Bowies, Big Knives, And The Best Of Battle Blades [Paperback]

Bill Bagwell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2000

This book binds the timeless observations and invaluable advice of master bladesmith and blade combat expert Bill Bagwell under one cover for the first time. As the outspoken author of Soldier of Fortune's "Battle Blades" column from 1984 to 1988, Bagwell was considered both outrageous and revolutionary in his advocacy of carrying fighting knives as long as 10 inches and his firm belief that the Bowie knife was the most effective and efficient fighting knife ever developed. His assignment as a contributing editor to SOF was to test and evaluate contemporary knives from all over the world, and he soon earned a reputation for cutting to the chase. Candid and frank almost to a fault, he told it like it was - and he could always back it up. Sixteen years after his first column made its debut, Bagwell's convictions on knife design and blade technique have gained validity in the industry, and he has earned the respect of even some of his most vocal critics. This book provides an unprecedented opportunity to study the design and use of Bowies and other big knives and learn which blade designs and combat techniques stand up to both the rigors of battle and the test of time.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Bill Bagwell is a master bladesmith and blade combat expert who, in addition to designing and manufacturing his own large knives, conducts military and law enforcement training workshops on combat knife techniques.

Product Details

• Paperback: 184 pages
• Publisher: Paladin Press (November 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1581601077
• ISBN-13: 978-1581601077
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #953,123 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Closer Look at the Bowie Knife ~ The Deadliest Knife on Earth. And... much more..., October 21, 2006

By 

Michael Chesbro (Rainier, Washington USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bowies, Big Knives, And The Best Of Battle Blades (Paperback)

Bill Bagwell was the author of the `Battle Blades" column in `Soldier of Fortune' magazine from 1983 to 1987. During that time he wrote many articles about a wide variety of knife related topics. In his book "Bowies, Big Knives and The Best of Battle Blades" Mr. Bagwell reprints many of these articles.

Mr. Bagwell begins his book with a closer look at the Bowie knife, which he advocates as the deadliest knife on earth. He advocates carrying a knife of at least 9.25 inches, and in Bowies, Big Knives and The Best of Battle Blades he explains how to effectively carry a large knife in modern society without drawing unwanted attention. (I can personally attest to the effectiveness of Mr. Bagwell's instructions on the use and carry of the Bowie knife, as I have done so for years using the method he suggests.)

Because much of the book is reprints of `Battle Blades' articles we also are treated to Mr. Bagwell's opinion on a number of other knives, such as the K-Bar, saw-toothed blades, daggers, the Kukri, the Japanese tanto knife, throwing stars (shuriken), and the AK bayonet. Mr. Bagwell's opinions on these knives can be controversial, but his opinions are well reasoned in each case ~ whether one agrees with him or not.

While "Bowies, Big Knives and The Best of Battle Blades" gives much insight into the idea and concept of knife fighting, it isn't a manual intended to teach knife fighting techniques. For that Mr. Bagwell recommends the training material produced by James Keating at Comtech, here in Washington State (again a recommendation I can personally attest to having much merit).

If there is any criticism about "Bowies, Big Knives and The Best of Battle Blades" it's that because many of the book's chapters are reprints of the `Battle Blade' articles they are limited in length imposed by a magazine (Soldier of Fortune). Still this is only a very a minor criticism, as the quality of the book as a whole is excellent.

For anyone interested in carrying large knives (especially Bowie knives), "Bowies, Big Knives and The Best of Battle Blades" is worth adding to your personal library.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The other reviews are right on, January 2, 2004

By 

Andrew D. Cantrill (Palm Springs, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bowies, Big Knives, And The Best Of Battle Blades (Paperback)

The other positive reviews pretty well sum up my thoughts on this text. A must for people who carry a knife with the idea that they may have to use it someday to save their skin. I also recommend Cold Steel by Steyers and Everybody's Knife Bible by Paul. Put together, you will not need any other texts on blade usage.

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The First and Most Informative Word on Bowies, March 3, 2001

By 

John H. Thompson (Midland, Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bowies, Big Knives, And The Best Of Battle Blades (Paperback)

This is an excellent book for the uninitiated and a "must have" book for the serious student of the Bowie knife. Mr. Bagwell's knowledge of the history, proper construction and use of the Bowie knife reflects an obvious lifetime of research and application of that knowledge.

Mr. Bagwell's column "Battle Blades" was followed faithfully in Soldier of Fortune magazine by this writer and it was a pleasure to re-read some of his articles which are included in this book.

Having personally met Mr. Bagwell and being personally acquainted with many other custom knife makers, my personal observation is that Mr. Bagwell has a much firmer grasp of what constitutes a true fighting/using knife.