Schempp Bowie impressions

[dbcad]

I finally received my Schempp Bowie on Thursday :D It was well worth the hassle of returning the first one I purchased and returning it to CS (Hats off to CS for a quick refund on the knife and shipping cost).

I was a bit ambivalent about the knife initially because the lockbar was sticking a little bit, but over time and with a bit of handling it's smoothing out well. There were a few sharp edges out of the box but with handling these are also smoothing out. I decided to reprofile and take ownership. Nowadays putting my edge on a knife tells me I own it and take responsibility for it.

Center of balance is in the curve just aft of the bottom hilt protrusion.

The Schempp Bowie is a very good looking knife with the brass bolsters and CF grips. What is appealing to me most however is the way it feels and functions. The pivot action on this thing is superb, the smoothest I've ever experienced :D Opening one handed is ridiculously easily and effortless. The closed detent is not very strong but with this model it seems inconsequential. The stylistic "hilt" protrusions on the bolster work quite well. I can stay behind them, move forward of them and always feel I have the purchase to make the blade do what I want.

Some call the Schempp Bowie a "collectors model". This will not be the case for me. I plan to use and enjoy every little design nuance that went into it's making. Out of many models most of us can only choose a few to own and use. I'm quite glad this is one of those I chose.

The Bowie and Techno make a good pair :D :D :eek:

Charlie

[Joris Mo]

Nice! Definitely a blade I would also like to use.
(would also like the patina on the bolsters after awhile)

[gbelleh]

It does make a great user. I used sandpaper to soften the sharp edges on the handle, which made a big difference. The Schempp Bowie is one of my favorite carry knives, and the bolster patina is very cool to watch develop and change over time. Enjoy!

[farnorthdan]

The Shempp bowie is one of my favorite releases this year, truely a piece of knife art. I've carried mine some but not much. I wish I could make myself carry it enough to get that awesome patina like I've seen on some other members.

[dbcad]

I've been playing with the Bowie and using it for anything I need a knife for all day. It keeps getting nicer the more I use it :D :D

It helps that I've enhanced the edge a bit, that helps it cut easier. I'm a firm believer in minimal force cutting
But the smoothness of the pivot action Just won't quit :eek: I put my thumb in the hole, overcome the close detent, and the knife flies open :eek:

I haven't encountered a Spyderco with as smooth an action before :D

Patina on the brass bolsters is not a concern to me. My primary concerns are edge and function, both of those seem to be working pretty well with the Bowie right now. I'll let time and natural processes do what they will. The knife will be out and used.

I'll leave with a shishkabob pic. A trivial task for the knife but quite fun in the making :D :eek:

Charlie

[ohcyclist]

Mine has earned a place in the regular rotation. Smooth, thin, well made, and cuts very well given the blade stock that was chosen. A personal favorite.

[spydieh0le]

I absolutely love mine! Epic Shempp design!

[swigert]

I also really enjoy mine.

[3rdGenRigger]

I absolutely love mine. It's not a hard use knife (It could probably handle it, but I have other folders more suitable for use at work), and as such it sees most use from me as a large gentlemans folder and it handles said tasks superbly. I'm a country boy and my knives see use outside of my construction job...not as vigorous as at work, but they definitely still see more work than most pocket knives. The Schempp Bowie is a great and underrated knife (The Chokwe also comes to mind in this regard).

[3rdGenRigger]

I absolutely love mine. It's not a hard use knife (It could probably handle it, but I have other folders more suitable for use at work), and as such it sees most use from me as a large gentlemans folder and it handles said tasks superbly. I'm a country boy and my knives see use outside of my construction job...not as vigorous as at work, but they definitely still see more work than most pocket knives. The Schempp Bowie is a great and underrated knife (The Chokwe also comes to mind in this regard).

[Mad Mac]

I'm so weak. You've made me order one.

Must stop. Must... stop. Must.......

[Mad Mac]

Received mine today. It is a fine looking knife, fills the hand and opens with almost no effort. However, the liner lock is not as easy to release as the one on my Tenacious, the only other liner lock Spydie I own. There is such a small area to engage with the thumb, I've resorted to using my thumbnail. But don't get me wrong, I'm a happy camper and proud to be an owner of a Schempp Bowie.

[gbelleh]

Yeah, the Bowie's lock cutout is quite small, but the Schempp Navaja had no lock cutout at all, so compared to that, the Bowie's lock actually seems pretty accessible to me. After a couple days of use, it should get easier.

The Bowie has become probably my favorite Schempp design yet.

[JD Spydo]

Just from studying a picture I have of it here on my desk I've noticed that the blade angle is similar to that of the C-60 Ayoob model>> now the AYOOB is even more slanted than the Schempp Bowie. However the Schempp Bowie still looks very ergonomically capable of many cutting chores and looks to be a great utility knife.

I'm not a huge Ed Schempp fan per se but the designs he has that I do indeed like I tend to like those a lot>> the older Persian design is one that comes to mind. This is definitely a knife with function designed right into it>> I got a feeling that this knife will sell well and gain a lot of fans in a short time.

[Ed Schempp]

I'm enjoying carrying mine, slim in the pocket with deep carry, one of my most secure carry designs. The knife operates easily and is very useful for my tasks.
Thanks for the comments...Take care...Ed

[Mad Mac]

Yesterday, got my money's worth out of the Schempp Bowie.

An acquaintance was having lunch with his wife and 12-year old son at our local eatery. The boy had a sheath knife and I ribbed him about packing such a big knife. Later, I remembered that I had my Bowie in my pocket that day and asked his father if I could show his son a knife.

When I eased it out and clicked it open, that kid lit up like Christmas morning. He turned it to and fro as I told him about Spyderco and knife designer Ed Schempp. When I left ten minutes later he was still smiling.

Remember when you were 12 and saw something, maybe it was a motorcycle or car, and resolved that one day you would have one. Another Spyderco enthusiast is born.

Below is some Schempp porn for your viewing enjoyment. Some of the pictures may have been posted elsewhere on this forum but are included again here. You have to admit that this Bowie is photogenic.

[tvenuto]

If I might say so, I think the second to last one (is that a tire its on?) is a shoo in for the calendar contest. Very nice photos.

[Mad Mac]

If I might say so, I think the second to last one (is that a tire its on?) is a shoo in for the calendar contest. Very nice photos.

Yes, that is a tractor tire. Thank you.

[bengaiser]

Just ordered one of these beauties today and I can't wait to get it. Especially after all the talk about the smoothness. To date, the smoothest Spyderco I cary is the original Viele (PE, AUS-8) and I hope this one is as amazing. From the sound of things, it will be.

From looking at the pictures the brass with the CF looks really unique (not to mention the amount of belly that the blade has plus the deep cary clip).

[Mad Mac]

Somehow, it's a shame to have the beautiful brass bolster hidden in the pocket. I understand the idea behind a stealthy, deep carry clip, but if it had a point down high carry clip it would showcase the bolster for those so inclined. A high carry clip, point down also makes it easier to draw and open a knife.

"Excuse me sir, but if you don't mind me asking, what knife is that?"

(Click.)

"Wow! It's a beauty. I've got to get me one of those."