How is a Bowie Knife Different From a Hunting Knife?

Bowie knives are hunting knives, aren't they? This is a common question. However, bowie knives aren't technically hunting knives - they are multipurpose tools. Hunting knives are usually very specific in their intended use. For instance, a gut hook knife is intended for an obvious purpose. Likewise, a skinning knife is used for skinning and doesn't perform very well for other uses. Bowie knives, on the other hand, can be used to skin, gut, chop, cut and numerous other things.

Therefore, you'll find that bowie knives differ from hunting knives in several different ways. How do they differ? As mentioned, bowies are used for many different things. While they have long held a place in hunting, as well as camping, fishing and general use, they also serve a purpose in self-defense. Hunting knives, while they can be used for purposes other than those intended by the knife's creator, usually don't do an adequate job in these different areas.

Bowie knives also come in a wide range of different sizes. You will find these run the gamut from a modest six inches to a massive foot and a half. You obviously will not want to use an 18-inch blade to gut a fish. However, that blade would work quite well in clearing brush, for protection and for general-purpose use. Bowie knives have an immense number of uses and their size will certainly play a role in the uses to which they are put. One of the reasons that hunting knives are so limited in the scope of their uses is their blade design. If you look at a gut hook knife, it's hard to imagine using it for any other purpose.

You'll also find that bowie knives have very different shapes than other hunting knives. While all bowies share the clipped point design (you'll find this on some hunting knives, too), you will also find a few other features. Some bowie knives have a Spanish Notch on the blade that can be useful when hunting or camping. Some knives also have saw-teeth on the blade's spine, though some users find these cumbersome, annoying and even dangerous in some circumstances.

Bowie knives provide versatility, durability and longevity. This is a tremendous advantage over traditional hunting knives. With the right bowie, you can carry just one knife with you, rather than having to pack and carry several different types of knife to deal with any situation that might arise.

Dylan Sabot is the owner of an online bowie knifes store featuring every bowie knife for sale as well as lighters for camping.