Factors to Look for Before Purchasing Handcrafted Bowie Knives

Authentic knives go a long way for their exquisite design, handcrafted style, and durable quality. Knives serve a multitude of purposes including chopping, hunting, and combats, as well as saviour tool during adventures. The bowie knife is an eccentric design originally designed as a survival and combat knife, a perfect companion to take off on an adventure.

The handmade knives are crafted and custom-designed making them convenient to carry along. It is one of the finest handcrafted knives that you must consider adding to your collection. However, here are a few factors to consider before investing in the knife.

Blade material 

Before purchasing the knife, make sure to choose the right material. One of the most popular materials used for the construction of the blade is carbon steel, also the most preferred material. However, modern bowie knives are designed with stainless steel alloy making them lightweight. However, carbon steel is stronger but slightly heavier as compared to stainless steel.

Design and style 

The knives are known for their elaborate designs that make them timeless and classic. The knives that were initially designed for combat purposes are now used for a range of activities like hunting, adventure, cooking etc. The size of the blade is a critical factor to consider before making a purchase. The fixed-blade knives range from 5 inches to 20 inches. If you are planning to purchase the knife for adventure and outdoors, make sure the size is not beyond 6 inches for the convenience of carrying.

Tang 

Another factor to consider is the size of the tang. Tang is the shank which connects the blade to the handle of the book. The full tang knives are robust and stronger as the blade extends into the knife handle and this makes the grip ergonomic. However, half-tang knives are those where the blade does not extend to the knife handle and hence it is not very strong. If you are looking for a durable knife, always buy a full-tang knife.

Types of Bowie knives depending on blade type:

The knives are designed with the integration of a range of blades. It is crucial to choose the blade that is as per your requirement. The following are the types based on blade versatility:

• Clip point Knife: Such knives are the ones which consist of an edge or blade that has a concave shape with a pointy tip. The main purpose of such knives is for utility like chopping, cutting etc. As the forward third of the knife is clipped off with a concave shape blade portion, it is known as a clip point.
• Drop point knife – These are those knives which have a pointed tip at an angle of 60 degrees. The blade has a steep drop, and hence it does not tangle with clothes or fabric. Such knives offer a strong grip, and hence it is ergonomic and does not slip from your hand. The tip is curved and hence does not penetrate deep into the attacker’s body.
• Sheep’s foot knife – These are those knives which have a back blade and a cutting edge curve towards the tip of the blade. As it is curved, it minimises the risk of injuring oneself. These are majorly used for cutting or chopping.

Sheath

This is an additional accessory to the knife but something handy and protective. The sheath covers the knife which protects you from injury and makes it easy to carry the knife. The sheath can be easily attached to pants or belts making the knife portable, safe, and easy to carry. If you plan on investing in a knife, make sure to buy one that comes with a sheath for long-term durability.