Description
Beard & Bates’ Model 1828 Bowie is quite possibly the toughest, largest, and most unapologetically no-nonsense and rugged Bowie you’ll ever find. This custom piece is in a class all it’s own: it’s 17″ long, has a real stag horn handle, has hand-forged high carbon steel that is rough, unrefined and raw with a razor sharp edge. Call this the King of Bowie.
The Bowie was created in 1828 for acclaimed fighter Jim Bowie and subsequently became an American icon; the design was highly popular until the end of the Civil War, and then in the mid 20th century saw a resurgence. American historian Russel T. Johnson described the Bowie as that which, “must be long enough to use as a sword, sharp enough to use as a razor, wide enough to use as a paddle, and heavy enough to use as a hatchet.” The Beard & Bates Model 1828 pays homage to all the key values of a Bowie, and it does so in grand scale.
Hand-forging and heat treating steel is an extensive process. It takes hours of labor and days to go from billet to blade, but hand-forged, high carbon steel pieces that have undergone proper heat treatment are extremely tough and hold an edge that most production models simply cannot match. Each Model 1828 is a unique creation born of fire that bears the Beard & Bates maker’s mark.
The Model 1828 is complemented by a heavy-duty, triple layer, double stitched vegetable-tanned leather sheath.
This is not a pretty refined production model. It’s raw, it’s big, it’s rough-forged, it’s tougher and stronger than stainless steel, yet it’s also more prone to rusting (that’s why its important to oil this knife). This is a stunningly rugged piece that’s meant to be used and abused.
Note: Each is slightly different, as the stag horn handles vary, and additionally the included sheath is slightly different than that displayed in the pictures.