Thinking about getting a Schempp Bowie...

[SG89]

This knife has caught my eye lately....Enablers, do your best and convince me on why I should buy this knife! Pics of your Schempp Bowie are appreciated :)

[SpyderNut]

I don't have one, but I greatly admire the lines on that blade. Very well thought-out design. Heck, I think you should get one and then do a nice write-up and review (complete with pics) and then convince the rest of us to buy one, lol.

[hoimin]

//forum.spyderco.com/viewto ... 8#p1034908

[SG89]

hoimin-thanks for the link

[bh49]

nice looking knife, but I didn't like the ergos and sold it

[SG89]

nice looking knife, but I didn't like the ergos and sold it

Specifically, what didn't you like about the ergos?

[farnorthdan]

Its one of my favorite pieces, the handle fits my hand perfect, I wear M-L gloves though so might be a wee small for larger hands. The blade shape and grind is very impressive, not to mention all that blade you get. The only minor issue I have with mine is that the detent is a little lite/weak, I can actually get it to deploy with a strong wrist flick. The brass bolsters look great with the carbon fiber scales, I also like how the brass patina's over time.

[hoimin]

No problem, Spydergirl88.
I've often gazed upon this knife with intent to purchase as it is very oddly attractive. The only things that have held me back are the steel (which is more than adequate, but I'm both spoiled and snobby about steel now :) ), and the S guard. It has the shape and aesthetics of the Spyderco traditional knife that I'm waiting for, but not in this weight/size category.

I really love the way the hole was integrated and the blade shape overall and the black wire clip on CF/G10. The brass contrast bolster is also very nice. The front control choil that doesn't eat up edge length is also inspired.

[bh49]

nice looking knife, but I didn't like the ergos and sold it

Specifically, what didn't you like about the ergos?

Handle was too small for me to secure hold the knife without using the choil and I didn't like balance with grip on choil. This is strange. I owned and still have several knives designed by Ed Schempp and never had a problem with grip before. Always was perfect fit. I was really disapointed: 2.5 mm thick blade is terific. My hands are large and if your hands smaller possibly it will fine for you.

[SG89]

@bh49 Thanks for the feedback

[paladin]

Hope these pics ....HELP! :p :spyder:

I love my Bowies Factory AND Custom!

[bh49]

it is hard to beat desert Ironwood

[farnorthdan]

perfect combo on that one Paladin, wood and brass...Mmmmmm

[SG89]

Dang paladin that is one sweet piece love the matching backspacer

[dbcad]

I quite enjoy the Schempp Bowie. Beautifully made :) :) Feels great in my hand :D

Works quite effectively as well. The blade is not very thick (2.5mm) so it uses well in the kitchen. It's a very well working and feeling knife for me. Mine is due for another edge touch-up. The Schempp Bowie is currently one of my favorites to carry.

With use the brass patinas and scratches, good personality traits

Action is silky smooth and effortless. It screams quality.

Make sure whoever you buy it from checks the lock first, my first had a clapped out lock. the replacement is beautiful :D

A few pics to tease

Charlie

[SG89]

Thanks Charlie for the pics. This knife is definitely at the top of my must get list.

[JimJones]

Hope these pics ....HELP! :p :spyder:

I love my Bowies Factory AND Custom!

I love my Schempp Bowie it's in my pocket right now as I type this. As others have said the detent is pretty weak I can easily open the blade with a wrist flick and the lock is at 100% engagement. I wear XL sized gloves and it fits good in my hand but be warned it does feel different than any other Spyderco that I have ever handled so it might take a while to get used to.


Paladin
Those handles look great. For the last couple of weeks I have been thinking that some nice burled handles would really set this knife off. Are these handles for sale someplace or did you have them custom made? Can you still use the clip with them?
Either way they look great.

[glbpro]

I considered getting one of these recently when things didn't work out with my Bradley 2. It's an absolutely beautiful knife - the brass/carbon fiber combination is very striking and quite a pleasing melding of traditional and modern. F&F of course is perfect being from Taichung. I love the black wire clip and the overall compactness of the design. However I passed on getting it as a carry knife for a couple of reasons:

Firstly I found that the handle didn't work very well with my particular hand size and shape: holding it behind the guard the handle felt too small and the blade felt too far forward. Holding it choked up felt better but then my thumb had to be placed over the top guard and felt like it didn't have a place to go.

Secondly I didn't really like the amount of negative blade angle - this is something that is characteristic of all Ed Schempp designs and doesn't appeal to me personally.

In summary I would say that if you want this as a collector's piece you can't go wrong but for carry I'd suggest having the knife in hand first.

Regards,
Bruno

[paladin]

Hope these pics ....HELP! :p :spyder:

I love my Bowies Factory AND Custom!








Paladin
Those handles look great. For the last couple of weeks I have been thinking that some nice burled handles would really set this knife off. Are these handles for sale someplace or did you have them custom made? Can you still use the clip with them?
Either way they look great.

Thanks JimJones! :)

These are custom Desert Ironwood handles...I bought the slabs online sight unseen from KnifeKits<dot> <com>...so , yeah I feel I got pretty lucky with the grain/figure of the slabs especially since I just purchased the cheapest grade available. There's a guy on BladeForums who occasionally sells Ironwood slabs in the "Gadgets & Gear, sold by Individuals" that always have nice grain & figure and he's very reasonably priced plus you get to see what you're getting because he posts good pics...his screen name is NorvTex...his latest listing there was about a month ago. I've bought from him twice, no surprises....good guy. Happy hunting!

[SpeedHoles]

Paladin, great looking mod Bowie! The scales are fantastic, but even more so in my eyes is the improved lines from the razed thumb ramp. I've been wanting a Schempp Bowie myself for awhile now just to try and do that to it but can't fit it into my budget. Great to see you've done it!
So, I've got to ask; how does it feel in use without the ramp? I know it looks better to my eyes, but more importantly how is it to the hand?

Happen to have any comparison shots between the two in your hand?