Let me start saying I’m comparing these knives primarily from a “fencing” (two weapons of similar length matched against each other, on even and open ground) and “carrying” point of view and for purposes of entertainment or theoretical amusement only. I do not promote the carrying and/or confrontational usage of knives in the real world. Everybody should at all times act in congruence to his laws.
I am fully aware that there is a hot discussion on what makes a knife a “Bowie-knife”, but I don’t want to get into that. Also I have to point out that I am an absolute noob to the subject of “bowie knives”, with nothing more than a few dozen hours of internet research and a bit of sparring on my back. Furthermore I’m fully aware that there are much more costly, and most probably much “better” knives of this general category on the market. For example, I would have loved to have a Bill Bagwell Hells Belle or a Cold Steel Laredo at hand to add to this comparison. For now, these must do.
So here are some thoughts on these…
The “experts” seem to agree on this and obviously, the
Natchez Bowie is a well thought-out and executed “fighting-knife” (honestly, I hate that term, but can’t come up with a better one). I chose the SK-5 Steel for its toughness and durability. The blade’s flat grind is nicely done and disembogues in a small secondary bevel, which comes to a very sharp edge. The handle feels great in the hands and allows for very subtle movements, which are brought to effect nicely by the heavy, but tapering blade. Though being well-balanced, the Natchez is a heavy knife. It moves swiftly and with authority, however it could be argued that it carries more weight than necessary to deliver sufficient damage – again, from a “fencing” point of view. When the handle is gripped in a suitable manner, I feel the pommel aiding in accelerating the blade during short chops – the handle lends itself to several ways of gripping the weapon, however this could be said of any of these coffin handles. The Natchez has the best one, though. Although it is a very well-made and performing knife, it probably would not be my favorite for earnest fencing and also not for carrying, I guess.
I was very positively surprised by the
CS Black Bear Machete, which not only is great value for the money, but a good blade in general. Good fighter and good woods blade. I expected it to fill a certain spot between the CS Smatchet and the Bowie Machete, of which I thought the Smatchet of being too heavy for its length and low COP. The BB Machete is a very different beast. Its blade shape makes up very well for the non-existent distal taper and little thickness. It strikes with power and not too ponderous. The blade came nicely sharpened, a few strokes with a ceramic rod and it cuts cleanly through whole sheets of 80 g copy paper held lengthwise. The baked-on finish is well done, doesn`t rub off with lighter fluid. The handle feels good in my glove size 10 hands. Wrapped with tennis grip tape, it feels – very – secure, especially in in less subtle motions. It lets the blade be brought to its full potential. The BB Machete can be powerful both in short and wide chops. Thin all way up to the spine, it penetrates deeply into softer materials, although its edge has some good amount of material behind it to resists against dense materials, too. The point is nicely lined up with the handle and the clip is ground sharper than on any of the other knives. The point is thin, but not overly fragile, and could easily be modified to a more robust shape if one felt the need to – just like I did to my CS gladius machete, which still penetrates great with a now slightly reground tip, but is much more robust than before. Although the BB’s clip is less pronounced than on many of the other knife’s, it’s still great at back cuts and easily beat the Natchez is my thrusting tests – due to the sharper clip and point/handle relation/alignment. It is a very durable tool and an effective weapon.
The
CS Bowie Machete is a durable tool and, despite lacking a guard, would make a good fighter, imo. The back cut is great with this. This knife is quick and fairly powerful, it has a good length. Its sharpened swedge aids stabbing well. The knife feels good in the hands and would be carried comfortably.
My third favorite.
The
Windlass are well-made and solid. All of these come “pre-sharpened” with a nice bevel, so the owner can refine the edge to his likings. The 1880 and Coffin Handled came sharper than the Hunter’s Companion. Although they don’t come fully sharpened, all of them are able to slice 80 g copy paper, though not as cleanly as the Natchez, of course. At first I felt the handles of the coffin-handled ones being a bit on the thick side, but got used to them quickly – and now like them very much, especially the Coffin Handled one’s. Some may say they could be a tad longer, although imo they don’t have to be, and of course longer means less convenient to carry. I’m not perfectly sure on how the tang is constructed on each of them but never heard of any problems with any of those Windlasses from people who used them way harder than I have by now. Fit and finish are good, however I’m not a fan of that shiny finish they put on the blades. I like the mat finish on the 1880. This also comes with the most well-made and most versatile sheath of all of these Windlass models.
The
Hunter’s Companion blade could be rather long for carrying and using in confined spaces, but this depends on the user and the circumstances. Despite its long blade, it turns quickly for the back cut. Due to its long reach, it’d be a horrific “fencing” knife, and it probably makes for a good woods knife.
I like the sheath that came with the
1880, it gives multiple carry options and fits the blade well. I also like the slenderness and compactness of this model, and it packs a punch. It stabs – very – well, much better than the Natchez, while still having a very robust tip. The swedge is not sharpened, but it gives a good back cut. I like its long false edge and the low point. A very good, potent conceal carry knife (in theory). Quick and powerful, and despite its slim handle, it feels great in the hands.
My second favorite.
The
Coffin Handled Bowie has a stick-tang, fastened with a brass pin. It is fairly long in the blade and extremely maneuverable. It really feels like nothing in your hands, and as far as control and quickness are concerned, it leaves all of the other knives I compare here behind (perhaps I should say that at 6.1 / 210 pounds, weight-training once to twice a week, I’m not amongst the strong, but also not a weakling, either.) Still, with its forward balance, it allows for fairly powerful chops – in fact, it chops − very − well in relation to its light overall weight. The swedge is fairly sharp, more than sharp enough. The blade tapers early, and down to just below a mm one cm before the tip. The tip itself is fairly thin, but just robust enough, I think, thanks for the good tempering, India. The back cut is outstanding and it penetrates the best out of the bunch.
My personal favorite.
On my
modified Herbertz machete… this feels great in the hand and due to its point being located rather low from the handles mid-line and the blade being straight (unlike a kukri, for example), it delivers great power in straight thrusts and thrusts aimed at all quarters. It doesn’t penetrate nearly as well as those knives with a sharpened clip, though. Due to the forward angled blade, it bites well in snap cuts and wider chops, but – may – be less suited for slicing, depending on the targets shape and its motion during the moment of impact – and its edge isn’t that sharp. Though being much less suited for back cuts than the more swept clip-points, it`s still able to perform in these movements with considerable effect. I love its length, handle and mass distribution and would love to see this exact design in a well-tempered high carbon steel. I like it a lot and use it a lot for training on the hanging bags.
The
Herbertz Bowie is another training blade. I don’t use it a lot. Its edge deforms on harder targets, the tip breaks off easily. The tip is aligned too high in relation to the handle’s midline. Also it’s too heavy for its length and the “neutral” balance point does nothing to help you. Not worth to be more spoken of.
The
Tramontina is a good woods blade, I had it for over 20 years. Very solid and dependable, very good construction and steel. It went through a lot of work. It wouldn`t be that good for fighting, the tip doesn’t penetrate well and it feels a bit clumsy when trying to perform more refined techniques. It is a good chopper, though, bites and slices deeply.
Bottom line is that I’d say that except for the Herbertz Bowie and the Tramontina, any of these blades would make for a good “fighting” knife. While two inches of reach, the heft, the blade shape etc. can make quite a difference in certain situations or the opposing of closely matched skill-sets, “timing” or the ability to read the opponent are much more important than the rather subtle distinctions between these weapons. ...And, that Windlass Coffin Handled Bowie is just da*n fast and non-tiring.
That’s it for now. If you have any questions, some information to share or want to discuss this vague topic or specific knifes, you’re very welcome from my side.
(My tests included:
• Chopping at a hand-held 1,5 cm thick dowel of fir wood.
• Chopping at a hand-held dowel of 2,8 cm thick ash wood, covered with a piece of insulation pipe and up to six layers of denim jeans.
• Chopping at a standing 8 mm thick board of plywood.
• Stabbing several times into a thick beam of fir wood and twisting the tip.
• Stabbing into a fitness foam roller covered with up to eighteen layers of tough denim jeans, stabbing from different angles, with varying
techniques and momentum.
• Stabbing at a hanging leather bag, covered with four layers of a cotton towel and multiple layers of duct tape.
• Performing techniques on a light hanging, swinging bag.
• Dry handling.)