The Bowie Knife takes its name from Jim Bowie, the soldier who died at the Battle of the Alamo (1836). He famously carried a Bowie Knife with him after customising his fighting knife to his own design. Please click here for more information on Jim Bowie & The History Of The Sheffield Bowie Knife.
Sheffield Bowie Knives have been in mass production since the mid-19th century and are extremely popular in North America and many other parts of the world. Sheffield steel has an international reputation for quality and these Bowie knives are no exception.
These knives are the real deal - high quality Bowie knives made using traditional hands-on methods, not mass produced nor of inferior quality steel.
The Bowie Knives available on this web site are 100% Made In Sheffield.
Beware of cheap, inferior Bowie knives, or ones that are simply finished off here in Sheffield.
Sheffield steel has a reputation second to none. These knives are made from top quality carbon steel. As you will see from the photos on this page, these Bowie Knives are gleaming in appearance and the handles are made from a choice of materials that enhances the overall look and feel of the knives.
Note that carbon steel is not stainless steel so be sure to clean and dry your knife after use to avoid tarnishing. Even the chemicals in fingerprints can cause staining so give the blade a quick polish with a dry cloth before storing.
If storing long-term, remove the knife from the sheath as leather can sometimes seep moisture onto the blade and cause tarnishing. It is advisable to check regularly to ensure that humidity in your home is not finding its way onto the blade and rusting it.
Carbon steel is a degree more brittle than stainless steel so do not mis-use your knife e.g. by using it as a lever, or you could break it or cause pieces to be chipped off. Carbon steel can always be re-sharpened but it may become a major task if a chunk is missing because someone tried to cut through a metal bolt with a knife.
UK Postal Authorities (Royal Mail/Parcelforce) are now occasionally refusing to accept the carriage of knives. They regard Bowie Knives and similar as "weapons".
If you wish to order from us, this will now have to be at your own risk of delivery arrival. If the knife is returned to us following refusal of the carriers to handle the package then we will refund your knife price less 10%. If the knife is confiscated and not returned, then no refund will be made.
Therefore, we would advise that you ask us before ordering a knife to be sent out. If you do order, then we will assume that you accept the risks involved.
For Sale To Over-18's Only. Please pay using a credit (not debit) card to proove your age and do not use the PayPal payment option during check-out. If a credit card is not used or if payment is made via PayPal then proof of age will be required. This can be achieved by sending us a copy of your passport/driving licence or some other credible document via e-mail.
Bowie knife making today is still carried out in Sheffield, England, but the manufacture of the Bowie Knives is now performed by a dwindling number of highly specialised craftsmen in the city. Master cutlery craftsmen in Sheffield are called "Little Mesters", a term that has endured for many years. Little Mesters are usually single specialists who run their own businesses, in their workshops, with skills that have been passed down through the years and through the generations, often from father to son. See Cutlery History for more details.
Established since 1947, Arthur Wrights are a traditional knife manufacturer. They produce a range of bowie knives, pocket knives, gardening tools, kitchen knives and scissors. All of the processes involved in the manufacture of the knives are completed in-house to ensure a quality product is the end result. Please also see the About Arthur Wright page.
Bowie knives are available in sizes from blades of 4 inches - 6 inches to a larger 10 inches. See below for the options.
You will notice a big difference in the prices below as one goes from 6 inch blades to 7 inch blades. This is because the manufacturing process is different for the longer blades and the design/sheaths are more elaborate. See the photo at the top of the page (This is an image of a 10" blade knife).
Should you require any engraving, please see our Engraving Page and supply us with the wording/artwork that you would like to be added.
We can offer knives with a choice of Buffalo Horn, Leather, Rosewood, Snakewood, Stag Horn or Bone Stag handles.
Stag handles are imported and are getting harder to find, especially for the longer knives, but a new material is being offered - "Bone Stag" which you can see pictured below.
The handles are polished to a beautiful appearance that sets off and compliments the knife blade.
These Bowie knives feel extremely comfortable in your hand and are perfect for any hunting or country-type activity where knives are required.
Bone Stag - The usual stag is now very hard for the makers to get hold of and they are offering "Bone Stag" instead for blades above 6" long.
This is a natural bone material which is probably a harder-wearing substance than antler stag and which has been machine-fashioned to look like usual
stag.
Up to 6" - Often in stock. Above 6" - 8-10 Weeks.
Estimates may vary - Please ask.
Please order very early to avoid missing a deadline or a Christmas/Birthday gift.
Blades under 6 " are usually in stock. For 10" blades we are estimating 8-10 weeks for manufacture.
Please note that all materials used to make these knives are genuine, not artificial. Some sites we have seen offer goods with plastic or synthetic handles. Only genuine materials can be found here.
All Bowie Knives are supplied with a leather safety carrying sheath that can be slotted onto a belt. The larger sizes have a more elaborate carrying sheath. As you will see in the illustrations, the Bowie Knife handle can be 'locked' in place by a press-stud just below the end of the handle. The studs may be quickly released in the event that fast use of your knife is required.
A word of warning - These knives can come with sharp blades so do be on your guard when handling one for the first time. Having said that, the larger heavy Bowies may not be as sharp when supplied as the smaller versions. The reason for this is that carbon steel is a harder, more brittle metal than, say, stainless steel and a thin ultra-sharp edge is at risk of fracturing during heavy use. You may use your own sharpening tool to put a sharper edge onto the blade but we caution against making the edge too thin for fear of damaging it in use. Large Bowies are not meant to be scalpel-like.
Please take great care to keep your Bowie Knife out of the hands of persons under the age of 18. Remember that knives are extremely dangerous in the wrong hands and should only be entrusted to mature, careful, responsible persons.
Whether buying for yourself, for a loved one, or for a friend, a Sheffield Bowie Knife will be a treasured possession that will last for years. Remember to look after your Bowie Knife by keeping it clean and always storing it in a dry location. Your knife can be re-sharpened. If/when needed, please re-contact us and we will be able to let you know the cost and procedure.
Prices Exclude Postage & VAT
Due to there being an element of hand-manufacture in the making of these knives, the quoted blade lengths should be regarded as approximate and may vary slightly. Measurements include the whole of the blade length.