Mysteries and Controversies of the Legendary Bowie Knife.

Some historians may disagree but Jim Bowie's contemporaries were only concerned with the knife used in a duel on the Vidalia Sandbar in 1827 and or whatever knife Jim may have carried at different times in his life.

James Bowie became famous after dispatching a foe with his knife after receiving numerous wounds during the Sandbar duel.  Jim went on to add to his fame with many exploits and culminating with his heroic death at the Alamo.  Along the way Jim was somehow credited with designing some feature or addition to the knife.
(1). Evidence points to the large sharpened clip which has always been synonymous with a Bowie knife.  Some have claimed he added the pronounced guard, although there were many contemporary blades with guards.
(2). The clip on a knife been around long before Jim Bowie came along but during his day was nor prominent on most hunting knives.
Whatever the feature he supposedly added, those who knew or heard of him were fascinated by both his fame and his knife.

In conjunction with Generation 2, I have designed a series of knives based on the originals which are in private collections.  This series will bring to you the knives which historians are constantly arguing about and, each are, in their own way associated with James Bowie.
(Each is a limited edition and comes with an authentic styled sheath)

The first in the series is a knife that is referred to as a "primitive" bowie by most custom knife makers.  The original of this knife is owned by Joe Musso who has submitted it for numerous test to at least determine its age if not its authenticity as well.  The knife, which dates to the 1830's has the distinction of having the letters "JB" on the guard.
Whether this stands for James Bowie or for an Arkansas blacksmith names James Black may never be proven for certain.

Black was reputed to have made a knife for Jim Bowie around 1830 - 1831.

It is possible that this is the knife Bowie carried for the rest of his life and is the knife he used in his defense of the Alamo.  One important note about this knife is that it certainly has all the features of a legendary knife and would surely have impressed all those who met Bowie, and were fortunate enough to view his knife.

On a historical note:  In all the antiques I have viewed, even in photos, none have similarities with this knife enough to be considered as being made by the same smith.  This is quite unusual.  Most makers of the day had signature trademarks that make their knives easy to recognize.  The fact that this knife has no cousins (if you will) leans strongly to suggest it was custom made on the submitter's specifications and may have no other counterparts.

I sincerely hope that when you purchase these knives you will not only enjoy its unique relation to the history and legend of James Bowie but also its functional ability.
I have designed a very strong, tough knife and Generation 2 has constructed it well with tight tolerances.  From a hefty tang to the flat ground blade and beautiful Mahogany handle, each customer should feel free to carry and use the knife as Bowie would have intended.

From Rick J. Baer, Owner of the Baer Edge Company in Virginia.  Designer and Bowie historian.

(From Clyde Hollis Generation 2)
"After so many years you ask why did Generation 2 remake this knife?  Well after many e-mails, phone calls from many people asking us to please re-do this knife (and believe me it was not easy) we said OK.
But I (Clyde) struggled on how to make this knife and not hurt the value of the Original 200. 

The last thing I wanted was to upset those who were blessed and fortunate to get the original 200 and as many of you know how the value went up.  I will not mention the customer's name but I get receive a call from someone who was looking for one of these knives and someone on Ebay was selling theirs.  The knife went for over $600.00, and the original cost was $199.00.

So you can see where I struggled.  So after much feedback on several Forums and Brain Storming with John Copper (one of Generation 2's Retailers) it seemed good and it seemed the right time to come back with the Legendary Bowie Knife.

The feedback was consistent that we make it a Version 2 (and the Authenticity Card will reflect that) and make the knife in the original size.

Yes the knife is higher than the original but the cost of steel and especially Brass is allot higher so we have opted to make it the 14" long blade like the original and to make the blade ever so slightly curved as the original.
And make it highly Collectible by only making 100 per year.  And again each Authenticity Card will reflect the Year as well."

Specifications:

This knife it made from 5160 carbon steel, all hand hammer and hand ground, then highly polished, with a full tang and this blade comes with a sharp (workable) edge.
The handle is made from an exotic hardwood that will last.  The scabbard is wood that has been wrapped in leather with brass accents.