Lengths of Bowie Knife Blades

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Purchasing a bowie knife is an excellent way to gain a powerful tool that can be used around your home, on camping trips, hunting expeditions, fishing trips or even adventure exploration. These famed knives have been in widespread use for almost 200 years and during that time, numerous modifications have been made to the original design. One of these is the blade length available. What blade length options do you have for your new bowie knife?

Short - You'll find that some bowies are quite short, coming in at about four inches in length. These are not technically true bowies, though they might share the blade design. According to most purists, a bowie knife must have a blade of at least six inches in order to lay claim to that vaunted name. What other lengths might you find available?

First, consider the shorter blades. These are generally between six and eight inches in length. These are ideal for any number of tasks. You'll find that the shorter blades offer benefits if you need to clean and gut a fish, as well as if you need to skin a deer, moose or elk. Because the blades are shorter, you have greater control over the blade's direction and movement. You will not find this control with larger blades, so you should certainly opt for a smaller blade if you anticipate performing these types of tasks.

Twelve to Fourteen Inches - These are enormous blades. You'll find that a bowie knife with a blade in this size range is truly formidable. Whether used for clearing brush or for personal protection, these knives are more than handy. However, you will find that jobs requiring precision cutting are not so easily accomplished and that you might need to carry more than one knife with you for the different tasks that you will encounter. However, bowie knife blades in this size range are quite sturdy and provide tremendous resilience for hard use.

How do you determine what bowie knife blade size is right for you? Unfortunately, only you can make this decision and it should hinge specifically on the uses to which you intend to put the knife. If you want a stunning visual display, or need to clear brush then larger sizes are ideal. If you want the perfect all around bowie knife, then opt for a midrange or small knife. Regardless, the knife you choose will provide you with years of excellent service.