"Nature scares me" a quote by my friend Bob after a rough day at sea.
February 17, 2026, 03:06 PM
old rugged cross
Thanks Utsig, not seeing the orange. Looks good.
"Practice like you want to play in the game"
February 17, 2026, 10:21 PM
djpaintles
My first thought was a Cold Steel like the one I have stuck back somewhere. Good Steel, nice wood etc. Then I check prices on what they go for now, HOLY MOLEY! I need to dig mine out and frame it or something......
I've played around with some Hand Forged, Magazine Front page, show winning Bowie knives and several in-between that and the Cold Steel Bowie. They all have one thing in Common......
Nobody ever actually uses them anymore.
Cool to own and admire, not so good to actually use. I kinda like your original question because it included the "what could be better". If you ask that question a lot of answers are going to include knives that aren't large Bowie knives. More power to you if you can afford a GREAT Bowie knife (My best friend can, I can't. He has the Devon Thomas Bowie that won a major knife show, I just got to play with it.). There might be some fun, decent Bowie's for under $200 but not really good ones.
So for What could be better for under $200 we might need to start a new thread! There are quite a few very nice large knives available for under $200.........
Remember, this is all supposed to be for fun...................
"Nature scares me" a quote by my friend Bob after a rough day at sea.
February 18, 2026, 11:31 PM
BlackTalonJHP
Gryphon M35 Made in Japan
When I purchased mine it was $100
February 18, 2026, 11:35 PM
BlackTalonJHP
Ontario SP5 Survival Bowie
Made in USA $60
February 18, 2026, 11:42 PM
BlackTalonJHP
Spyderco Street Bowie Made in Japan $125 or so
February 19, 2026, 12:31 AM
old rugged cross
Thank you guys. Some really good options you came up with. I appreciate it. djp, I disagree in terms of being a useful knife. Maybe if you live in the concrete jungle. Otherwise absolutely useful.
About 40 years ago I was running a forklift unloading semi trucks regularly. I remember a driver popped out of his truck with a large bowie on his hip. Dude hand long hair and wore a tank top. Kind of shocked me when I saw the size of his knife. Cool dude as it turned out
"Practice like you want to play in the game"
February 19, 2026, 05:34 AM
cth1974
I haven’t seen the ESEE Junglas mentioned, and they are available under $200. The original is overkill for me, but a Junglas II is on my “want” list.
Not necessarily suggesting them as a source, but Smoky Mountain Knife Works has both models in stock. If you’re looking for a Bowie for hard use they’re a winner.
February 21, 2026, 04:30 PM
trapper189
Are you wanting a Bowie knife or just a large knife?
Originally posted by old rugged cross: djp, I disagree in terms of being a useful knife. Maybe if you live in the concrete jungle. Otherwise absolutely useful.
Hunting, Out on the farm or making firewood for the wood stove I personally find a 4" knife and/or a hatchet, axe, saw or splitting Maul be more useful and practical than a big knife (And I have quite a few big knives) but hey there's more than one way to skin a cat, Right?
What do you actually use a big 10" bowie knife for?
Remember, this is all supposed to be for fun...................
February 25, 2026, 02:36 PM
old rugged cross
If you have one handy lots of tasks for a bowie. Chopping, hacking, carving. Not everyone lives or goes into the back country. But definitely a useful knife. If your are into bushcraft it would be considered a required asset. Also could be used in self defense or a large game processing knife. That is just for starters. Much depends on the knife itself as well.
