What Is The Best Bowie Knife?

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, we may receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.

Bowie knives are here since the 19th century. That is a long time, but do you know how to choose the best Bowie knife? I’ve read countless Bowie knife reviews and tried many of them myself to put together this top 10 list and Bowie knife buying guide. We will go through a bit of the knife’s history, important factors to consider when choosing the right Bowie, and of course, there will be a top 10 list to quickly choose one of the best-rated Bowies.

What is a Bowie knife?

A lot of time has gone by since the birth of this knife and it has undergone so many design changes that many of today’s Bowies are no longer looking like the original. The original Bowie knife was created by James Black for Jim Bowie back in 1830.

Since there are no set definitions of the Bowie knife, it’s hard to describe it. It is typically a large fighting knife with its length ranging from 12 to 30 inches. The blade is usually between 5 to 24 inches long but be assured that the 24 inches Bowies look more like short swords or machetes than knives.

In a hurry? Check out our top picks!

How To Choose a Bowie knife?

What factors should you consider when choosing the best Bowie knife? There are many general factors related to picking the right knives that also apply to Bowie knives.

Construction – First and foremost, don’t even think about purchasing a non-full tang Bowie knife. It is a large and quite heavy knife, you surely don’t want it to break into two halves.

Length – Depending on what you are planning to use a knife for, choose the right length of the whole knife and the blade. Carrying a 20-inch Bowie will surely make you look badass, but it won’t be practical if you want to use it for camping and hunting. I would personally shoot for something in the 12-inch range.

Material – Go for high quality stainless or carbon steel. Cheaper steel may rust easily or hold the edge badly. Also, take into account the material of the handle. It should be made of something that doesn’t slip easily.

The Best 10 Bowie Knives In 2022

In this section, we will go through 10 of the best-rated Bowie knives currently available on the market. Not all of them are the traditional Bowie, but I’m sure, you will like them anyway. Please note that they are not listed in any particular order. Let’s get started!

Ka-Bar Becker BK9 Combat Bowie Fixed Blade Knife

Sale
Ka-Bar Becker BK9 Combat Bowie Fixed Blade Knife , Black
  • Used by all branches of military and service members
  • Great for collectors and outdoor services
  • Tested to ensure quality and durability

Ka-Bar’s knives have always been used in all kinds of military branches. Today, they are available to average users as well. You can get a professional Ka-Bar Becker BK9 Combat Bowie Fixed Blade Knife and use it in your everyday activities, on your camping trips or while hunting. It has a fixed blade. Just like any other Ka-Bar unit, it is fully tested for quality before being delivered. It comes with a powerful 1095 Cro-Van steel blade, as well as a compact Grivory handle. The handle is ergonomic and fits any hand out there. It feels comfortable and reduces fatigue over long sessions.

The blade measures nine inches in length, while the handle is 5-3/4 inch long. The rapport is perfect to deliver more strength to the blade. However, with 1.05 pounds in weight, it might feel a bit heavy for newbies. Also, the sheath could have been better, especially for such a quality knife.

Check on Amazon!

Muela MAGNUM-26 Red Stag Crown Antler Handle Hunting Knife

MUELA MAGNUM-26 Red Stag Crown Antler Handle Hunting Knife with Leather Sheath
  • Pierce Brosnan's (Gideon) trusted companion in the movie "Seraphim Falls"
  • Genuine Red Stag Crown Antler Handle with Hunting Scene Brass Inlay
  • X50CrMoV15 (1. 4116 German Stainless Steel)

If you are a movie fan, you are going to like this knife. The Muela Magnum-26 hunting knife was the knife of Gideon (play by Pierce Brosnan) in the movie “Seraphim Falls”.

It is a beautiful but quite expensive knife that features a 10.25-inch blade made of the popular X50CrMoV15 stainless steel. It is steel that is often used for chef’s knives. It is neither too soft nor too hard and it is easy to sharpen. The whole blade has a satin finish to it and has all the attributes one would expect from a traditional Bowie knife. Those include – an S-curved edge, a clip point, or a blood groove.

The handle is made of a genuine red stag crown antler and features a brass inlay depicting a hunting scene. It was a pleasant surprise that the handle feels quite nice in hand.
Between the handle and the blade, there is also a solid brass crossguard.

Overall, this knife is a work of art and is highly recommended for those who love unique knives.

Check on Amazon!

Ka-Bar Full Size US Marine Corps Fighting Knife

Sale
KA-BAR Full Size US Marine Corps Fighting Knife, Straight
  • Edge Angles - 20 Degrees
  • Overall length 11.875 inches
  • The most famous fixed blade knife design in the world

From hunting and building shelters to camping and gardening, finding a general knife for all these activities can be hard. You want something strong and reliable, such as Ka-Bar Full Size US Marine Corps Fighting Knife, Straight. This knife is widely used in military operations too. If it can meet a soldier’s necessities, it can definitely meet yours as well. The seven-inch-long blade is ideal for all kinds of ops, but it also maintains its razor sharpness due to the 1095 Cro-Van steel construction. The handle is just a little shorter, so the knife is thoroughly balanced. All in all, this kind of design is currently the best rated one in terms of efficiency.

The knife is made in the USA and built to North American quality standards. The handle comes with leather for a non-slip profile and durability. It also has its own professional sheath. However, the sheath could have been sturdier.

Check on Amazon!

Buck Knives 120 General Fixed Blade Knife with Leather Sheath

Buck Knives 120 General Fixed Blade Knife with Leather Sheath - Wood Handle
  • RAZOR SHARP CLIP POINT BLADE- 7-3/8" Clip Point 420HC steel blade has excellent strength, edge...
  • SOLID BUILD, SMART DESIGN - Full tang construction with integrated finger guard and a deep choil...
  • EXCLUSIVE, ELITE & LUXURIOUS - Cocobolo Handle has curves and palm swells for a comfortable sure...

This is another Bowie knife by Buck Knives that has made It to our list.

It is a knife that sports a traditional look and features a 7-3/8-inch fixed blade made of 420HC steel. The blade has a clip point which makes it easier to use the knife for example for de-boning. Unlike some other knives featured in this article, this one does not have an S-curved edge. There’s also a blood groove ground into the blade.

The overall length of the knife reaches 12 inches, which is a pretty standard size for a Bowie.

The handle is made of DymaLux Cocobolo material and is shaped in such a way that it fits nicely into most hands. A brass cross guard sits between the handle and the blade. A brass pommel sits on the other side of the handle.

A genuine leather sheath is provided by Buck knives which is a nice touch.

Overall, this is an excellent choice for those looking for traditional looking Bowie knives. The knife enjoys very positive reviews and the good thing is that it is one of the not-so-expensive Bowie knives.

Check on Amazon!

Buck Heritage Series Frontiersman Micarta Handle

Buck Knives 124 Frontiersman Fixed Blade Knife with Leather Sheath
  • Durable and Multi Use - Meant to withstand even the toughest conditions and stay sharp for long....
  • Rugged and Built to Last - Full Tang Construction with Integrated Finger Guard and a Deep Choil help...
  • Razor Sharp Blade - 6-1/4" Straight-back Bowie 420HC Steel Blade has excellent strength, edge...

When looking for a portable and lightweight hunting knife, Buck Heritage Series Frontiersman Micarta Handle Knife might become the ideal choice. This knife comes with a 6.25-inch long blade. It is straight and made of 420HC steel, but it also comes with a satin finish. As for the handle, it measures 5.5 inches. Proportions are fine to deliver more power toward the tip of the blade. The black Micarta handle adds to its durability. The good news is that it also comes with a guard, so getting injured is almost impossible.

Finding a perfectly matching sheath for a knife can be tricky, but this model has its own. It is black, sturdy, and made of genuine leather. At first, the sheath might feel a bit tight, so pulling the knife out can be difficult. Be careful when you put it back in or you risk damaging the sheath. After a while, it will loosen.

Check on Amazon!

SOG Specialty Knives & Tools SB1T-L Super SOG Bowie Knife

SOG Super Bowie Fixed Blade SB1T-L - Black Tini 7.5" Aus-8 Blade, Leather Washer Handle, Leather Sheath , Brown
  • Brand new adaptation of this original SOG Bowie with unbelievably exact grid lines
  • Straight Side, fixed 7.5-Inch AUS-8 metal blade has a clip point shape with a black TiNi finish
  • Tan brown handle is constructed of leather washers to give you a normal appearance and fit...

SOG Specialty Knives & Tools SB1T-L Super SOG Bowie Knife does not leave room for misinterpretations when it comes to its construction. It is a solid knife that can make your outdoor adventures a breeze, whether you like to go camping or your craft around your backyard. It has a straight and fixed blade that measures 7.5 inches. It is entirely made of AUS-8 steel, but it also has a clip point shape. The black TiNi finish is durable and good looking. On the other hand, the handle consists of leather washers. It fits comfortably and is less likely to slip.

This knife has a black leather sheet, as well as a belt loop attachment. It weighs 17.4 ounces, so it is quite lightweight for its size. The handle measures 5.38 inches. If you have a small hand, it might feel a little hard to control. The good news is that it does not slip.

Check on Amazon!

Schrade SCHF45 Leroy 16.5in High Carbon S.S. Full Tang Fixed Blade Knife

Schrade Leroy Fixed Blade with High Carbon Stainless Steel Bowie Blade for Outdoor Activities
  • DIMENSIONS: Blade Length 9.5” - Handle Length 6.1” - Overall Length 15.63” - Weight 33.4 oz
  • MATERIALS: AUS-8 steel clip point blade
  • SECURE: Overmold handle for confidence in your grip

Schrade is well known for making knives that are anything but traditional looking. With its sleek modern look, Schrade SCHF45 is not an exception.
This is a 16.5-inch full tang knife that’s equipped with a 10.4-inch Bowie-style blade. The titanium coated blade is made of 8Cr13MoV high carbon stainless steel. It has a clip point but no blood groove, which is not necessarily a con.

As for the handle, it is made of thermoplastic elastomer and it’s shaped in such a way that it fits nicely in the hand.

To complete the package, a belt sheath is included. There are also grommet holes on the sheath which allow you to lash the knife to a bag.

The knife enjoys positive reviews with people praising the good price-performance ratio.

Check on Amazon!

Buck Knives 119 Special Fixed Blade Knife with Leather Sheath

Buck Knives 119 Special Fixed Blade Hunting Knife, 6" 420HC Blade, Black Phenolic Handle with Leather Sheath
  • Razor Sharp Blade - 6" 420HC steel blade has excellent strength, edge retention, and corrosion...
  • Comfortable Grip & Balance - Traditional black phenolic handle has palm swells for a comfortable...
  • Durable and Multi Use - Meant to withstand even the toughest conditions and stay sharp for long....

Yes, another Buck knife. This one is among the most popular Bowie type knives available on the market. If you look at it closely, you will notice that it looks very similar to the Buck 120. The 119 is pretty much a shorter version of the 120.

The Buck Knives 119 comes with a 6-inch blade which means it is 1-3/8 inches shorter than the 120. The blade has a clip point and a blood groove. It is separated from the handle with a crossguard.

You can choose from two versions of the knife. The one on the photo is the version with an aluminum pommel and guard, and a black phenolic handle. The other version features a Dymalux cocobolo handle with brass pommel and guard. Needless to say, the “wooden” version is slightly more expensive.

Just like with the Buck 120, the 119 comes with a genuine leather sheath.

Apart from the size, there are no differences between the 119 and 120 so you can choose the one that has the better size for your needs.

Check on Amazon!

Timber Rattler Western Outlaw Bowie Knife

Timber Rattler Western Outlaw Bowie Knife
  • WESTERN OUTLAW - The legendary stainless steel blade will exceed expectations however you choose to...
  • FULL TANG BOWIE - A classic gray hardwood handle and brilliant brass-plated guard and the 11...
  • BEAST OF A BLADE - A powerful tool which is designed to stand up to harsh environments while...

When in need of a quality knife for hunting or other outdoor activities, Timber Rattler Western Outlaw Bowie Knife steps in to add to your overall experience. Its long blade makes it suitable in a series of situations. Overall, it measures 11-3/8 inches in length. It is razor-sharp and entirely made of stainless steel. The handle is smaller, but altogether, the longer blade draws most of the strength. The knife feels like it works by itself. When it comes to the handle, it is gray and made of hardwood. It is treated to prevent swelling or shrinking though. It has a brass-plated guard as well, so injuries are properly prevented.

The knife comes with a genuine leather sheath. It also has a full tang blade for durability and power. The bad news is that it may not be too suitable to those with small hands. Given its size, it will feel uncomfortable.

This knife is often marked as the best cheap bowie knife on the market with it price being set so low.

Check on Amazon!

Cold Steel Drop Forged Series “Survivalist” Fixed Blade Knife

Cold Steel Drop Forged Series Fixed Blade Knife with Sheath, Survivalist, Hunter, 8"
  • Perfectly balanced with a sturdy yet needle sharp point and wasp waisted so it cuts coming and going
  • Extremely strong and tough because there is nothing to break, become loose or wear out; Its...
  • The handle scales are the only “add on” and they are quickly and easily replaced in the very...

This is a 13-inch modern-looking fixed blade knife by Cold Steel. It has an 8-inch drop point blade that’s coated in dark grey Teflon.

The knife is forged from a single piece of high carbon steel. While it is primarily designed for military applications, no one’s going to stop you if you’d like to use it for hunting or bush-crafting.

The knife has received positive ratings from the buyers. Note: If you are going to read the reviews on Amazon, make sure you are reading the reviews of the correct knife, as the listing has two other knives linked and the negative reviews are targeted towards those.

Check on Amazon!

Conclusion

Have you read all of the Bowie knife reviews presented to you and not chosen the best one for you? Then you may find it useful to read some of the customer reviews on Amazon or checking out a couple of forums dedicated to knives to find more inspiration.

Last update on 2023-12-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API