What, exactly, constitutes a "Bowie" knife? (also, boo-ee or bow-ee)

[Lapedog]

Bowie has kind of taken on 3 meanings. In its original meaning it seems to have basically just meant a big ass knife. The original bowie knife was believed not to have a clip point that is so often associated with what most people think of when they hear bowie today.

A very early Bowie knife is this one. Some historians believe it was designed to be held with the true edge on the top and the false edge on the bottom. There is a story that Jim Bowie used this grip in a fight to cut upward through an enemy.

Today most people think of a big knife that specifically has a clip point when we hear the term “bowie.”

Because of this fact most of these big ass knives began to have a clip point ; many people associate that clip point with bowie knives.

Finally we often see quite small knives, fixed or folder, called “Bowie” based on the tip design. That is because in many people’s mind Bowie has taken on the meaning of the clip point tip rather than the connotation of a big knife.

 

[lieferung]

I always thought a Bowie had a "curved" clip point. Also I am in the bow-ee camp, a la the late David.

 

[Douglas Wever]

As to defining it? Good luck, it's too convoluted now.

Agreed, nothing exactly constitutes the definition of a Bowie. Much of the Bowie’s early history is argued, and over the years many knives have been called Bowie knives and the term has almost become a generic term for any large sheath knife.

So a big kitchen knife is a Bowie? Originally there was a semblance, but overall, I don’t think so. The historical Bowie knife was not one design, but a number of subsequent knives modified several times by Jim Bowie over the years. The first one, made by Jesse Clift at Bowie's brother's request resembled Spanish hunting knives, and differed little from a regular butcher’s knife. The blade, as described by Rezin Bowie, was 9.5 in long, 0.25 in thick and 1.5 in wide. Had no clip-point nor any handguard. Eventually, most later versions of the Bowie knife had a blade at least 8 inches in length, with a relatively broad blade that was an inch and a half to two inches wide, and made of steel usually between 3⁄16 to 1⁄4 in thick. A clip point and a bevel ground along the clip.

Generally speaking, I would say, my Randall Model 1-7 (left bottom 7” blade) is not a Bowie, my wider heftier Randall Model 14 (left top, 7.25” blade) either is a Bowie or is very close to being a Bowie, my Randall Model 12-9 (right picture 9” blade) with virtual certainty would be a Bowie, and a Randall Smithsonian (no image) would absolutely be one. What about a Randall Sasquatch? Big enough for sure, but the blade shape?

The pronunciation thing is just a curiosity. I've always said 'BOW-ee', and always will.

Multiple sources place the pronunciation as rhyming with the French “Louis”

Pronunciation seems to error on the side of Boo-ey/Boo-ee according to many historians. It should rhyme with Louie.

 

[Kels73]

Also I am in the bow-ee camp, a la the late David.

Interestingly enough, David Bowie was born David Jones. He reportedly adopted the name "Bowie" after he saw the 1960 movie, "The Alamo."

 

[Hickory n steel]

Interestingly enough, David Bowie was born David Jones. He reportedly adopted the name "Bowie" after he saw the 1960 movie, "The Alamo."

I've heard that before.
Great movie btw and I just watched it a few days ago.

 

[GB940Rookie]

This is what a real Bowie looks like. It has to have a finger choil.

 

[afishhunter]

Historically, a 10 inch blade butcher knife would fit the billing.
Today? For the most part a fixed blade "combat" knife, with a minimum 7 to 8 inch blade.

 

[DocJD]

In my area , it just means a BAK believed suitable for the butchery of man or beast . Although I've heard small neck knives , hideouts and even folders described as having a " Bowie pattern blade " = clip point . Most people are pretty vague on the historical accuracy aspects .

 

[Rhinoknives1]

To the OP! No one really knows what the Boo-ie that, Jim what's his face used at the Sand bar fight looked like.. Thanks to the late Dave Bowie whom was born Davy Jones changed it after the other Davy Jones of the monkeys became popular ....The name had been changed to protect the innocent!!! carry on !!

 

[19-3ben]

Here's a portrait of a confederate soldier. It was common for them to pose with their bowie knives.

"I shall let my large knife and my neck beard intimidate my foes...."

 

[Charlie Mike]

"I shall let my large knife and my neck beard intimidate my foes...."

Much like Instagram in modern times.

 

[Yonose]

I wouldn’t call this a bowie but I guess I could if I felt like it.

 

[marcinek]

.....and a Randall Smithsonian (no image) would absolutely be one.

It along with Randalls Thorp Bowie certainly are what people think a Bowie knife looks like. Wildly historically inaccurate. Fantasies created by Thorp and the movie The Iron Mistress. The whole James Black thing is tied in with both and equally silly.

While it cannot be said for sure that a specific knife wasthe Sandbar knife (it was the Forrest knife), the very early knives owned by Bowie are pretty well documented and identified. This whole thing that they are shrouded in mystery is also just a part of the myth and romance.

 

[USMCPOP]

Pronunciation seems to error on the side of Boo-ey/Boo-ee according to many historians. It should rhyme with Louie. ...

Wasn't there a song in 1965 about Louie Bowie by Sam the Sham & The Pharaohs?

Oops, that was "Wooly Bully" - "...Had two big horns and a wooly jaw...".

 

[J.Davey]

View attachment 911013

Love everything that remotely falls under this genre.

Very nice! You have come a long way from your "customizations"! (freaky-weird long term memory)

 

[Charlie Mike]

Very nice! You have come a long way from your "customizations"! (freaky-weird long term memory)

Much of that was due to putting down the bottle/pipe.

 

[J.Davey]

Interestingly enough, David Bowie was born David Jones. He reportedly adopted the name "Bowie" after he saw the 1960 movie, "The Alamo."

good call!

 

[Ebbtide]

A good case for the http://www.antiquebowies.com/antiqueBowies/historic/perkinsShively/perkins-shively.htm
Shively Bowie too...

But then again, since the Sandbar knife was only described as "a big butcher knife", we really don't know.

Besides, Forrest was a NY actor.
Who would take the word of a NY actor?

 

[Charlie Mike]

Finished knife from previous post...

 

[Mecha]

Finished knife from previous post...

View attachment 911555 View attachment 911557

What metal is that?