Edge Brand Bowie Knives

Sharpsman · Jul 6, 2012

I don't know if this is the correct spot for this question, but will try and see. I seem to be again attracted lately to the 50's-60's Edge Brand (Solingen) Bowie blade knives. My first Bowie back in the early 60's was an Edge Brand Model 433. Is there some reason I might have this fixation? Does anyone here have any of these knives and if so, what might be your thoughts re: these knives? Thanks for the help!
Sharpsman

Nixelplix · Jul 6, 2012

You have a problem... You are a sick, sick man!

I can't say I've ever used one, but they look like good knives. They certainly have a style of their own! I haven't been able to find a specific picture of a 433, but I like the interesting shape of this 469.

MIKE MACINTOSH · Jul 6, 2012

I have both the #445 Bowie and the #469 Origional Bowie.
My Dad bought the #445 for me when i was a boy scout 40+ years ago. its still going strong with my son.
Both knives are carbon steel and hold an edge very well, the #445 is about 3/16 thick and makes a good Hunting/camping/utility knife Good all rounder.
The #469 runs about 1/4 in. while it will do every thing the smaller 445 will do I belive it would be better as a camp knife,
or used as a lite chopper or butchering knife it weights in at about twice the as much as the #445:thumbup::thumbup:

Click pic. for larger view

Sharpsman · Jul 7, 2012

Thank you both! I have a Model 445 going to a sheath maker right now. I have a mint condition Model 433(13" version of the 445) coming on Monday. I had a Model 433 better than 50 years ago and used it on a deer hunt to my grandpa's place in Crandon, Wisconsin. He looked at that huge knife that I was real proud of and said he thought he could put a better edge on it. So I gave it to him and he took it out to his "shop" and "sharpened" it... It looked so bad I threw it away when I got back home. Never said anything to him about it. In recent years, I thought I would find one again, and last week I really looked. Found one on an auction site and I should hold it in my hands on Monday! Grandpa's joke was not real funny. The Model 445 woulld make a better hunting Bowie. They sure have a beautiful polish on them. Thanks again for the response.
Sharpsman

Nixelplix · Jul 7, 2012

Man, your grandpa sounds like he was hilarious!

Drifter01 · Nov 3, 2016

Old thread but I thought I'd add to it. I have owned an Edge 469 Bowie since 1973. I have just bought on the 'bay another 469 as well as a Compass 857 which is the same knife (neither company made them, only sold them under their own names). Both should be here by Wednesday 11/9/16. I fell in love with that design the instant I saw it and no other Bowie has ever interested me since.

tltt · Nov 3, 2016

Edge Brand was a line of importer Gutmann Cutlery Co. It seemed to go in the middle to later years, that Puma was their premium line, Edge Brand was their middle, mostly German line, and Edge Mark was their Japanese and simpler lines. Explorer was another later brand of theirs, that was somewhat of a consolidation of every thing.

Compass (Compass Industries) is another NY based importer, that is still active - http://www.compassindustries.com/ .

If they all look similar, it's because they were all using the same subcontractors back then, German firms like Linder, Schlieper, Voos, etc.....

Mark MacIver · Oct 14, 2021

Nixelplix said:
You have a problem... You are a sick, sick man!

I can't say I've ever used one, but they look like good knives. They certainly have a style of their own! I haven't been able to find a specific picture of a 433, but I like the interesting shape of this 469.

I share this fixation. I will admit however, I recently traded a brand new Buck 124 (Frontiersman) knife, for a AG Russell with a smooth/polished Stag handled Bowie... Now I've got a think for just about anything AUS-8!; it's a great steel, and can sharpen to "scary" sharpness! I've never uploaded a pic here, so let's see if I can... It turns out I cannot... they want a URL, and the pic is here, from my phone... what am I missing, gentlemen? Anyway, Beautiful AG Russell knife, 7 1/4" blade, and HEAVY, this thing is a chopper and a slicer; I have seen them as high as Mid-High $300's for a mint knife. I do have a very small issue with the knife; tiny chip in the stag. I would like to "fill" it, if there's a durable epoxy type filler I can put in it. I am not concerned with it being perfect, it's a working knife (not a show knife).