These period bowies by Robert L. Appleby Jr. make my “Editors Favorites from the Knives 2013 Book” list because they scream early American knife renaissance. The clip- and spear-point bowies parade hand-rubbed, satin-finished 440C blades with fileworked spines, and cast white-bronze guards and pommels.

The sambar stag handle scales are inspired choices, particularly with nickel escutcheon plates and domed nickel pins. Each comes with a wet-molded leather sheath dyed ox-blood red with gold embossing and an antiqued nickel throat and tip. Getting excited yet? Me, too. The photo is by Chuck Ward.