Damascus Bowie Knife w/ Stag Bone Handle

I've always wondered about the story K-Bar tells of the trapper who killed a wounded bear with one of their Bowie knives. I've felt that it probably wasn't one they make now. If they made this knife, their company story would be a lot more believable -- but the Damascus Steel Stag Bowie comes from Bear & Son in Alabama. Technically, a fourteen-inch knife still is a little short for grizzly, but this knife looks the part. With the simple styling of the real frontier Bowies -- sometimes made by trappers and mountain men who built what they could from whatever they found to work with -- the Bear & Son Bowie drips efficiency.

This Alabama cutlery firm works in-house, making all the components that go into their knives. That's pretty remarkable considering that the blade of the Damascus Bowie contains no less than 512 layers. The appearance is of old-style carbon steel darkened with age, enhanced by the patterns of the Damascus folds. Only a little slimmer than the heavy fighting knives made by James Black that started the Bowie knife trend, the Bear & Son version shows a refined hollow ground cutting edge and upswept dagger point, both features saving a little weight without taking away functionality. The generous hand guard removes any danger of slipping fingers towards the blade. A full tang handle and pinned stag handle slabs create a comfortable and strong grip.

With the quick release leather sheath, the Damascus Bowie hangs conveniently at the hip next to the bear repellent pepper spray. Remember to use the pepper spray first.

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