The question of metal type used in blades has played an integral role for tens of thousands of years. Once, the choice between bronze and copper was significant. Iron came onto the scene and changed all that. Today, you have even more choices, from super high tech steel to high carbon fiber steel and many other types. In fact, if you took the time to look at the question in detail, you would find several hundred different types of metal that can be used for creating the blade for your new bowie knife. What’s the best choice?

The choice of blade material is never one that should be made hastily. Different types of metals have very different properties. Even the many varieties of steel out there provide very different benefits and drawbacks that will play a significant role in how that metal performs for your specific needs. What’s this all about? For instance, you’ll find stainless steel, high carbon steel and surgical steel on the market. Each of these is a type of steel, but they are very different. For instance, stainless steel is well known for its stain and rust resistance. However, high carbon steel holds a better edge for a longer period of time. Surgical steel has a number of benefits, as well.

In addition, the question of metal type for your bowie knife blade will hinge on how long the blade will be. Some metals are very brittle though they hold a good edge. These are ideal for shorter blades, but make poor choices for a bowie knife with a long blade. You will also find that metals ideal for longer blades might not be able to hold that edge for quite as long, though the blade might be more than resilient and springy.

Of course, you will need to take your usage concerns into the picture, as well. Will you be using your bowie knife in the wilds of Alaska? If so, then you’ll certainly need different benefits than someone using a knife in the backcountry of Georgia or the Tennessee mountains. The uses to which you’ll put that knife should play a vital role in choosing the right metal for the blade. You’ll need to ensure that the metal type chosen can hold up to the stresses and rigors through which you will put it.

Determine what you need from the blade and then compare the benefits and drawbacks offered by the different types of steel out there. You’ll even find user forums online that can help you decide which bowie knives are right for your needs.

Dave is the owner of an online bowie knives and glock grip extensions store.

Being able to carry your personal belongings with you when you travel is of the utmost importance. Why wouldn’t you be able to carry your bowie knife with you on an airplane? Well, after the backlash of 9/11, it seemed that you couldn’t carry anything aboard a plane, without being suspected of terrorism. However, the TSA has eased some travel requirements. So, can you carry that bowie knife with you on a plane?

How do you go about carrying your bowie knife on the plane? First, don’t put it in your carryon bag, or wear it on your belt. These are sure ways to be stopped and investigated by the airport security personnel. In order to transport your knife aboard an airplane, you will need to put it in your checked baggage and leave it with the ticket desk. You should also ask whether or not sharp objects need to be declared. Firearms, ammunition and even paintball guns are required to be declared, so your knife might also.

Next, you will need to pack your knife appropriately. You would think that just placing it in your suitcase would be enough, but the TSA demands more stringent measures. You’ll need to make sure that your bowie knife is sheathed, first and foremost. You will also need to make sure that the knife is secured within the sheath in some way. Some sheaths have a buttoned strap for this purpose. However, even a simple piece of twine can serve your purpose here.

Second, bowie knives must be secured within their sheath. A strap holding the blade within the sheath will suffice. However, if your sheath is not so equipped, you can opt to wrap your knife in cloth, bubble wrap or some other material. In fact, the more heavily packed your knife is, the better the chance that it will arrive at your destination.

As you can see, taking that bowie knife with you is not as difficult as you might have thought. Of course, these rules might pose a problem if you were only going to take a carryon bag and didn’t intend to have any checked baggage. In this case, consider shipping your knife ahead to your destination if possible.

Dave is the owner of an online bowie knives and glock grip extension store.

Bowie knives are some of the most sought after and prized knives in the world. Their rugged good looks, impressive size and incredible durability and usability make them ideal for numerous situations, from clearing brush to personal protection. However, what actually qualifies as a Bowie knife? To answer this question, you’ll have to understand a little bit about the history of this popular knife. Where did the knife get its start? What did the first versions look like?

Actually, Bowie knives got started in Louisiana. The first one was actually commissioned by James Bowie’s brother, Rezin. The original knife was a little over 9 inches long (blade length), had no cross guards and did not have the clipped point that is such a hallmark of Bowie knives today. The next version of the knife differed slightly. In fact, the number of versions between the knife commissioned by Rezin and what you would recognize today as a Bowie knife are truly not known. What is know is that James Bowie eventually commissioned a blacksmith by the name of James Black to create a knife based off a wooden version that Bowie had made. The result was unique.

The blade should be at least six inches long. It can exceed this length, though. You’ll find Bowie knives with blades as long as twelve inches, or even longer. The blade should be at least one inch wide, though longer knives might be up to two inches in width. The blade should only have a single edge, running along the bottom of the edge. These may or may not have a Spanish Notch – an area supposedly designed to trap an enemy’s knife blade, but more likely used in a utilitarian manner.

So, what qualifies a knife for true Bowie status? The blade should be at least six inches in length, though these can be twelve or more inches long, as well. The blade must also be between one and two inches in width. The point of the blade must be clipped – knives without this feature cannot be construed as a Bowie knife in any way.

Obviously, determining what is a real Bowie and what is not can be a complicated process; however, let your own preferences be your guide. If you purchase a Rambo-style knife and feel that it qualifies, then that should be good enough.

Blake is a business consultant for an online store featuringbowie knives for sale and survival bowie knives.

If you’ve just purchased a Bowie knife, you’re probably wondering whether you can carry it on your person. After all, these are striking knives – their rugged, timeless appearance would add a considerable amount to any outfit. However, the answer to whether or not you can carry a Bowie knife on you is “it depends.” Every state in the US has different laws governing the carrying of weapons, both concealed and unconcealed on your person. For instance, in the state of California, it is completely legal to carry a Bowie knife (fixed blade only) in a sheath on your person. However, Texas specifically states that Bowie knives are illegal, unless within your personal vehicle, or used during hunting or some other qualifying activity.

As an example of the laws governing knife carry in the US, let’s look at the state of Colorado. This state allows pocketknives to be carried both openly and concealed, so long as they have a blade shorter than 3 and 1/2 inches in length. They also allow fixed blade knifes and dirks/daggers, so long as the blade is shorter than 3 and 1/2 inches. Of course, your Bowie knife is likely a bit longer than this, as the blade should be at least 6 inches long to qualify as a Bowie. Therefore, you cannot carry your Bowie knife in public within Colorado, whether concealed or in the open.

Of course, there are additional complications to this question. For instance, in Arizona, having a permit to carry a concealed weapon allows you to carry any sort of concealed weapon, from a knife to a gun. This includes Bowie knives. However, having such a permit in Texas does not carry the same legal rights, as Bowie knives are still considered illegal (In Texas, the knife must remain in your car, unless you are hunting or otherwise engaged in a (legal) activity that requires such a knife even if you have a permit to carry a concealed weapon).

In addition, you’ll find that Arizona lets individual cities and towns create their own laws governing what knives can be carried and how they can be carried legally. Therefore, should you travel from Flagstaff to Tucson, you might find that your knife is not legal. Check ahead to avoid legal problems.

These are just a few examples of the confusion that can result from trying to carry a knife in public. The best course of action if you are not sure about your state’s or your city’s laws governing knives like Bowie knives is to leave it at home, or leave it in your vehicle, in plain sight. Remember that even putting your knife in the glove box might be construed as concealment, putting you in hot legal water with local authorities.

Blake is a business consultant for an online bowie knife store featuring hunting bowie knives.

Sharpening Bowie knives need not be a frustrating procedure. In fact, while these are certainly larger than many other types of knives, you’ll find that you sharpen the blades in much the same way. How should you go about doing this? What should you do or not do in order to ensure that you are able to achieve a clean, sharp, straight edge on that knife? Here, you’ll learn a bit more about the knife sharpening process, as well as what not to do when sharpening Bowie knives (or any other knife for that matter).

First, you’ll need to determine what angle the blade is currently sharpened at. This is an important consideration, as changing the angle will have detrimental effects on your sharpening. Most sharpening systems (commercial gadgets) have variable angle adjustments (at least a couple of different angles).

Next, you will need to find an angle guide, if your knife sharpening kit does not include one. If you are unable to do this, you will need to know how to control the angle of the blade on your own. This will require a firm hand and a good eye. If the angle of the knife blade changes during sharpening, the edge will not be suitable for much. You should also have a high quality whetstone for the sharpening process, as well as the proper lubricant (some stones come with oil, or you can purchase the oil at your local sporting goods store). Never sharpen a knife if the whetstone has not been lubricated.

Using an all-in-one system, all you really have to do is position the angle guide, and then pull the knife through the device. Some of these systems rely on grinding your knife in circles, with an upright supporting the knife at the proper angle, though.

Choosing the right sharpening system is incredibly important. Without a good system, your knife will not have a sharp edge, which can actually be more detrimental than a very sharp edge. Also, remember that you need to sharpen both sides of the edge, if you are using a single-side sharpener, in order to remove the burr and hone that edge appropriately.

Blake is a business consultant for an online bowie knives store featuring combat bowie knives.