18th c. English import knife

L

LRB

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Feb 28, 2006
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This is a copy of a typical English knife inported to the colonies during the 18th c. In England they were in common use as table, or general purpose cutlery. 5"x1"x3/32" blade of 01. Ebony grip with poured pewter bolster and 3/8" pewter plug in butt, not seen in photo.
EbonyEnglishbeltknife012.jpg
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Handsome knife, I like the old paterns. If I'm not mistaken, that pattern called a "Roach belly"?

I have always been curious about the origin of that name.
 
Here's a simple roach belly. The blade edge is fully curved from start to point, making a roach belly look. Many had an integral bolster forged in, while others did not.
Carolsknife009.jpg
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do you have any documentation sources for poured bolsters and integral bolsters on trade knives. i have never seen either type on the relics of the western great lakes i have access to.
 
Here's a little smaller Roach Belly:
roach+side.jpg


Trade knives very rarely had any bolsters at all. They were inexpensive working knives that they cut a lot of corners on.
 
Shakudo, I got my info from James Hanson's book on trade knives, and the web site www.lanouvelle-france.com, that I am sure you are familiar with. Hanson shows two French trade knives with "integral bolsters" and dates one as 17th, and 18th c. The other as being late medieval. Lanouvelle web site shows a few with bolsters, but describes them, as best I understand it, as being forge welded to the blade stock before any shaping takes place, or as both are being shaped, which, depending on how one wants to look at it, is basicly integral. Maybe not technically so, but for all practical purposes, might as well be. Perhaps Mr. Hanson could not tell that they were forge welded on. Perhaps his dateing is off. If you have other sites, or sources, I would very interested. As far as the poured pewter knives, I never said they were trade knives. What info I have on them is from Kyle Willyard, and I am waiting to get more info from him. When I do, I will let you know. By the way, I really like your cartouche knives. Is the brass cast, or from sheet. I was thinking of trying one. The pins appear to be brass and flush finished. I thought that they were of iron with half round heads. Is either correct? In your opinion, can these be made from sheet brass? I don't think I would want to make them on a regular basis, but I would like one for a friend. Thanks for any info. Wick Ellerbe
 
the handle pieces i use are cast and have a relief for the buffalo horn inserts. you could use brass plate to make the pierced handles. brass sheet probably wouldn't work unless you are good at hard soldering and used 2 seperate cut outs of the pattern and then the base. the original cartouche knives have iron pins,i use brass as a measure to keep down copies being sold on ebay as originals. most of the knife info i use is either examining the relics myself from dated digs or from friends who work at various historic sites in the western great lakes area.a large amount of french folders were dug at Grand Portage National Monument last year and are now in conservation,i'm waiting for a chance to view them and get some photos.
 
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Would you please post the photos when you get them. I am sure that I am not the only one interested.
 
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