The Re Making of a Legend
The impressive Bowie blade was sent to us by a friend that we travel to
gun and knife shows with. He acquired it from the man who discovered
it. Found in North East Texas where it was obviously entombed for at
least a century and a half and no doubt an original.
The Bowie measured 12 ¼” inches and still carried a descent edge.
Quite a bit of pitting had occurred, but it was still structurally sound.
Search for the Origin
The question was, “How old could this knife possibly be?” And “Is it a
mass produced blade or Handmade?” After carefully cleaning
as not to disturb the patina, it was discovered that on the tang, the
The impressive Bowie blade was sent to us by a friend that we travel to
gun and knife shows with. He acquired it from the man who discovered
it. Found in North East Texas where it was obviously entombed for at
least a century and a half and no doubt an original.
The Bowie measured 12 ¼” inches and still carried a descent edge.
Quite a bit of pitting had occurred, but it was still structurally sound.
Search for the Origin
The question was, “How old could this knife possibly be?” And “Is it a
mass produced blade or Handmade?” After carefully cleaning
as not to disturb the patina, it was discovered that on the tang, the
file marks from the original maker still were very visible. No stampings or markings on the knife at all. No machine tool
marks either. Question answered: It’s Handmade, shaped by hand with a file. Since the knife was found near a known Civil
War encampment, it could be assumed that it dates from that era. However after consulting with some other knifemakers
and Bowie aficionados, we have come to the conclusion that the knife pre-dates the Civil War. If it indeed was lost there
during the conflict between the states, it was more than likely brought there by a Texan that had owned it for some time
before that. And maybe even was given it to carry by a relative to whom it had significance. Most Texans (mostly Militia)
carried weapons and such brought from home including homemade uniforms unless they could afford the luxury of
orderingtheir gear. So it is very possible that it could date to a time when Texas was a Republic.
History in the Re-Making
We took very seriously the task before us. After much discussion, it was decided that the knife should show it’s history
but in an elegant manor. Drawing from materials that could have very well been used at the time, the search began for
just the right handle material. Something deserving to be a part of Bowie’s legendary reputation. A hand selected piece of
Exhibition Grade Spalted Maple Burl was chosen. Attention then turned to the guard. After much debate it was clear that
Brass was the norm. However copper it was thought would be different yet scream HISTORY. And copper it was. A solid
one piece copper band was shrunk onto the top of the handle. And the knife’s guard was hand fashioned out of a solid
copper bar 3/8” thick, the weight of the guard offsets the leverage that such a large blade has on the wrist. When handled
the old monster feels like a small skinning knife in your hand and could even be described as an extension of your arm.
Even a copper tang nut was hand made to hold the knife’s anatomy together. So that as thecopper’s color ages it will melt
right into the Bowie’s history.
marks either. Question answered: It’s Handmade, shaped by hand with a file. Since the knife was found near a known Civil
War encampment, it could be assumed that it dates from that era. However after consulting with some other knifemakers
and Bowie aficionados, we have come to the conclusion that the knife pre-dates the Civil War. If it indeed was lost there
during the conflict between the states, it was more than likely brought there by a Texan that had owned it for some time
before that. And maybe even was given it to carry by a relative to whom it had significance. Most Texans (mostly Militia)
carried weapons and such brought from home including homemade uniforms unless they could afford the luxury of
orderingtheir gear. So it is very possible that it could date to a time when Texas was a Republic.
History in the Re-Making
We took very seriously the task before us. After much discussion, it was decided that the knife should show it’s history
but in an elegant manor. Drawing from materials that could have very well been used at the time, the search began for
just the right handle material. Something deserving to be a part of Bowie’s legendary reputation. A hand selected piece of
Exhibition Grade Spalted Maple Burl was chosen. Attention then turned to the guard. After much debate it was clear that
Brass was the norm. However copper it was thought would be different yet scream HISTORY. And copper it was. A solid
one piece copper band was shrunk onto the top of the handle. And the knife’s guard was hand fashioned out of a solid
copper bar 3/8” thick, the weight of the guard offsets the leverage that such a large blade has on the wrist. When handled
the old monster feels like a small skinning knife in your hand and could even be described as an extension of your arm.
Even a copper tang nut was hand made to hold the knife’s anatomy together. So that as thecopper’s color ages it will melt
right into the Bowie’s history.
This Old Bowie Knife was dug up on the Trail of
The Runaway Scrape. It was found in the 1920’s.
Could it date back to Texas’ fight for
Independence? Or is it a
ghost from another era? It appears to have been
made from a large meat cleaver? Sometime around
1870 Doc Holiday left home with his Uncle’s Bowie
Knife. Several books refer to him still having the
knife when he came to Texas. But none refer to
him having his Uncle’s Bowie Knife when he left
Texas. He was
The Runaway Scrape. It was found in the 1920’s.
Could it date back to Texas’ fight for
Independence? Or is it a
ghost from another era? It appears to have been
made from a large meat cleaver? Sometime around
1870 Doc Holiday left home with his Uncle’s Bowie
Knife. Several books refer to him still having the
knife when he came to Texas. But none refer to
him having his Uncle’s Bowie Knife when he left
Texas. He was
rumored to have visited the South Texas area several times. Could he have lost it somewhere? The Bowie Knife that Doc took from
his Uncle was described as a large Bowie type knife fashioned from a meat cleaver. If only knives like this could tell their stories.We
restored this one with a Solid Brass bolster and a Tiger Maple Handle. The handle was shaped to resemble a Hatchet Handle.Do
you own an antique Bowie Knife or other Knife and want it restored? Contact Us and let us help you bring history back to life.
his Uncle was described as a large Bowie type knife fashioned from a meat cleaver. If only knives like this could tell their stories.We
restored this one with a Solid Brass bolster and a Tiger Maple Handle. The handle was shaped to resemble a Hatchet Handle.Do
you own an antique Bowie Knife or other Knife and want it restored? Contact Us and let us help you bring history back to life.
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