I like coffin handles and I want one!

Further more, see the arguments of other forum members below:

AVigil said:
Coffin handles are some of my favorite. I have a Bowie from Rick Browne that is a real treasure. The coffin handle does not limit your grip and you are not locked into one hand placement.

This was important when they actually were being used as tools and weapons and that is why you see so many in the past that have the coffin handle

Some very good points and good arguments for using a coffin handle as a tool in the field.

Kevin Jones said:
I agree, a good Coffin Handle has just enough to swedge towards the butt to offer an index point but as stated doesn't lock one in to a predominant hand position.

This certainly boosts my confidence in reagrds to choosing a coffin handle for the purpose stated in the OP

Ebbtide · Mar 14, 2014

Guardless coffin handles are my hands down favorite.

The center knife and one to the right have exaggerated coffin shapes that are very ergonomic.
Instead of grabbing the knife in the skinny part of the handle, grip it at the end the coffin shape acts like the knob on a Price SF bowie*, providing a very secure grip whether pushing or pulling. The upwards sweep matches the crease in you palm, that your thumb makes.

The subtle coffin shapes feel little different from a normal symmetrical handle.

Honestly I don't see a downside, but I may be prejudiced.

*Price style for reference

pootsythesamurai · Mar 14, 2014

Like your style here. I forgot that for ages I had a Bark River coffin bowie and it was a great camp knife - never had any bother with it not having a guard, although I do prefer one, and it was great in the hand, very comfortable and all that. I think it is down to the maker- well executed and comfortable and you'd have a jack of all trades knife.

BladeScout · Mar 14, 2014

Ebbtide said:
Guardless coffin handles are my hands down favorite.

The center knife and one to the right have exaggerated coffin shapes that are very ergonomic.
Instead of grabbing the knife in the skinny part of the handle, grip it at the end… the coffin shape acts like the knob on a Price SF bowie*, providing a very secure grip… whether pushing or pulling. The upwards sweep matches the crease in you palm, that your thumb makes.

The subtle coffin shapes feel little different from a normal symmetrical handle.

Honestly I don't see a downside, but I may be prejudiced.

*Price style for reference

A plethora of guardless goodness!

Especially the two you mention; the center one and the one to the right of it. They immediately drew my attention. Beautiful knives. Exactly what I had in mind. Thanks for posting them.

Ebbtide · Mar 15, 2014

You are most welcome!

The center piece is by Bruce Evans.
Forged 5160 & mammoth ivory.

The knife to the right of it is SSS (some sort of stainless) from the Jantz catalog and handled by myself.
This is the second one I've done. A friend fell in love with the first one, so he got it for his birthday.
It is a decent knock around knife that I don't worry about at all.

The 4 smaller pieces, the outside two pairs are by Joel Bolden (JCB), a member here at bf.

Ebony & (mammoth) Ivory Guarded coffin handle

Designed by myself, executed by Bruce Evans

BladeScout · Mar 15, 2014

Ebbtide said:
You are most welcome!

The center piece is by Bruce Evans.
Forged 5160 & mammoth ivory.

The knife to the right of it is SSS (some sort of stainless) from the Jantz catalog and handled by myself.
This is the second one I've done. A friend fell in love with the first one, so he got it for his birthday.
It is a decent knock around knife that I don't worry about at all.

The 4 smaller pieces, the outside two pairs are by Joel Bolden (JCB), a member here at bf.

The center Bruce Evans Bowie is of course gorgeous.
How ever, I reluctantly must admit, that for a guardless coffin handled Bowie, the design of the Jantz Bowie is more to my taste with the slightly hump backed look, even if it is but a 'humble' Jantz. A great looking knife.
I just looked, but they dont have that kit under Bowie knives any more - only Bowies with a pronounced clip. Which of course under other circumstances suit me just fine....to say the least.
I merely believe, that one has to go 'old school' for an unobtrusive coffin handled guardless Bowie.

Ebbtide said:
Ebony & (mammoth) Ivory Guarded coffin handle

Designed by myself, executed by Bruce Evans

You sir, have excellent taste in knives.
Being a huge fan of Black and Perkins-Shively-style Bowies and the crisp clean look of those, the above knife brutally triggered my 'must have' gene!!
That is absolutely beautiful and I wouldnt change an iota about that particular knife.

EDIT Just had a look again. I found the blade under another Jantz section ('Knife blades' instead of 'Kits').
Looks like its the 'Appalachian.'
.

JParanee · Mar 15, 2014

Coffins the way Bagwell does them might not be the prettiest but they do perform well in the hand when it comes to indexing and using inertia to secure the grip

They are thin at the throat and have big butts so they wedge in the hand well when put in motion

Again maybe not the prettiest but certainly a very well designed handle for certain applications

The majority of the more attractive coffin handles I find to be beautiful but do not work as well in motion

Coffins certainly seem to of been very popular in days of old so they must have some good design elements to have been in such demand

For me the ones I'm attracted to looks wise often do not feel that great in the hand and the ones that feel good are rather ugly

Coffin handled Bowie - pro or cons?

Adam Vigil working the grind