AC "patch knives"

B

Bob W

Joined
Dec 31, 2000
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Thought you guys would like to see these, the antique "Patch Knives" being sold by Atlanta Cutlery. Dispite their use of the fantasy term "patch knife" these are some great little knives.
ACPatchKnives.jpg

The stag handled model has been offered for some time - it's not in their latest printed catalog, but it's still available online.

The bottom knife is horn handle with brass fittings. Very nice, perhaps why AC calls it an "Officers Patch Knife". They don't offer any evidence that it would have been used by an Officer, more fantasy, but it's a very interesting item regardless.

Both knives are in exceptional condition, even if maybe they aren't as old as advertised. Both are obviously forged by hand, and both blades show the same marks from construction. Neither blade has ever been sharpened or used. There are no markings on either.

I don't know what these small utility knives were originally used for, but they are unique items in my collection now.

Thought you'd like to see them,
-Bob
 
I've seen those in the catalog and thought they looked neat. Thanks for piqueing my curiosity even more! Very nice.

Steve
 
Nice ones Bob, as you note they are clearly not as old as advertised & not patch knives!

They are nice karda though, although I think the antler ones are over priced myself. Given there age.

Can you tell if there tempered?

Spiral
 
I've seen those in the catalog and thought they looked neat. Thanks for piqueing my curiosity even more! Very nice.
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The stag handled model had been on my mind for some time. Curiosity got the best of me.

They are nice karda though, although I think the antler ones are over priced myself. Given there age.
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$35 for a hand-forged genuine stag didn't seem bad to me. Heck, many plastic handled Old Timers from Schrade are selling higher than that.

The horn-handled knife is actually nicer, IMO, because of the horn quality and brass fittings. And it's less expensive than the stag. Plus, if you have the latest catalog mailing there's a 10% discount on everything.

Can you tell if there tempered?
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No, I can't tell. Since they are in unused condition, I'd hesitate to apply any sort of test either.

I would hesitate to label them as "Karda" either; they are much larger than the other accessory knives I've seen. For example, the chakmak that fit into the Longleaf scabbard are 5" overall; these utility knives are 7-3/4" from butt to tip.

they are clearly not as old as advertised
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I have no evidence that they aren't from the 1800's. Just a gut feeling. I don't know enough about them to say anything more regarding the age.

Interestingly, the knives I received are in better condition than the ones photographed for the catalog. Also, from comparing mine to the catalog examples, it's obvious there is quite a bit of variety in what you might receive. Especially interesting is the kaura, or lack of, in some of the photographed examples. Of mine, the stag model has a very simple kaura and the horn model has none at all.

Best Wishes,
-Bob
 
Bob W said:
I would hesitate to label them as "Karda" either; they are much larger than the other accessory knives I've seen. For example, the chakmak that fit into the Longleaf scabbard are 5" overall; these utility knives are 7-3/4" from butt to tip.

I have no evidence that they aren't from the 1800's. Just a gut feeling. I don't know enough about them to say anything more regarding the age.

Best Wishes,
-Bob
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mmmmm most of the wooden karda Ive got with Nepali Longleaves
are 7 inches long, the shortest I had was over 6 inches & I have had about 40 of them. But amongst the 20,000+ karda Atlanta have got there is a lot of variation.

They were bought as karda by Atlanta, They made were to fit in the rear of kukris.

The 18th & 19th century horn & antler ones are different from that. Sometimes theres even marked ww2 karda amongst the old ones there selling.

If your happy with the price thats cool. but you can get a genuine ww2 kukri for not a lot more $ & that took a lot more forging !

But sure there cute blades!

Enjoy!

Spiral
 
most of the wooden karda Ive got with Nepali Longleaves
are 7 inches long, the shortest I had was over 6 inches & I have had about 40 of them. But amongst the 20,000+ karda Atlanta have got there is a lot of variation.
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I'll defer to your experience regarding this; I admittedly don't know s*** about khukris. From now on I'll refer to these as Karda.

But to show the basis for my earlier ignorant comment, here's a scan comparing the "patch" knife to one of the chamak that came with the Longleaf:
Chakmakpatchknifecomp.jpg


If your happy with the price thats cool. but you can get a genuine ww2 kukri for not a lot more $ & that took a lot more forging!
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I agree they aren't at give-a-way prices, but I think it's fair for an interesting vintage blade with natural handles and in such good condition.

Best Wishes, and thank you for the information,
-Bob
 
Cool, A lot of the chakmak I got are small as well. Your horn karda has the same size blade as many of the kardas I got but the the handle on yours is 1/2 longer than my wooden ones. Nice!

Spiral
 
I just had to see one for myself.:) Nice little knife. It was very dull, don't think it had ever been used though. Just not sharp from the kami. So I flat-ground a new edge. Sparked a lot, so I think it's good steel. Gave it a quick etch just so it would look old again. Not bad for the price. Thanks Bob!

Steve
Edit: 8 1/2" overall length, 3 3/4" blade, .134" thickness (just over 1/8")

AC-patch-knife.jpg
 
There seem to be a few minor variations in design and amount of prior use. The end of this one also is blackened, possibly by friction from a power saw.
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