Searles Style Folding Bowie

Product Description for Searles Style Folding Bowie

Maker: Matt Diskin (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 3639
*** This is handmade and one-of-a-kind ***
Blade length: 3.75 in.
Total length: 8.00 in.
Blade height (at heel): 1.00 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.12 in.
Item weight: 3.75 oz.
Shipment weight: 3.76 oz.
Blade: Damascus steel
Bolster: Sculpted matching Damascus
Handle: Ebony with sterling silver pins and inlayed escutcheon
Style: Folding liner lock
Description: The Searles Bowie is one of the classic early Bowies. Daniel Searles, a cutler from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, made the original Searles/Fowler Bowie, which is now on display in the Alamo. It is one of the finest examples of an early Bowie in existence. Daniel Searles appears to have been Rezin Bowie's favored cutler. Although there are four presentation knives attributed to his shop, only two can be positively identified as a Searles knife. The Searles/Fowler knife (after which this one is modeled) was a gift to Captain Henry Walker Fowler a member of the United States Dragoons. Fowler owned the knife until his death in 1848. The Searles/Fowler knife is a straight back knife finished with silver and checked ebony handles. It has a 9-1/4" blade with a shape much like the Schively/Perkins. A small, almost non-existent cross-guard, if seen from a distance, could easily cause it to be mistaken for a butcher knife. A gold-plated insert on the back of the blade bears the inscription "Searles, Baton Rouge, La.."
Matt Diskin has done a modern recreation of this original master work -- with the special twist of making it a folding liner lock. The blade is very dramatic and has a timeless feel. The bold Damascus pattern immediately grabs attention. Front and rear bolsters are formed from matching Damascus. Matt was true in style and implementation on the handle, staying with ebony and checkering throughout. The handle has sterling silver pin detailing and an escutcheon.
The liners are formed from titanium and have been jewel polished on the interior. The back spacer is formed from matching Damascus and nicely finishes out the knife. Perfectly centered blade with silky smooth action.


Availability: Not currently available