• Handmade James Bowie knife with patterned Damascus steel blade and wood handle
  • Large 18-inch Damascus steel Bowie knife named for Jim Bowie
  • James Bowie knife with 12-inch Damascus blade beside its leather sheath
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James Bowie Knife – Handmade Damascus Steel Bowie With Leather Sheath

James Bowie Knife – Handmade Damascus Steel Bowie With Leather Sheath

£190.00 GBP
£190.00 GBP
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James Bowie Knife
OVERALL LENGTH 18 inches    
BLADE LENGTH 12 inches    
HANDLE LENGTH 6 inches    
BLADE MATERIAL Damascus Steel   
HANDLE MATERIAL Wood
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14-Day Returns Easy Returns
Ships from USA US Fulfillment
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Custom Orders

Looking for a custom-made knife? We can work with your preferred blade style, size, steel, handle material, engraving, and sheath options.
📩 Request a Custom Order with your design idea, reference image, or requirements for pricing and availability.

Care Instructions

Keep your handmade knife clean and dry to help preserve its finish and condition.

◆ Cleaning: Wipe the blade clean and dry after handling or use.
◆ Oiling: Apply a light coat of mineral or camellia oil before storage, especially on carbon and tool steels.
◆ Moisture: Avoid prolonged exposure to water or damp conditions.
◆ Storage: Store the knife and leather sheath in a cool, dry place.
◆ Avoid Soaking: Do not place the knife in a dishwasher or soak it in water.

Note: Care requirements may vary depending on the blade steel, handle material, and finish of the individual product.

Shipping Information

We ship worldwide with tracking and protective packaging.

◆ Processing: Standard orders usually ship within 4–7 business days.
◆ Delivery: Transit times vary by destination and carrier.
◆ Tracking: Tracking details are provided after dispatch.
◆ Customs: International buyers may be responsible for applicable import duties or taxes.

For questions about an order or delivery, please contact us.

Disclaimer

All our blades are individually handcrafted

  • Our products are intended for collectors, chefs, and outdoor users
  • Not designed for harm or misuse of any kind
  • Must be used responsibly and in accordance with local laws

By purchasing, you acknowledge understanding and acceptance of our terms.

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Description

This James Bowie knife is a handmade, full-size Bowie named for the frontiersman whose name has stood for the big American sheath knife since the late 1820s. It has a Damascus steel blade with a layered pattern, a wood handle and a fitted leather sheath. It arrives new and sharp, ready for a collection or for real use.

The Man Behind the Jim Bowie Knife

James Bowie, better known as Jim, didn't design the knife himself. His brother Rezin is credited with the original pattern, which he had made for James. After a widely reported 1827 encounter on a Mississippi River sandbar near Natchez, Bowie and his large knife became famous across the country, and every big sheath knife soon carried his name.

The story continued in Arkansas, where blacksmith James Black is said to have made a knife for Bowie from a wooden model around 1830. Bowie died at the Alamo in 1836, and his own knife was never recovered. That loss is part of why the Bowie became a legend rather than one fixed design, and why makers have built their own versions of the "Jim Bowie's knife" ever since.

A Large Bowie in Damascus Steel

This version is built on the generous scale the name suggests. Traditional Bowies run from about 5 to 12 inches of blade, and this one sits at the top of that range with a 12-inch Damascus steel blade, measuring 18 inches overall. Its size gives it the presence of the big frontier knives and makes it a true large Bowie knife rather than a modern compact take on the style.

The Damascus steel is made by layering and forging different steels together, which creates the flowing pattern across the blade. Because each blade is forged on its own, no two patterns come out exactly alike. The 6-inch wood handle adds a warm, traditional look that suits the knife's 19th-century roots.

To keep the pattern and edge in good shape, wipe the blade dry after handling, add a light coat of oil now and then, and don't leave it in the leather sheath for long periods, since leather can hold moisture against the steel.

More Bowie Knives With History

If the Alamo story is what draws you to this knife, see our Alamo Jim Bowie knife replica. For other patterned blades in this style, browse our Damascus Bowie knives collection.

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FAQs

FAQ About the James Bowie Knife

Did James Bowie invent the Bowie knife?

No. His brother Rezin Bowie is credited with designing the original knife, which he had made for James. The knife took James's name after it became famous.

What happened to Jim Bowie's original knife?

No one knows. Bowie died at the Alamo in 1836, and his own knife was never found. This is a handmade Bowie knife in his honor, not a copy of a surviving original.

How big is this Bowie knife?

It is 18 inches overall, with a 12-inch Damascus steel blade and a 6-inch wood handle. That puts it at the large end of traditional Bowie sizes.