Morseth stag knife

robinpeck

robinpeck

Joined
Jul 16, 2001
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342
Until last Friday, I had never handled a Morseth knife, and only knew them in theory as Scandinavian-style knives originally made in Washington state by a Norwegian immigrant. They seemed very expensive and I didn't understand why. I bought this one a couple of weeks ago at an on-line Canadian gun auction, thinking I could trade it for some Solingen stag. However, when I picked it up, I knew I would keep it . This Morseth knife is the best handling, best balanced, and most naturally ergonomic of any of my knives. The Morseth stag handle is a remarkably efficient design, sculpted to perfection, exploiting the natural characteristics of the stag to guide the hand and control the cut. The only other knife I have that even approaches the Morseth in terms of ergonomic perfection is the more specialized Puma Hunters Companion. That's the skinner with the radically upswept blade. And it really isn't much of a contest. Now I understand what all the Morseth fuss is about. I am very impressed. A great knife. (It might not be an original sheath, but I'm not overly concerned. It's still a good solid sheath.)

I was wondering if any of you experts could put a rough date on the knife.
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That is a gorgeous knife.
The handle looks like it would feel a lot like a western, but I like how it's just stag without a metal pommel.
There's nothing wrong with a metal pommel, but being stag is just so cool.
 
My oh my oh my that is one beautiful knife! Love the soft caramel glow it has.
 
It'd be really interesting to know about some of the country that knife may have seen, perhaps hunting, fishing or just out and about.
 
Your knife was made between 1948 and 1958, according to my research. Beginning in 1948 the outline of a star disappeared from the blade. Beginning in 1958, Harry replaced the aluminum spacers with white ones. The original sheath would have been a wonderful addition. The definitive text is a hardback volume, THE KEEN EDGE OF PERFECTION, A HISTORY OF THE MORSETH KNIFE, by James R. Beall, with Gordon Morseth Sr. 200 plus pages, 2007, 1500 copies, printed in Italy. Good luck!
 
tongueriver said:
Your knife was made between 1948 and 1958, according to my research. Beginning in 1948 the outline of a star disappeared from the blade. Beginning in 1958, Harry replaced the aluminum spacers with white ones. The original sheath would have been a wonderful addition. The definitive text is a hardback volume, THE KEEN EDGE OF PERFECTION, A HISTORY OF THE MORSETH KNIFE, by James R. Beall, with Gordon Morseth Sr. 200 plus pages, 2007, 1500 copies, printed in Italy. Good luck!
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Thank you for the information. Do you know of anyone who makes a reproduction of the original Moresth sheath? The book has been ordered.
 
Jerry Twitty used to work for Morseth and did make sheaths, but I think he is no longer with us. John
 
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Jerry Twitty began working for Steve Morseth (Harry's grandson) in 1982. Harry made his last knives in 1966 and died the next year.
 
tongueriver said:
The OP knife is an authentic Harry. If you wish to purchase an authentic Harry Morseth or Steve Morseth knife you had better know what you are doing; most for sale are copies made later but with legal permission to use the stamps. Here is another authentic Harry, to show the unique sheath.View attachment 897170
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I guess I got lucky. I'm looking forward to reading the book and increasing my knowledge..
 
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Definitely a Harry Morseth (not Steve). I would date is no later than mid '54 due to the straight, brass guard. Harry changed over to nickel in late '53. This would have been made in Everett, WA with a "deluxe, laced" sheath.

See below

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I have a lugged double guard (brass) Morseth "Bowie", made by Steve, that I ordered in 1969 with a 6 3/4 inch blade and stag handle. Had a hell of a time getting it, finally wrote to Steve and told him I had paid by USPS Money Order and if I did not at least hear from him, I was going to the USPS and turn him in for mail fraud. About two weeks later a box should up from Morseth with the knife and sheath. The knife just had one wrap of newspaper around it and was loose in the box, why it never came out during shipment to me on Okinawa is a mystery to me? I showed it to the author of the book mentioned above, and he said he had never seen a sheath made exactly like mine. It is just stitched, not laced, and the back looks like the one above in the photo, except below the rivets there is a piece of leather that is folded over so there is about a 1/2 inch slot, that you could put a length of parachute cord thru, but for what purpose I do not know? Mine is marked "Morseth Clinton, Wash", and has a sharpening stone pocket on the front. I did not like the Safety sheath as the knife rattle, so went to an Okinawan shoe repair shop and had the man make me a sheath, with a diagonally retention strap, and the Morseth style "Flap" that went over the butt, and a sharpening pocket for a Gerber steel. The man used thick leather, and put a welt into the sheath (May have shown him a Ben Hibben sheath as an example?) and the sheath is still good and pliable today some 48 years later. John
 
John, please post some pics if possible (maybe we should start a Morseth thread).... I dig the double lug bowie as it was a departure from Harry's style, it was all Steve. Your story doesn't surprise me with the problems Steve had.

The stitched sheaths were probably a bit easier to make (I believe Harry's wife made most/all of the sheaths, maybe not the later Steve knives). I've never seen one as you describe though. Here is one of my stitched sheaths (the knife and sheath came to me together, but they are not a match).

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Harry had a patent on the "safe lock sheath", the insert in the sheath that locked the blade in. Was it revolutionary, or great? Probably not. :(

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Also, I have to agree, the stag and patina on Robin's knife is very cool, some of the best I've seen.
 
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