Knives of the Great Depression

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radleyb

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Jul 10, 2012
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I just started reading this book called Mr. Shivers, set during the Great Depression and dust bowl. So far it involves hobos and train hoppers. Anyway, on p.21 one of the characters takes out "a small, well-cared-for knife and began skinning and gutting the rabbits." It got me thinking, if I was in a situation like that, being on the road, what knife I'd want with me.
Anyone have any thoughts on what knife you'd want with you in that situation, or even what you'd guess the character would be carrying? I think I'd like maybe my Buck 301, or possibly my GEC 73 Scout Trapper. Of course, there's also all the SAKs. Those would probably be real useful as well.
Anyway, any thoughts?
 
In that era, I'd opt for a Scout pattern. Closest thing to a multitool. Open cans, unch a hole, tighten a screw, skin a rabbit.
 
Hitchhiked cross country by myself in the summer of 94 spent alot of nights sleeping under the stars, no tent, no sleeping bag, just a bivy sheet, fleese blanket and a ridge rest, only knife I had was a Vic farmer and it took care of all my needs.
 
I don't know, tough choice. If I were traveling light, I'd be torn between a really tough folder with backup blades like my old Buck 301, and a SAK with some extras. But on the other hand, a P-38 in the wallet would let me open any can I come across and serve as a screw driver. On the road hopping freights, I don't know if I'm going to have gear along that will need tools to maintain. Much tools, anyway. Keep things simple.

On the other hand, when I rode my motorcycle cross country and back, a small yellow Case sodbuster in my pocket and a P-38 in my wallet took care of all my needs. Of course I did have a tool kit on the Harley. But as far as cutting tools went, the sodbuster took care of food duty, and skinning some juniper kindling for dry wood after a light rain.

Carl.
 
I figure what knife you have would be the least of your worries. I would probably be a train jumper, worried about hiding from the bulls and not getting turned into track burger jumping trains. I've read some romanticized accounts of the era, and some pretty horrible ones. I never really heard the tales from my grandparents, but times were very tough to have a lasting impact on them to this day. I figure it would be some type of two blade jack, but I'd like to have a scout on me.
 
I think I'd pack a scout of some sort. If you're living life hand to mouth and having to jump trains to get anywhere, I think weight would be less of an issue than function. For a knife of that era, I don't think there was more function packed in a small size than a scout. Plus, how much weight is it really adding? This is a neat thought though.

Ben
 
Stitch, I'd really like to hear some stories from your hitchhiking days. Would be an interesting read.

Also, Carl, maybe you could do a story some time about your cross country motorcycle trip?

Stories are one of the best things about this forum.
 
One of these days Medicevans, I kept a journal, I will say it was a tribute to my best friend who died the previous summer, he and I had talked about doing it seeing the states and hike the Grand Canyon, then go to Europe. Well after he died I tried to solicit other friends, people would say sure then back out so one day I just said, I'm going instead of always wishing that I had, doing it by myself was very cathartic, and learned a lot about myself, meet a lot of people along the way, went to the World Cup, hiked the Canyon, went to Arches in Moab, slept on a beach in San Simeon, just a taste of some of the places, I did eventually backpack around Europe.
 
wow, that sounds really interesting. I too would love to hear more of your hitchhiking stories, as well as cross country (and back!) motorcycle trip stories. Man, I always wanted to do something like you guys have done, and never did. I guess it's never too late though...
Sorry to hear about your best friend though
 
Wow I really am a hillbilly. It's a big feat for me to go to town once a week and y'all are walking round the world. My hats off to y'all gentleman!
 
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