Bowie knives are a versatile and effective tool that can complete many different tasks. They are great for bushcraft, military use, survival and a variety of other activities.
They are also very useful for self-defense situations. However, they aren’t a good choice for every situation so you should always be prepared with a different knife in case you need to defend yourself.
Blade Length
Bowie knives are one of the most popular knife designs in the world. They are a great choice for outdoor enthusiasts who want a blade that performs light chopping and batoning tasks while also providing enough control over the tip to perform delicate work such as sharpening stakes or cutting notches for traps and snares.
They are often made from a combination of high carbon steel and medium carbon steel, a method called lamination, that offers good flexibility and impact resistance without sacrificing the hardness necessary for a blade to hold an edge well. The best Bowie knives are made from a high quality stainless steel that has been heat treated to bring out the characteristics of the material.
If you want to make a guard for your bowie knife, it is important to know the length of the blade. To do this, measure the distance from the inside of your elbow to the inside of your curled middle finger using a ruler. Multiply this by.618 to determine the handle length.
Handle Length
Whether you are building an everyday carry knife or a survival knife, the handle length is important to the size and shape of the blade and overall look of the knife. It also helps ensure the handle will fit your hand properly for self-defense use and chopping.
The blade should be long enough to reach all the way down the handle, while still being wide enough to be comfortable and easy to hold. It should also be strong and tough enough to hold an edge and withstand the impact of chopping.
The handle can be made from a variety of materials, including wood, fiberglass and stainless steel. Typically, wood handles are the most inexpensive and can be painted or stained in a variety of colors. Fiberglass is also popular, though it tends to be slippery and can add weight to a knife. Stainless steel is durable, corrosion-resistant and has a good sheen to it.
Guard Length
A bowie knife was a very common weapon among Confederate troops during the Civil War. While it was used for chopping, splitting, and slicing saplings, it also had the potential to be a serious combat weapon.
Having the proper guard was essential for the proper use of this blade. It would have protected the owner’s hand during parries, corps-a-corps, and other combat actions.
As the war raged on, guards began to become more common on Bowie knives. It is likely that this evolution happened due to the fact that Bowie Knives were now more commonly being used in combat and that a guard would be needed to defend against saber attacks.
A D-guard was a popular choice for the Confederate soldiers and is a great addition to any collection of Civil War era arms. It will add a unique flair to your display or collection and is sure to be a conversation piece. It is also a great project for anyone who enjoys building custom knives.
Ferrule Length
Traditionally, the bowie knife had a notch on the back of the blade that was designed to catch an opponent’s blade. This notch is often called the “Spanish Notch.” However, some researchers argue that this notch is not well-suited for this function and should instead be used as a point to relieve stress on the blade during use.
In any case, the ferrule length of the bowie knife is generally a bit shorter than that of a sword. This is because the bolsters on a bowie knife rotate and lock in the open position, similar to an Opinel.
On this Georgia Armory Bowie knife, the guard and ferrule are engraved and gold inlayed by Steve Dunn of Smiths Grove, Kentucky. The handle is fashioned from fossilized walrus ivory. It is accompanied by a custom sheath. This is a great piece to add to your bowie collection!