I always have a bit of a hard time with these best of style articles because there are so many great knives out there and only so much room in a post! I am going to include a variety of knives at various price levels so there is something on this list for everyone.

To find out the current price for each knife please click on the link. I do not like to list exact current prices in articles like this because costs can go up and down. If you are reading this post 4 months after it is published the price may be a bit different or you may get a better deal following our link due to a sale going on.

So what is a Bowie Knife?

The Bowie knife style is a popular fighting knife style that has a lot of other practical uses as well. It is one of the most easily recognized styles of knife in the world.

Jim Bowie was a Louisiana planter that was famous for knife fighting and being one of those that perished at the Alamo. While Jim didn’t make the knife himself, he made it famous through dozens of bloody altercations over the years. These fights were widely publicized and made every frontiersman yearn for a knife like his. Confederate Bowie Knives Jack Melton, Josh Phil... Best Price: $79.40 Buy New $57.75 (as of 08:30 UTC - Details)

It is widely debated who the actual knifemaker was that created the first Bowie knife. Some claim it was Jim’s brother while others credit a New Orleans knife maker in the early 1800s that was simply know as Pedro. The truth is that no one really knows. I think it was likely a design that has evolved and perfected into the knife we know today.

Things to Look For In A Bowie Knife

Is it full tang or not?

I usually don’ want any Bowie knife that is not full tang construction. You need to know your knife is not going to break and fail where the blade and handle meet. There are exceptions in the world of knives like the Hen and Rooster in this post which I know has held up over the years.

Carbon Versus Stainless

Carbon steel is easier to sharpen and holds an edge for longer than Stainless but you have to be willing to take care of it, or you are just wasting your money. On the other side of this is the fact that stainless steel has come a long way and some of it is better at keeping an edge and easy enough to sharpen with a diamond sharpening stone.

Origin of Metal

Decent metal can come from a variety of places. If I see USA, Japan, Germany, Thailand, Spain, or see Damascus steel, I know that there is a good chance that I am getting decent quality metal. Stainless steel is harder and more brittle which means it holds an edge better but is harder to sharpen. High carbon content steel is popular due to its ease of sharpening and the slight “give” it has rather than being brittle.

Note on listed weights and country of origin

There are knives on this list I had to research on several sites in order to find a weight. Sometimes Amazon either leaves the weight out, or the weight is simply inaccurate. I have tried to offer you an accurate weight but if anything is ever off in one of my posts please let me know in the comments. Some weights listed were not even available on the manufacturer website so I was forced to use info from a reseller.

Country of origin should be accurate, but I have found some sheaths are made in a different country than the knife they are designed for.

Knife manufacturers, please do us all a favor and list an accurate weight on your site instead of no weight at all!

Materials

The handle material is an important choice and contributes to the price you are going to pay for your knife. Stag handles, rosewood, and leather are all great, but plastic is going to be less expensive. Match the materials to the circumstances you foresee yourself using this knife in.  There are advantages and disadvantages to any handle type. The Bowie Knife: Unshe... Norm Flayderman Best Price: $179.96 Buy New $199.99 (as of 09:55 UTC - Details)

Size

Bowie knives come in all sizes so make sure you get one that is comfortable for you. If buying as a gift, consider that person’s size. A knife should be comfortable to use. We are lucky to have so many choices today.

Rockwell Hardness Levels

The Rockwell Hardness test is an industry standard for metal hardness. I am going to try to include these levels when I can find them, and you may run into a knife with this listed. I wanted to explain the Rockwell scale to those that are just getting started out in the world of knives.

A lot of the knives in this post do not have this hardness included, but you may be able to find it or ask the manufacturer. It may be important for you to know just how hard the steel is. If you find a knife you like that is not on this list, you may also wonder how it compares to the Rockwell Averages Chart shared below.

The Rockwell Test is a measure of the penetration of a diamond-tipped indenter under a high-pressure load. Generally speaking the higher the hardness number, the harder the steel is. Harder steel keeps an edge longer but is also more brittle. This is why some people like a high carbon content blade. The more carbon, the easier your blade is to sharpen, but it also will get dull quicker than a hard blade.

Many knives have a small indent called a proof mark that is seen as evidence of the Rockwell test being performed on the knife you are purchasing.

Below is a chart courtesy of AG Russell listing the common Rockwell Hardness Test averages for different types of knives.

Puma

It is hard to beat a Puma. Don’t think that you have to buy the most expensive Puma to get a great Bowie Knife. There are Puma’s around or under $100 that are great Bowie knives that will stand up to daily use and wear and tear no problem. At the same time, there are some Puma’s that are fabulous knives, but it is hard to bring oneself to buying a knife for over $100 and then putting it through the wringer. Puma SGB Bowie Stag Hu... Buy New $119.98 (as of 08:50 UTC - Details)

Puma SGB Bowie Stag Hunting Knife with Leather Sheath

Overall length:11″

Blade length: 6.1″

Weight: 7.2 oz

Made in China Using German Steel

For fans of stag handled bowies, this is a knife that will not disappoint. The Puma SGB is a genuine stag handled knife, not bone made to look like stag. Brass bolsters and pins combine with the antique medallion and lanyard hole to make this a knife that is both beautiful and functional.

The 1.4116 German Cutlery Steel Blade is tested to meet a 55-57 Rockwell hardness and proof marked. For a bowie that measures 11″ long, this one is amazingly lightweight, making it a good choice for regular carry and service.

If you are on a budget or don’t care about genuine stag, look to the Puma below for a great alternative. The specs are the same except for the handle which is Delrin Stag, a synthetic plastic polymer material. Many people choose the Delrin handle for everyday service use. For more info on Delrin check out this link.

Puma SGB Bowie Commando Delrin Stag Hunting Knife with Leather Sheath

Overall length:11″

Blade length: 6.1″

Weight: 7.2 oz

Made in China Using German Steel

Cold Steel

A classic company with a great reputation. Cold Steel makes affordable quality knives that are made to perform not just look pretty in your collection. Cold Steel has a wide variety of knives, so I encourage you to explore their brand to make sure that you get the knife you want.

I am going to share one of the budget friendly Cold Steel’s as well as one of their higher end knives that get a lot of good feedback overall. Cold Steel San Mai Tra... Buy New $280.39 (as of 08:30 UTC - Details)

Cold Steel CS16JSM-BRK Trail Master Bowie

Overall length: 14 1/2″

Blade length: 9 1/2″

Weight: 17.4 oz

Made in Japan. Cold Steel makes knives in several countries so don’t assume what you are buying is made in a certain country without checking descriptions.

This is a hefty and solidly built bowie. The Trailmaster is a premium bowie knife with a price tag to match at around $240 at the moment. The large size may be too much for some, so I advise getting out the tape measure to get an idea of the size if you are new to Bowie knives. The 17.4 oz weight means it is more than twice as heavy as a lot of Puma bowie knives.

The Trailmaster features a 9.5″ VG-1 San MAI III blade with a thickness of 5/16″. The handle is made of Kraton and measures 5″. I did a little research to see what people had to say and the consensus seems to be that this is one of the best noncarbon steel big bowie knives out there so if you want a great stainless blade with a synthetic handle for heavy use, this may be one to save up for.

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