Auxiliary Manufacturing Pocket Bowie First Look

Written By Nick Italiano

About Auxiliary Manufacturing

Auxiliary Manufacturing was founded by Mike Jarvis in 2016 after leaving his full-time career of 15 years in the restaurant industry. What started as a hobby making small pocket tools developed into a full-time knife making business. Mike is a self taught knife maker and in the early days every single knife he made was a unique one off piece in a variety of different styles, but as time went on Mike found his market in the EDC and Tactical knife space. Mike’s goal is to produce knives that have unique and distinctive designs. He draws inspiration from traditional blade styles and strives to create highly functional modern versions of time-tested classics.

Each Auxiliary Manufacturing design is created to be highly functional and aesthetically pleasing. Through years of experience, Mike has worked tirelessly to streamline his processes to ensure each and every knife that comes out of his shop in Reno, Nevada, meets the highest standards of fit and finish. Mike is an active member of the Knife Making Community, he attends all three Blade Show locations annually giving him the opportunity to meet his customers, network with other members of the community, and catch up with his friends.

Why We Love Auxiliary Manufacturing

I have been following Mike’s work for a few years, and it was his unique design language that really caught my eye. I finally got the opportunity to meet him and get some of his knives in my hand at Blade Show this past year, and I was very impressed with the incredible fit and finish as well as exceptional ergonomics. Mike is a passionate knife maker who takes great pride in his work and has no issues engaging with people and answering all manners of questions about his work.

It should come as no surprise that I am a big fan of fixed blades, and while I gravitate towards outdoor focused knives for wilderness activities, I do truly appreciate a thoughtfully designed and well made EDC fixed blade. That is exactly what Auxiliary Manufacturing makes, a really good EDC fixed blade that can handle all your day to day cutting tasks and double as a defensive tool in the right hands. Mike’s dedication and business sense is truly inspiring and has a number of new projects in the works, including his first folding knife design for Shieldon Knives!

The Pocket Bowie

The Pocket Bowie is one of Auxiliary Manufacturing newer designs, debuting in late 2023. This model features a coffin shaped handle with a sweeping Bowie style blade that terminates with a piercing point. From a purely aesthetic standpoint, the design is quite striking, combining sharp angles and rounded tapering elements. Everything about the Pocket Bowie demonstrates Mike’s attention to the small details that make a knife look great.

For me, it was love at first sight, and that love grew when I finally got one in my hand. The ergonomic elements of the Pocket Bowie are incredible. Admittedly, I was unsure at first if the handle shape would be comfortable, but I was pleased to find that the handle is very comfortable in hand and remains comfortable when in use! Before I give too much away, let’s get into the details.

Specs

The Pocket Bowie is 6.25 inches overall with a 3-inch blade. Like most Auxiliary Manufacturing knives, This model is typically made from 3/16-inch AEB-L stainless steel heat treated to 61.5 HRC. AEB-L is a great steel choice, offering a great balance of toughness, edge retention, sharpenability, and corrosion resistance. Mike has been using AEB-L for years and has perfected his in-house heat treatment for optimal performance.

The standard version of the Pocket Bowie is offered in a variety of textured G-10 handle options as well as carbon fiber variant and a stunning cord wrapped/Rayskin combo.Each Pocket Bowie ships with a custom made kydex sheath with a pocket clip that allows for pocket or waistband carry. The sheath can accommodate other clip options to suit your personal carry style. I personally tried an Ulticlip,  a DCC clip, and a soft loop for scout carry on a belt and was very happy with the sheaths performance in all configurations.

Other Variations

The Pocket Bowie is sometimes offered in special variants with a variety of premium and exotic materials. Some of these include premium wood handle scales, premium steel options such as Magnacut and 3V, and some variants featuring exotic damascus steel patterns. These variants are usually available around the time Mike is attending shows, so if you are looking for something unique, that is the best time to find them. 

Another recent variant of the Pocket Bowie is the Primitive Version, inspired by the Knives by Nuge Primitive Wicket. The Primitive Pocket Bowie features tough 80CRV2 high carbon steel and a jute wrapped handle. The Primitive version provides an exceptionally durable knife with the same great design but at a lower price point than the standard models.

There is also an XL version that is currently in development that will add about an inch to both the handle and blade, bringing the overall length to about 8.5 inches. The XL model will be debuting at Blade Show this October, with the full run being available to purchase this December.  

Design Language and Ergonomics

At first glance, it is clear that the Pocket Bowie is a striking and unique design. When I spoke with Mike about the design, he stated that he drew inspiration from classic western coffin handled Bowie Knives. Mike did a fine job keeping the classic clip point blade and coffin handle shape, but effectively shrunk it down, infused his own unique design elements, and utilized modern materials. Overall, I can confidently say the Pocket Bowie retains the rugged spirit of its classic inspiration while being small and pocketable for everyday carry.

The attention to small details really makes the Pocket Bowie stand out. The hand cut and textured two-tone G10 handles combined with the Micarta pins look incredible. The coffin handle shape fits comfortably in the hand in a variety of grip styles, and I am particularly pleased with how well the wide end of the handle welds into your palm when doing more detailed cutting work. The spine of the rear of the blade provides a flat area that you can comfortably rest your thumb when you need a little more blade control before the sweeping clip point begins. The blade has a ton of detailed grind work that adds to the overall look of the knife and the edge has a gradual sweep up the tip that not only compliments the spine grind it also aids in cutting ability.

Fit and Finish

The fit and finish of this Pocket Bowie, as well as those I handled at Blade Show, is flawless. The edge is razor sharp, and all the complex grinds on the blade are even. What makes it even more impressive is the fact that each one is ground entirely by hand! Features like this are often found in high-end machine ground blades but not often found in a handmade knife. The handle scales are very well done, like the blade they are all cut and ground by hand. The scales are even and cleanly secured. The handle texturing is grippy and not overly aggressive. All non-blade edges are chamfered and rounded. The only sharp part of this knife is the edge itself!

The Kydex sheath has a great design and is well made. The retention is secure, but allows for easy draw and resheathing. There is absolutely no rattle when the Pocket Bowie is in the kydex.

Final Thoughts

The unique design, comfortable ergonomics, attention to detail, and exceptional fit and finish make the Pocket Bowie a winner in my books! It is small enough to easily be carried on a daily basis, but built tough so it can confidently handle some serious use. The AEB-L steel is a great choice for anyone who truly uses their knives and appreciates the ability to easily maintain their edge with little more than a leather strop and a basic sharpening system when needed.

While I haven’t done a full test yet, the Pocket Bowie has served me well through all my day-to-day cutting tasks around the home and while out in town and I can see it being a regular part of my daily carry system. Beyond it being a highly functional tool, it is simply a really cool looking knife that I consider a work of art! With all that being said, it is easy to see why Pocket Bowie can be a very appealing option for those who put their knife to work as well as the most discerning collectors. 

Be on the lookout in the coming weeks for my full long-term carry and usage review of the Pocket Bowie. In the meantime, be sure to see the links below for the Auxiliary Manufacturing Website and Instagram page. You’ll also find a link to a recent episode of our podcast featuring Mike as our guest!