Bowen Knife Co. ~ 105/109 ~ Vintage Belt Buckle Knife w/Belt ~ RARE !
$279.99
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Bowen Knife Co. ~ 105/109 ~ Vintage Belt Buckle Knife w/Belt ~ RARE !
The Bowen Knife Co. Atlanta, GA. belt knife is a unique, highly concealable, American-made, fixed-blade knife designed to function as a belt buckle when secured in its specially designed,, leather, sheath belt. Originating in the 1970s, it typically features a single-piece, integral stainless steel construction, with a 2 1/2" drop-point blade blade, perfect for EDC,, self-defense, or utility.
Bowen Knife Co. 105/109 is a vintage belt buckle knife designed to be both a functional buckle and a concealed utility blade. Manufactured by the Bowen Knife Company, which was based in Blackshear, Georgia (originally starting in 1973), these knives are no longer in active production and are now considered highly collectible.
Historical Context
The Bowen Knife Company was started in Blackshear, Georgia in 1973. A popular legend in the knife community suggests that the entertainer Billy Joel wanted a knife he could safely carry on stage and contacted designer Blackie Collins, who then sold the design to Bowen.
It is from a collection of belt buckles owned by Col. Alan L. Laubscher.
Col. Alan L. Laubscher
- Military Service: He received his commission as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1958 after graduating from Stanford University with an engineering degree.
- Command Roles: As a Lieutenant Colonel, he commanded the 237th Combat Engineer Battalion in Germany. He later served as the District Engineer for the Galveston District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
- Decorations: His awards included the Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster and the Bronze Star.
- Personal Life: Originally from California, he spent his retirement in Mechanicsburg, PA. He passed away on November 9, 2015, at the age of 80.
Design and Functionality
The Model 105/109 belongs to a series of knives that were often referred to as "peg-style" because of how they attached to the belt.
- Concealment: The knife slides into a custom-made leather belt with a hidden sheath. When sheathed, the handle of the knife serves as a functioning belt buckle, making the blade completely unnoticeable to observers.
- Ease of Use: Users can draw the knife or re-sheath it in seconds. The handle typically features a three-fingered purchase, allowing the pinky to remain out of the way for controlled cutting.
Specifications
- Blade Length: Approximately 2.5 inches.
- Overall Length: Ranges from 5.375 to 6 inches.
- Blade Material: High-quality 440C stainless steel was frequently used for vintage models, known for its edge retention and corrosion resistance.
- Blade Style: Features a drop point blade.
- Construction: Many models use integral construction, meaning the blade and buckle/handle are formed from a single piece of steel.
- Weight: The knife alone weighs approximately 1.8 to 2.5 oz, though combined with the belt, the package is heavier.
- Never used or worn
- Comes with original black , size 34 belt
- Engraved initials : A L
- Original Bowen box
- Very rare
- Condition is mint
