1917 Bolo Knife – Windlass Steelcrafts
In stock
$129.95
- Shipping estimated at checkout
- Every blade inspected before shipping
- 30-day returns
- Class
- Battle Ready
- Overall Length
- 15''
- Weight
- 1 lb 8.3 oz
- Brand
- Windlass Steelcrafts
- Culture
- American
- Era
- World Wars
Overview
1917 Bolo Knife - Windlass Steelcrafts
Originally issued as a utility knife to the US Army Hospital Corps during the Phillipine Insurrection to clear vegetation and chop bamboo into tent and litter poles, the Bolo knife was also a handy fighting blade. Made in larger numbers for WWI, the Bolo knife model 1917 was issued primarily to machine gun squads to aid in clearing debris for their gun nests. It would be replaced by the M-1942 Machete early in World War II.
This replica features a slightly sharpened heavy-duty carbon blade with a false edge. A fully integrated tang is sandwiched between a textured wooden grip. It comes with a well-fit wood core sheath, covered in canvas with a brass throat piece and hanger for a belt. Weighty, thick bladed and durable - a truly heavy-duty working blade.
Specifications
Every measurement that matters
- Brand
- Windlass Steelcrafts
- Culture
- American
- Era
- World Wars
- Pommel
- Integrated
- Overall Length
- 15''
- Blade Length
- 10 1/8''
- Weight
- 1 lb 8.3 oz
- Edge
- Slightly Sharp
- P.O.B.
- 1 5/8''
- Thickness
- 5.6 mm - 5.2 mm
- Width
- 34.9 mm
- Grip Length
- 4''
- Class
- Battle Ready
- Country of Origin
- India
- Type
- Bolo Knife
Reviews
What collectors are saying
Q&A
Questions from the community
Q How does the 1917 Bolo Knife handle and balance? Common Question
It has a forward-weighted, thick blade with a point of balance around 1 5/8'' from the guard, giving strong chopping power and stable control.
Q Is the blade sharpened from the factory? Common Question
The edge is slightly sharp with a false edge; users often refine it if they want a keener chopping edge.
Q What materials are used in the knife and scabbard? Common Question
Heavy-duty carbon steel blade, full integrated tang, textured wooden grip scales, and a wood-core sheath covered in canvas with brass throat and leather tip.
Q Is this suitable for reenactment, collection, or field use? Common Question
Yes—it's a battle-ready reproduction suited for WWI display and reenactment, and its robust build makes it practical for clearing brush and chopping.
Q What is the historical background of the Model 1917 Bolo? Common Question
Originally issued to the US Army Hospital Corps during the Philippine Insurrection for utility tasks, it saw wider WWI use with machine gun squads before being replaced by the M-1942 machete.
Q Where is this reproduction manufactured? Common Question
India, by Windlass Steelcrafts.
Q What are the key dimensions and weight? Common Question
Overall length 15'', blade length 10 1/8'', grip length 4'', blade width 34.9 mm, thickness 5.6–5.2 mm, weight about 1 lb 8.3 oz.
Q How should I care for the blade and scabbard? Common Question
Keep the carbon steel cleaned and lightly oiled after use; avoid prolonged moisture exposure to the canvas/wood sheath and condition the leather tip periodically.
Q What type of tang and guard does it have? Common Question
A fully integrated tang secured with screws under textured wooden scales and a broad steel guard typical of the 1917 pattern.
The Maker
Windlass Steelcrafts
Windlass Steelcrafts not only creates props, clothing, and accessories to customers and popular TV productions, but also military supplies to governments across six continents – a testament to their expertise and quality. Their weapons, armor, shields, clothing and accessories are top notch quality for a price you can’t beat.
Often paired together
100% PURE FUNCTION…. My uncle has one of these, an original from the war. These are SERIOUS working knives capable of anything you put them through. If you like war memorabilia, and want something that will work as hard as you do, this is IT. …….McM
Brilliant tool that for the price you aren’t going to be afraid to use for the many tasks I’m sure it could perform, says it comes slightly sharpened but 10 minutes with lansky puck puts a decent chopping edge on it. Mine came with a more rounded tip than appears in the pictures but it isnt an issue, infact its probably better for the nature of this blade
This knife is a tank, and it is as solid as bedrock. I bought it on the suspicion that it would be a better practical outdoors knife than modern bushcrafting knifes, and I was not disappointed. In addition to its cool historical value as a reproduction of WWI history, it has become one of favorite woodworking tools – I use it baton and easily split solid 2×12 boards. This could easily replace small hatchets or machetes is one’s kit.
The only slight criticism I have is that, as another reviewer stated, the tip is a tad more rounded than pointed. I made the mistake of buying this knife from a different dealer (it was before I discovered KOA and their sharpening service!), so hopefully this very minor criticism would be corrected by KOA’s sharpeners.
Regardless, this is a cool historical reproduction from an often ignored part of American history, and it is fully functional as a tool and outdoors knife. Highly recommended.