Everyone mostly agrees that the first Bowie knife was an American creation. Over time, it became the ideal American knife, and now it’s the standard for comparing any big knife used for survival or combat. To honor this tradition, we decided to gather some of the best Bowie knife made in the USA and put them here in one place to celebrate the tradition (and maybe appeal to some’s patriotic desire to buy American knives).
Here are four of our favorite American-made Bowie knives, from right to left: Ka-Bar Becker BK7, Buck 119 Special Pro, Ka-Bar Ek Commando, and the Bonds Creek Predator.
If some of these knives are too expensive, you should check out our list of affordable Bowie knives. Not all are made in America, but they’re decently made and well-priced.
Here are our top picks for the best American-made Bowie knives:
- Ka-Bar EK Commando Short Clip Point
- TOPS Backpacker’s Bowie
- Bonds Creek Predator
- Buck 119 Special Pro
- Ka-Bar Becker BK20
- Ka-Bar Becker BK7
- Spyderco Respect Bowie
- OKC SP2
- Ontario Knife Co SP5 Survival Bowie
- BlackJack Model 7 Bowie
- TOPS Knives Longhorn Bowie
- Case Bowie Knife
- Bear & Son Cutlery American Bowie
KA-BAR EK COMMANDO SHORT CLIP POINT
- Overall Length: 9.25″
- Blade Length: 5.062″
- Blade Steel: 1095 Cro-Van
- Grind: Flat
- Handle Material: Ultramid (glass-filled nylon)
- Sheath: Kydex with nylon back
- Construction: Full tang
This Bowie-style survival/tactical hybrid has a storied past, as we covered in our in-depth Ek Commando review. We were drawn to this knife when we heard that Ka-Bar was releasing a Bowie version. After testing it in various environments, we were impressed with its toughness and versatility.
The Kydex sheath that comes with the Ek Commando Clip Point holds the knife securely with minimal rattle, and it’s easy to quickly deploy the knife thanks to the thumb ramps on both sides of the sheath.The sheath sits relatively low on the hip, which is nice because it doesn’t get in the way of whatever activities you’re doing while wearing it.
The Ultramid handle has a neutral shape, but the textured cut-outs in the handle make it easy to grip even when wet. We didn’t notice any discomfort when doing hard tasks like batoning and feather sticking. This is one of the more comfortable handles we’ve found on a Bowie knife.
The EK Commando is one of the more affordable American-made Bowie knives we’ve tested, so it’s a good option if you’re on a budget.
TOPS BACKPACKER’S BOWIE
- Overall Length: 8.375″
- Blade Length: 4.5″
- Blade Steel: 1095
- Grind: Flat
- Handle Material: Micarta
- Sheath: Kydex
- Construction: Full tang
The Backpacker’s Bowie is a bit smaller than a typical Bowie, and the clip point is less pronounced than on other knives on this list. However, it has a practical design, a comfortable handle, and an excellent sheath. It’s such a great tool for backpacking or camping that we included it in this article.
The Kydex sheath that comes with the Backpacker’s Bowie can be set up for vertical or horizontal carry, which is one of the reasons we included this knife in our Best Survival Knives article. The sheath holds the knife securely even if you move around a lot or fall. Quick deployment is aided by a slight swell at the top.
The Backpacker’s Bowie is tough. We’ve used it for chopping, batoning, carving, and cooking all sorts of food around a campfire, and it just keeps going. The 1095 steel won’t win any awards for edge retention, but it’s easy to stop or sharpen in the field, and it can take a lot of abuse.
BONDS CREEK PREDATOR
- Overall Length: 9.0”
- Blade Length: 4.0”
- Blade Steel: AEB-L
- Grind: Flat
- Handle Material: Richlite
- Sheath: Leather
- Construction: Full tang, riveted to butt
Bonds Creek is a small production knife company in West Virginia that feels like a custom maker. The owner checks every knife before it’s shipped. The Predator is small and lightweight, making it great for backpacking, hunting, or hiking. It has a contoured Richlite handle that’s secure but not restrictive, comfortable in various grips, and easy to hold when wet, thanks to the designer’s experience as an outdoorsman.
This knife isn’t as heavy as other Bowie knives and won’t chop vines like an OKC Spec-Plus blade, but it slices well and is tough. It’s also easier to carry than other Bowie knives in this article.
The Predator’s sheath is made in America by JRE Industries, who make sheaths for top American knife manufacturers and custom makers. The sheath doesn’t have a clasp or extra flap, but the knife stays in place. The knife sits deep in the sheath, common in bushcraft knives, but enough handle sticks out for quick deployment.
BUCK 119 SPECIAL PRO
- Overall Length: 10.5″
- Blade Length: 6.0″
- Blade Steel: S35VN
- Grind: Hollow
- Handle Material: Canvas Micarta
- Sheath: Leather
- Construction: Full tang, riveted to butt
The Buck 119 Special Pro has the same design as the classic Buck 119 but with upgraded materials: an S35Vn steel blade and a canvas Micarta handle. These upgrades improve edge retention and make the handle grippier and more durable. 
The 119 Special Pro comes with the same black leather sheath as the original 119 Special. The sheath has an easy-to-use clasp and a drain hole for water.
KA-BAR BECKER BUNDOCK BOWIE BK20
- Overall Length: 16.37″
- Blade Length: 10.8″
- Blade Steel: 1095 Cro-Van
- Grind: Flat
- Handle Material: Zytel (Micarta scales sold separately)
- Sheath: Nylon
- Construction: Full tang
The BK20 Bundok Bowie was a limited release and is hard to find. It’s a significant evolution of the Bowie style, used in practical fields. It comes with Zytel handle scales, but Micarta scales can be ordered separately.
The steel is 1095 with chromium and vanadium, making it tougher and slightly more rust-proof. The BK9 Bowie is a chopper for clearing brush and vine in the jungle. It’s comfortable for larger hands and taller people. The nylon sheath is durable but sits low and can slap around if not secured properly.
KA-BAR BECKER BK7
- Overall Length: 12.75″
- Blade Length: 7.0″
- Blade Steel: 1095 Cro-Van
- Grind: Flat
- Handle Material: Zytel
- Sheath: Nylon
- Construction: Full tang
The BK7 is smaller and more combat-oriented than the BK9, with a more severe clip point and a longer hand guard. It’s made with the same materials but designed for different activities.
It’s less capable for trail clearing but easier to handle for camping and hunting tasks. The BK7 is a chopping beast and one of the best American-made Bowie-style knives for camping. It’s a bit too big for backpacking but ideal for setting up a survival campsite.
SPYDERCO RESPECT BOWIE
- Overall Length: 13.5″
- Blade Length: 7.94″
- Blade Steel: CPM-154
- Grind: Flat
- Handle Material: G-10
- Sheath: Leather
- Construction: Full tang
When I first saw this, I thought it was a kitchen knife. But then I noticed the clip point, the hand guards, and the Spyderco hole. This might be the biggest knife Spyderco makes right now. I’m too lazy to check that claim, but the point is that this is a huge piece of CPM-154 steel from a company known for perfecting high-end steels and edge geometry.
It’s one of the more expensive knives on this list, but that’s expected given the amount of materials and that it’s made in Spyderco’s US factory. This is also a Sal Glesser design, which usually means a lot of thought has gone into the ergonomics and the edge. This knife will be comfortable and have a sharp edge.
ONTARIO KNIFE CO SP2
- Overall Length: 10.5″
- Blade Length: 5.5″
- Blade Steel: 1095
- Grind: Flat
- Handle Material: Kraton
- Sheath: Nylon
- Construction: 3/4 tang
The proportions of this knife look (let’s be honest) silly. But it’s hard to criticize a sturdy carbon steel blade with a Kraton handle. This has all the features of a good survival knife. It’s grippy with contoured hand guards, and has a 5-inch blade with a relatively thick blade stock. I wouldn’t say it’s the most remarkable knife on this list, but it has the advantage of a functional design that costs under $50.
And that’s rare in the fixed-blade world. Ontario Knife Company does a lot in the survival knife category, and my opinion is that they’re “good enough.” They’re often the more affordable survival option, but you have to compromise on edge geometry and heat treatment, which are usually not as good as ESEE or even Ka Bar. I realize that’s a lot of qualifiers before I tell you their knives really are good, and the Bowie design suits their manufacturing style, but overall, they’re a good budget option.
ONTARIO KNIFE CO SP5 SURVIVAL BOWIE
- Overall Length: 15.125″
- Blade Length: 10.0″
- Blade Steel: 1095
- Grind: Flat
- Handle Material: Kraton
- Sheath: Nylon
- Construction: Full tang
We might as well talk about the bigger options as long as we’re including the average stuff from OKC. The SP5 isn’t a pure Bowie, with its curving tip. It’s more like a machete, but it’s close. There’s clearly some heavy Bowie inspiration with the handle and a different take on the clip point. One notable feature is that it has two sharpened edges, which adds some survival utility. 
The length, combined with the Kraton handle, makes it a great hiking companion, and the length should give you plenty of room to split logs without hitting the back edge.
The biggest issue is that it’s so long and comes with a thin nylon sheath that it will be annoying on your hip while moving through woods or jungle unless you have a strap or MOLLE system to keep it tight against you. But if you’re used to that kind of weight on your hip, then OKC is a great choice for large survival knives.
BLACKJACK KNIVES CLASSIC MODEL 7 BOWIE KNIFE
- Overall Length: 12.25″
- Blade Length: 7″
- Blade Steel: A2
- Grind: Convex
- Handle Material: Micarta
- Sheath: Leather
- Construction: Full tang
Black Jack Knives is a small company, and anyone who’s tried to order from small knife companies like Bark River will know that means long waits. I often see their knives out of stock, but they do a lot of cool stuff, and this Bowie design is one of my favorites. It has style with large handguards and a sleek Micarta handle with a palm swell, and a 7-inch blade made of A2 steel with a convex grind. 
This thing is a survival powerhouse. I want to chop down a tree with it, and then I want to fight a bear and skin it. I would die in the process, but I would die with a great knife in my hand, and that’s more than I could ask for. If you can find this Bowie knife in stock, it’s a great tool to have for a collection or in the woods.
TOPS LONGHORN BOWIE KNIFE
- Overall Length: 11.72″
- Blade Length: 6.44″
- Blade Steel: 1095
- Grind: Flat
- Handle Material: Micarta
- Sheath: Nylon
- Construction: Full tang
The Longhorn from TOPS Knives has a practical design, making it ideal for anyone who needs a versatile Bowie knife for multiple tasks. The blade is long enough to technically be a Bowie, but short enough at 6.75 inches to be useful for field dressing. It would also make a great survival knife or camping knife for those who like camping with large fixed blades.
The contoured Micarta handles of the Longhorn Bowie make it easy to maintain a firm grip in all conditions, adding to its tactical qualifications. The Longhorn is one of my all-time favorite American Bowies, mostly due to its versatility, but I also like that the Black River Wash coating varies slightly on every knife, making each one somewhat unique.
