Ultimate Bowie Knife 

I share your passion for this type of knife, I'm 65 years old and way back in 1968, I actually found a Bowie knife and while I cannot ever know how old it truly is, it appeared old when I found it. It was made in Solingen, Germany, by B. Svoboda and it has a real stag handle, and is shaving sharp. I'm living now in Arizona and I finally handed this knife over to a knife maker who refurbished for me and then I knew a master leather craftsman who crafted a custom sheath (Old Pueblo Leather) It's not quite as thick as yours, and not quite as long, but it's indeed a war horse and I treasure it a lot!!!

“Waiting list of 4-5 yrs, I may not even be around” 5 yrs later... life is good

that "for you folks up in Kentucky" joke gets me every time.

this goes past knife information. After watching the entire video, I could only think I was watching the way the way knowledge has been passed down for generations. Honest and heartfelt. Thanks, H45

I'm disappointed you didn't try to hit the gong with it, you do in nearly every other video.

I believe Crocodile Dundee would respect that knife.

hah! tought i was going to open a skallagrim video, and there pops up hickok.

Part sword, part knife- the Bowie. Never had to reload and highly versatile. In survival, carving, crafting, chopping, defending, could the knife be more important than the gun ??

bowie and kukri, two knives that have very similar uses. Im a big fan of both!

I have been a lover of knives since I was 5 .... now at 47 1/2 yrs old I have over 500 knives, of which about 75 are bowies. I just love them, they always have a purpose ( especially in an emergency / survival situation ) and hand crafted works of epic art!

A knife is an essential everyday carry item to me. I am 70 years old and it has been a rare day in the last 65 years that I have not been carrying a knife.

We (my family) had the pleasure of visiting Randall knives in 2019 . It was awesome going to the museum and Mike Randall was our host. A very nice and humble gentleman. I placed my order for a Confederate Bowie in person and had it specifically customized for me. I suggest any knife enthusiast should visit if they are in Orlando. Every person who loves knives should learn about Bo Randall, the man the myth the legend. If there was a Mt Rushmore of knife makers Mr Randall would be the most prominent.

I have a Randall knife my father ordered in 1997. He died in 1980 and my knife was delivered after his death. I had a neighbor and he dressed out a number of mule deer during a hunt and his Randall didn't need to be sharpened at all. I don't know if a Randall is the best knife, but most knives cannot compare. Good steel, basic forging and heat treating. You cannot beat quality and good design.

The HD video quality is top quality, with 60Hz, the picture is so crisp and sharp...

hickok, I love you videos, man. I live in NYC where virtually everything is banned - short of breathing. I watch your videos not only for information and history but also to forget the reality of my situation in this city. Thanks for the uploads.

The movie he refers to, "The Iron Mistress", has several cool knife fights. One is in a darkened room where the combatants can't see each other except for intermittent lighting through the window. Another is a duel where the combatant's wrists are tied together! The bowie knife in that movie was made to Bowie's specs and the maker used steel from a meteorite! This big knife would be useful in NYC to help you get a seat on a crowded subway. Just flash that blade, and others will make way for you!

A beautiful work of art. I think my Natchez and Laredo are two of my favorites. I do carry the Air Force Survival knife hiking due to its size. When I do cowboy speeches I carry the Laredo. Randall's are a high quality dream.

I bought my 1st Randall back in 1974 I believe it was. The Model 14 and I paid around $75 for it. I can't remember exactly. Next was the Model 18 in 1977 or so and that was around $110 I think. I still have them and all the original shipping boxes, paper work, and Randall booklet that came with them. I love Randall knives.

I really like a big knife and have a passion for Bowies. My dad used to say: "A big knife can do anything that a little knife can do, but a little knife can't do what a big knife can"

I have 5 Randall knives since 79 to 90s. First one I brought was the Airman and the model 22 outdoorsman. I bought the Smithsonian Bowie in 82 and all purpose fighting knife. The waiting list back then was 8months to a year and a half.

Hickok45, I trully hope you will live and ''be around '' for a lot more time :)Because you make ones of the best videos on RU-vid ! In my country is a wish ''A lot of health to you !'' I wish you that !

I ordered the same knife today! I love this model with the brass and wood handle. I asked the nice lady on the phone if I could order the "Hickok45 Bowie" She said that she watched the channel and knew about the video. Just to make sure that I get the same one, she watched this video again while we were talking. So five years from now, there will be one big Randall Bowie shipped to The Netherlands. In the mean time I can save the money :D Greetings from The Netherlands!

Gotta love Randall knives!

I'm the same in that I too (in addition to firearms) have long had a tremendous affinity for Bowie Knives--I think a lot of it has to do with watching classic "TV Americana" growing up as a kid--Davie Crockett, Daniel Boone, Bonanza and Gunsmoke just to name a few...Of course, John Wayne's "The Alamo" with Davie Crockett played by Richard Widmark was epic and I watched it several times as a kid with my Dad (man oh man do I miss those days!). Indeed, it was commonplace to see Bowie Knives here and there on the old classic tv programs as well as at Six Flags over Mid-America where they had really neat Tom Sawyer, Daniel Boone and early American Frontier boat rides and stores where a kid could pickup a "rubber-Bowie knife" or sword. So yeah, I completely get Hickok's love of the great American Bowie Knife!

That is the best looking Bowie knife I’ve ever seen!

The "BOWIE" knife is a strange and unique knife by history. Cherished and favored by many, the bowie's heyday was when men carried single shot rifles and pistols. It was common for men to wear swords and a pistol. After firing your shot it was close quarter edged weapons. The bowie was a great close quarter fighting knife. The large heavy blade also found favor with westerners and outdoorsmen enjoyed the multiple purpose use of it. Heavy enough to chop, large process heavy game like bear, buffalo and elk. The hunter did not need several knives and hatchet if he had a bowie. My favorite is the old "Western" model 49 made in the 70's. While most modern bowies are more decorative than functional the western 49 was a working knife. I look for the tang to be the same size as the blade for strength. The larger knife with a small tang is prone to break. The BOWIE is a true treasure.

I'm usually not a fan of big knives, unless I'm headed for the tropics, but the one big knife that I love, and think is the ultimate, is the plain old Ka-Bar. It's the perfect size for fighting, it's Bowie style, and it's useful for everything. And has the best steel there is. No waiting list, under a hundred dollars, and does it all. At the same time, one of the oldest sayings in the outdoors is, "The bigger the knife, the bigger the fool. If you want to chop, buy a hatchet. If you want to cut, use a knife." I've found this is good advice, but that's just me. I'll keep the Ka-Bar, but anything bigger is really pretty useless.

You cannot beat a Randall knife. They are quite simply some of the best knives made.

How's the recoil on these things?

i like how he actually admits that one good thing is that its cool, not many peoole would admit that even though its in their mind when they get one.

A knife is always loaded and the silencer is always on. I think it was G. Gordon Liddy that I first heard that from around 20 years ago.

Never seen a blade as thick as this one. Even on the internet.

When I was a deputy, one of my training officers had a big bowie knife between the two front seats. Better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it.

Hickok45: I could feel the admiration and complete fondness you have and project for your new Bowie Knife, right through the internet into my living room. You, as usual, did a wonderful job allowing me and all the other followers to absorb and appreciate your knowledge, your well thought out expressions and descriptions of your latest acquisition, and so forth. They have definitely contributed to man's survival on this planet, and will continue.The Bowie Knife made life so much easier in the formation of this country's existence, and naturally of all mankind, with similar clones and look a likes. Enjoy it! Ooops: Forgot to mention that it was a good thing that you didn't throw the Bowie Knife it into the logs sitting on the home made "Big John" stand that you usually throw your tomahawks into. As I noticed, you weren't wearing your your ear protection...

Love the classic shape of the "Bowie". That's a great looking knife.Made a few from purchased blanks last Christmas. (Nothing close to this one.) Thanks for sharing.

30 years ago I passed on so many Randall knives at guns shows. *thump thump* That is the sound of me kicking myself.

I half expected to see Hickok running around shankin watermelons xD

Thanks again for sharing this beauty... I'll never own one based on my position on the actuarial table.. but I can enjoy videos like this! Like yourself, Ive chased the Ultimate Blade most all my life... God bless Jim Bowie, Bo Randall, and you!

Hickok ...you look 'seasoned' enough to remember the TV show "The Adventures of Jim Bowie" with Scott Forbes"

"For you folks up in Kentucky, 3/8 is bigger then a 1/4." He didn't skip a beat, just kept talking. So funny

Really love these, I lost a really expensive knife collection in a car accident (While moving, bag went flyingand was never recovered). with my extensive back injuries I cannot use a lot of the ones I like to carry when on security detail with the firm I work with so I carry Ruger GP100 4.25" and a Tops Backbite and Spyderco Paramilitary II. My HK USPc .45 is my secondary I carry often as well since it has near-perfect weight for me but I like the stopping power of the .357, and the stopping power of a solid bowie or full-sized KaBar is hard to beat!

The Bowie knife and the Arkansas toothpick are two of my favorite knives ever.

What a beautiful piece! Great history of the Bowie knife. Good job snagging a Randall!

Watching and listening to hickok45 drool over his knife for 16 minutes is still a learning experience.

The Bowie Knife was made legal in Texas in 2017 to own and carry ! Now it will be easy to see who is from Texas... tjl

I own 5 Randall Made Knives. I must say they are worth every penny they charge. Great knives if you don't mind the 5 year wait. Great video. Thank you sir.

This ”Hickok 45” video is simply a MASTERPIECE of Americana, American History, Legendary Personality Edification, Legendary American ”Fighting Tool” Edification, Real World Survival Therapy, and so much more! Thank you and God Bless You for making and posting this ”gem.” Those who are wise will know the veracity of this ”work of art.” *I got a heavy dose of nostalgia just listening to those loudly chirping birds near the end. mThis ”Hickok 45” video is simply a MASTERPIECE of Americana, American History, Legendary Personality Edification, Legendary American ”Fighting Tool” Edification, Real World Survival Therapy, and so much more! Thank you and God Bless You for making and posting this ”gem.” Those who are wise will know the veracity of this ”work of art.” *I got a heavy dose of nostalgia just listening to those loudly chirping birds near the end. my God, even the beautiful cacophany of birds and nature is being ”edited” out of our lives these days. My God, even the beautiful cacophany of birds and nature is being ”edited” out of our lives these days. We have to be watchful, thankful, and grateful for what is left of America and our historical past. Semper Fidelis, SIR! Semper Fidelis.

Thanks for the RMK video. No one makes knives like Randall. Guarantee they are the best out there. Very cool.

I'm glad you pronounced Jim Bowie name correctly, being from Tennessee.......lol

Hickock, you are absolutely correct in the pronunciation of this style of knife as BOO-ee. As someone whose hometown is also named BOWIE (not named after the same person though), BOWIE is a proper name and proper names are said ONE way. This style of knife and blade were NOT named after the singer David Bowie (BOW-ee) but after Jim Bowie (BOO-ee) like you said. Calling it a BOW-ee is like calling some one's last name of JohnSTON and calling them JohnSON. That's the improper pronunciation of a proper name.

"For you folks up in Kentucky, that's even thicker than a quarter inch" Haha

John Cooper made the knife in the Alan Ladd movie about Jim Bowie along with the Arkansas toothpick used in the same movie . I have both and consider them the best custom Bowie knives ever made. The first one I bought was in Burbank California from John Cooper at a shop he had. Being 74 years old I purchased this around 1973 for 72 dollars which was a lot of money back in the day. I purchased a couple of other Cooper knives in 2012 from EBay

Always finding a way to throw in jokes at Kentucky inhabitants...

Outstanding. Always enjoy your videos but this one... A Randall. They're legendary. I'm green with envy. Alongside with a name similar to Bagwell. It's almost like holding a piece of history. Beautiful blade. "My father had a Randall knife. My mother gave it to him. When he went off to world war two. To save us all from ruin" (Guy Clark)

Hickok 45 has a soft-spot for large blades and small guns.

THANK GOD SOMEONE THAT PRONOUNCES BOWIE RIGHT

I have a lot of knives but my favorite is my old K-bar.

Thanks for the review. I like Randall knives also. I bought a Raymond Thorpe bowie in 1968. It's tricked up just as yours is except it has a brass backstrap. Randall hasn't offered this option for quite a while. The Thorpe bowie is slimmer and has a 13" blade. Made from 1/4" stock. It has a dark mahogany or ebony handle. I have six other Randalls, all with burgundy micarta handles ans brass fittings.

I was hoping he'd stab a 2-liter XD

I have two Bowies from Cold Steel. One is the Stainless Steel version and the other is a stainless steel laminated “San Mai” blade that’s manufactured in Japan. They are both outstanding!

3:00 the Kentucky comment haha

The waiting period at this moment is 6 years! Thanks Hickok :D I ordered this knife almost a year ago and the lady on the phone said, more people ordered this knife after watching this video. I am lucky that I only have to wait 4 more years, haha

Can't go wrong with Randall Made knives. I've got an 8 inch Model 1 and a 5inch model 2! Beautiful knives!

That Randall is a beauty. I collect Bowie's too. My fave is the Cold Steel Natchez Bowie in San Mai steel. A true Masterpiece. I'm sure you would love it. Not produced any more, but you can find them if you hunt around.

That middle knife is a corpsman knife for the navy corpsman who served with the marines and is was used by them to chop down tree limb s to make stretcher poles.

At first, I didn't understand the appeal, but then I thought back to my childhood back in the Philippines when we used bolos a lot, then I understood. They also have a lot of variations, which you've explained the bowie knife also does. Nice vid!

OK, can we get a count on how many hickok45 videos include a bandaged finger of some kind? Is it me or is this fairly common? John?

Just got, in July, a Randall Model One All Putpose Fighting Knife with a 7" blade, had a #14 as a kid! Love them!

"How would you NOT carry a knife... Maybe they don't do anything." LMAO!

I have the Puma I bought at a Gibson Store in Dallas in 1968 for 17 bucks. I have the USMC Medical Jungle machete in the original sheath. There is a great knife maker in east Texas named Dan Harrison who made a great looking Bowie knife from the USMC Bolo. It looks great also. Dan sharpened my USMC Bolo to razor sharp for me. Great vid, thanks

All jokes aside, New York City is pretty awful. I've done quite a few trade shows there and on one occasion I was actually stopped by police for carrying a 4" folder in my front pocket. I'm from Georgia and now live in Indiana. We carry much 'worse' than that. When they found out I was there on business and really only had it to open boxes, they let me go but to think that a 4" blade gets you into trouble in NYC. It's pretty silly.

Randall knives are fantastic. I have my fathers Randall model 14 he was issued in Vietnam.

Thanks for showing this beautiful Bowie! That`s an almost perfect big knife. Greets from Blackforest/Germany

Just got mine in the mail today. Thoroughly pleased!👍

I want it so bad but 4 years I can't even wait 3 days for something I order on amazon

Sir, Your taste in cutlery is spot on. Randall, the Godfather of American custom knives. That Puma, excellent tempering on that blade.

Knife or short sword -_-; Keeping in mind how big hickok is, damn. Finally a knife that would make Dundee proud :)

A dear friend, Joe Musso has a Bowie ("Boo-ee") Knife possibly, probably made by James Black for Col. Bowie. This Bowie (and I have a "weakness" for them, too!) IS based upon the Movie "The Iron Mistress," and the TV series of the 1950s starring Scott Forbes, used a model of the "Mistress" movie knife. I have a copy of the knife shown in this video. It's an honor to know Joe Musso, who has a Bowie Knife Collection (some owned by Col. Bowie) that cannot be beat. I carried a Bowie (made by Western) in Nicaragua for many years. A great knife invented by either Rezin Bowie (Col. Bowie's brother), or Col. Bowie, or James Black, the Blacksmith in Arkansas. I have a copy of the Musso Knife, and almost owned (via "Gifting") the "sister" knife once owned by Bill Sweet. Such HISTORY! That knife, the "Bill Sweet Knife," is lost (?) and may be out there, somewhere.

5 years later, he's still around =D

The Historic Arkansas Museum in Little Rock has an extensive Bowie knife collection, with lots of information. It's well worth a visit. In addition, historic Washington, Arkansas has a forge and blacksmith exhibition highlighting the James Black style Bowie knife that was popular during the 1830s.

my favorite type of knife are the Rambo knifes with the serrated edges on the bottom of the knife.

I got one like this to take along as back up and quiet weapon for fighting pirates in the South China Sea. Imagine a sword in a knife sized blade. The most lethal blade I own, that was in the '90's, still sleep with it.

In New York city any knife that is a lockback is considered a switchblade. Yes I know they are not. But th epolice are told to arrest anyone with a lockback knife.

That Bush Knife is dope!

4-5 Year waiting list? if anyone of your viewers is interested I can make one to those exact specs if you like, contact me.

I have always liked Randall. Models 13-12, 14, and 17-7. Also if you like large Bowies, checkout the SVORD VTB made of L6 steel and made in New Zealand.

Comments on Kentucky and New York City... well done.

That's a nice Knife. I very much prefer the Bowie as made by Western-the W-49. Deep Belly, curved semi-circular Swedge and Brass "S"' Guard. The handles on the old W-49 are klunky. I'd prefer stag to wood. I'd like the downward section of the guard to become a full knuckle bow. I'd like the brass padding the unsharpened portion of the spine… And I rarely see a Bowie without thinking that wee bit more blade length would be cool… …..RVM45 BIG PS: Several scholars have opined that knives very similar to the Bowies that we have today were in use in Spain and Mexico 200-300 years before Bowie was born… But then again, as you point out, nobody really knows perzactly what the Original Bowie looked like.

How long did it take you to unbox it from a Wildfire Case?

This is a Randall Smithsonian bowie. It's not necessarily the same as the original Bowie, bowie :), but it's designed closely after the prop knife used in the movie The Iron Mistress. Now you need one of the big Randall Arkansas Toothpicks and you can re-enact one of the knife fights in the movie :)

this video probably made the wait a year longer

As soon as I saw the title of this video I KNEW you were going to show a Randall ,a damn fine choice sir .

Handsome blade sir!

I have a Voorhis bowie, and a Kabar d2. Big knives are cool. My father has an unmarked SOG from Vietnam as well as an original Case v42 stilleto, and serialized Yarborough (only obtainable through JFK academy in Fort Bragg NC).He used his bona-fides for that one. The interest in knives is booming now. Good call.

"im to old to wait that long, I might not be around" :(

If you like big knives I would recommend the Becker Knife and Tool/Kabar BK-9, I own one and love it it chops, hacks, slices, skins, shaves, 1095 Cro-Van my loving wife got it for our 9 year anniversary, Thank you.

Have a look at the Svord Bowie it's huge & brilliant Quality !

The biggest knife I have is a BUCK 120. A bit smaller than that knife but really sharp and well made. Cool video.

just bought one 4 year wait omg!! I could be dead by then but hope not!! $650 with a $50 down payment

Rudy Ruana was a knife maker with Montana history. I was fortunate to have met him back in 73 and have always wanted to own a blade by made by him. His. Bowie style is beautiful. As a collector Google ruana knife works in East missoula montana. The shop is still operating by his son in law Vince also a fine builder keeping up the ruana name.I'd be interested in hearing what you think about his work.