{"product_id":"juan-padillo-d2-bowie-knife-camel-bone-handle","title":"Juan Padillo D2 Bowie Knife Camel Bone Handle","description":"\u003cp bis_size='{\"x\":12,\"y\":9,\"w\":560,\"h\":117,\"abs_x\":428,\"abs_y\":246}'\u003e\u003cem bis_size='{\"x\":12,\"y\":9,\"w\":0,\"h\":18,\"abs_x\":428,\"abs_y\":246}'\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e I've been making knives by hand since 2001, and the Juan Padillo is one I keep coming back to. This is the D2 version of it. Same Bowie I forge in Damascus, but built in D2 tool steel with a camel bone handle, a black steel guard, and a black leather sheath. Some people call this pattern \u003cstrong bis_size='{\"x\":157,\"y\":68,\"w\":106,\"h\":18,\"abs_x\":573,\"abs_y\":305}'\u003ea \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.stagsteelknives.com\/blogs\/blog-posts\/what-is-a-bowie-knife-history-design-uses\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Whats is bowie Knife Guide\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eSpanish Bowie\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e. Call it whatever you like, it's a big, honest working knife. Let me tell you what you're actually holding, because the photos only get you halfway there.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 bis_size='{\"x\":12,\"y\":200,\"w\":560,\"h\":29,\"abs_x\":428,\"abs_y\":437}'\u003eThe D2 blade\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp bis_size='{\"x\":12,\"y\":239,\"w\":560,\"h\":117,\"abs_x\":428,\"abs_y\":476}'\u003eThe blade is 10 inches of D2. I went with D2 on this one for a reason. It's a high-carbon, high-chromium tool steel, and it holds an edge a long time. If you've ever owned a knife that goes dull after one afternoon of real work, you know why that matters. D2 doesn't do that. It takes a keen edge and it keeps it through hard use, which is exactly what you want from a Bowie this size. It's also wear-resistant, so the edge survives the kind of cutting that chews up softer steels.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 bis_size='{\"x\":12,\"y\":373,\"w\":560,\"h\":29,\"abs_x\":428,\"abs_y\":610}'\u003eWill it rust?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp bis_size='{\"x\":12,\"y\":413,\"w\":560,\"h\":78,\"abs_x\":428,\"abs_y\":650}'\u003ePeople always ask me if D2 rusts. Here's the honest answer: D2 is semi-stainless. It's got enough chromium to shrug off rust far better than a plain carbon blade, but it's not fully stainless, so it's not maintenance-free. Wipe it down after you use it and put \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.stagsteelknives.com\/blogs\/blog-posts\/how-to-care-for-a-damascus-knife\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Damascus Steel Care Guide\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003e\u003cstrong bis_size='{\"x\":12,\"y\":452,\"w\":545,\"h\":38,\"abs_x\":428,\"abs_y\":689}'\u003ea light coat of oil\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e on it now and then, and it'll stay clean for years. That's it. No fuss.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 bis_size='{\"x\":12,\"y\":564,\"w\":560,\"h\":29,\"abs_x\":428,\"abs_y\":801}'\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch2 bis_size='{\"x\":12,\"y\":564,\"w\":560,\"h\":29,\"abs_x\":428,\"abs_y\":801}'\u003eBuilt heavy, built full tang\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp bis_size='{\"x\":12,\"y\":604,\"w\":560,\"h\":98,\"abs_x\":428,\"abs_y\":841}'\u003eThe blade runs 5 to 6 millimeters thick at the spine. That's heavy stock, and you feel it in the hand. This isn't a thin little camp knife. It's a full-size Bowie at 15.25 inches overall with a 5.25 inch handle, and it has real presence and weight. The clip-point shape gives you a fine tip for detail work and a long curved belly for slicing, which is the whole reason the Bowie became the knife it is. I file the spine by hand, and you can see the work in it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp bis_size='{\"x\":12,\"y\":718,\"w\":560,\"h\":98,\"abs_x\":428,\"abs_y\":955}'\u003eIt's full tang, and I won't sell a working Bowie any other way. That means the steel runs the entire length of the handle in one solid piece. There's no thin little stub hidden inside the grip waiting to snap when you put real force into it. Full tang is what gives the knife its balance and its backbone. You can baton it, you can pry a little, you can lean on it, and it holds together.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 bis_size='{\"x\":12,\"y\":832,\"w\":560,\"h\":29,\"abs_x\":428,\"abs_y\":1069}'\u003eThe heat treatment\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp bis_size='{\"x\":12,\"y\":872,\"w\":560,\"h\":78,\"abs_x\":428,\"abs_y\":1109}'\u003eThe heat treatment is differential. I harden the edge to 59 to 61 HRC so it stays sharp, and I leave the spine a touch softer. On a blade this long that's important, because a softer spine lets the knife flex and take a knock instead of going brittle and cracking on you. A hard edge with a tough back is the old way of doing it, and it's still the right way.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 bis_size='{\"x\":12,\"y\":967,\"w\":560,\"h\":29,\"abs_x\":428,\"abs_y\":1204}'\u003eCamel bone handle and black guard\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp bis_size='{\"x\":12,\"y\":1006,\"w\":560,\"h\":78,\"abs_x\":428,\"abs_y\":1243}'\u003eThe handle is camel bone. It's a dense, hard-wearing natural material with a warm grain that I like a lot, and because it's natural, no two handles come out exactly the same. The one you get is yours. It grips well in the hand, wet or dry, and it ages nicely. The guard is black steel, which sets the whole thing off and keeps your hand where it belongs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 bis_size='{\"x\":12,\"y\":1101,\"w\":560,\"h\":29,\"abs_x\":428,\"abs_y\":1338}'\u003eThe sheath\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp bis_size='{\"x\":12,\"y\":1141,\"w\":560,\"h\":58,\"abs_x\":428,\"abs_y\":1378}'\u003eEvery knife ships with a black cowhide leather sheath that I stitch by hand. It's got a snap strap to hold the knife in and a tooled border, and it's made to ride on a belt and actually protect the blade, not just look good in a photo.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 bis_size='{\"x\":12,\"y\":1216,\"w\":560,\"h\":29,\"abs_x\":428,\"abs_y\":1453}'\u003eWho this knife is for\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp bis_size='{\"x\":12,\"y\":1256,\"w\":560,\"h\":137,\"abs_x\":428,\"abs_y\":1493}'\u003eSo who's this for? Hunters, mostly, and collectors who want something they can also use. It'll handle field dressing, camp chores, heavy cutting, the lot. It's a \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.stagsteelknives.com\/collections\/bowie-knives\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Handmade Bowie Knives Collection\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003e\u003cstrong bis_size='{\"x\":424,\"y\":1275,\"w\":133,\"h\":18,\"abs_x\":840,\"abs_y\":1512}'\u003ehunting Bowie knife\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e that earns its keep, and it's a handmade Bowie knife that looks like it belongs on a wall too. If you're trying to decide between this and \u003cstrong bis_size='{\"x\":305,\"y\":1314,\"w\":141,\"h\":18,\"abs_x\":721,\"abs_y\":1551}'\u003emy Damascus version\u003c\/strong\u003e, the short answer is: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.stagsteelknives.com\/blogs\/blog-posts\/damascus-vs-d2-steel\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"D2 Steel Vs Damascus Steel\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003e\u003cstrong bis_size='{\"x\":12,\"y\":1334,\"w\":535,\"h\":18,\"abs_x\":428,\"abs_y\":1571}'\u003eD2 is the tougher, lower-maintenance, better-value working blade, and Damascus\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e is the one you buy for the pattern and the look. Neither is wrong. It comes down to what you want out of it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 bis_size='{\"x\":12,\"y\":1547,\"w\":560,\"h\":29,\"abs_x\":428,\"abs_y\":1784}'\u003eHandmade, not factory\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp bis_size='{\"x\":12,\"y\":1587,\"w\":560,\"h\":98,\"abs_x\":428,\"abs_y\":1824}'\u003eA word on what makes this different from the cheap D2 Bowies you'll find online. Those are stamped out by the hundred, all identical, ground by machine. Mine are forged, ground, heat-treated and finished by hand, one at a time, here in Canada. The hand-filed spine, the fitted camel bone, the way the guard sits, that's all handwork. A factory can't give you a one-of-a-kind knife, and that's the whole point of buying from a maker.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 bis_size='{\"x\":12,\"y\":1701,\"w\":560,\"h\":29,\"abs_x\":428,\"abs_y\":1938}'\u003eA knife worth gifting\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp bis_size='{\"x\":12,\"y\":1741,\"w\":560,\"h\":78,\"abs_x\":428,\"abs_y\":1978}'\u003eIt also makes a genuinely good gift. A full-size handmade D2 Bowie with a bone handle and a leather sheath is the kind of thing people keep for life and pass down. It shows up ready to give, in its sheath and a branded box. If you want it personalized, I do engraving and custom work, so just \u003ca href=\"%20https:\/\/www.stagsteelknives.com\/pages\/contact-us\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Contact Us\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003e\u003cstrong bis_size='{\"x\":169,\"y\":1800,\"w\":79,\"h\":18,\"abs_x\":585,\"abs_y\":2037}'\u003eget in touch\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e before you order.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp bis_size='{\"x\":12,\"y\":1872,\"w\":560,\"h\":58,\"abs_x\":428,\"abs_y\":2109}'\u003eThat's the knife. It's built to be carried and used, not babied. If you've got questions about the steel, the handle, or anything else, ask me. I'd rather you buy the right knife than the wrong one.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 bis_size='{\"x\":12,\"y\":1947,\"w\":560,\"h\":29,\"abs_x\":428,\"abs_y\":2184}'\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul bis_size='{\"x\":12,\"y\":1990,\"w\":560,\"h\":235,\"abs_x\":428,\"abs_y\":2227}'\u003e\n\u003cli bis_size='{\"x\":52,\"y\":1990,\"w\":520,\"h\":19,\"abs_x\":468,\"abs_y\":2227}'\u003eOverall length: 15.25 in\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli bis_size='{\"x\":52,\"y\":2010,\"w\":520,\"h\":19,\"abs_x\":468,\"abs_y\":2247}'\u003eBlade length: 10 in\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli bis_size='{\"x\":52,\"y\":2029,\"w\":520,\"h\":19,\"abs_x\":468,\"abs_y\":2266}'\u003eHandle length: 5.25 in\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli bis_size='{\"x\":52,\"y\":2049,\"w\":520,\"h\":19,\"abs_x\":468,\"abs_y\":2286}'\u003eBlade steel: D2 tool steel\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli bis_size='{\"x\":52,\"y\":2068,\"w\":520,\"h\":19,\"abs_x\":468,\"abs_y\":2305}'\u003eHardness: 59–61 HRC (differential)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli bis_size='{\"x\":52,\"y\":2088,\"w\":520,\"h\":19,\"abs_x\":468,\"abs_y\":2325}'\u003eBlade thickness: 5–6 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli bis_size='{\"x\":52,\"y\":2108,\"w\":520,\"h\":19,\"abs_x\":468,\"abs_y\":2345}'\u003eBlade type: Fixed blade, clip point\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli bis_size='{\"x\":52,\"y\":2127,\"w\":520,\"h\":19,\"abs_x\":468,\"abs_y\":2364}'\u003eTang: Solid full tang\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli bis_size='{\"x\":52,\"y\":2147,\"w\":520,\"h\":19,\"abs_x\":468,\"abs_y\":2384}'\u003eHandle: Camel bone\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli bis_size='{\"x\":52,\"y\":2166,\"w\":520,\"h\":19,\"abs_x\":468,\"abs_y\":2403}'\u003eGuard: Black steel\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli bis_size='{\"x\":52,\"y\":2186,\"w\":520,\"h\":19,\"abs_x\":468,\"abs_y\":2423}'\u003eSpine: Hand filework\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli bis_size='{\"x\":52,\"y\":2206,\"w\":520,\"h\":19,\"abs_x\":468,\"abs_y\":2443}'\u003eSheath: Black cowhide leather, included\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e\n{\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n  \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\n  \"mainEntity\": [\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"Who makes the Juan Padillo D2 Bowie?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"It is a team effort at Stag Steel Knives, forged and finished by hand in our Canadian workshop. We have been making knives since 2001, and nothing here comes off a production line.\"\n      }\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"Is D2 a good knife steel?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"Yes, especially for a hard-use knife like this. D2 is a high-carbon, high-chromium tool steel that holds an edge a long time and resists wear, which is why it is a popular choice for big working blades.\"\n      }\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"Is D2 steel stainless, and will it rust?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"D2 is semi-stainless. It resists rust better than plain carbon steel but it is not fully stainless, so a quick wipe and a light coat of oil after use keeps it clean.\"\n      }\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"What heat treatment does it have?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"A differential heat treatment. The edge is hardened to 59 to 61 HRC so it stays sharp, and the spine is left softer so a blade this long can flex and take a knock instead of cracking.\"\n      }\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"How do you sharpen a D2 steel knife?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"D2 is wear-resistant, so a diamond stone or a good whetstone works best. Take your time, keep a consistent angle, and it will come back to a keen edge.\"\n      }\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"How big is this bowie knife?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"The blade is 10 inches and the handle is 5.25 inches, about 15.25 inches overall, with a heavy 5 to 6 mm blade. It is a true large, full-size bowie.\"\n      }\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"What is the handle made from?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"Camel bone, a dense natural material with a warm grain that grips well and wears hard. The guard is black steel. Because bone is natural, no two handles are exactly alike.\"\n      }\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"Does it come with a sheath?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"Yes, a black hand-stitched cowhide leather sheath with a snap strap and a tooled border, made to carry the knife safely and ride on a belt.\"\n      }\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"What makes this a handmade bowie and not a factory one?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"Every one is forged, ground, heat-treated and finished by hand, one at a time, with a hand-filed spine and a natural camel bone handle. No two are identical, which is something a mass-produced D2 bowie cannot offer.\"\n      }\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"Is this large D2 bowie a good gift?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"It is. A full-size handmade D2 bowie is a solid gift for hunters, collectors, or anyone who wants a tough working knife, and it shows up ready to give in its sheath and branded box. We also offer engraving on request.\"\n      }\n    }\n  ]\n}\n\u003c\/script\u003e","brand":"Stag Steel Knives","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46906237747388,"sku":"SK-023-02","price":350.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/4621\/4332\/files\/juan-padillo-d2-bowie-knife-camel-bone-handle..jpg?v=1780773899","url":"https:\/\/www.stagsteelknives.com\/products\/juan-padillo-d2-bowie-knife-camel-bone-handle","provider":"Stag Steel Knives","version":"1.0","type":"link"}