A Rising Knife Brand Taps a Star Designer for a Stunning Modern Take on a 200-Year-Old Blade

See what happens when Kansept teams up with Ray Laconico to bring a frontiersman’s best friend into the 21st century.

Published May 2, 2025

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Updated May 2, 2025

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As I learned from one of my favorite podcasts, The Dollop, several years back, the story of the Bowie knife is rife with murky details.

What we do know is that a large fixed-blade knife with a crossguard and a clip point played a critical role in a 1927 incident that came to be known as “The Sandbar Fight.”

kansept bison full — The Bison’s overall length is 9.61 inches, a size even hardy frontiersmen wouldn’t sneeze at.

It started as a duel on a large sandbar in the Mississippi River between Vidalia, Louisiana, and Natchez, Mississippi.

It ended with two men dead and James “Jim” Bowie — stabbed, shot and beaten half to death — emerging triumphant thanks in large part to said knife.

Laconico came back with a bold beauty that nods to the original knife’s aesthetics while delivering as a modern, backcountry-ready option.

This style of knife, which may have been designed by Jim’s brother, Rezin, was thereafter dubbed the Bowie knife, and literally thousands of different interpretations have emerged ever since.

All of which leads us to today, nearly two centuries later, and the release of one of the best-looking Bowie-style knives yet: Kansept’s Bison.

Building a better Bowie

Regardless of how you feel about Jim Bowie, a military officer, landowner and slave trader who died during the Battle of the Alamo, the knife’s legendary status is even more outsized than his is.

Hence, if you are going to call your knife “Bowie style,” you had better come correct.

Kansept has done just that, right off the bat, by recruiting Ray Laconico, to design it.

kansept bison off side — The Bison’s blade deploys via thumb studs, while a nod to the knife’s heritage, the cross guard at the top of the handle, enhances safety.

The brand has consistently made smart, impressive moves since its founding just five years ago — and connecting with Laconico is yet another one.

The Visalia (not Vidalia), California-based custom knife maker’s masterfully minimalist creations have graced many brands’ catalogues — and warranted, yes, a Gear Patrol story or two.

Departing from his typically streamlined style, Laconico came back with a bold beauty that nods to the original knife’s aesthetics while delivering as a modern, backcountry-ready option.

Backcountry beast

So, what stands out here? You sure can’t miss the blade, a 4.25-inch clip point made of S35VN steel, which nicely blends edge retention, corrosion resistance and toughness.

The size and cutting power on offer here should prove beyond adequate to handle most outdoor tasks — everything from working with wood to slashing through rope to (once cleaned) slicing up whatever meat is about to roast over the fire.

kansept bison family — The Bison is available in eight different colorways, including a few that would have been unthinkable in the 1800s.

That blade is deployed via ambidextrous thumb studs, pivoting swiftly and smoothly on a ceramic cage ball bearing and held in place thanks to a classic, reliable frame lock.

The knife is held at your hip thanks to a milled titanium pocket clip.

The handle scales are crafted from light, tough and good-looking titanium, leaving the weight at a hefty but manageable 6.71 ounces.

kansept bison off side folded — The Bison’s frame lock and milled titanium pocket clip ensure stability and security.

The scales feature a dual-surface design that improves grip, and in five of the eight knife variations, the inlaid area is textured to truly optimize your hold on the handle.

Rounding out the safety features is one you don’t see often that makes all the sense in the world with this knife: a cross guard.

Availability and pricing

The Kansept Bison is available now with 8 different color treatments ranging in price from $196 to $200.

Kansept Bison

Starts at $196

About the Author:

Now managing editor, Steve has served in a variety of roles with GP since 2019. Having previously written and edited for such publications as Men’s Health, Men’s Journal, Esquire and ESPN, he enjoys covering a range of topics — but mostly those pertaining to cycling, snow sports, pocket knives and motos — and dreams of a utopian world in which everyone’s bike seat is at the proper height.