Early American Wilderness Knife Suggestion

Q

Quirt

Joined
Oct 10, 2005
Messages
1,030
Hey Guys,

Need your input...I spend a considerable amount of time in Mountain Man related camping and wilderness survival. The group I'm with all use various modern knives. I currently have an Idaho Knife Works Hudson Bay and really enjoy it. But it is too big, thick and heavy for finer knife related tasks such as whittling triggers for snares, fuzz sticks, processing small game/fish, etc.

I'm looking for either a production or custom knife that is period correct (or close too) the early to late 1800's. I need something that is thin and sharp to do finer tasks.

I realize the Nessmuck design is old but it was a "one-of-a-kind" custom and not readily available to the masses. What other options do I have? I thought about reducing down an Old Hickory Buffalo Butcher knife or just putting in an order for a custom Nessmuck.

What do you suggest?
 
Quirt, I have a green river Hunter pattern... it;s a real deal classic knife though this one has custom maple handles.. it;s a great looking thin slicing machine... I'll happily give it to you if you pay shipping... as I don;t use it much....email me at bushbum75@yahoo.com

Here's a pic
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check out Matt's work from ML knives.. his stuff is amazing and is almost all period/rustic looking.. www.mlknives.com

i just pulled the trigger and ordered one of these..:D

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Ben's Backwoods sells a high carbon Canadian Belt Knife made by R Murphy, it costs about 20 bucks. I'd check out Koyote's scandi's and Magnussen's leafblades too.
 
Old Hickory knives are great after a little bit of work. I have a Nessmuk I made out of a skinner and it's one of my favorite knives. I didn't re-handle it, I just cut the tip off at an angle and took a file to the spine to round it off. I sanded and oiled the handle, thinned and convexed the edge, and had a sheath made for it...voila! It's a slicing machine, for eight bucks and a little work.

If you don't feel like fooling with cutting and filing and such, an Old Hickory butcher or other simple knife is also very period correct. Dedicated hunting knives were not necessarily the norm in that period, and many outdoorsmen carried knives that would be equally at home in the kitchen.
 
Frostyfingers said:
Old Hickory knives are great after a little bit of work. I have a Nessmuk I made out of a skinner and it's one of my favorite knives. I didn't re-handle it, I just cut the tip off at an angle and took a file to the spine to round it off. I sanded and oiled the handle, thinned and convexed the edge, and had a sheath made for it...voila! It's a slicing machine, for eight bucks and a little work.
Click to expand...

:thumbup:
A lot of those old, carbon steel kitchen and butcher knives are thin and have great steel. Plus, they are easy to work, and plain fun to make your own little blades with.
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The knife of choice for the mountain men was the common butcher knife. Most were from Sheffield England, I Wilson was most common. Hit the flea market. I find real good old butchers for 1 or 2 dollars that clean up great. Great steel, sharpen easily. Just picked up an I Wilson for $10.
 
There was a write up in one of the knife magazines about the Sheffield butcher knives that are still available. These knive are truly historically accurate right down to the very stamp on the tang and everything. See them at this link....
http://www.sheffieldknives.co.uk/acatalog/Miscellaneous.html

Even though I do really like the Sheffield knives, I also really like the hand-made, hand-forged knives that others posted here. Some great looking knives!
 
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A modified Old Hickory would be my blade of choice for that! I do also like the Green River sheath knife. I have one with buffalo horn scales. Dang thing will sure take an edge for being so thin. Easily had in kit form so you can make it yourself and be even more "period" correct.
 
Wow! You guys rock. Lots to consider here. Thanks RR for your generious offer for your Mapled scaled Green River Hunter. I sent you an email off line with address and other info.

I'll also check into the recommeded customs and production recommendations. Thanks again guys!
 
As I expected my answers are the ones that occurred to others: ML Knives (rock) and the Bark RIver Mt. Man.
 
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