Mystery knives

[not2sharp]

This was a vintage Buck 110 Gen 2, dating to 1968-1970. But as you can see it has been heavily modified. It appears that this kind of alteration was common at the time with bike gangs. They would modify the knife for quick one hand deployment. To me it looks good and it works. An interesting mod by person(s) unknown.

n2s

 

[not2sharp]

This is an interesting old fighter which turned up in South America 25 years back. It is considerably older than that and resembles some of the later knives made in Guam during the early 20th century. Although it likely predates those as well. For now, I have this tagged as an 18th or 19th century knife possibly from Guam. Then again, for all we know it may have been Jim Bowies knife from the sandbar fight....all part of the fun with mystery knives.

For reference: The two Guam (Chamorro) knives below date from around the period WWI and the interwar years. Guam was a very small place (about 13,000 people in 1920), so all of these knives would have likely been made by the same school or family of knifemakers.


This photos below were shared with me during the 1990s. They are from the last traditional knife maker in Guam. He also believed the knives shown above may have been made by someone in his family. Unfortunately, he has since passed away. These are his knives shown below.



n2s

 

[not2sharp]

Today we have yet another species of "theater knives".

These are knives made from modified swords.

This was cut down from a Weyersberg Kirschbaum & Co. sword. Most likely a 1898 Artillery sword.



This one is a cutdown French Briquet sword



The top knife is very well done. Especially the modification to the guard. These kinds of conversions were popular. The best know US examples were the knives made during WWII from cut down Patton swords.

Although the original swords are well documented we can only guess at when or why these modifications may have been made.

n2s

 

[not2sharp]

Halloween is approaching again, so this is probably a good time to continue our discussion.


Below is what is likely a very old knife which may predate the U.S. Revolution (1700s) Unfortunately, I have been unable to read the marking. The blade stock on this is about 1/4” so massive camp knives are anything but a recent invention.



N2s

 

[not2sharp]

Here is a more recent mystery knife. What I find most interesting about this is the knife has been ground from a single massive piece of metal ( The guard is integral to the blade).



N2s

 

[killgar]

Here is a more recent mystery knife. What I find most interesting about this is the knife has been ground from a single massive piece of metal ( The guard is integral to the blade).

View attachment 2656438

N2s

Are you sure the guard wasn't welded to the blade? A good weld, after grinding, can look like a continuous piece of steel.

Nice collection by the way

 

[not2sharp]

Are you sure the guard wasn't welded to the blade? A good weld, after grinding, can look like a continuous piece of steel.

Nice collection by the way

If it’s a weld, it would be excellent work. I had examine the guard from all angles and there is zero discoloration and nothing to indicate assembly.

There are a lot of interesting knives out there, but you have to be willing to break from the catalogs and well documented makers to find them.

N2s

 

[KentuckyBlackBird]

Picked this up in a bundle of knives. It’s at least a foot long and has this stamp on it. I’m not familiar with the makers mark but it looks like it says Erie Forge or something close to that. Does anyone have any information on this particular knife or the marking? Thanks!

 

[Danke42]

We are unable to see your photo.

That's called commitment to keeping the mystery alive.

 

[not2sharp]

Kentuckyblackbird,

Your knife is a butcher knife and looks to be very similar to the Ontario Made Knives (Old Hickory model 77-7) with a 7" blade. Ontario made/makes these with up to a 14" blade. There were a number of producers marketing similar blades with the drop forged lines along the blade.

Edited to add: There is an Erie Forge and Steel Inc. (Whemco) that operates out of Erie Pennsylvania. But, they currently produce mining and marine powerplant components, including drive shafts for US aircraft carriers.

n2s

 

[not2sharp]

Here is another interesting knife. I have seen similar commercial rigs used in butcher shops, but this is a very nice handmade knife and sheath.



N2s

 

[KentuckyBlackBird]

Kentuckyblackbird,

Your knife is a butcher knife and looks to be very similar to the Ontario Made Knives (Old Hickory model 77-7) with a 7" blade. Ontario made/makes these with up to a 14" blade. There were a number of producers marketing similar blades with the drop forged lines along the blade.

Edited to add: There is an Erie Forge and Steel Inc. (Whemco) that operates out of Erie Pennsylvania. But, they currently produce mining and marine powerplant components, including drive shafts for US aircraft carriers.

n2s

Thank you sir. I have found the same knife on that big sale sight. It is what I believe to be an Ekco Forge from long ago, when they still produced carbon blades. I appreciate your feedback!!!

 

[not2sharp]

From Swords, Daggers, & Cutlasses, Gerald Weland (Chartwell Books, 1991)



N2s