Rambo Part II Bowie — Hand-Forged Survival Knife with Rosewood Handle

Rambo Part II Bowie — Hand-Forged Survival Knife with Full-Tang 5160 Spring Steel and Polished Rosewood Handle

The Rambo Part II Bowie (also known as the Rambo 2 knife or First Blood Part II Bowie) hand-forged in Kathmandu, Nepal from 5160 high carbon spring steel reclaimed from truck leaf springs. 11.5-inch clip-point Bowie blade, 16 inches overall, with a polished rosewood full-tang handle and a hand-stitched leather-over-cottonwood scabbard. The wood-handle variant of our Rambo Part II survival Bowie — same battle-grade blade as our leather-wrapped version, finished with a warm hardwood grip for traditional working-knife aesthetic. Free engraving up to 30 characters. Worldwide shipping via DHL Express & FedEx International. 30-day satisfaction guarantee. 6-month warranty.

The Rambo Part II Bowie is the survival knife John Rambo carried in Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985), the second film in the Rambo franchise. The original was designed by Arkansas master knifemaker Jimmy Lile as a refinement of his 1982 First Blood survival knife — bigger blade geometry, more aggressive Bowie profile, and a presence on screen that defined what an action-movie survival knife could look like. Lile called this design "The Mission" knife, and it's widely considered his finest film blade.

This is the polished rosewood handle variant of our hand-forged Rambo Part II Bowie. The blade is identical to our leather-wrapped Part II — same 11.5-inch full-tang clip-point Bowie hand-forged in Kathmandu from 5160 high carbon spring steel reclaimed from real truck leaf springs, water-tempered for the right balance of edge retention and impact strength. The difference is the handle: where leather-wrapped metal gives the cinematic 1985 Mission II aesthetic, polished rosewood delivers a warmer, lighter, more traditional working-knife feel that develops a rich patina with use.

This wood-handle version is also noticeably lighter than the leather-wrapped variant — 840 grams vs 950 grams — making it more comfortable for extended hunting, bushcraft, or chopping work where the leverage of a 17-inch blade can fatigue the wrist over time. At 16 inches overall (vs 17 inches on the leather variant), it's also slightly more compact, which matters in the sheath and on the belt.

Unofficial hand-forged Rambo Part II tribute knife. Not affiliated with Lions Gate Entertainment, MGM, StudioCanal, Sylvester Stallone, the Jimmy Lile estate, Hibben Knives, Gil Hibben, Master Cutlery, United Cutlery, or any film studio or licensed knifemaker. Inspired by the design language of the 1985 Rambo: First Blood Part II survival knife for collectors and survival enthusiasts seeking a real hand-forged version with a traditional rosewood handle.

Why Choose the Wood Handle Variant Over the Leather Wrap

The blade is identical between this listing and the leather-wrapped Part II — same 11.5-inch 5160 spring steel Bowie, same forging process, same water-temper, same full tang. The differences are entirely in the handle and overall dimensions.

The polished rosewood handle (this listing) is the warmer, more traditional working-knife aesthetic. Rosewood develops a rich patina over decades of handling — absorbing hand oils, darkening with age, marking the years of honest use the way a good knife should. The full-tang construction has wood scales pinned through the steel tang for maximum strength while maintaining the natural grip feel that wood provides. The shorter handle (5.5 inches vs 6.5 inches) and lighter overall weight (840g vs 950g) make this the more practical version for extended cutting work — less wrist fatigue during a long day of bushcraft or hunting.

The leather-wrapped metal handle variant is the more cinematic, First Blood Part II-faithful aesthetic. The metal core gives more weight and a substantial hand-feel, the leather wrap absorbs shock during heavy chopping, and the 17-inch overall length puts it firmly in short-sword display territory. The choice for buyers who want the on-screen Mission II look or who prioritise dramatic display presence over everyday practicality.

Both perform identically in terms of cutting. Choose based on whether you want the traditional working knife look (wood) or the cinematic film prop look (leather wrap), and whether the lighter wood handle better suits the way you'll actually carry and use the knife.

What Makes This Hand-Forged Part II Bowie Different

The Part II Bowie market is crowded. Amazon and BUDK sell licensed Master Cutlery / United Cutlery factory reproductions in the $200–$700 range — faithful to Lile's hollow-handle Mission II design with built-in compass and sawback, but typically machine-finished display pieces with cast or stamped components. Pakistani makers flood eBay and Etsy with generic "Rambo Bowies" in unspecified Damascus-pattern steel of inconsistent quality. Cheap Chinese stainless replicas at $40–$100 are stamped, glued, and vinyl-wrapped.

This Rambo Part II Bowie is in a different category. Hand-forged from a single billet of 5160 high carbon spring steel reclaimed from a truck leaf spring — the same battle-grade steel we use in our combat swords. The full tang is drawn from the same billet. Water-tempered for edge hardness and impact resistance. The polished rosewood scales are hand-fitted and pinned through the tang — not glued. The scabbard is hand-stitched leather over a cottonwood core, not plain leather or vinyl — a construction detail almost no factory replica matches at this price point. Nothing is stamped, cast, or laser-cut.

Hand-forged 5160 spring steel knives sit in a different price bracket than factory reproductions because they're built to be used and to last decades. Buyers who want the 1985 Lile design 100% faithful with hollow handle, compass, and sawback will prefer the licensed reproductions. Buyers who want a real working hand-forged Bowie in the Part II design language with a traditional rosewood grip will appreciate this.

Hand-Forged vs Original Lile Mission II — Honest Comparison

Honest comparison matters. Lile's 1985 Mission II knife was a specific design. Our hand-forged tribute keeps the iconic Part II silhouette while making targeted improvements based on 40+ years of survival-knife evolution.

What's the same: The clip-point Bowie blade profile, deep belly, dramatic clip point. The substantial scale and presence. The hand-stitched leather scabbard. The unmistakable Part II silhouette.

What's different (and why):

• Full tang construction with rosewood scales instead of hollow handle. Lile's original used a hollow aluminium tube with survival kit and a compass mounted in the butt cap. The hollow handle is structurally weaker than full tang under heavy chopping or batoning loads. You lose the compass and survival kit storage; you gain a knife that won't break under hard use. The rosewood handle on this version is solid hardwood scales pinned through the steel tang.
• Polished rosewood instead of leather-wrapped aluminium. Wood is warmer to the touch, lighter in the hand, develops a richer patina with use, and is the traditional choice for premium working knives. The 840g total weight (vs 950g on the leather variant) makes this knife less fatiguing to carry and use over long sessions.
• 5160 high carbon spring steel instead of 440C stainless. We chose 5160 because it's tougher under chopping and batoning loads than 440C. Trade-off: 5160 surface-rusts if neglected; 440C does not. Anyone who actually uses a survival knife oils it as a matter of habit.
• No sawback spine. Smooth strong spine optimised for blade strength and clean batoning over decorative serrations. A sawback version is available through Custom Forge.
• No compass. Full-tang construction doesn't have a hollow butt to mount a compass. If essential, the licensed Master Cutlery / United Cutlery reproductions retain this feature.
• Leather-over-cottonwood scabbard. Most factory replicas use plain leather or vinyl. Ours has a cottonwood inner core wrapped in hand-stitched leather — the wood core protects the blade edge from scabbard wear and gives the sheath structural rigidity that pure-leather scabbards lack.

Product Specifications

Customise Your Rambo Part II Bowie

Every Rambo Part II Bowie is hand-forged to order in our Kathmandu workshop. Specify your customisations in the order notes at checkout.

Why Buyers Choose Wood Over Leather-Wrapped

The two Part II variants serve different buyer priorities. Here's how to decide which one is right for you.

Choose the wood handle (this listing) if you:

• Plan to actually use the knife regularly — bushcraft, hunting, outdoor cutting work where wrist fatigue from a heavier knife matters over long sessions
• Prefer the warmth and traditional aesthetic of a hardwood grip over a metal-core handle
• Like the idea of a handle that develops a richer patina with use, marking the years of honest work it does for you
• Want a slightly more compact knife (16" vs 17" overall) that fits more easily in a sheath and on a belt
• Value the lighter overall weight (840g vs 950g) for extended carry and use

Choose the leather-wrapped variant if you:

• Want the most cinematic, on-screen Mission II appearance
• Prioritise display presence over everyday practicality
• Want the substantial weighted feel of a metal-core handle
• Plan to display the knife rather than use it daily
• Prefer the maximum 17-inch overall length for collection display

Some collectors own both as a matched pair — the leather-wrapped variant for display, the wood handle variant for actual outdoor use.

The 4-Step Forging Process

What's Included

• Hand-forged Rambo Part II Bowie with polished rosewood handle in your chosen blade finish
• Hand-stitched leather-over-cottonwood scabbard with belt loops and securing strap
• Free engraving if requested in your order notes (up to 30 characters)
• Care and maintenance guide with oiling instructions for blade and rosewood-handle care
• Certificate of origin identifying the Kathmandu workshop and date of forging
• Worldwide tracked shipping via DHL Express or FedEx International
• 30-day satisfaction guarantee — not happy, return for refund or rebuild
• 6-month craftsmanship warranty covering forging or fitting defects

Shipping, Returns & Warranty

Processing. Every Rambo Part II Bowie is made to order. Forging and finishing takes 3–5 business days from order confirmation. Custom engraving may add 2–3 days.

Shipping. Worldwide via DHL Express and FedEx International with full tracking. Transit time 5–10 business days depending on country. Total time from order to delivery is typically 8–15 business days. Some countries restrict the import of large fixed-blade knives — check local laws before ordering.

Returns. Not satisfied? Return within 30 days for full refund or free re-build to different specifications. We cover return shipping for craftsmanship defects.

Warranty. 6-month craftsmanship warranty against forging defects, handle separation, or scabbard failure under normal use. Edge damage from misuse, rust from neglect, and damage from non-cutting impacts are not covered. Full terms in our FAQ page.

Care & Maintenance for Wood Handle

Oil the blade regularly. 5160 carbon steel will surface-rust if neglected. Wipe with mineral oil, gun oil, or food-grade camellia oil after every use and once a month during storage.

Care for the rosewood handle. Wood is a natural material that benefits from occasional conditioning. Apply a small amount of mineral oil, beeswax-based polish, or specialty wood-handle conditioner to the rosewood every 6–12 months and buff with a soft cloth. This prevents the wood from drying or cracking. Avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight (which can fade the rich grain) or extreme humidity. With basic care, polished rosewood develops a beautiful aged patina that gets more striking with each passing year.

Care for the leather-cottonwood scabbard. Condition the leather exterior with leather balm or beeswax every 3–6 months to prevent drying and cracking. The cottonwood inner core is sealed and requires no separate maintenance.

Sharpen with a whetstone. 1000/3000 grit at a 20–25 degree angle on the cutting edge.

Store properly. Sheathed in the leather scabbard or on a display stand. Avoid humid environments. A small silica gel packet inside the scabbard helps in damp climates.

Frequently Asked Questions