Bowie Knife?

[DangerousThing]

I remember seeing a GURPS definition of a bowie knife (2 sizes actually).

Does anybody know which book they are in? I've checked through my pdf's and can't find it.

[Alden Loveshade]

You might want to remove this post from Play by Post and put it in the GURPS Forum at https://forums.sjgames.com/forumdisplay.php?f=13

[Icelander]

Originally Posted by Alden Loveshade

You might want to remove this post from Play by Post and put it in the GURPS Forum at https://forums.sjgames.com/forumdisplay.php?f=13

Technically, I think only mods can move a thread.

Regardless, Bowie knives can come in any size from Large Knife through Long Knife up to what would be a Shortsword, depending on their length and weight.

[Alden Loveshade]

Originally Posted by Icelander

Technically, I think only mods can move a thread.

I think you're right. That's why I suggested:

Originally Posted by Alden Loveshade

You might want to remove this post from Play by Post and put it in the GURPS Forum at https://forums.sjgames.com/forumdisplay.php?f=13

But now that you've made a comment, to avoid losing that I'll let the mods know!

[brandonm]

I have moved this thread from Play by Post! Hopefully it'll get the right eyes here instead of there.

[Icelander]

Originally Posted by DangerousThing

I remember seeing a GURPS definition of a bowie knife (2 sizes actually).

Does anybody know which book they are in? I've checked through my pdf's and can't find it.

Bowie Knives are simply one possible regional variation for a Large Knife, Long Knife or Shortsword, depending on the length, weight and balance of the specific knife. You can find all of the above in GURPS Low-Tech.

[malloyd]

Originally Posted by DangerousThing

I remember seeing a GURPS definition of a bowie knife (2 sizes actually).

Old West (for 3e) had a stat line. For 4e High mentions it under survival knife p.197, Martial Arts calls it either a larger or long knife depending on size.

But it's just a particular shape of knife blade. Knife geeks will argue endlessly about the advantages or disadvantages of any particular blade shape, but at the resolution of GURPS weapons skills and tables, there isn't very much difference. Some big ones might use the long knife, machete or shortsword statistics instead, but that's about it. Of course the assorted legends about it make it a prime candidate for an Ethnic Cool Weapon (Fantasy Tech p.10). In the right setting, using the statistics there for the Gurkha Kukri might be perfectly reasonable.

[Polydamas]

Originally Posted by malloyd

Old West (for 3e) had a stat line. For 4e High mentions it under survival knife p.197, Martial Arts calls it either a larger or long knife depending on size.

But it's just a particular shape of knife blade. Knife geeks will argue endlessly about the advantages or disadvantages of any particular blade shape, but at the resolution of GURPS weapons skills and tables, there isn't very much difference. Some big ones might use the long knife, machete or shortsword statistics instead, but that's about it. Of course the assorted legends about it make it a prime candidate for an Ethnic Cool Weapon (Fantasy Tech p.10). In the right setting, using the statistics there for the Gurkha Kukri might be perfectly reasonable.

It doesn't help that one of Jim Bowie's friends told a newspaper that Jim's original knife was what we would call a chef's knife like we have in a knife block and the clipped points and other features were later refinements.

[Dalillama]

Originally Posted by Polydamas

It doesn't help that one of Jim Bowie's friends told a newspaper that Jim's original knife was what we would call a chef's knife like we have in a knife block and the clipped points and other features were later refinements.

It's usually characterized as like a butcher knife, which isn't quite the same thing, but knives basically identical to it have been used as hunting/general utility knives basically everywhere there's worked iron. I understand that the clip point and false edge now considered standard for Bowie knives offers some advantages in terms of skinning or preparing game, and was less common historically for reasons of blade quality or knifemaking technology, but again I am not an expert.

[Alden Loveshade]

Originally Posted by brandonm

I have moved this thread from Play by Post! Hopefully it'll get the right eyes here instead of there.

Thanks, oh Digital Wizard!