I’ve seen several ads recently in shooting and sporting magazines, showcasing Stauer watches, walking sticks and knives. The Stauer Cherokee Stone Works River Canyon Bowie Knife caught my eye. And Stauer’s marketing of the River Canyon practically dares you to become a wilderness man just by owning it.

Here’s a taste of the pitch:

When it’s you against nature, there’s only one tool you need: the stainless steel River Canyon Bowie Knife. When you feel the heft of the knife in your hand, you know that you’re ready for whatever nature throws at you.

That beats the Boy Scout motto for sure, but is the knife really as trail-ready as it implies?

Short answer: Sort of.

River Canyon Bowie Knife First Impressions

If you’re looking to buy a knife for a collector’s shelf, it’s a great option. If you’re planning to strap it on your hip for a weekend in the woods, there are a few conditions.

The River Canyon is an extremely attractive knife. With a beautifully finished handle of horn, bone and wood — spaced with gleaming brass and polished to perfection — it’s the kind of piece that would turn heads on a mountain man’s belt in the 1800s.

However, let’s be clear about what the River Canyon is not.

  • It is not made by Cherokee craftsman. This bowie knife is made in Pakistan, though it isn’t marked on the blade. The quality and finish appear reasonably high. From what I can find online, it is made in connection with Frost Cutlery.
  • It is not a traditional Bowie knife. It lacks the indented false edge curve on the front end of the blade.
  • It is not shipped “shaving sharp” as the ad states, but is up to hiking and camping chores, featuring a large finger choil for better control.
  • The blade is taller from top to bottom than I prefer, but you can always bring a smaller folding knife to the great outdoors for more delicate cutting chores.

River Canyon Bowie Specifications

I purchased my River Canyon Bowie directly from Stauer at full price, seeing it advertised at $49. Once shipping and handling were added, the knife cost more than $70. Ordering from the ad also meant I did not see the specs ahead of time but did find the official specs online.

Blade: 4 ½ inches stainless steel (unknown type)
Total length: 9 inches
Construction: Full tang for extra strength
Grip: Brass guards, spacers and pins
Handle: Genuine wood and bone
Sheath: Genuine leather/made in Pakistan/hand embossed/brass retention strap
Price: Currently listed as $99 online

I did not have a scale available during testing to report on the weight of this sturdy knife.

Field Testing Stauer’s Bowie Knife

I took the River Canyon Bowie on my family’s annual vacation in Northern Michigan. It doesn’t usually get more rugged than a couple of campfires. However, the Cherokee Stone Works River Canyon Bowie Knife handled basic camp chores without issue. Since I’m not a hunter or fisherman, it never saw real skinning or filleting duty.

One major flaw I found during testing was the sheath. While is made of decent leather and holds the blade securely, the design did not account for carrying. The belt loop, on the back of the sheath, is very narrow at just 1 ½ inch wide. Worn with a standard belt, the knife hangs loosely and tilts forward and backward with every step.

Sold as is, the River Canyon knife is unusable on the trail or for any other form of carry. Reholstering in a sheath that flops around risks an injury. If you intend to carry the bowie knife, you will need to have a custom holster made.

However, if you are purchasing this knife as a display piece for a cabinet, case or shelf, the included sheath will work out fine. I would also recommend shopping around online. I found the River Canyon Bowie knife available new on eBay for $28.99.

The Cherokee Stone Works River Canyon Bowie knife is a beautiful, sturdy blade if you know its limits. Without a sheath upgrade, it is not ready for rugged outdoor carry. Fortunately, I have a buddy who is a world-class sheath maker. For collectors, it can be a stylish addition to the shelf.

Stauer: Stauer.com