The Bowie knife is famous for being associated with James "Jim" Bowie, an American frontiersman and folk hero. Jim Bowie became widely known for his use of a large knife, which later came to be known as the Bowie knife, during a skirmish known as the Sandbar Fight in 1827. The knife he used in that fight was a large, rugged blade that became a symbol of his reputation for fearlessness and combat skill.
Jim Bowie's notoriety, along with his association with the knife, contributed to the popularity and enduring legacy of the Bowie knife. The design of the Bowie knife has evolved over time, but it is forever linked to Jim Bowie and his exploits in the early 19th century.