Description
Thirteen inches of blade and just under two pounds in the hand. The King Snake is the largest bowie we build, and at this size a knife becomes a different object.
| Overall length | 18 inches |
| Blade length | 13 inches |
| Handle length | 5 inches |
| Steel | 440C stainless steel |
| Weight | 29.9 oz |
| Handle | King Snake Stabilized Amboyna Wood with High Polish Luxury Steel Guard bolster and beautiful spacers |
| Included | Hand-stitched leather sheath |
Built for: the wall, mostly, and for the few people who genuinely swing a big blade. At close to thirty ounces it sits nearer a short sword than a hunting knife, and deserves judging as one.
What thirteen inches actually buys
Reach and momentum. A blade this long carries enough mass past the guard to chop through green limbs that would stop a six-inch knife, and the long edge lets you use different sections for different jobs: belly for slicing, the straight run for scraping, the base for anything needing force. What it costs is control. You cannot do fine work with it or pack it discreetly, and an hour of clearing brush is real physical labor. A hatchet chops better; a small knife does detail better; this does both adequately and neither perfectly. Our blade shape guide shows where each profile wins.
Stabilized amboyna is the expensive option
Amboyna burl is prized for the swirl in its grain. Stabilizing it, which means forcing resin through the wood under vacuum, turns something soft and unpredictable into something that will not move with humidity or absorb sweat. On a knife this heavy that is practical as much as pretty, because a five-inch handle carrying two pounds of blade puts real force through the scales. It will not split the way untreated burl might. It also never develops the deep patina raw wood does, so a stabilized handle looks much the same in twenty years.
The guard and the spacers
Polished furniture at this size is not only decoration. A guard on a chopper is a safety device: a wet hand sliding forward onto that edge is precisely the accident it prevents. Expect the polish to mark. Fine scratches appear on the guard long before anything happens to the blade, because the guard meets the sheath mouth every time.
Care: 440C makes a blade this large far less demanding than carbon steel would be; hang it in a normal room and forget about it. Dry it if it gets wet, guard and spacers included, since polished surfaces spot first. The stabilized amboyna needs nothing at all: no oil, no wax, no conditioning, just a wipe. Sharpening is the real chore: work in sections rather than sweeping the whole edge in one pass, and see our whetstone method for keeping the angle honest across that distance.
FAQs
Is this a Damascus blade? No. The listing title carries wording from an older catalog. The spec table is correct: this is 440C stainless.
Can one person carry it comfortably on a belt? For the walk to the truck, yes. For a day on foot, no. Two pounds on one hip changes how you move.
What is the opposite of this knife? Two ounces on a cord around your neck. The Tsetse Fly neck knife weighs a fifteenth as much and handles most of what anyone cuts in a day.
Model: BMK-830
Samuel A. (verified owner) –
“I’m a cooking enthusiast, and these steel knives have elevated my culinary game. They’re precise, easy to handle, and make meal prep a pleasure.”
Olivia B. (verified owner) –
“The steel knives I purchased here are exceptional. They’re sharp, well-crafted, and have made a noticeable difference in my kitchen.”
Mia P. (verified owner) –
“These steel knives are worth every penny. They’re sharp, reliable, and have turned me into a better cook. I can’t imagine my kitchen without them.”
Daniel E. (verified owner) –
“I’m extremely satisfied with my purchase of these steel knives. They’re not just tools; they’re works of art. The craftsmanship and performance are remarkable.”
Mia P. (verified owner) –
“I received these steel knives as a gift, and they’ve quickly become the star of my kitchen. They’re sharp, stylish, and make cooking a joy.”
Betty Alvarez –
Can’t stop showing this off to everyone who comes over. Even the small details in the damascus pattern are crisp and clean. Already thinking about what to order next from this maker.
Katherine Rivera –
This is exactly what I wanted and then some. Handle feels amazing and the balance is perfect. Would not hesitate to order again.
John Hughes –
Knew this knife was special the second I opened the box. Sheath snaps shut securely and doesn’t feel flimsy at all. Edge retention has been great even after regular use in the field. Weight and balance make it feel like a real working knife not some cheap import. Definitely bookmarking this seller for future orders.
Henry Mitchell –
Ordered late at night on a whim and woke up glad I did. Love that this comes out of Memphis and still ships worldwide this quickly.
Donna Jones –
Got this for a birthday gift and now I want one for myself too. Handle has a great grip even with wet or gloved hands. Sheath snaps shut securely and doesn’t feel flimsy at all. Every piece of the fit and finish looks hand checked before it shipped. Already planning my next pickup from this seller.
Antoine Bryant –
Did not expect this level of quality for the price. Blade geometry makes it glide through cuts with barely any effort. This seller nailed it with this one.
Sandra Smith –
The moment I saw this in person I knew it was a keeper. Leather sheath is thick and well stitched. Not the cheap stuff you usually get. This shop clearly takes pride in their work.
Grace Carter –
Not going to lie. This exceeded my expectations by a lot. Can’t recommend this enough.
Kenneth Scott –
Ended up ordering a second one after how happy I was with the first. This has quickly replaced my old go to knife for field dressing. Highly recommend this one.
Matthew Kelly –
This knife punches way above its price point. Edge retention has been great even after regular use in the field. Would not hesitate to order again.
Nicole Reed –
Ordering again from this shop the second I finish writing this review. Leather sheath is thick and well stitched. Not the cheap stuff you usually get. Zero complaints from me on this purchase.
Kenneth Nelson –
Was nervous ordering something like this online but so glad I did. Pommel and guard are solid, no wobble anywhere on the knife. This is my new favorite in the collection.
Larry Fox –
This is one of those purchases that just makes you smile. Handle feels amazing and the balance is perfect. Already added a few more items from this company to my cart. Black Mamba Knives has earned a repeat customer with this one.