Bowie knives

Spunjer · 12th February 2006, 01:49 PM

rich,

are you familiar with this type of knife (name, what era, etc.)? do you know what it's called?

Rich · 12th February 2006, 05:22 PM

You're not going to like my reply :-( but I believe this is a
total fake. It is a rework IMHO of a 1950-60's carving knife made
in India. I've seen dozens and dozens of knives exactly like this
with carved sheaths and handles and plainly marked made in India
or just India.

Rich

ariel · 12th February 2006, 06:02 PM

I do not think it is a "fake".
True, the construction looks just like these awful souvenir knives from India. However, the blade is very different and the quality of the woodwork and the bronze (brass? Always confuse them....) is quite good. The handle looks like Punal. I think somebody in the Philippines took the idea and reworked it from scratch.
The wood may be revealing.

Jim McDougall · 12th February 2006, 06:12 PM

Titus,
I have always considered the 'Bowie' knife to be about the closest thing to a real American 'ethnographic edged weapon' ! As noted by Rich, the term itself became colloquial for many forms of heavy bladed knives with clipped point by the mid 19th century, thus considered 'weapons' rather than simply 'hunting knives'. Ironically, probably the most prominant producers that capitalized on the use of the term 'Bowie knife' were those by Sheffield makers, in England! Later of course, German commercialism entered the field as well.

It would be difficult to really assert the true origins of the Bowie knife, as there is more than considerable folklore and speculation that has grown over the years. For those seriously interested, I think the best resouce on these knives and comprehensively all associated forms of these knives would be,
"The Bowie Knife' by Norm Flayderman (2004, ISBN 1-931464-12-X).
This book is magnificent! and well researched by one of the most well known and respected authorities on Americana. Fantastic book with amazingly photographed examples throughout.

Best regards,
Jim

Jim McDougall · 12th February 2006, 06:15 PM

Just noticed the excellent call by Ariel on the knife with U.S.A. on the scabbard!!! Nicely done Ariel, I very much agree that it is a punal!!!
Actually a pretty nice looking knife

Jim

12th February 2006, 01:49 PM	#1
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	rich, are you familiar with this type of knife (name, what era, etc.)? do you know what it's called? Attached Images

12th February 2006, 05:22 PM	#2
Rich Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: comfortably at home, USA Posts: 432	You're not going to like my reply :-( but I believe this is a total fake. It is a rework IMHO of a 1950-60's carving knife made in India. I've seen dozens and dozens of knives exactly like this with carved sheaths and handles and plainly marked made in India or just India. Rich

12th February 2006, 06:02 PM	#3
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	I do not think it is a "fake". True, the construction looks just like these awful souvenir knives from India. However, the blade is very different and the quality of the woodwork and the bronze (brass? Always confuse them....) is quite good. The handle looks like Punal. I think somebody in the Philippines took the idea and reworked it from scratch. The wood may be revealing.

12th February 2006, 06:12 PM	#4
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,459	Titus, I have always considered the 'Bowie' knife to be about the closest thing to a real American 'ethnographic edged weapon' ! As noted by Rich, the term itself became colloquial for many forms of heavy bladed knives with clipped point by the mid 19th century, thus considered 'weapons' rather than simply 'hunting knives'. Ironically, probably the most prominant producers that capitalized on the use of the term 'Bowie knife' were those by Sheffield makers, in England! Later of course, German commercialism entered the field as well. It would be difficult to really assert the true origins of the Bowie knife, as there is more than considerable folklore and speculation that has grown over the years. For those seriously interested, I think the best resouce on these knives and comprehensively all associated forms of these knives would be, "The Bowie Knife' by Norm Flayderman (2004, ISBN 1-931464-12-X). This book is magnificent! and well researched by one of the most well known and respected authorities on Americana. Fantastic book with amazingly photographed examples throughout. Best regards, Jim

12th February 2006, 06:15 PM	#5
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,459	Just noticed the excellent call by Ariel on the knife with U.S.A. on the scabbard!!! Nicely done Ariel, I very much agree that it is a punal!!! Actually a pretty nice looking knife Jim