Bowie value needed

[Smokey in Oz]

Guys,
I hope I don't get into strife for asking this here, s'pose the moderators will axe it if so.

I'm toying with selling a replica Bowie knife made about 40 years ago. Just wondering what price range might be reasonable for this blade.
The top one in the pic, marked The 'Original' Bowie.

Thanks, Smokey.

 

[Blizzard of '93]

I can't help ya' set a price but there was lots of them carried by youngsters when I was Boy Scout age. I didn't, I had a large folding Barlow but saw several of those. That one is in good shape apparently.

 

[bwhoffman]

I have one similar and see them occasionally on the big online auction site. I will keep mine thank you!
Now the bottom knife??? what is it? I have one just like it,it was made in either sweden or finland, I see them in the dixie catolog, are semi PC to anything we do here on the forum?

I'm a packrat, so I will be keeping it as well!

 

[noworries]

I have one very similar to that marked "Original Bowie Knife" the blade is stamped "852" on one side and "compass" on the other, bought it a couple of years ago for my 13 yo boy paid 27.00 in "like new" condition...will post a couple of pics later

 

[faw3]

Got one of the top ones in 57 or 58 during the Davy Crockett days, the bottom one looks VERY close to the Sweden made fishing knife my dad left me he used it since 1939 I think it was. Price ?havent a clue. Fred :hatsoff:

 

[Smokey in Oz]

The bottom one is marked TOLEDO STEEL SWEDEN,
we used the same knives as fishing knives as kids about 35 yrs ago. Have seen modern ones with plastic handles in recent years.
Smokey

 

[paulvallandigham]

The Bowie looks like some of the cheaper products sold in the late 1950s, when Walt Disney popularized Davey Crockett. The bottom knife is a swedish belt knife that is still made and sold. I doubt there is much collectors interest in either. I don't know anything about how good the steel is in the bowie: the bottom knife is a " user " meaning it was meant to be used, and should be. The real lesson you learn from the top knife is why most men don't carry Bowie knives. They are too big and cumbersome, and smaller knives, like the one below, are more useful tools.

 

[noworries]

Smokey, after actually looking at the one I have it isn't really that similar after all, the kid likes it though. I will put the pic up anyway. The bottom one is Damascus steel and even though most men don't carry these big knifes, I do. I like the idea of being able to chop fire wood and if need be I can dig with it. Here in Calif. we have mountain lions and bears that are not afraid to attack humans. I would likely loose that fight but it would be a fight :v

 

[windwalker_au]

smokey i had one like that years ago made in shefield england as i recall it was a good knife,put it on ebbay and see how you go.you tride the screw i sent you yet.
bernie :thumbsup:

 

[reddogge]

Aren't the Swedish knives called Puukko knives?

 

[flintlockmdj]

I would likely loose that fight but it would be a fight
Better to go down fighting than with claw marks in your butt.

 

[Va.Manuf.06]

Aren't the Swedish knives called Puukko knives?

No, Puukko knives are Finnish. The Swedes do have a similar knife but the Puukko is Finnish all the way.

 

In that condition it is basically a $10 or $20 knife. That said, I understand some folks go crazy on ebay and you might get alot more there...

 

[hornetk4]

Smokey that knife you have on the bottom of your post is a Mora knife made in sweeden . They look like kids knives but they are real handy good knives made with very good steel . The one I have is identical to yours but has a peuter cap on the end of the handle and on the sheeth it says Mora . On your bowie does it say Imperial anyware on the blade ?

 

[ffffg]

Mikes right in the ball park, the lesser amount without sheath, the larger with a sheath.. youll have a hard time selling it without sheath.. unless you run into a sheathmaker.. the givaway is the thin brass guard, and very small pins holding the handles on.. and a bowie shouldnt have a small point like that.. it should be quite hefty up front and of course down the blade if your life is going to depend on it... if you gave that a good hard throw at a dry solid post and it hit on the handle end one of those slabs would probably pop off... its a real experience to go into a good antique store and look at the stuff.. alot of it is very reasonably priced... dave.. ..

 

Yeah, that particular knife, if I recall is German. It was always a cheap knife. there is little demand for that type knife among collectors. It is in poor condition also and that lowers value. your best bet is to find a sucker on ebay, some of those folks will buy anything...

 

[faw3]

Well lets see my dad used his (now mine)Mora like the one in the pic since 1939 thru WW 2 then Korea, and VN,(as a fighter jock then bombers) and as a fishing knife when not off at war till 66, Ive been useing it off and on since, the blade is getting a bit worn down but sharp as ever. Really great little knife. Fred :hatsoff:

 

[Smokey in Oz]

Thanks for the feedback guys, much appreciated. I haven't visited in a while, been too busy working around home & trying to squeeze a bit of fishing/camping/4wding before winter. I think I might just make a sheath for it & give it to the boy, not much point giving it away on e-bay.

Windwalker, no I've not even fitted the screw yet or re-sighted the Hawken after modifying the rear sight, she's not seen a grain of powder since late last year. Time I pulled my finger out eh?

Smokey.

 

[kaac1221]

Paul, I have a knife similar to the top one in Smokey's picture. Has a very nice staghorn handle. Bought it new in the late 50's for a few bucks. The blade is stamped "Solingen Cutlery".
Below that is: B. Svoboda; and below that is stamped: "Made in Germany".

I would say that the steel in this particular knife is quite good--it's literally sharp enough to shave with and it holds that edge well. I wouldn't part with it....not even if somebody offered me twice what I paid for it! :grin:

Dryball aka Ken

 

[paulvallandigham]

A good sharp knife is a joy to hold. However, most Bowies are so long and heavy that you need suspenders for the knife sheath to avoid your britches heading south when you need them in place the most! Spend a day with that knife on your hip, banging your leg, and see how you feel about big heavy knives the next morning. Thanks Goodness for horses and cars. :rotf: