Arkansas Toothpick history question?

[hicomp2]

I'm aware that "bowie knife" is a broad term, and many large Daggers are (and were) often called Bowies. But I'm wondering about a specific question... I read somewhere that the Arkansas Toothpick style was "carried by Rivermen and Trappers", from 1820 on. Was there a specific reason (if what I read was correct?), that this style was preffered by Rivermen/Trappers, but not by the mountain men (also Trappers!) further inland? The only thing I can guess is that the Mountain men wanted a heavier more durable blade for a more pure survival type situation, and that Rivermen might be looking for a more pure defensive weapon (the point would lend itself to a fencing style of knife fighting). Or it could be I read a bunch of BS. Does anyone know the facts about the history/use/intended purpose (aside from fighting) of this knife?

 

[surfer]

I heared that the "inventor" of the toothpick is the same man that is resposable for the famous bowie
the toothpick is a fighting knife, balanced for throwing too.
I say "inventor" because at the end it's just a heavy, large dagger, like used centuries before.
I think your thoughts about the use by rivermen could be right, a toothpick is not realy helpful for everyday tasks (as long as you're not a profesional murderer )

 

[brownshoe]

Just BS. Arkansas toothpick is primarily a marketing dream with a great deal of hot wind driving it through time.