Damascus Bowie Knife with Camel Bone Handle and Brass Guard

Cream bone against dark layered steel is one of the oldest looks on a big American knife, and this is our version. The blade is 10 inches of hand forged Damascus in a clip point, the overall length is 15 inches, and the handle is polished camel bone over a full tang with a brass guard in front. It suits a buyer who wants a traditional handle rather than wood or antler.

Specification

The blade

Damascus is pattern welded over a high carbon core, then etched so the layers separate into light and dark, with a mirror polished bevel. The shape is a clip point at 10 inches. The clip is the concave bite taken out of the spine about a third of the way back, and it pulls the point down in line with the hand, so the knife tracks where you aim. The core underneath is carbon, so it takes a keen edge but goes gray with use and spots with rust if stored damp.

The handle

Camel bone is dense, polishes to a soft cream, and warms in tone over the years rather than staying bright white. Grain lines and small natural marks run through it, which is how you tell bone from plastic at a glance. The scales are pinned in brass to a tang that runs unbroken from tip to butt, so nothing is glued to a stub of steel. Five inches of handle gives room to shift your grip behind the brass cross guard.

The leather sheath

The sheath is built for this knife alone, in vegetable tanned leather formed around the blade so it holds without a rattle. A welt is stitched into the edge, which keeps the sharpened side away from the thread, and the sewing is all done by hand. The back carries a wide belt loop and a snap strap goes over the handle. The face is stamped in a basket weave, each impression set by hand next to the last, framed inside a carved border. Saddle makers have used that pattern for generations.

Who it suits

People who like the old bone and brass look usually take this one over the antler version, and it photographs well on a wall.

• Campers who want a big knife with a traditional handle
• Collectors of bone handled fixed blades
• Buyers who find antler too irregular
• Gift shoppers looking for something that stands out
• Anyone after a display piece that still cuts

What comes in the box

• The Damascus bowie knife
• The tooled leather belt sheath
• A care card
• A free laser engraving quote on request

Every piece is different

Bone is a natural material and Damascus never repeats, so color, grain and layer pattern shift from knife to knife. The basket weave is stamped by hand, so rows sit differently on every sheath. Expect a close relative of the photographs.

Looking after it

Wash it by hand, dry it at once, and keep it out of the dishwasher, since dishwasher damage voids the warranty. Never leave the knife wet in its sheath. The gray patina on the steel is normal and works in your favor. Oil it lightly before storing, and let the leather dry away from heat. Use a whetstone at roughly 20 degrees per side, then a strop. Read our knife care and sharpening page.

Put a name on it

Laser engraving costs 20 dollars per blade and is added here on the product page. About 30 characters fits across a blade, while a longer line belongs on the sheath. We email a proof image before anything is cut, and the work adds 3 to 5 business days. Orders of 10 pieces or more are engraved free. See the engraving page.

Questions buyers ask

Is camel bone durable? Yes, it is dense and hard wearing, and it is pinned to a full tang.

What is a clip point good for? The lowered tip gives control for fine cuts on a long blade.

Why does a bowie need a guard? It stops the hand running forward onto a long edge.

Will this steel rust? It can, since the core is high carbon. Keep it dry and wipe it with oil.

How long until it ships? Most US orders arrive in 5 to 7 business days, and shipping is free over 99 dollars.

Is it full tang? Yes, one piece of steel from tip to butt with brass pins.

For antler in the same length try the hand forged Damascus bowie in stag antler, and for dark horn the handmade carbon steel bowie in buffalo horn. See bowie and camp knives, Damascus steel and bone handle knives.