"World's largest Bowie knife" creator talks creative process

Cecil Witherspoon, Wichita Falls Times Record News
·2 min read
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The Bowie knife art piece seen in Bowie, Aug. 5, 2023, holds the Guinness World Record as the "largest Bowie knife."
The Bowie knife art piece seen in Bowie, Aug. 5, 2023, holds the Guinness World Record as the "largest Bowie knife."

Kemp Center for the Arts hosted local artist Albert Schlabs, creator of the Guinness World Record largest Bowie knife, for an in-depth presentation on the process behind the landmark knife’s creation. Schlabs gave his talk Wednesday, Aug. 16, to an assembled crowd.

Schlabs’ talk centered on the materials and challenges of fabricating the knife, which is located in Bowie, Texas, including the selection of wood for the handle and a special, non-corrosive type of bronze for the handle guard.

Gloria and Albert Schlabs sit at the Kemp Center for the Arts with a replica of the world's largest Bowie knife in front of them, Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023.
Gloria and Albert Schlabs sit at the Kemp Center for the Arts with a replica of the world's largest Bowie knife in front of them, Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023.

Schlabs said his goal for the presentation was to offer insight to anyone curious about the knife’s origin.

“To let people know how it’s done, what all the problems were, what went right, what went wrong, show people how it was built,” Schlabs said.

He added that he was glad people still had interest in the logistics of the project.

“It feels pretty interesting. It’s nice to have people interested in knowing how it was built, and so I’m glad to talk about it. I know more about it than anybody else on the planet,” Schlabs said.

The "World's Largest Bowie Knife," seen in Bowie, Texas, Aug. 5, 2023, measures 20 feet 6 inches long.
The "World's Largest Bowie Knife," seen in Bowie, Texas, Aug. 5, 2023, measures 20 feet 6 inches long.

In his presentation, he talked about the help he had in completing the knife.

“It was a labor of love. It was also a love-hate relationship. The main people that were involved in it, it was truly a labor of love. Larry Hartmangruber, Bobby Pennartz, Gary Oatman and myself,” Schlabs said afterward, later adding, “There were lots of problems that we were able to overcome as we would work together, and it was good.”

Albert’s wife Gloria Schlabs also spoke to some of the most difficult parts of the project, including losing the main partner for the project, Larry Hartmangruber.

Hartmangruber died in 2017 after a battle with cancer.

Gloria said Albert and Larry had more grand ideas to complete big projects that were never realized. Despite that, the work Larry did on the Bowie knife continues to amaze people.

Albert Schlabs talks about his creation, the world's largest Bowie knife, Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023.
Albert Schlabs talks about his creation, the world's largest Bowie knife, Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023.

“It’s been a real bittersweet thing talking about, but he was very instrumental in helping with the Bowie knife. So he was half the brains going in,” Gloria said.

“Maybe more,” Albert chimed in.

Gloria said she and Albert were grateful to have had the opportunity to create the record-holding knife.

“A lot of people involved, and we were blessed to be a part of it,” Gloria said.

Bowie's "World's Largest Bowie Knife," seen here Aug. 5, 2023, stands on display a short distance away from a sign commemorating the process.
Bowie's "World's Largest Bowie Knife," seen here Aug. 5, 2023, stands on display a short distance away from a sign commemorating the process.

This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: Owner of Guinness world record presents at Kemp Center for the Arts