KnifeAward

KNIFE Award 2022:
MYTH OF THE BOWIE KNIFE

Bowie Knife

The Bowie Knife has fascinated knife enthusiasts for almost two hundred years. Its myth is as strong today as it was in the 19^th century.

To participate in the KNIFE Award 2022 of Deutsches Klingenmuseum, we are asking knifemakers to send us their individual, handmade interpretations of the Bowie Knife.

The KNIFE Award of Deutsches Klingenmuseum (German Blade Museum) is awarded annually for an outstanding, handmade knife. It is endowed with a prize money of 2.000 EUR by Stiftung Freunde des Deutschen Klingenmuseums (Foundation Friends of Deutsches Klingenmuseum).

The award ceremony will be held at KNIFE, the Solingen Blade Fair.

Requirements:

Interpretation of a Bowie Knife.
Minimal blade length of 17 cm.
Clip point (concave or straight).
Single edged blade, the false edge may be sharpened (optional).
Mandatory quillon/hand guard.
Choice of materials and style (from traditional to modern) is open to the maker.
A sheath is optional, but may become decisive if a draw occurs.
All parts of the knife (including the optional sheath) have to be made by a single person. Cooperation works are not permitted. Pattern welded steel (Damascene), if used, must be self-made, not bought from third parties.
A short description of materials and complete contact details (including email address and phone number) has to be included.

Entries will be judged by a jury according to:

Craftsmanship
Design and Creativity
Handling

The jury consists of four members, representing Deutsches Klingenmuseum, Stiftung Freunde des Deutschen Klingenmuseums, the knifemaking community, and external experts.

Award ceremony:
The winner will be announced at KNIFE 2022, the Solingen Blade Fair, on 14 May 2022.

Price money:
2.000,- EUR, donated by Stiftung Freunde des Deutschen Klingenmuseums; in addition, a free exhibitor table at KNIFE 2023 (following year), if desired.

Presentation:
All entries will be exhibited at Deutsches Klingenmuseum from 03 to 14 May 2022, to be sent back to the makers afterwards.
Alternatively, the knives can be retrieved personally at KNIFE 2022.
The winning knife will be exhibited until the festival of St Martin, 11 November 2022, to be sent back afterwards.

To participate, please send your Bowie Knife to:
Deutsches Klingenmuseum Solingen
Dr Sixt Wetzler
Klosterhof 4
42653 Solingen
Germany

Deadline:
01 May 2022

Conditions:
Participation in the KNIFE Award is open to everyone. Participation in the blade fair KNIFE 2022, or membership in a knife makers’ association are no necessary requirements for participation.

Entries from non-EU countries:
Please inform yourself about customs conditions before sending your entry. Knives being withheld by German authorities for subsequent payment of customs duty cannot be guaranteed to enter the competition.

Further information:
Dr Sixt Wetzler (+49 212 25836-12 | s.wetzler@solingen.de)