Description
Eighteen inches overall with thirteen of them blade. The God Fire is a display bowie that happens to be built like a working one.
| Overall length | 18 inches |
| Blade length | 13 inches |
| Handle length | 5 inches |
| Steel | 440C stainless steel |
| Handle | Stabilized Amboyna wood with High Polish Luxury Steel Guard bolster and beautiful spacers |
| Included | Hand-stitched leather sheath |
Owned by: collectors, mostly, and the occasional person who genuinely swings a big knife outdoors. Thirteen inches of blade on a five inch handle is a long way past what any camp task needs. It is a size chosen for presence, and the knife is honest about that.
Thirteen inches of blade on five of handle
That ratio is the whole story. Almost all of the mass sits forward of your hand, so the blade wants to keep moving once it is moving. For chopping that is exactly right, because the steel does the work and you only steer it. For anything needing control near the tip it is the wrong tool, and no amount of technique fixes a five inch handle on a thirteen inch blade. Our guide to knife blade shapes explains where a bowie profile earns its keep and where it does not.
440C, and why a large blade uses it
440C is a high-carbon stainless, with enough carbon to harden properly and enough chromium to resist rust without constant attention. On a blade this large that matters more than it would on a small one, because there is far more surface to look after and a knife this size tends to live on a wall rather than in a pocket where it would be handled and dried every day. We go through the alloy in detail in our 440C steel guide. No hardness figure appears anywhere on this knife’s spec sheet, and inventing one would help nobody.
Amboyna, guard and spacers
Amboyna is burl cut from the narra tree, and stabilized it is among the most figured handle materials available anywhere, running deep red to orange with a swirled eye pattern that no two blocks share. It is paired here with a high polish steel guard bolster and spacers, and the spacers are worth understanding. They are thin layers stacked between the guard and the wood, and they exist because they are difficult. Getting a stack to sit flush with no visible gap is a test of fitting, which is exactly why makers use them.
Care: the leather sheath is the thing most owners neglect. Leather holds moisture against steel, so do not store the blade inside it long term and never put it away damp. 440C forgives a great deal but it is not immune, and a blade left in a wet sheath will pit. The stabilized amboyna is sealed through its structure and needs nothing done to it. The polished guard will take fingerprints, and a dry cloth deals with those.
FAQs
Is this a user or a display piece? Both are defensible. It is full sized, sharp and built to be swung, and most of the ones we sell end up in cabinets.
What if thirteen inches is too much? It usually is. The nine inch stag and turquoise Damascus bowie is a far more usable size, and it will do everything outdoors that this one will do with less arm behind it.
Does 440C need oiling? Far less than a carbon blade, though a film on a long blade that lives in a sheath is still cheap insurance.
Model: BMK-839
Eric Bennett –
This knife looks even better in person than in the listing photos. Proud to support American made goods out of Memphis with this purchase.
Roger Myers –
Wasn’t sure what to expect but this knife nailed it. Exactly the kind of quality that keeps me coming back.
Dustin Lee –
This store clearly knows what they’re doing with quality like this. Leather sheath is thick and well stitched. Not the cheap stuff you usually get. Every piece of the fit and finish looks hand checked before it shipped. Would send this as a gift again in a heartbeat.
Donald Hunt –
Bought this on a whim and it turned out to be one of my favorite purchases in a while. Handle feels amazing and the balance is perfect. Handle has a great grip even with wet or gloved hands. Highly recommend this one.
Tyler Reed –
Feels way more premium than the price suggests. Edge retention has been great even after regular use in the field. Took it out camping right away and it handled everything I threw at it. Can’t wait to see what else this store has to offer.
Nancy Marsh –
Perfect gift. Perfect quality. No complaints. Love that this comes out of Memphis and still ships worldwide this quickly. Edge retention has been great even after regular use in the field. This will not be my last order from this shop.
Luis Johnson –
Honestly one of my better purchases in a while. Even the small details in the damascus pattern are crisp and clean. Sheath snaps shut securely and doesn’t feel flimsy at all. Came in a nice gift box which made it feel even more special. Zero complaints from me on this purchase.
Kenneth Ross –
This thing is a beast in the best way. Love that this comes out of Memphis and still ships worldwide this quickly.
Devin Rivera –
This knife has quickly become my favorite piece in the collection. Every piece of the fit and finish looks hand checked before it shipped. Blade holds a razor edge right out of the box. Already planning my next pickup from this store.
Marco Flores –
This knife is outstanding. No question about it. Took it out camping right away and it handled everything I threw at it. Would not hesitate to order again.
Ronald Anderson –
Kept picking this knife up just to admire it after it arrived.