As I have traveled and taught seminars on the Bowie knife across the country, many people have asked about the practicalities of carrying such a large weapon. Some have felt that it was impossible or impractical to do. While I do not advise anyone to carry any weapon (that is a personal decision), I can say that it is certainly possible to do so.

One answer to this problem is to find a sheath maker who understands the big knife and how a proper carry system can make it possible for even a small woman to conceal a large knife. One leading expert in this field is Mike Sastre of River City Sheaths. His rigs can make even a large Hell's Belle or Southern Comfort Bowie disappear under a T-shirt and shorts, as improbable as that might sound. If you carry any kind of blade, then check out Mike Sastre's work - you'll be glad you did!

Another answer to the problem of carrying a Bowie knife is simply to look beyond the rigid definition of the weapon, and seek other objects which may be used to accomplish the same goals. Remember, the True Art is conceptual and not limited to the weapon. There are many objects in the environment that can act as a substitute Bowie in the hands of a skilled warrior, some obvious and some less so. Here we will describe a simple Bowie knife "stand in" that could serve in a pinch perhaps for today's worried air traveler.

To create our "Faux-Bowie" we will use simple, invisible items. In a time when people are on such an alert, there is no reason to cause yourself problems by the carry of an illegal weapon, such as when traveling by air. The guard at the gate doesn't know you from Adam, and just because you know you're a "good guy" he has no reason to believe you are anything other than a dangerous nut! People who tempt fate by sneaking along weapons are only asking for trouble, and I do not mean at the hands of terrorists.

The two things you will need to have are a magazine of some kind (preferably one with a square spine, not a folded and stapled spine) and a few dollars in quarters. On a plane, they give you 2 suitable magazines in your seat-pocket (you know, that "Award-winning Attaché magazine") so if you forgot your own, you are still in luck. The one thing I would recommend for you who bring your own is not to bring along a military, gun, or martial arts magazine. If your carry-on is searched, you will have a lot less explaining to do with a copy of "Women's Sports and Fitness" or "Wired" than with the latest issue of "Combat Handguns", "Soldier of Fortune", or "Knives Illustrated."

Send the right message - to the general public, a pretty girl is a better "message" than violence!

Next, open the magazine to the middle, and lay a row of quarters along it. If the magazine is the stapled type, go over a page or two and the quarters will hold in place better. You can get away with as few as 4 quarters or as many as the magazine can hold. The more you add, the stronger overall the magazine becomes. If you load the whole length of the spine with quarters, you will be amazed at how strong it becomes (try and bend it!)

Experiment on your own with longer magazines. How could this be adapted to a newspaper?

Now, roll the magazine tightly from the spine (or "fold" as the case may be) and you are ready to go. You could tightly wrap a rubber band or hair-tie near either end for more strength, or tape it if you had time. This is a powerful thrusting weapon that can also be used for some impact applications. You will find that it is quite easy to break a pine board or two with a thrust from this simple tool. The end of the magazine can give a large oval shaped "paper-cut from Hell" so as always, use discretion in self defense. If force was unwarranted, it would be considered against you as a weapon.

Wrap the other arm for protection or grab a seat flotation cushion, and fight from there!
Wear a backpack "backwards" (i.e. on your chest) for an improvised body armor.

Though this is clearly not the kind of fight stopper that a large Bowie knife (top) or even a small folder (bottom) are, in expert hands this "paper knife" can be quite effective. Remember, you are not like a cartoon character hitting a bad guy on top of the head with it, which would be ineffective. The skills and strategies with the Bowie knife remain, just modified as need be for the tool.

One simple test I have for anyone who doubts the effectiveness of this tool, is simply to put on a fencing mask and spar with a pair of these. You will quickly learn that they just are bad news to be hit with, though clearly less deadly than a real Bowie knife. They will cut up exposed flesh and their weight and leverage enable them to pack a wallop on the edge which can break bones in the hand and cause a disarm; they are also quite "stout" on a thrust to any part of the body. These are "not a toy", and should be treated in a professional manner, with respect.