| Knives have always played a prominent role in | | | | actually based on the "Sheffield" Bowie, which |
| human affairs. From the first flint knife blade to | | | | differs from the version used by James Bowie at |
| today's carbon steel weapons, the knife has a | | | | the Alamo. Today's version has a much less |
| long and illustrious history. | | | | pronounced clip at the front, with a longer, though |
| However, few types of knives have ever | | | | shallower, curve leading from the tip of the point |
| matched the mystique, mystery and magic | | | | to the top of the spine. The knives are also |
| commanded by the Bowie knife. You'll find that | | | | usually thinner than the one that James Black |
| this legendary weapon has spawned numerous | | | | produced and the false edge is usually sharpened |
| modern derivatives, some so altered that they | | | | (though not always). |
| can scarcely be recognized as Bowie knives. What | | | | The tip of a Bowie knife is a special case. All |
| qualifies a knife to claim such heritage? Actually, | | | | knives tied to this particular heritage should have |
| this can be a sticky question to answer. | | | | a clipped point. That is, the point of the knife |
| Actually, Bowie knives got started in Louisiana. | | | | should be located well below the spine of the |
| The first one was actually commissioned by | | | | blade and should connect with the spine via a |
| James Bowie's brother, Rezin. The original knife | | | | curve that runs back toward the hilt and up to |
| was a little over 9 inches long (blade length), had | | | | the spine. Any knife that does not have a clipped |
| no cross guards and did not have the clipped point | | | | point should not be considered a Bowie knife |
| that is such a hallmark of Bowie knives today. | | | | (even though some very early versions of the |
| The next version of the knife differed slightly. In | | | | original did not have this feature). The false edge |
| fact, the number of versions between the knife | | | | of the tip can be sharpened or left blunt |
| commissioned by Rezin and what you would | | | | (sharpened edges indicate that the knife is a |
| recognize today as a Bowie knife are truly not | | | | Sheffield Bowie). |
| known. What is know is that James Bowie | | | | Obviously, determining what is a real Bowie and |
| eventually commissioned a blacksmith by the | | | | what is not can be a complicated process; |
| name of James Black to create a knife based off | | | | however, let your own preferences be your |
| a wooden version that Bowie had made. The | | | | guide. If you purchase a Rambo-style knife and |
| result was unique. | | | | feel that it qualifies, then that should be good |
| The "original" or "true" Bowie knife today is | | | | enough. |