What Are Bowie Knives?

Knives have played a role in human affairs for millennia

, dating all the way back to the Stone Age and before. Throughout its long history, the knife has gone through repeated evolutions and refinements, becoming more and more an ideal tool. Today, you'll find knives specifically designed for many different tasks, from the humble butter knife to modern military knives such as those used by the Navy Seals. However, in all of history, few knives have attained the fame (or infamy) as the Bowie knife. What is a Bowie knife?

First, unlike many other types of knives in the world, the Bowie knife is a single edged implement. Any knife with two sharpened edges is immediately disqualified from consideration. In addition, the blade is at least six inches in length, though they are often quite a bit longer than this, particularly in the case of modern day reproductions. The blade of a Bowie knife is usually at least an inch in width, though these can be up to two inches wide, as well (longer blades are proportionately wider).

In regards to tip shape, most knives on the market have a blade tip that lines up directly with the spine of the blade. However, Bowie knives have a clipped point, that is actually lower than the spine. This gives the blade better penetrating force and aids in controlling the blade, as well. Earlier models of the Bowie knife did not feature this tip shape, but the final evolution did.

The typical design of Bowie knives was created by knife maker James Black. This knife had a somewhat blunter clipped tip, unlike the swooping curve of some later models. It also featured an S shaped guard, with the lower guard angled back toward the butt of the handle and the upper guard bent forward toward the tip of the knife (to help catch and block an opponent's blade in a knife fight).

Other features of the Bowie knife include the fact that it is a single-edged blade, though sometimes the false edge of the clipped point is also sharpened for better penetration. Of course, the Bowie knife was also the original "survival" knife and was intended for use in hunting, shaving, butchering and skinning, as well as for protecting during fights. Today, the Bowie knife remains one of the most popular styles of knife available on the market, though many states still have legislation on the books rendering these types of blades illegal to carry or use outside of the home.

by: Sammy Sabot

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