I occasionally like a production knife enough, that I end up adding a second specimen to my collection. RARELY does a model enthuse me enough to entice me to purchase a 3rd identical specimen (a couple have landed within that category). Anyhow, the Cold Steel 1917 Frontier Bowie has made my list of 3 indentical specimens purchased.
My latest Bowie (my third CS 1917 Frontier Bowie)
I had noticed that my source for purchasing my previous two, had reached an "out of stock" status on these, (right after my last purchase of one). With my really hoping to land a 1085 carbon steel version for my collection, I decided to wait until they restocked on them, and order another. My reasoning, (right or wrong), was that them being out of stock would have them replenishing from Cold Steel with new 1085 specimens.
As for what the Cold Steel Representative said here on the forum about their 1917 Frontier Bowie steel change, here is what he stated...
"It appears that was a rolling change in materials in the second quarter of this year (2015). All blades from then onwards will be the 1085. This was after catalogs were printed but the change will be reflected in next year's print materials etc."
I now believe that this latest knife, and the previous one, are the 1085 versions. Why?...
*Well, the frog on both of my last two specimens have the rotational frog rivet covered by the sheath, (as to not make contact with the guard). My 1st specimen, which is definitely a 1055 time frame knife, has that rivet sitting higher and can certainly contact the knife's guard. The way they made the changes is by cutting the height a little shorter on the rounded part of the the leather frog. It causes the rivet to be lower and sit behind the sheath.
*The last two knives also came without the "British Proof Test Certificate", where as my 1st specimen did come with it.
*My last two specimens came with no Cold Steel hang tag in the box... my 1st specimen did come with one.
*The first specimen had come with some off white colored wrapping paper as protective packaging material, where as my last two specimens came with none of this paper, but with a bit of plastic wrapped on two sections of the bowie and sheath tip.
*The last two specimens have almost identical handguards, where the first is slightly differently contoured at their ends (ever so slight, but noticable when compared). Again, the difference is minor, but I'd say my last two specimens end with their "S" shaped guards in a slightly simplified manner.
*Both of my last two specimens seem to have received more focus on their sharpening than my first... As if they were trying to address some of the concerns people were having with the original specimen's overall sharpening.
All this could just be coincidences, but I am believing my last two are 1085 carbon steel models, while my first is definitely one of the 1055 carbon steel models.
Btw, all three were purchased from the same reputable vendor 😀
As for the overall condition of my received 3rd specimen?... Just like my first two... I am happy with all three. Thick grease covering the blued steel blade and sheath accents, which again did a great job of keeping the metal corrosion free. This also has the sweetest Rosewood handle of the three, with my second specimen having the next place position for that. I believe many folks get turned off by these knives because they do not match the refined exactness of the other Cold Steel Bowie models. Well, to that I say... It's like comparing the Queen Cutlery pocket knives to Victorinox (Swiss Army) knives. Queen does alot of old school production methods, where Swiss Army knives are almost exactly indentical from one specimen to the next, but they are made with almost total automation (modern is synonymous with Victorinox). What you get with these bowies, is a touch of old school tech, giving them an authentic look that can't be replicated with too much modern state of the art injection. Will I buy a fourth?... No... As I mentioned above, three of a kind happens rarely, but this model knife definitely caused my liking them enough to include it in my "three of a kind" list 😀
I am hoping that the CS Representative on this forum will see this post and either debunk my observations, or reinforce them 😀
My third specimen...
This picture does not do justice to the grain of this Rosewood handle, but it truly is a great wood pattern. I worked for a company named 'Warwick Architectural Woodwork Refinishers' for almost a decade, (decades ago), and I gained an appreciation for wood... This little piece of Rosewood lumber has gorgeous grain, (I just could not capture it with my poor picture taking skills).
Btw... These knives are made by Windlass Steelcrafts in India to Cold Steel's specs. I have seen more than one website stating these as made in China, but again, Windlass Steelcrafts in India is the source for this Cold Steel product.
And, on another note... I have read atleast one opinion where someone was critical about this model having slotted screws. I know some may have prefered to have seen rivets... But I am not one of those people. I think the only down side may be the screws loosening, which of course can be tightened. As for the positives... The screw method allows one to remove the wooden handle if ever the knife were to somehow get drenched with water, as to allow the handle to dry seperately, and allowing the tang to be dried and oiled. It also allows for an easier replacement of that handle if that need ever comes (or if one simply wants to replace the handle with some other material). If they would have went with allen screws, then I believe the look would have been wrong... But the slotted screws are a great look on this knife. Imo ☺
