SMKW Rough Ryder Bowie – Oh Boy!

A long, long, time ago – everyone would go to the army surplus store and buy “army knives” for camping with the scouts. I don’t remember the price, two numbers are stuck in my head – $5.50 and $8.00 – “IF” I remember correctly ( LOL! ) the eight bucks included a sheath?? There was a 4ft x 8ft table with literally a huge pile of them on it – and probably made by just about everybody who could get a contract during WW2 – which was just about everyone. Now here is a KABAR – very typical of the pattern . . .

This particular knife was a limited edition – United States Space Force – here are the specs for the same “model” – Good Stuff indeed . . .

A good sized knife – right? And then Lynn Thompson / Cold Steel brought out the completely over the top “Leather Neck Bowie” and then offered it in a limited edition “signature” model- and I was all in . . .

And a tip for you folks out there – if you are lusting after a Cold Steel knife – Check with MIDWAYUSA.COM first – they ALWAYS have some good discounts on various Cold Steel models ( be sure to click on the drop down box and you can list by % discount! )

But then Smoky Mountain Knife Works came out with this beast – and I realized – I just thought the Cold Steel Bowie was over the top . . .

The Rough Ryder Bowie is a VERY good looking knife – The transition(s) between brass and spacers / bone / and pakkawood on the handle – about as good as it gets . . .

The steel is 440 stainless – meh – but that brings easy to sharpen and maintain the edge to the table. It is jaw drop sweet in the looks department – practical?? No – Not Really . . .

Compared to the Gerber Freeman Guide Drop Point Fixed Blade Knife I just got in – which I plan on carrying “when” a fixed blade knife would be an asset . . .

. . . the Bowie is just a wee bit more knife than is needed for just about anything . . .

But – as a BBQ knife it works well! After handling this – I might have to look at several other Rough Ryder fixed blade offerings and (I actually have this one) Smoky Mountain also has this available in a Damascus blade as well . . .

Busy Busy Christmas shopping at this point – trying to get stuff ordered and into stockings before it goes out of stock!

Have Fun! – Run the Gun! – and remember – Fish Heads are Cheap!!