March 24, 2016
I have been collecting knives for over 20 years, and I've made a personal hobby of hunting down the best prices possible on common and uncommon knives. After discovering the Timber Rattler brand, and being more than happy with the knives I've purchased, I have to admit that these large bowie knives are excellent for collecting and even better for actually carrying and using. Although I don't know the exact grade of stainless steel that is used to craft these impressive blades, I can tell you it's good stuff, it takes and holds an edge sharp enough to skin and field-dress a wild boar, and can chop down 3" thick trees like a hatchet. The handles are put together as tough as nails, and if want to add a brighter shine to the blade and other stainless steel parts, they can be polished like a mirror using ultra-fine sandpaper. Keep in mind when buying Timber Rattler bowie knives that they are largely crafted by hand and will show clear signs of handcrafting, such as tiny imperfections, but to anyone who truly appreciates a knife that was worked by hand, these tiny flaws are actually endearing. Too much perfection can ruin some things, and these big knives look good with a little roughness to them. They are made in Pakistan, so understand that someone has a job because outdoorsman and hunters want big knives at reasonable prices. Personally, I truly love my Timber Rattler bowies, with my favorite being the TR-71 set, which includes a smaller matching knife that is a great little blade all on its own. The leather sheaths are not fake, they are crafted from real leather and are all a little different, due to the pieces being worked by hand. I no longer pay shameful prices for my bowie knives, yet I get the same level of quality and performance. As for the stainless steel blades, I noted that I don't know what grade they are, but they perform exactly like my 1055 to 1060 carbon steel blades, which were far more expensive. I don't write reviews on products, but this time I just had to, because I am astounded at the overall quality that Timber Rattler can put into bowie knives that are nowhere near the $50 mark, I don't know how they do it, but I am a proud Timber Rattler user and collector. Each knife may vary, but to anyone who still appreciates the working man's budget and a great deal, then don't overlook Timber Rattler, and as a closing note, these knives look big in the pictures, but are even bigger in your hand. You will be shocked and impressed at the size of the blade when you take it out of the box; and you won't break it by hitting the woods and doing some primitive work. You will enjoy it.