A wide range of various pricking and cutting products is presented on the modern knife market. Judging by consumer reviews, Bowie type knives are especially popular among hunters. The homeland of these blades is the United States of America. From the 30s of the XIX century to the present, Bowie's knife is considered a universal version of cold steel. Along with the legendary Colt, this blade has become a symbol of the United States. Information on the history of the creation of the Bowie knife, interesting facts, as well as a description and purpose of this cutting product are contained in the article.
Acquaintance
Bowie's knife is the legendary American edged weapon, the origin of which created many legends. According to experts, in the manufacture of any clear standards for these cutting products are not provided. Bowie knives are available in several versions.
The differences in the model knife range affected the length of the blade and the shape of the handle. Only the shape of the cutting part always remains unchanged. The purpose of the knives does not change either. These cleats are considered universal cutting products that can help out both in hunting and in combat.
Description
Bowie's knife is a sharp-cutting product, with an S-shaped or straight bronze guard and a beveled edge at the very end. The blade is characterized by the presence of an arcuate concave bevel in the direction of the tip. Such a specific knife shape is called clip point among professionals. This product is convenient to apply stabbing, like a dagger. In addition, this large knife has a razor-sharp edge of the blade. Handles are flat and made of wooden plates. They can also be from the horn of an animal. The plates are fastened with screws or special rivets. Bowie’s American knife is sheathed. Today, information about what should be the design of this legendary blade has not been preserved. According to experts, the length of a real Bowie knife should be at least 240 mm, and a width of 38 mm.
Who glorified the blade?
Cleaver was named after the legendary colonel, Texas Hero James Bowie. The scope of this peculiar person was very wide: on the one hand, he was an officer in the American army, and on the other, a dodgy businessman who did not disdain anything in achieving his goal. Bowie traded in land and cattle, and also resold South African slaves, who at that time were called the "black tree." During his life, Bowie had to fight with the Indians and Sheriffs. Growing his business, James has acquired connections with pirates. Bowie had a very furious temperament and, moreover, established himself as a very vindictive person. This character allowed him to make many enemies. The Texas Revolution, in which he took a direct part, gave the cowboy staff independence from Mexico. He died during the defense of the famous Alamo Fort.
James Bowie is the true son of his era. Like Billy Kid, Butch Cassady, Buffalo Beam and other notorious scumbags, Bowie replenished the pantheon of heroes of the Wild West. But world famous for this man brought often used his combat knife. With this monstrous cleaver made by his older brother, many legends are associated.
About origin versions
In the life of the colonel, slave trade, hunting, and smuggling were the main activities. According to one version, the brother of James Bowie was directly involved in the creation of this edged weapon. According to Rezin Bowie, a person connected with financial issues with smugglers, pirates and other dark personalities can not do without a reliable means of protection. Such a tool in those years could only be a knife. It can be used as a cutting tool on a hunt, and in case of danger put to use in the company of pirates. The first version of such a blade was ordered from the blacksmith Jesse Clift. Rezin Bowie used the design of a 17th-century Spanish hunting knife, which was not much different from a butcher's. Edged weapons are characterized by the presence of a single-blade blade, the length of which was 24 cm and a width of 38 mm.
The manufactured knife, according to this version, was presented to the legendary colonel by his older brother. According to some experts, the blacksmith made two versions of the knife. Upon completion of the work, they were presented to the customer. Reese Bowie showed the cleats to his brother, and he had already chosen a blade with an arched blade and a butt with a concave bevel.
In the future, this option was used as a prototype for a series of hunting knives. There is also a second legend about the origin of the knife. According to her, Reese Bowie, having conducted a successful hunt, was carving a carcass of a hunted animal. According to one version, it was not a hunt, but a slaughterhouse. Nevertheless, during the flashing, unexpectedly for Reese Bowie, the knife rested on the animal’s bone, as a result of which the hand slipped from the handle to the cutting part. Having barely lost a few fingers, Reese Bowie thought about the need to create a new knife that would be more convenient to hold in your hand. The older brother developed a knife design that later became the weapons symbol of the United States. The knife was made, who lived next door to Reese Bowie, the neighbor's blacksmith Jesse Clift. According to reports, the blade was made from an old hoofed rasp. This special large file was used to treat the hooves of horses before shoeing. According to other American legends, a meteorite found by Clift was taken as the basis for the legendary edged weapon. According to another version, older brother found meteorite steel. The handle of the knife was made of wood.
How did it all start?
According to experts, if James had not shown his adventurous character, the blade created by Reese Bowie would have remained a little-known butcher’s large knife. It was the conflict between Colonel and Major Norris Wright that brought the cleaver world fame.
Engaged in land trading, James Bowie needed a loan from a bank whose president was Wright. As a result of the refusal, Bowie lost a very profitable financial deal. In addition, Wright sought to take the position of sheriff. In the fight for this post, he used bribery and other dirty methods. Having slandered his opponent, who was supported by the colonel, Wright won. In 1826, the first fight took place between Bowie and the new sheriff. Having met Colonel in the city of Alexandria, Wright used firearms. However, the bullet fired by the sheriff hit James’s wristwatch without causing any harm. Since the sheriff did not have time to reload the weapon, the opponents agreed in hand-to-hand combat. During the fight, the Colonel knocked Wright off his feet and wanted to kill, using his folding knife. Since during the battle edged weapons remained in the stowed position, the colonel could not finish his enemy. The officers were separated, but this incident for the elder Bowie was a signal that the younger brother needed a decent cold weapon that would bring him victory in close combat.
End of conflict
In 1927, Reason Bowie presented the Colonel with his hunting knife. Soon, a new duel took place between James and Norris, which was the last for the sheriff. This time Bowie was holding a huge cleaver, and Wright was using a sword. Having stumbled on the colonel’s bone, she broke. This gave Bowie the opportunity to inflict one soaring and very terrible blow to his enemy in the stomach. Wright's second was killed with the same cleaver.
About mass production
The details of the duel between the colonel and the major were described by newspapers. James Bowie became a celebrity. The authors of the notes paid especially much attention to the unusual cleaver that saved the colonel's life. The smithy in which this cleaver was made received numerous orders. Due to the imperfection of pistols and rifles, consumer demand increased precisely for edged weapons. They especially appreciated the versatility of the knife: they could work as an ax, machete and a plane. In addition, the blade looked very impressive. The presence of this knife testified to the courage of its owner. Bowie's cutting product was mainly used among military, cowboys, hunters, robbers and other "gentlemen" leading lives full of dangers and adventures.
News of the “knife boom” in the Wild West reached England. Wostenholm & Son is the first company in the United Kingdom to set up mass production of Bowie blades. Seeing the English consumer in great demand for these knives, George Wostenholm went to the city of Sheffield. Soon, the first Washington Works knife factory was built there, employing 400 workers. Bowie type cleaver production was established in Birmingham. For cutting products manufactured in England, it was envisaged the presence of the stigma "I * XL", which meant "I surpass all."
By 1890, products imported from the UK began to dominate the knife market in the United States. According to experts, on the shelves in the United States in the 19th century, out of twenty knives, only two were American-made. The great demand for Sheffield products is explained by the presence on the blades of an inexpensive, but very effective finish. English masters handles knives decorated with various decorative elements, for the manufacture of which was used "white bronze" - an alloy of copper and nickel. This material was a very spectacular imitation of silver. Various patriotic inscriptions were applied to the blades as decorations. For example, "Americans never give up" or "Defender of the Patriot."
About steel for the blade
Today, many edged lovers will say that using rasps to make hunting cleats is impractical and stupid. However, at that time in America high-grade steel was used for the production of files. Rasps made from it cost much more than other tools. Files with teeth sharpened as a result of prolonged use were not discarded. They were subject to tempering and surface hardening procedures . Bowie knives in the United States in 1830 made blacksmiths from a wide variety of metal fragments: old horseshoes, broken braids, wheel rims and barrels. Since this steel is low carbon, the knife from it turned out to be brittle and with a very unstable cutting edge.
Soon, new raw materials for the production of knives appeared. Import of high-quality Sheffield steel bars from England, which was subsequently used for the manufacture of cold steel, was established. In the 20th century, burned steel and stainless steel are used for Bowie knives.
About the benefits of blades
According to experts, in the 1830s, most models of firearms were characterized by a low rate of fire and poor performance. The shooting was accompanied by very frequent misfires. In addition, due to the design features of the weapon, it was required to reload it regularly. In close combat, the chances of surviving the shooter were very small. A completely different picture was with knives. The blade, unlike firearms, never failed and was in constant combat readiness. Once in good hands, the blade was far more dangerous than a gun. Knives have found their application not only on the battlefield, but also in civilian life. Since it is convenient to cut the carcass of an animal with such a knife, and, if necessary, use it as a means of survival in an extreme situation, such cutting products were taken with them for hunting. Due to their versatility, blades were very popular among the civilian population.
About blade design
The following Bowie knife blades have been developed, depending on the tasks performed:
- With a direct butt.
- Blade with a reduced axis of the butt.
- The knife equipped with a direct butt for which partial sharpening is provided.
- Blade with a beveled butt in the shape of a "pike."
- The blade is triangular in shape.
- The knife is a classic dagger type.
- A product with a double-edged curved blade, like an oriental dagger.
- In the form of a stylet. Such a blade is made thin, and it contains three or four faces.
- Blade with a wavy line.
- Knife with a Japanese blade "tanto".
About modifications
Since 1942, American infantrymen have been equipped with Bowie MK-II type blades. V42 V44 markers were used by United States pilots. These knives were used as knives and tools. After the end of World War II, Indochina became the new theater of military operations of the American troops. For deep raids into the jungle and short-range battles, the US Marine Corps needed new Bowie-style knife models. Soon, American weapons technologists developed for the needs of the United States Air Force: blades Kabar, M1963, SOG Bowie and Jungle Fighter. For the blade of these knife models, the shape of the legendary cleaver Bowie is provided. Serial production of blades was established in Japan.
About production features
Judging by consumer reviews, many are interested in how to make a Bowie knife? According to experts, in the manufacture of such products the home craftsman should take into account several important nuances, namely:
- So that the guard of the hunting knife Bowie does not cling to clothes and does not interfere, its length should not exceed 70 mm.
- Effectively perform chopping and cutting functions can a knife equipped with a sharpening from the back bevel. During operation, the owner does not have to twist his arm.
- The cutting properties of the Bowie knife will be reduced if its tip about the axis is very raised. A similar design will adversely affect the effectiveness of piercing strikes. If in the form of a knife the point is too low, the blade will lose its chopping properties.
- The sheath blade is fixed more securely if the handle is equipped with a special hook. A similar result can also be achieved by thickening the walls of the scabbard. Properly made scabbard will be almost imperceptible on the wearer's body.
- It is undesirable to make the knife blade too thin. This recommendation is due to the fact that the maximum force is applied to the tip located in the center of the blade during operation. When piercing, it is transmitted to the handle and blade, and then focuses on the concave part of the blade. When stabbed with a thick blade, tissue resistance is not felt. If the cutting part is thin, then such a blade may break.
A true Bowie knife should be solid and sharpened in three directions. If you comply with the above parameters, then, as experienced masters assure, a large width of cuts and the terrible power of chopping blows will be achieved.
What do you need for work?
Before you start making a homemade bowie cleaver, you need to acquire the following materials and tools:
- Car spring.
- Wood for the handle.
- Conventional nails or studs for pins.
- Tube with epoxy glue.
- Aluminum bar.
- The hammer.
- Grinder and drill.
- A set of files.
- Special oil in which the knife handle will be impregnated.
Working process
Making a Bowie type cleaver at home will not be difficult if you follow the following sequence of actions:
- Since the spring as a source material has a curved shape, the master will first have to align it. For this, the steel must be subjected to a tempering procedure. The spring is heated on coals in a special furnace. It should just cool in the air. According to experienced craftsmen, it is much easier to work with tempered steel. The spring is worked on the anvil with a hammer. As a result, it should be a steel plate.
- At this stage, you need to make a cleaver template. Then the pattern is glued to the cardboard and applied to the workpiece. Using a marker, the contour of the knife must be transferred to a steel plate.
- Using a grinder, cut the knife profile. Since at this stage of operation the metal may overheat, it must be periodically moistened with water.
- Work the workpiece using a belt sander. You can also use files or a grinder. At this stage, you need to ensure that the surface being treated does not overheat.
- The blade will have good cutting properties if equipped with bevels. They are first drawn on the workpiece with a marker, and then cut out by a grinder.
- Equip the cleaver handle with four holes for the pins. The diameter of the holes should correspond to the thickness of the brass rods or ordinary steel nails.
- Temper the workpiece in a furnace or bonfire. At this stage, you will need a magnet. It must be periodically applied to the surface of the blade. If the magnet is not attracted, the hardening procedure can be stopped. Then the blade must be dipped in a container with motor or vegetable oil. You should be very careful, because the oil can catch fire and splatter in different directions.
- The handle is made of two wooden plates. On the contour of the workpiece they are given the appropriate shape. Then the holes for the pins are drilled. After that, the surface of the plates is lubricated with epoxy glue. They are pressed to the workpiece using a clamp. The glue should dry for at least 24 hours. When it finally hardens, you can perform the formation of the handle of the knife. Flaxseed oil is suitable for its impregnation. Some masters also use beeswax for this purpose.
- Blade polishing is done using special pastes and felt tips. After this procedure, the knife will have a mirror surface.
About curious facts
Many edged lovers are interested in how much does a Bowie knife cost? The price of such a cutting-piercing product can reach 200 thousand dollars. In some states of America it is forbidden to carry this knife. There are many legends around these blades. According to one of them, the blade of such a knife was skinned from a mouse. There is also a version that the first knife used by American astronauts was a small copy of Bowie cleaver. According to one legend, meteorite steel was used as a raw material for the knife, which was subjected to stabbing seven times. For this purpose, the masters used the blood and fat of the jaguar.
There is also a legend that five assassins attacked a colonel armed with this cleaver. As a result, all the colonel’s opponents were stabbed to death, and he escaped with several minor injuries. Legend has it that James Bowie, before being shot, was able to stab ten Mexicans with his legendary knife.