Need help finding a trade knife (trader knife)

KnifeSeek3r · Dec 8, 2022

I'm looking for a trade knife (sometimes I see "trader knife") of a specific style. The two linked below are both excellent, but apparently Ellerbe knives are no longer obtainable.

Everything else I can find is of dubious quality, has too little blade (I'm looking for about 6" - 9"), wonky handle materials or shapes, or is a custom job that I won't have in hand for a year+.

Does anyone have any suggestions for large-ish trade knives of the style of these Ellerbe knives? Thank you!

Wick Ellerbe

tltt · Dec 8, 2022

Custom - http://www.swampfoxknives.com/ or https://www.olddominionforge.com/knives.html .

The pattern you're looking for is called a Scalper.

KnifeSeek3r · Dec 8, 2022

tltt said:
Custom - http://www.swampfoxknives.com/ or https://www.olddominionforge.com/knives.html .

The pattern you're looking for is called a Scalper.

I actually exchanged a couple messages with Old Dominion forge yesterday, you're right, they've got a couple that come very close to what I'm looking for, too. I might end up going that route, but I'm still hoping to find one that checks all of my boxes.

tltt · Dec 8, 2022

John Nowill of Sheffield offers a repro of them, it's a 6 1/2" in blade -

https://www.travelersantiquesandtrading.com/product/sheffield-knifes/ .

Company site - https://sheffieldknives.co.uk/acatalog/Miscellaneous-Knives---Scrapers-p1.html .

Some guys grind their own out of the larger butcher patterns.

luethge · Dec 8, 2022

Longhunters knife with reclaimed red oak

Finished up this longhunter's knife today! Definitely a classic design. The blade on this one is 8" long, 1/8" thick and forged from 1095 high carbon steel. The handle is made from Red Oak reclaimed from my barn and was torched dyed and oiled to a really nice antique finish. The pins are brass...

wilderforge.com

KnifeSeek3r · Dec 8, 2022

luethge said:
Longhunters knife with reclaimed red oak

Finished up this longhunter's knife today! Definitely a classic design. The blade on this one is 8" long, 1/8" thick and forged from 1095 high carbon steel. The handle is made from Red Oak reclaimed from my barn and was torched dyed and oiled to a really nice antique finish. The pins are brass...

wilderforge.com

Beautiful, if a bit large, but looks like it's been sold, unfortunately.

luethge · Dec 8, 2022

KnifeSeek3r said:
Beautiful, if a bit large, but looks like it's been sold, unfortunately.

Mr Wilder re stocks pretty often. If you like his style, maybe reach out to him. Very humble maker that listens to his customers.

Alberta Ed · Dec 8, 2022

Check out Cold Steel Red River knives.

KnifeSeek3r · Dec 9, 2022

tltt said:
John Nowill of Sheffield offers a repro of them, it's a 6 1/2" in blade -

https://www.travelersantiquesandtrading.com/product/sheffield-knifes/ .

Company site - https://sheffieldknives.co.uk/acatalog/Miscellaneous-Knives---Scrapers-p1.html .

Some guys grind their own out of the larger butcher patterns.

The scalping knife they have there is close, but not quite the finish or shape I'm after. And not sure if it has a sheath?

Tod Cutler also has one that's kinda similar that I'm still considering.