Canadian Pocket Knife carriers

I already know which knife a certain Canadian maker has carried in the bush, the real bush anyway. Cuts like a kris, how is that RAT holding up?

I have always enjoyed reading about the HBC and their exploits in the north country, but have wondered how their blades held up to the abuse up there. I guess the owners just took very good care of them ;). Any modern mountain men on here from up north carry slipjoints in their kit?
 
Ummmm, I sure do look like a mountain man :D and I live in the bush and always carry a few slippies.

RE: the early Hudson's Bay trade knives. Judging by their scarcity I think they got used up. You see all kinds of butcher knives being called trade knives but very few of the real deal trade knives ever surface. They brought in 1000s of knives, I have an early book with some ledgers of the Bays imports, just one shipment had 1000s of knives and belt axes.
Our friend Charlie has a slip joint marked Hudson's Bay Co. I have never seen another. Maybe he will post a pic if he sees this.
Great thread for us canucks.

Regards

Robin
 
This Yank has always enjoyed the romanticized Canada, and is glad to learn of the real Canada. Cool to hear that you live in such a beautiful spot. Thanks for sharing the info. I too hope that Charlie shows a pic of the HBC folder.
 
We have a relatively mild climate here in Vancouver, a fairly typical rain forest area. It's not nearly as humid as parts of Florida. Humidity is the real nemesis of carbon steel!
I oil the joints often, but the blades not so much, and everything is fine!
 
waynorth said:
We have a relatively mild climate here in Vancouver, a fairly typical rain forest area. It's not nearly as humid as parts of Florida. Humidity is the real nemesis of carbon steel!
I oil the joints often, but the blades not so much, and everything is fine!
Click to expand...

Sweat is the problem. Working outside for hours, I have often soaked my wallet with sweat, much less a knife. Air Conditioning is a wonderful invention.
 
This knife once belonged to Bernard Levine. I was lucky to retrieve it from someone who in turn had purchased it from him.
Still the only one I have ever seen; maybe it was a short run at the time, although I can't see HBC doing anything by half measures!!??
It's a safe queen now, for fear it is the last of the species. . . .
HUDSONSBAYHJCOMPOSITE_zps0d02050d.jpg
 
Pipeman said:
I have a fantasy that it was used by a civil servant to whittle down the pay of our early elected officials. You can dream :D

Best regards

Robin
Click to expand...

On another thread, Pipeman said he will check with Canadian archives to look for information concerning knives issued with Canadian government stamps. Has no information been found? I only asked out of general interest; it seems that other people are asking the same question.

If you have not received any response, perhaps that means that the Canada postal service is like that of the USA - they still deliver letters by stagecoach or by pony express.:D
 
waynorth said:
This knife once belonged to Bernard Levine. I was lucky to retrieve it from someone who in turn had purchased it from him.
Still the only one I have ever seen; maybe it was a short run at the time, although I can't see HBC doing anything by half measures!!??
It's a safe queen now, for fear it is the last of the species. . . .
HUDSONSBAYHJCOMPOSITE_zps0d02050d.jpg
Click to expand...

Thanks for posting this amazing knife Charlie, certainly a grail knife of Canadian history.

Best regards

Robin
 
Faiaoga said:
On another thread, Pipeman said he will check with Canadian archives to look for information concerning knives issued with Canadian government stamps. Has no information been found? I only asked out of general interest; it seems that other people are asking the same question.

If you have not received any response, perhaps that means that the Canada postal service is like that of the USA - they still deliver letters by stagecoach or by pony express.:D
Click to expand...

Hi Faiaoga
I haven't heard a thing from the archives which doesn't surprise me. I imagine the files if in the archives collection at all are still in their original paper state. Years ago I asked for a copy of some very rare documents relating to the BNA act. They had just purchased the docs and were copying them at the time. I finally got a copy about 5 years later. I have a friend who says he may be able to get me into the archives stash as a researcher. He is away for the winter so that too will take time.

Best regards

Robin
 
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