Marking the transition between two chapters in BlackJack’s history, this impressive Shining Mountains Bowie is an American piece that has become particularly hard to come by, especially in such near-new condition.

Its spectacular 25.5 cm Bowie blade bears the marking ‘Shining Mountains – Bowie – BlackJack – 52-100 Carbon Steel’, whilst the reverse side is signed ‘Edge Design – St. Louis, MO, U.S.A.’. This combination suggests it was produced in the late 1990s or early 2000s, following the demise of the historic Effingham-based BlackJack in 1997. Edge Design, a St. Louis-based cutlery company, states that its brand was first used commercially in June 1998.

With a total length of 42.0 cm and a weight of 630 gr, the Shining Mountains Bowie is certainly no half-measure. Its thick 5.0 mm blade features a large Bowie/clip-point profile with a back bevel and a long blood groove. The steel used is designated by BlackJack as 52-100 Carbon Steel, corresponding to 52100, a chromium carbon steel particularly prized for its ability to hold an excellent edge and its robustness.

The aesthetic is resolutely American. Two walnut scales cover the full tang and are secured by three imposing brass rivets. A wide guard, also made of brass, completes the design. The curved pommel contributes as much to the knife’s strong character as it does to its grip.

However, the main appeal of this specimen lies in its condition. The knife has never been used and its original cutting edge has never been resharpened. Despite its age and the carbon nature of its steel, the blade shows only a few minor superficial traces of oxidation or discolouration, with no significant corrosion. We therefore rate the knife’s condition at 9.5/10.

The original brown leather sheath has shown more signs of ageing. It has a pronounced patina and various superficial marks which contrast with the knife’s remarkable condition. We have naturally chosen to preserve the set as it is rather than attempting to artificially restore it to a ‘like-new’ appearance.

Technical specifications for the BlackJack Shining Mountains Bowie 52-100 Carbon Steel Edge Design USA fixed-blade knife:

Brand: BlackJack Knives
Model: Shining Mountains Bowie
Design / manufacture: Edge Design
Estimated period of manufacture: late 1990s / early 2000s
Origin: St. Louis, Missouri, USA
Type: large Bowie knife / collector’s knife
Total length of the knife: 42.0 cm
Blade length: 25.5 cm
Edge length: 22.3 cm
Handle length: 16.5 cm
Blade thickness: 5.0 mm
Blade steel: 52-100 Carbon Steel (52100)
Blade profile: Bowie / clip point
Back cut: present
Blood groove: longitudinal
Blade finish: satin
Construction: full tang
Handle: walnut
Handle fastening: three brass rivets
Guard: brass
Lanyard hole: yes
Blade marking: Shining Mountains – Bowie – BlackJack – 52-100 Carbon Steel
Marking on the opposite side: Edge Design – St. Louis, MO, U.S.A.
Knife weight: 630 gr
Sheath: original brown leather
Condition of the knife: 9.5/10
Use: never used
Sharpening: original cutting edge, never resharpened
Condition details: a few slight superficial traces of oxidation/discolouration
Condition of the sheath: worn and weathered

Tellknives’ review

We really like this one.

The Shining Mountains Bowie has, first and foremost, everything you’d expect from a great American BlackJack: outrageous proportions, a knife weighing 630 gr, a 5.0 mm-thick 52100 blade, walnut and brass. But its real appeal lies elsewhere.

The ‘Edge Design – St. Louis’ marking links it to a rather unusual period in BlackJack’s eventful history, following the Effingham era and now significantly less well-documented. The Shining Mountains Bowie, moreover, appears very rarely on the secondary market, which makes it a far more interesting piece than its relative obscurity in collectors’ guides might suggest.

Above all, this particular knife has survived more than two decades without ever being used or re-sharpened. For us, that is essential. On a large vintage carbon steel blade, a few tiny superficial oxidation marks are infinitely preferable to the traces of modern polishing intended to make them disappear. Here, the blade retains its original condition, finish and, above all, its original edge.

The sheath shows much more wear and tear from the years, but it’s still there. We also prefer this to a beautiful modern sheath that bears no relation to the knife’s history.

A large, unusual American Bowie knife – rare and remarkably well-preserved – now intended far more for the BlackJack collector than for someone simply looking for a 42 cm knife to take into the woods.