Frontier style knives.

Keith Montgomery

Keith Montgomery

Joined
May 9, 2000
Messages
29,205
As of late I am really starting to like the frontier look. The knives don't have to be totally authentic in design, they just have to look like they might have been made 150 years ago or so. The work of makers like Gib Guignard, Daniel Winkler, Joe Keeslar, Dana Acker and others is starting to look real good to me. What about the rest of you guys? Anybody else have a hankerin' to own a few of these knives?

Knife below by Daniel Winkler.

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The one in my avatar is a collaboration between Gib Guignard and Chuck Burrows.
 
I've always enjoyed Daniel's work and Karen's sheathwork is outstanding for that period look. I have to admit their's is the only "frontier" style I've really looked at closely.
I found it interesting how the pieces looked new but used at the same time, if you know what I mean. larryd
 
Really nice !
I love the sheath work and the rustic look on the knife. One of the best looking knife I've seen.
 
I do like many of the ones I see by Daniel Winkler. That one you have in the photo I like very much. Love the look of the handle. But I don't like the frills that tend to adorn his sheaths.

These types of knives hold the same appeal to me that Scagel style knives do. It's like they were made by primitive peoples who have an eye for design but don't embrace the aesthetics of the aerodynamic that we see with a modern "clean" design, nor the ornateness of the "art" designs. Sort of the beauty that one sees in a run down barn or weathered Joshua tree.
 
If I ever win the lottery I would love to buy several of Winkler's pieces. I love the style and look of the frontier knives and leather goods.
 
Hey Keith,
I am such a big fan of frontier style knives. Especially the ones that Daniel Winkler has mastered.

I currently own one of his Bowies, that I got from him last year, with a 9" inch, old and worn looking Damascus blade with an old looking frontier sheath. Just beautiful!

I have on order another one from him that Santa Claus will be bringing me in December. This Bowie will have a 10-11 inch Damascus blade.

I am finding that this style of knife is one that I am beginning to favor more than any other and want more of in my collection. The sheath made by karen is also such a very important part of this knife's whole package.

I'm not sure who else makes this style of knife. I think there is at least one other but I can't remember who.

EDITED TO ADD:
Oh, The sheaths that I order are done beautifully in that old look However, I have asked for most of the fancy braid decorations be left off. It comes out really nice.
 
I've liked these period pieces for a while. I never miss the chance to visit Daniel Winkler's table at a show. I asked my friend Max to make me a Winkler inspired Bowie. This knife is amazing, the only knife I know of that has a built-in stand. I had the chance to show it to Daniel at a show and talk to Karen about a sheath for it. Daniel said he was flattered to be the inspiration and thought the knife was well done.

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I love Daniel Winkler's knives.

I have a custom design on hold with him for when I can afford it...LOL

Someday soon I hope...:)

He's very personable and willing to discuss your knifes needs as are alot of great bladesmiths out there.
 
Daniel Winkler's knives, and frontier Bowies in general, have a special appeal to me. I am slowly building my collection, but some of these are in the future. I've seen one with a rawhide and elk bone handle that is just out of this world. (it is in the knifeart archives)/ Thanks for sharing the excellent photos!
I've been looking at some of Wendell Fox's knives as well.

Not to hijack the thread, but who would you recommend for a frontier-style sheath maker? I have an HI Cherokee Rose on the way, and that design begs for a sheath of that style, or a beaded sheath.
 
own at least one Winkler. Ron's knives are all different and that alone makes them special. When you add in one Karen's sheaths you've got a great combo.

I had a Sperm whale tooth and met with Ron at a NY show to order
a knife. He did a great job using Damascus, copper and with Karen doing the sheath. The blade is 7 1/2", the collar is copper with a Damascus wrap, pin is copper. The ivory has developed some cracking which only adds to the character of this knife.

As usual my picture doesn't show, I give up. Sorry.

Win
 
I can't claim to be an enthusiastic fan of the frontier look, though certain examples do appeal to me. I'm glad they are there however - variety is the spice of life and diversity within the custom knife landscape is a very good thing. I'm not sure where the following knife resides, if at all, within the "frontier" category, but I like it a whole lot - enough that I probably would have bought it if I had the funds available when it came up for sale. I guess there is a Winkler for everyone:

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Photo from knifeart.

Cheers,

Roger
 
I was asked by Win, the owner of this knife, to post this picture. Hopefully he will add some details.

This is a Daniel Winkler(knife)/Karen Shook(sheath) creation.

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Here is a "Mountain Man Bowie" by Ed Caffery. Three bar composite damascus forged to an 11+ inch blade.

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The sheath.

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i've always enjoyed looking at daniel's work, the knives mixed with the sheath work is amazing
 
If anybody has any pictures of frontier style knives by Joseph Keeslar, I would really like to see them. I have seen a few in the Knives annuals, but I have been unable to find anything on the internet.
 
These knives do have a charm that is not quite explainable, and some are just plain gorgeous. I also like many that Wendell Fox has made.
 
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