Opinions on Fightin' Bowies

[WarriorPoet]

So, what do you guys think of Bowie-type "fighting" knives? I'm interested in these for several reasons. I'm mostly interested in the history/reputation of the blade....not so much the practical uses in a modern day world.

I'm aware of all the legal issues in regards to knives ('round here, no fixed blades, and folder lengths are limited to something like 5" or less). I'm not going for concealed carry here.

A Bowie purchase would be for training (mental/physical exercise and a useful skill, no matter what) with a slight nod toward collecting - Yes, I'd get a rubber/wood knife for practice, but it'd be good to handle the real thing to get a better feel.

At best, a big Bowie could be used for home/camping self-defense (legally, from what I've read to date) if a firearm were unavailable.....but that would be a really, really rare occasion (blue-moon rare, I'd think).

Sure, there are jillions of other knives out there. I've been to more websites recently than I can shake a stick at - looking at all types of knives. I've also been to one blade forum site after another to see what others' experiences have been with different brands.

My thoughts on the Bowie: (definition for this discussion - blade 10+ inches)

If one somehow got into a knife fight (against another knife, tire iron, or any other device a bad guy could use against an "unarmed" civilian).....a longer blade would:

A) frighten an opponent into retreating (best case scenario)

B) intimidate an opponent - providing a psychological advantage should the encounter progress any further

C) provide those extra couple inches needed to hopefully strike the attacker first....which would hopefully result in that person's quick retreat (best case), or disable/kill said opponent (worst-case scenario - legal system wise).

I don't use knives for anything more than cutting my steak or opening a box - both tasks easily mastered with a steak knife or my Leatherman tool. I don't plan on ever chopping wood, prying things open, or doing anything else "non-cutting" with said blade......so indestructibility is not a prerequisite.

There is a certain mystique attached to the Bowie, so I do think it'd make a nice addition to my very small collection (my imported Khukri is okay - but too heavy/unbalanced for a knife fight - IMO).

Having said all this, I have no intention on purchasing an expensive blade right out of the gate. $1,200.00 for a hand-made Bagwell Bowie? Not in this lifetime! LOL Even $300/$400+ still seems like "collector shelf" pricing (I've got too much money in other hobbies/projects right now). On the other hand, a "cheap" blade wouldn't really be anything special either.

Also, as many "tactical/combat" knives are available in the 7"- 9" range, I feel an 11" blade would be perfect to out-range an attacker (read: Ontario Bagwell - Hell's Belle, available from $185-$300 depending on where you're looking).

I'm leaning heavily towards the Ontario Bagwell Bowie at this time.

So, what do you guys think about the "big, bad Bowie"

-WP