Close Topic Options

Was The Bowie Knife Really A Toothpick?

My father was a knife fighter, and I have collected a few blades over the years but we are still in debate over the distinction between an American Icon and a weapon used during the Civil War.
Is Jim Bowie's knife and the Arkansas Toothpick the same weapon?
The hunting blade that fell at the Alamo in my experience looks like the Rambo style, survival type K-bar knife.
I saw a picture of the Toothpick once in a retail catalogue, it had a double edge style blade, a long triangle, medieval looking.
The question of authenticity came about when we were watching a British quiz show.
They identified the two blades as one of the same.

I am confused, can anyone help?

Toothpick Really Knife Bowie Was

According to wikki yes they are different.

The Arkansas toothpick is essentially a heavy dagger with a straight 15-25 inch blade. While balanced and weighted for throwing, the toothpick can also be used for thrusting and slashing. James Black is also credited with inventing the "Arkansas Toothpick" but no firm evidence exists for this claim(ibid Johnson).

So we have a common influencer of James black the black smith on both knife styles and that may have added to confusion. Mostly people using the wrong name with the knives.

This is what wiccci stated on the original Bowie.

The most famous version of the Bowie knife was designed by Jim Bowie and presented to Arkansas blacksmith James Black in the form of a carved wooden model in December 1830. Black produced the knife ordered by Bowie, and at the same time created another based on Bowie's original design but with a sharpened edge on the curved top edge of the blade. Black offered Bowie his choice and Bowie chose the modified version (Johnson 2006. Knives like that one, with a blade shaped like that of the Bowie knife, but with a pronounced false edge, are today called "Sheffield Bowie" knives, because this blade shape became so popular that cutlery factories in Sheffield, England were mass-producing such knives for export to the U.S. by 1850, usually with a handle made from either hardwood, stag horn, or bone, and sometimes with a guard and other fittings of sterling silver (ibid Cumpston 2007.)


So correct me if I am wrong the bowie knife is not balance to throw but the Toothpick is. The bald on the tooth pick would be long and sharped on both sides K=Hilt to point. The bowie is a thick backed blade at the handle commonly with copper on the back of it to provide strength to prevent the shattering of the blade in battle. Half way or 60 to75% of the blade would be so but then the rest from that spot to the tip is a double edged blade to allow the saber maneuver of a back cut.

I hope that help some. I can picture them both clear in my mind but I hope my description does them both justice.

Was The Bowie Knife Really A Toothpick? Sports & Fashion Music Movies

You are correct. The toothpick is like a shortened bastard sword with a double edge. The Bowie is only sharp on both edges towards the tip. THe toothpick is balanced for throwing while the bowie is not. I am not totally familiar with either weapon as I prefer the longer knives like a long sword or bastard sword.

Toothpick Really Knife Bowie Was

The tooth pick would it not also be very close to the daggers that assassins used to stab one in the back of the neck? Long pointed to drive up into the skull.

Edited: krakyn on 31st May, 2008 - 7:02pm

Toothpick Really Knife Bowie Was

Thank you for your response.
I have a clearer idea now.
I have my Father's throwing knife, a kukri and a drop point tanto.
My old man says I have no need of them in urban Britain, but they each have a memory and a place in my legacy. One blade was carried in the cold war, another fell at the Battle of Monte Casino and the third is an example of prime American cutlery.

Was The Bowie Knife Really A Toothpick?

I would keep the blades and have them properly displayed. I think they would nice in a den or similar room in a nice display cabinet with a small write up on each one as to when and where is was purchased and carried. You children and grandchildren would be glad to know such heritage when they are older. A small connection to their past.