Best Bowie Knives

Ka-Bar, a manufacturer of combat knives favored by the U.S. Marine Corps, is one of the most trusted brands of Bowie in the world. The Becker is a prime example of Ka-Bar’s careful work; it’s a strong, formidable, versatile weapon with a reliable blade and resilient handle.

The Becker is a great tactical or survival knife that would be perfect for any hunting expedition or extreme outdoors adventure.

Amazing Grip

The Becker features a superior, ergonomic grip. It is designed for optimal comfort and to reduce fatigue. The handle is made of nylon, making it strong and virtually indestructible, while still easy to hold steadily and securely.

Cro-Van Steel

The blade is made of incredibly durable Cro-Van steel. Even after extensive chopping, slicing, stabbing and digging, the blade stays sharp and strong. It can also be resharpened easily.

Cost and Value

The Becker falls right in the middle of the market in terms of cost. Considering how well-built it is, how well it performs and the various accolades it’s received, it’s a great value.

The Frontiersman boasts the classic look of the original Bowie knife. It is a formidable, impressive weapon that performs well and looks fantastic. It is sleek, sharp, well-built and all in all, a serious knife.

420HC Blade

The blade is made of 420HC steel, an extremely heavy-duty material. The blade is made to withstand serious abuse and will not weaken, break, chip or corrode. Minimal maintenance and care is required in order to keep the blade in good shape. The blade is strong and offers amazing edge retention.

Intelligent Design

The Frontiersman features smart, advanced design. This includes an integrated finger guard, to avoid accidental cuts, full-tang construction (the blade extends all the way through the handle), and a deep choil. The choil is the space between the tang and the handle. This is a convenient feature that makes sharpening easier and safer to accomplish.

Cost and Value

The Frontiersman is competitively priced. It boasts many extra features, a high-quality blade, a comfortable handle and intelligent, careful design and construction. It’s a high-value Bowie knife and a fantastic choice.

The Case Bowie fixed knives are an innovative, futuristic iteration of the classic Bowie knife. The overall appearance is singular and sleek, featuring a surgical steel blade and high-polished handle. The blade is polished to a mirror sheen, and almost looks too ornamental to use. However, it is a fully functional Bowie knife, made to be used.

Surgical Steel

The blade is ground to such a degree of sharpness that, paired with the steel’s overall strength, it is an incredibly dangerous weapon. Of course, like all of the knives reviewed on this list, it is safe to own as long as all of the warnings, directions and instructions for safe care and use are followed. This is a knife that could do a lot of damage if in the wrong hands, so the correct storage and ownership practices for any dangerous weapon should be followed.

Beautiful Appearance

The overall appearance and look of the knife are quite striking. It doesn’t look like a typical Bowie knife, but it does meet all of the criteria from a functional perspective. It truly looks like it belongs in a display case. Fortunately, it is easy to keep the knife in pristine condition, even with regular use. It is scratch and chip resistant, and will not rust, even if exposed to moisture. It also comes with a genuine leather sheath that offers great protection.

Cost and Value

The Case Bowie is another moderately priced option. Considering its powerful performance, its beautiful appearance and its reasonable price, it’s a very good value.

Fallkniven is a world-renowned knife manufacturer based in Sweden. All of Fallkniven’s knives are handmade by expert craftsmen. The Fallkniven NL4 is a beautiful, unique Bowie knife that boasts many features that set it apart from the crowd. From being aesthetically pleasing to its incredible power and performance, it would be the crown jewel of any knife expert’s collection. From a functional perspective, it holds its own among the ranks of the Ka-Bar, the Frontiersman and the other industry giants.

Laminated VG-10 Steel

The blade of the NL4 is, in a word, incredible. The blade itself is fashioned with incredibly resilient laminated VG-10 steel. The “G” in “VG” stands for gold, signifying that it is the gold standard of steel. It is imported from Japan, and used in top of the line cutlery, survival, tactical and Bowie knives.

Handmade

The NL4 is handmade in Sweden by a team of expert craftsmen. Careful, detailed work is put into each knife, and it shows in the overall quality and beautiful appearance of each knife. Nothing could be further from the mass-produced, assembly-line sameness of other Bowies. From the hand-tooled sheaths to the oxhide handles, Fallkniven spares no expense in the precise, careful, handmade production of its knives.

Cost and Value

The NL4 is much more expensive than the majority of knives reviewed in this list. That said, it does have a lot of standout features that may justify the cost for true knife aficionados who appreciate the ornate details that make the knife so unique. From the materials to the craftsmanship, it’s worth the hefty pricetag for knife connoisseurs who are not on a budget.

The Mossy Oak Survival Knife is an incredible bargain, sold at a literal fraction of the cost of the other Bowies reviewed here. However, don’t let the price tag fool you; the quality is still fantastic. The Mossy Oak is a rare find, an affordable Bowie knife that is still well-made, durable, long-lasting, reliable and powerful. It is not a knife to be overlooked simply because it is budget-friendly.

Extra Features

The Mossy Oak is a formidable and respectable knife on its own merits. Additionally, it is packed with extra features that make it a fantastic choice as a survival knife. It includes a sharpener, so that the blade can always be kept razor-sharp, and a fire starter. Whether you’re going on a survivalist expedition or on a camping trip, having a knife with a built-in fire starter is incredibly convenient and useful, particularly if you are in a bind.

Nylon Sheath

The knife comes with a reinforced nylon sheath that is just as, if not more durable, than its leather contemporaries. The sheath is heavy-duty and does an excellent job of protecting the stainless steel blade and keeping it sharp.

Cost and Value

The overall value of the Mossy Oak cannot be understated. It is incredibly affordable, without sacrificing quality or functionality. It’s an excellent value, a rare find and a smart purchase.

The Schrade SCHF45 Leroy is another great knife sold at a fantastic price. The blade is an impressive 10.4” in length; combined with the handle, it measures 16.5” and weighs almost two pounds, making it a heavy, sturdy, powerful knife.

Comfort Grip

The Schrade Leroy is a heavy knife. Schrade has taken careful measures to ensure that it is comfortable to grip and carry. The knife’s handle is ergonomic and offers optimal comfort. It is easy to maintain a steady grip and the design reduces the risk of accidentally dropping the knife.

Balanced

Compared to other Bowies, the Leroy is massive. It is therefore extremely important that the knife is balanced to ensure proper safety and performance. Otherwise, the knife would be completely unstable and unreliable due to the inability to maintain control. However, the knife is well-balanced, with the weight evenly distributed and the handle easily supporting the weight of the blade.

Cost and Value

The Schrade Leroy is a bargain-priced survival knife that is a very good value. It is a solid buy; a well-made knife made with high-quality materials. It may be inexpensive, but it does not fall short in any category, making it an impressive and extremely useful Bowie knife.

The Marauder is a throwback to the combat Bowie knives favored by the military circa World War II. The name itself is an homage to Merrill’s Marauders, also known as Unit Galahad. Merrill’s Marauders was a unit of the U.S. Army that carried out special ops missions in the jungle during 1943-1944. The unit was known for being fierce, fearless and ruthless, defeating enemy troops even when greatly outnumbered.

Cold Steel has done a great job of honoring Merrill’s Marauders with this particular Bowie knife. Tactical, precise, strong and reliable, it’s a fantastic combat and survival knife, well-designed, carefully constructed and fairly priced.

Japanese Steel

The actual blade is imported from Japan. Japan is known for manufacturing some of the highest-quality, strongest steel in the world. Specifically, the blade is Japanese AUS8A stainless steel, and it is razor sharp. The edge is continuously curved, making it an extremely intimidating knife.

Perfect for Hunting

The Marauder is ideal for game hunters. It is perfect for killing prey, as well as skinning animals in a clean, easy, effortless manner. For survivalists and hunters who need to dress their prey quickly, efficiently and neatly, the Marauder is ideal.

Cost and Value

This particular Bowie knife is on the inexpensive side of the spectrum. It is affordably priced, yet in no way is quality sacrificed for cost. Rather, Cold Steel has done a great job of designing a fantastic knife that even the elite combat forces of World War II would be proud to use, without going outside of anyone’s budget.

The Western Outlaw is massive. It looks more like a machete than a knife, making it an extremely intimidating and dangerous weapon. The stainless steel blade alone is over 11” in length. It is a tough, balanced, powerful and reliable full-tang knife. The Outlaw hacks, chops, slices and skins, making it an incredibly reliable workhorse.

Beast of a Knife

The Western Outlaw is considered to be a beast of a knife due to its length, heavy weight, sharpness and durability. It is a serious weapon and can do a lot of damage. All of the manufacturer’s cautions, safety warnings and directions should be followed, as with all weapons. It is a good survival knife, serving general utilitarian and defensive purposes.

Brass-Plated Guard

The knife features a brass-plated guard, which is a nice touch. It is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. The brass adds a touch of brilliance to the knife’s overall appearance, and it is also strong and reinforced.

Cost and Value

The Western Outlaw is one of the most affordable knives reviewed here. It is economically priced yet high-quality, made with a strong blade and a reinforced handle. Even the leather sheath is dependable and strong, protecting both you and the blade at all times. This particular Bowie knife is an excellent value and is absolutely worth purchasing.

The SOG Super Bowie is a modern adaptation of a classic. It’s a very precise, better, improved version of SOG’s original Bowie knife, which was known for its strength and excellence. SOG took its original design and made it even better. The blade measures approximately 7.5” in length, making it a relatively small model compared to the other knives on this list. However, it is an incredibly powerful and compact knife, clean and well-built.

Amazing Grip

The handle, which is a rich tan color, is made of leather washers. The handle is therefore quite “grippy,” allowing the knife to be securely held and wielded. Even if your hands become wet, the knife can be held steadily, with great control. The handle is also ergonomic, reducing fatigue and discomfort.

Black TiNi Finish

The SOG’s blade has a unique matte black finish, giving the knife an attractive overall appearance. The dark blade stands in stark contrast next to the tan handle, for a striking and sophisticated look. The finish is made of Titanium Nitride, or TiNi, which makes the blade hard and tough. The blade is not just painted to look good; it’s treated to be exceptionally tough.

Cost and Value

The Super Bowie is on the more expensive side of the spectrum. However, it’s incredibly well-made and comes with a manufacturer’s warranty. The knife is carefully constructed with advanced features that make it well worth the cost. The high value matches the considerable price; it’s absolutely justified.

The SZCO is another budget Bowie knife. It may not have the bells and whistles that some of the other models reviewed here have, but if you are looking for a basic, reliable Bowie knife, it certainly serves its purpose. Including the handle, it measures an impressive 15” in length, with a strong, carbon steel blade. The SZCO may be a basic model, but it is still a serious, dangerous weapon, and needs to be handled with the same degree of care and caution.

Carbon Steel

The blade is made of high-grade carbon steel. The fixed blade is full-tang, extending all the way to the handle. The wooden handle is sturdy, providing more than adequate support for the weight of the blade.

Brass Guard

The SZCO features a brass guard that adds appeal to the knife’s overall look. It also provides a functional purpose, acting as a safeguard against accidental injury.

Cost and Value

This is one of the least expensive and most affordable knives reviewed in this list. While it may not have some of the advanced features and high-end details that other Bowie knives have, it’s a sturdy, well-made, heavy knife that offers reliable performance, superior control and manageable balance. It’s a great, budget-friendly knife and is a fantastic value.