Description

Cold Steel 1917 Frontier Bowie Knife 88CSAB

The Cold Steel 1917 Frontier Bowie is a large historical-style fixed-blade knife inspired by the practical fighting and utility knives associated with the 19th-century American frontier. Part of Cold Steel’s distinctive 1917 Series, it combines a deeply blued 1085 high-carbon steel blade, Malaysian sal wood handle and traditional leather sheath with blued steel fittings.

The broad Bowie blade measures approximately 31.1 cm and features a pronounced clip point, fuller and substantial 6.4 mm thickness. A large S-shaped guard provides hand protection, while the slim modified pistol-grip handle is shaped to resist twisting and support consistent edge alignment.

With an overall length of approximately 44.8 cm and a weight of approximately 675 g, this is a substantial sharpened knife intended for responsible adult collectors, historical displays, controlled reenactment contexts and lawful utility use. It must never be treated as a stage-safe or blunt training replica.

Key Features

• Large historical-style Bowie knife
• Part of the Cold Steel 1917 Series
• 1085 high-carbon steel blade
• Hard spring-tempered construction
• Deeply blued blade finish
• Wide sharpened blade with generous clip point
• Decorative and functional fuller
• Large S-shaped hand guard
• Malaysian sal wood handle
• Slim modified pistol-grip profile
• Leather sheath with blued steel throat and chape
• Detachable swivelling leather belt frog
• Approximate overall length of 44.8 cm
• Approximate weight of 675 g
• Cold Steel product number 88CSAB
• Sale restricted to customers aged 18 years or older

Cold Steel 1917 Series

The Cold Steel 1917 Series is recognised by deeply blued steel, rich wooden handles and restrained utilitarian styling. The collection draws inspiration from historical military, frontier and maritime blades while using modern production methods and heat treatment.

The Frontier Bowie reflects this design language through its broad blade, traditional guard and fitted leather sheath. Its appearance makes it suitable for historical collections, Western-themed displays and reenactment equipment from the 1830s onward, subject to event rules and applicable law.

Broad Bowie Blade

The approximately 31.1 cm blade has a wide profile, generous clip point and long cutting edge. The clipped spine creates a defined point, while the broad belly provides an extended cutting surface.

A fuller runs along the blade, contributing to the traditional appearance and reducing material without significantly compromising the blade’s substantial form.

The blade is approximately 6.4 mm thick and must be handled as a live sharpened blade capable of causing severe or fatal injury.

1085 High-Carbon Steel

The blade is made from 1085 high-carbon steel, a tough blade steel suitable for large fixed blades and impact-resistant tools. Cold Steel heat-treats the blade to a hard spring temper intended to provide a practical balance of hardness and resilience.

1085 is not stainless steel. Although the blued finish helps protect the surface, the blade must still be cleaned, dried and lightly oiled to reduce the risk of corrosion.

Deeply Blued Finish

The blade and sheath fittings have a deeply blued finish that gives the knife its characteristic dark, lustrous appearance. Bluing provides a limited protective oxide layer and helps reduce glare.

The finish may wear gradually where the blade contacts the sheath or during repeated handling. This is normal and does not remove the need for proper maintenance.

S-Shaped Guard

The large S-shaped guard helps prevent the hand from sliding forward towards the sharpened edge and provides additional protection during controlled handling.

The guard does not make the knife safe for careless use. A secure grip, appropriate technique and full awareness of the blade remain essential.

Malaysian Sal Wood Handle

The approximately 13.7 cm handle is made from Malaysian sal wood. Its slim, flat modified pistol-grip profile is designed to resist rotation in the hand and help maintain consistent blade orientation.

Natural wood may show variations in grain, tone and surface pattern. These variations are normal characteristics of the material.

Leather Sheath with Steel Fittings

The knife is supplied with a traditional leather sheath fitted with a blued steel throat and chape. The metal throat reinforces the sheath opening, while the chape protects the lower end.

A swivelling leather belt frog allows the sheath to move naturally during wear. The frog is wide enough for substantial belts and can be detached when an alternative traditional carrying arrangement is preferred and lawful.

Always ensure that the knife is fully seated and securely retained before transport. The sheath should be inspected regularly for cuts, loose stitching, softened leather or damaged fittings.

Recommended Use

• Historical collection and display
• Western and frontier-themed collections
• Controlled historical reenactment where permitted
• Cowboy Action Shooting display equipment, subject to event rules
• Civil War or naval-themed reenactment equipment
• Educational demonstrations by trained adults
• Lawful outdoor and heavy utility cutting where appropriate

This is a sharpened live blade. Reenactment use must comply with the organiser’s rules, and the knife must not be used for combat simulation involving blade contact with another participant.

Technical Specifications

Why Choose the Cold Steel 1917 Frontier Bowie?

The 1917 Frontier Bowie combines strong historical styling with substantial modern construction. Its broad 1085 steel blade, traditional guard and wooden handle give it the appearance and presence expected from a frontier-style Bowie knife.

The fitted leather sheath with blued steel reinforcements adds to its collector appeal and makes the knife especially suitable for historical displays and controlled reenactment equipment sets.

Because of its size, sharpened edge and weight, it is best suited to experienced and responsible adult users.

Care and Maintenance

• Clean the blade after every use or handling session.
• Remove fingerprints, moisture, dirt and residue promptly.
• Dry the blade completely before returning it to the sheath.
• Apply a thin layer of suitable protective oil to the steel.
• Use food-safe oil if the knife may contact food.
• Inspect the edge and point for chips, rolling or deformation.
• Inspect the guard, handle and tang area for looseness or damage.
• Wipe the wooden handle with a dry or slightly damp cloth.
• Do not soak the wooden handle or leather sheath.
• Condition the leather periodically with an appropriate leather-care product.
• Allow damp leather to dry naturally away from direct heat.
• Inspect the sheath for cuts, damaged stitching and loose steel fittings.
• Do not store the knife in a damp sheath for extended periods.
• Store securely in a dry location away from children and unauthorised persons.

Safety Information

• This is a large sharpened fixed-blade knife and may cause severe or fatal injury.
• It is not a toy, rubber trainer or stage-safe replica.
• Handle only in a controlled environment with adequate clearance.
• Keep hands and fingers away from the cutting edge and point.
• Cut away from the body and other people.
• Do not use the knife for unscripted combat simulation or blade-to-blade contact.
• Do not swing, draw or display it near bystanders.
• Do not use it for throwing.
• Do not strike stone, concrete, metal or other hard surfaces.
• Do not use the blade as a pry bar, hammer or lever.
• Keep the blade fully sheathed whenever it is not in use.
• Check that the sheath and belt frog are secure before transport.
• Use protective gloves and eye protection where appropriate.
• Store locked away from children and unauthorised persons.

Age Restriction and Verification

This product is sold only to customers aged 18 years or older.

The customer must provide an accurate date of birth when ordering. The seller may also require a valid identity document, such as an ID card or passport, before accepting or dispatching the order. Secure submission instructions will be provided where verification is required.

The order may be delayed or cancelled if satisfactory age verification is not completed.

Legal and Responsible Use Notice

This product must be purchased, possessed, carried, transported and used only in accordance with the laws and regulations applicable in the customer’s country, region and municipality.

The customer is responsible for determining whether the purchase, possession, carriage, transport or use of this knife is lawful in their location and for using it safely, responsibly and only for lawful purposes. The seller does not encourage, recommend or authorise unlawful, threatening, offensive or harmful use.

Classification of this product within a Bowie knife, historical, reenactment, outdoor, military, tactical or self-defence category does not constitute legal advice, confirmation that it may legally be carried in public or for self-defence, or a recommendation to use it against another person.

Reenactment use must follow all event rules and safety procedures. A sharpened live blade must never be used for direct combat simulation, staged contact or activities in which another person could enter the blade’s path.

Applicable laws may differ according to blade length, fixed-blade construction, intended use, location, manner of transport and surrounding circumstances. Misuse may cause serious injury, death, property damage or legal consequences.

The knife must be transported securely, kept sheathed and stored away from children and unauthorised persons.

This notice does not exclude or limit any statutory consumer rights or legal obligations that cannot lawfully be excluded.

FAQ

Glossary

• Bowie Knife: Large fixed-blade knife commonly characterised by a broad blade and pronounced clip point.
• 1085 High-Carbon Steel: Tough carbon steel used for large blades and impact-resistant tools.
• Clip Point: Blade profile in which the spine is cut or curved down towards the point.
• Fuller: Long groove formed in a blade to reduce material and influence weight distribution.
• Spring Temper: Heat treatment intended to balance hardness with resilience.
• Bluing: Controlled oxidation process that creates a dark protective finish on steel.
• Chape: Reinforced fitting at the lower end of a sheath.
• Sheath Throat: Reinforced fitting around the opening of a sheath.
• Belt Frog: Attachment used to suspend a sheath from a belt.
• Sal Wood: Dense hardwood used for durable handles and traditional wooden components.

Manufacturer & GPSR Information

Manufacturer:
GSM Outdoors, LLC
5250 Frye Road
Irving, TX 75061
United States

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Responsible Person in the EU:
Battle-Merchant Wacken GmbH & Co. KG
Gehrn 4
25596 Wacken
Germany