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Bowies
Sept 13, 2007 16:06:15 GMT
Post by Deleted on Sept 13, 2007 16:06:15 GMT
Every since testing for the ABS journeyman rating; I've been interested in cutting with Bowie knives. Ranching in Texas gives one ample opportunity to abuse cutting instruments.
Anyone doing any cutting with Bowies that you would like to share?
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Bowies
Sept 18, 2007 6:56:59 GMT
Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2007 6:56:59 GMT
The only bowie style blade I've done any cutting with is my Condor Jungle Bowie. It's really more of a bowie shaped machete, though. It cuts milk jugs, small branches, and other lighter objects with ease. I was leary of these initially, due to their use of 420HC steel, but this one (and others I've seen tested) has done very well. They come factory with a beautiful, nicely-polished convex edge and really nice leather sheath, which is unusual for this type of tool, but a great bonus. This style really appeals to me too: www.atlantacutlery.com/atlantacutlery/detail.aspx?ID=453
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Bowies
Sept 21, 2007 15:06:02 GMT
Post by Deleted on Sept 21, 2007 15:06:02 GMT
That's an impressive looking blade! How long is the blade?
It interests me to see the evolution of blades in relation to the evolution of firearms. The blade got shortened and got lighter as firearms devloped. Hunters use 4-5 inch blades to clean and cape some of the largest game. Military and others who use blades in CQB, still use around 6-7 inch blades in order to reach the vitals of their adversary.
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Bowies
Sept 21, 2007 19:14:32 GMT
Post by Deleted on Sept 21, 2007 19:14:32 GMT
The blade is 9", overall is 13.25". The reason I say it's more machete-like is that it's about 3mm thick, or just a hair under 1/8". The only thing I'm still unsure off are the big rubber o rings on the handle. I'm getting more used to them, but I'm tempted to pop them off and try it that way. In any case, it's a helluva knife for the $40 I paid for it (shipping included).
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Bowies
Sept 21, 2007 23:59:56 GMT
Post by Deleted on Sept 21, 2007 23:59:56 GMT
I agree with your assessment of the grip; you have to be confident of the grip to get the best cutting power. I would also suggest that, unless you have a lot of experience with one handed grips, you figure out a method to attach a wrist thong for for safety. If not wear the chaps that folks should use when they use a chainsaw.
I hate to sound paranoid; but out where I am, an arterial cut is almost certain death, due to our wide open spaces. I'm not always as safety conscious as I should be, but, I try most of the time. My Boss Lady tries to keep me on the straight and narrow. LOL
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Bowies
Sept 24, 2007 23:20:41 GMT
Post by Deleted on Sept 24, 2007 23:20:41 GMT
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Sept 25, 2007 3:07:52 GMT
Post by Deleted on Sept 25, 2007 3:07:52 GMT
Smart lad! You are way ahead of the game. Whenever possible; I try to attach the thong as close to the guard as possible. I'm sure that you see the advantage.
That Ranger knives RD-9 looks like a sturdy piece of steel. What are the specs on that one?
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Bowies
Sept 25, 2007 3:59:34 GMT
Post by Deleted on Sept 25, 2007 3:59:34 GMT
Justin Gingrich (Ranger Knives) makes a wicked piece of steel. This particular one is as follows: 9.5" blade, 15.25" overall, .25" thick 5160 @ 58 HRC, flat ground w/ convex edge, and .25" thick tan/orange canvas Micarta scales. He normally bakes a rough black coating onto these, but I had him just leave mine " in the white". As to weight, I've never weighed it and he doesn't give it on his site, but it's fairly heavy, as you might imagine. The lastest models feature a clip point blade and oblong lanyard hole. Mine is an older style with a drop point and round hole. www.rangerknives.com/
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Bowies
Oct 7, 2007 2:41:27 GMT
Post by Deleted on Oct 7, 2007 2:41:27 GMT
That Ranger blade sounds and looks it can handle anything you throw at it!
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Oct 9, 2007 0:02:52 GMT
Post by Deleted on Oct 9, 2007 0:02:52 GMT
Definitely. Prying, batonning, chopping, whatever you need to do, this knife can take it. All I need for a weekend camping is this and a small folder for delicate work (which I keep in the whetstone pouch on the Ranger sheath. The Sheath (Black cordura with clear kydex-like insert, and belt loop/MOLLE strapping on back):
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Bowies
Oct 9, 2007 0:49:04 GMT
Post by Deleted on Oct 9, 2007 0:49:04 GMT
I bought a huge bowie (11'') from a BudK or Cheaper than Dirt (!!!) magazine a long time ago. It came from Pakistan, has some unknown wood for the grip, a nice brass hilt, and a stainless steel blade. The thing cost me $15 and was my first blade bigger than a pocket knife. It's cut through wood, cardboard, plastic, metal, and even my big toe on my right foot (still have a wicked scar). Don't ask how I nearly cut my toe off - you'd die from laughing at me.
It's a cheap piece of junk, and happens to be the longest-lived of any of my blades. The blade shows only tiny signs of rust and is as sharp as the day I bought it. It's well balanced enough, very strong, and is a superb hunting knife. Did I mention it's totally full tang? It sometimes amazes me just how much a little bit of money will buy you. It now hangs above my bed, right next to my crucifixes. My rosary hands from the same hook as my bowie. Fitting, somehow.
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Bowies
Oct 9, 2007 0:51:16 GMT
Post by rammstein on Oct 9, 2007 0:51:16 GMT
Consider yourself asked.
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Bowies
Oct 9, 2007 0:54:55 GMT
Post by randomnobody on Oct 9, 2007 0:54:55 GMT
Consider yourself asked twice. I've done some crazy things, but never have I come close to my feet with a knife. How?
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Bowies
Oct 9, 2007 1:07:47 GMT
Post by rammstein on Oct 9, 2007 1:07:47 GMT
I gouged a nice big ash in my ankle. IDK how people run with sword through their belts...
Cool thing is, no scar!
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Bowies
Oct 9, 2007 2:36:05 GMT
Post by randomnobody on Oct 9, 2007 2:36:05 GMT
I used to run with swords all the time. Most often drawn.
...How the hell do I still have limbs?
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Bowies
Oct 9, 2007 11:28:22 GMT
Post by Deleted on Oct 9, 2007 11:28:22 GMT
Okie dokie, since you all asked:
I was putting an air conditioner in my window. It's one of the old ones, so there is no fancy installation: just put it through the window and use duct tape to seal up the edges. In my youthful folly, I decided not to use a sensible knife to cut the tape, but instead brandished my bowie. That worked fine until I left the bowie on the table next to me. Moving backwards, I knocked it off. It fell to the ground, passing halfway through my toe. Funny thing was, I didn't even know it until I saw the carpet going red around my foot. Holy crap that scared me. I have the scar to this day.
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Bowies
Oct 9, 2007 16:03:00 GMT
Post by Deleted on Oct 9, 2007 16:03:00 GMT
Jake, Sounds like me when I have to do the "buffer boogie". Some folks like a mirror finish on thier knives, and I use a 1 horsepower Baldor buffer to get that finish. The "buffer boogie" results from inattentativeness, or carelessness when the wheel catches the blade and flings it at warp speeds; usually towards you legs and feet.
Believe me; even an old guy like me can move pretty fast when confronted by nearly a pound of hardened steel flung at your extremitiies at warp speeds.
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Bowies
Oct 9, 2007 16:24:35 GMT
Post by randomnobody on Oct 9, 2007 16:24:35 GMT
That story was much less exciting than I had hoped. I'm disappointed, Jake. Not to say you should try for something bigger... (please don't) Buffer boogie, eh? Now THAT'S a tad more like it. (one would think you'd learned to be more careful by now...)
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Bowies
Oct 9, 2007 18:31:43 GMT
Post by Deleted on Oct 9, 2007 18:31:43 GMT
I used to run with swords all the time. Most often drawn. ...How the hell do I still have limbs? ;D ;D ;D
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Bowies
Oct 9, 2007 20:43:25 GMT
Post by Deleted on Oct 9, 2007 20:43:25 GMT
Yeah, I don't want it to be too exciting, or I won't have any legs. My dad didn't know whether to laugh or be disappointed when he saw me bleeding. It was just kind of ironic that it wouldn't have happened if I hadn't tried to be a silly bugger and cut duct tape with a foot-long bowie.
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