88CSAB 1917 Frontier Bowie

Mine came shaving sharp. The blade seems properly ground with identical bevels on both sides of the blade. The polished blued finish is attractive in a utilitarian way. The knife and scabbard both have a down-to-earth utilitarian appearance that is a pleasure to look at. The grip scales are some sort of tropical hardwood and are smooth and comfortable in the hand without being slick. It's easy to keep a secure grip on it. This thing is huge! When I first handled it I was thinking that it felt more like a Roman gladius short-sword than a Bowie knife. Nonetheless, it's still extremely handy and fast, much more nimble than you'd guess from just its immense size. The blade seems to be an ideal compromise between being thick enough for toughness while not weighing a half-ton. As noted it shaved my arm right out of the box. it is officially the largest Bowie I own (I have a collection of custom and vintage Bowies) being about a half-inch longer in blade than my next largest one, The Natchez Bowie, also a Cold Steel product. The scabbard is also (apparently) period-correct and is quite elaborate, having a leather frog it's suspended from as well as a metal tip. The knife comes with a coating of what appears to be lithium grease on the blade, and you should leave it on the blade or at least re-grease it after cleaning. There's some sort of friction spring arrangement inside that holds the blade securely yet is also easy to draw quickly from. The grease probably keeps the friction retainer from marking the blued blade. I've only scratched the surface in Filipino knife fighting but like I said, this huge blade is *fast* and handy. It does NOT handle like a battle axe. More like a rapier. The enormous guard would also be quite effective in protecting the hand in the unlikely event you actually found yourself having to engage in a knife fight. Would definitely purchase again and would have no qualms at all over taking this thing on a camping trip with me or engaging in combat with it. I've several Cold Steel Bowies, starting with an original Trailmaster I bought in 1987, and will keep on collecting them as long as Cold Steel keeps making them.

Incredibly high quality for the price! Great balance, a ferocious knife that is quick and strong. So glad I sprung for this, despite having a dozen other Bowies, including two Cold Steel premium ones. Beautiful handles and sheath is top class. Wish I would have bought years ago.

Big bowie Knife, has blued blade, thick, looks rustic, wood scales fastened with slotted screws, needs some sharpening Heavy sheath, made well MIC, sheath and knife priced very well for this type large bowie Five starz and pleased with purchase and Amazon shopping exp

This knife is unrealistic to carry, but it is super cool. The handle could be better, but it fits the price. It is just a nice conversation piece.

Great knife but you'll have to sharpen the edge

I wanted a Bowie knife to add to my knife collection. My collection is a working collections, so I use them. That meant that my criteria for the a Bowie that would meet my aesthetic tastes, still be a functional worker, and not be so expensive that I was hesitant to actually strap it on my hip and take it into the woods. So the the big 600 buck Bowie by Cold Steel didn't really fit in my collection by that criteria. But the 1917 Bowie seemed just right given the price point. I think it is intended to imitate Bowies that might have been found in World War I trenches. And so I thought it would pair well with my Cold Steel Trench Hawk. When I got the thing, it seemed even better. I thought I understood the Bowie knife form. I thought I understood the limits of what a Bowie knife could be. So, I didn't really pay that much attention to the dimensions. I thought it would be about the size of the Laredo Bowie. What I got would be considered a sword in Hobbiton. This is one big knife, that comes perilously close to being a machete. That said, it is a very fine looking beast. It is all blued Steel, has a stout wooden handle, and a solid leather sheath with some kind of rigid interior structure. Mine came sharp. I know some reviewers have not had that experience. I've no complaints. This is exactly the Bowie knife you want for bushcraft, bear fighting or the zombie apocalypse. If you are thinking about, go ahead and order it. It is a great Bowie.

As others have mentioned, you do have to sharpen this knife. It doesn't come butter knife dull, but it won't cut paper or hair. That's not a problem, because you should know how to sharpen a knife if you're going to buy one like this. I don't think there's a better high carbon steel, 0.25" thick spine, full tang Bowie, with a great sheath, for a price this low. The only other knife I can think of would be the Ontario SP10 Marine Raider Bowie, which requires a lot more sharpening out of the box. This knife comes with a better sheath, and it has more reach. As a multipurpose survival, camping, and fighting knife, the SP10 is definitely better. However, this is a better knife for self defense, and you can do the same things with it, that you can do with the SP10. I'm very impressed. Kydex sheaths, or thick nylon sheaths with full polymer inserts, are my preference. However, the craftsmanship and thickness of this leather sheath is incredible. If you were to buy a custom leather sheath like this, it would be the same price as the knife! Buy it if you like big Bowies. This one won't let you down.

Solid work horse of a knife.

Você se sente pronto para enfrentar qualquer coisa, um monstro de faca, linda e excelente.

I have seen this knife for quite a few years as I am a bit of a knife collector especially Cold Steel. Recently I have seen a few knife experts in martial arts who have recommended this knife so I decided to give it a try. Previously I thought it was budget quality on par with something like the cheaper Timber Rattler Bowie knife which I own. However this is better quality. Everything is finely finished. The sheath is beautiful very well made, thick leather, the real deal for a change. And of the 200 plus knives that I own this is the first time I have ever seen someone use common sense and not sharpen the blade right to the finger coil. It's a bit dull right there so it prevents you from slicing your finger up. I don't know why other manufacturers don't do that as they leave it sharpened right to where your finger is which is. The grind is nearly perfect however it was not shaving sharp out of the box and needed a bit of a strop with green compound. If you see it on special get one even at regular prices it's worth it. All in all I'm a happy camper, if I known it was this nice I would have got it a long time ago.

Ein schönes, großes ,aber durchaus elegantes, Bowiemesser.

Dieses Messer von einer selbst gemessenen Klingenlänge von 32 CM ab Parierstange angesetzt erfüllte alle meine Erwartungen. Nach der Ankunft musste ich es zwar mit Ballistöl polieren um den vom Transport verursachten leichten Verunreinigungen, auch bezogen auf die Lederscheide, welche ich empfehle bei Erhalt einmal mit der Luftpumpe auszureinigen, damit keine Feinpartikel mehr darin sind. Ich bin sehr zufrieden und mit diesem Messer fühlt man sich mehr als ausgestattet! Ich habe es bei Bekannten auch schon zur Wildschweinjagd mehr als befriedigend einsetzen sehen!

4000316 Cold Steel 1917 Frontier Bowie - 88Csab. Received today Nov. 02, 2025. This beautiful Bowie knife has some heft to it, it looks to be well made and will make a very nice show piece and it's very imposing, I will show it off next to my Scottish dirk. Very happy customer.