My Dad's old knife.. What do you call it?

[SVT-40]

My Dad passed away ten years ago. I found this knife in a tool box of his long after his death. I never knew about it. But I can guess it's from the 50's as he was in the Uranium mining business in that era. He spent a lot of time out in the wilderness around Monticello Utah he probably purchased it some where near Albuquerque NM. The blade was just left rough. Very nice figure to the wood handle. Nice waxed leather sheath. Not a marking to be found on either the knife or sheath, so not a commercially produced knife.

I have little knife knowledge. Searching around the web I've seen names such as "Frontier Trade knife, Belt Knife, Frontier knife, Bowie knife, Camp knife, Hunter knife and Trapper knife" But what most closely matches this knife?

 

[Shorttime]

I would call it a "teardrop Bowie" knife. Similar to the "teardrop jack" knife.

 

[Wild Willie]

Whatever else one might call it, I'd call it a treasure. Looks like a nicely made piece, and the fact that it belonged to your old man makes it extra special, regardless of quality. Are there any makers marks apparent anywhere? That would give you a better clue as to provenance.

 

[eveled]

I agree but would add “reduced hilt, tear drop Bowie”

 

[SVT-40]

Whatever else one might call it, I'd call it a treasure. Looks like a nicely made piece, and the fact that it belonged to your old man makes it extra special, regardless of quality. Are there any makers marks apparent anywhere? That would give you a better clue as to provenance.

Thanks for your reply. No, not a mark of any kind on the knife or sheath...


Just a bit more history. In 2009 my Dad mounted and gave me these arrow heads he found while out prospecting in S.E. Utah. I'm sure he had this knife while out prospecting.

 

[Wild Willie]

Thanks for your reply. No, not a mark of any kind on the knife or sheath...


Just a bit more history. My Dad mounted and gave me these arrow heads he found while out prospecting in S.E. Utah.

Fine collection of points as well. I've got a few from my great grandad that he found while farming outside of Letchworth state park before he sold the operation. Treasures one and all.

 

[1911bphil]

That's an awesome knife from your dad. Thanks for sharing.

 

[helobite]

Don't discount some small customer knife maker made it. There are guys out there today making knives from files, scrap steel. Also making the sheaths to their knives. The WW2 generation had a huge number of men trained during the service to weld, to fabricate, build construction. These guys got out and used their skills to build all sorts of things. Some were quite skilled.

I suspect, that is the origin of your knife. How your Dad got it, you can create all sorts of stories. But it is one great looking knife.

 

[HexY3co]

Looks very nice. Love the modified coffin handle and that wood is great. I'd call it a clip point bowie with mod coffin.

 

[OnTheEdge72]

That is a beautiful piece right there! And extra special because it was your old mans

 

[SVT-40]

Thanks for all the replies, My Father was a very special guy. WWII pilot, H bomb test pilot. Plus lots of other interesting jobs.

What kind of steel is this? I really like the texture.

 

[Arathol]

Thanks for all the replies, My Father was a very special guy. WWII pilot, H bomb test pilot. Plus lots of other interesting jobs.

What kind of steel is this? I really like the texture.

Some sort of carbon steel with coal forge scale finish from the looks of it........

 

[gamepete]

My Dad passed away ten years ago. I found this knife in a tool box of his long after his death. I never knew about it. But I can guess it's from the 50's as he was in the Uranium mining business in that era. He spent a lot of time out in the wilderness around Monticello Utah he probably purchased it some where near Albuquerque NM. The blade was just left rough. Very nice figure to the wood handle. Nice waxed leather sheath. Not a marking to be found on either the knife or sheath, so not a commercially produced knife.

I have little knife knowledge. Searching around the web I've seen names such as "Frontier Trade knife, Belt Knife, Frontier knife, Bowie knife, Camp knife, Hunter knife and Trapper knife" But what most closely matches this knife?

Is that maple?

 

[dirc]

I don't think it looks like maple, more likely desert ironwood, which is pretty typical down in that area - simply stunning chatoyance

 

[Alberta Ed]

I'd call that a treasure.

 

[SVT-40]

I don't think it looks like maple, more likely desert ironwood, which is pretty typical down in that area - simply stunning chatoyance

I bet you're right. It never crossed my mind that the wood could be "Ironwood"... But it certainly looks like it. Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[Spats McGee]

Whatever else one might call it, I'd call it a treasure....

This, right here. I don't have the foggiest clue about maker, provenance, etc., but she's a beauty.

 

[eveled]

Curious if the retention strap works? Looks like the knife would slip right through.

 

[brownshoe]

I’d guess ironwood too, but I don’t know much

 

[SVT-40]

Curious if the retention strap works? Looks like the knife would slip right through.

The strap doesn't do much... It's more of a good friction fit into the sheath.