Is A Bowie Knife With A Drop Point Blade Worthwhile?

Some Bowie knives come with drop point blades. Depending upon your perspective on the matter, this is either more or less traditional than the clip point blade with which Bowies are more often associated. The drop point designs go back as far as the knives and the extremely clipped blades are sometimes entirely modern inventions.

A drop point blade is actually quite simple. In some ways, it is similar to a clip point blade. However, the drop point has a convex curve near the point of the blade, where the back meets the tip. These blades usually feature a very strong point, though it is not well suited to stabbing motions.

The single most important advantage for Bowie knives with a drop point blade is the fact that the entire blade can be used for cutting, whether you are cutting through hide on game or skinning a fish. This is considerably better than other designs that force you to cut mostly with the point.

Is a drop point Bowie knife right for your needs, though? Will you be able to benefit from this design? Drop points are used heavily in the realm of hunting, so if you will be taking your Bowie into the field while hunting, you will certainly find significant advantages here. However, these knives are also beneficial in many other areas. Of course, the true worth of a blade will be measured by your usage.

Should you choose Bowie knives with a drop point to add to your collection? That question must be answered by your own usage needs. Do you need a strong knife with considerable cutting ability? Are you willing to sacrifice much of the stabbing power of the blade for greater cutting strength? Choosing any particular knife style over another is always a series of tradeoffs. However, when you choose a knife with a drop point, you are getting the best of many worlds, unlike some other knives that offer you only limited benefits due to the design of their blades. Take your time and choose a knife that fits your needs.