The Blade Parts On Bowie Knives

The Blade design on a Bowie knife oftentimes incorporates many different features. Each of these features has its own intended purpose. Some of the features are more historical and contemporary and others are obvious innovations of the modern era. A good-quality Bowie knife will oftentimes be expanded in its useful applications by the inclusion of innovative tools right on the blade. This has always been a part of the Bowie design and part of the reason that this knife has endured for so many years.

A Bowie knife of modern vintage oftentimes has a saw blade implement included on the spine of the blade. This sort of modification is more suitable for a multipurpose tool than it is for a hunting knife. Obviously, the saw on the back of the blade could make cleaning meat relatively difficult. In the past, a soft, ridged strip of copper or brass was sometimes added to the spine of the blade to provide strength.

Bowie knives also tend to have a Spanish notch near the end. Some claim that this was used by master knife fighters to trap the blades of attackers. This is probably legend as the notch is so small that it makes this scenario very doubtful. In reality, the notch is excellent for cutting cord and sinew and provides a handy guide as to where the blade begins.

Some Bowie knives have what appears to be a dent which runs almost the entire length of the blade. This is referred to as the blood groove. The blood groove is also a part of a blade which provides more usefulness when the knife is used as a weapon of war. The groove prevents the creation of a vacuum when the blade is used for stabbing and causes more bleeding from the wound. This is a rather modern innovation which was added to the knife in the 20th century.

Bowie knives without hand guards are not truly Bowies at all. The hand guard’s purpose was obvious. The downward-pointing spike on the bottom of the handle protected the user’s fingers and hand, and the upward-pointing top spike provided a deflection, and possibly trapping, point for the opponent’s blade. They also have the handy characteristic of making it almost impossible to accidentally slide one’s hand up the blade while working, a useful trait in any era!

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