Old Hickory Belt Knife

T

Tomahawk23

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The Old Hickory 7 inch Butcher Knife
I just purchased one of these bad boys online for six bucks, (...shipping was the same price as the knife).
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My Grandfather has had one that he uses out in his tool shed for all his cutting needs. Its over 40 years old and just as good as new. I read in a knife book that among a lot of cowboys, back in the day, this was one of the most popular knives for general use and a lot of times as a belt knife.
I plan on getting some leather and making a nice Sheath for this thing.

Does anyone else have and use one of these as a belt knife?
If so... How does it perform for you?
 
I have a knife just like that one. It has been used for yard work mainly. It takes a great edge, but may be pretty thick from factory. If you thin the edge down some, you will be impressed with how well they cut. They seem to be a little thinner than the moderern fixed blade/ belt knife, but if you use it like a knife it will be fine.


Best of luck,
John
 
My local Thrft store have a couple of those. They are pretty old and used. They are asking twelve bucks per which is to steep. You got a beauty and a good price.
 
Greetings Tomahawk23, The knife you just purchased is made of 1095 carbon, excellent edge retention, the brass rivets turn a nice color when used frequently. The company that makes this blade has a most excellent set of this knives ranging from butcher to paring , ice picks, boning pieces, cleaver and even a sharpening steel. You could buy the entire set at the same price as a good quality single blade that any reputable company has on their catalog.
 
Head over to our tradional forum and talk to Steve, aka sm2. He is full of wisdom and experience, knows a lot about Old Hickories.
I want one! Why doesn't eknifeworks carry them!
 
I saw one of these (used) at a local gun show recently, and remembering all the good things I'd read about them, I was going to buy it. The guy wanted $25!!! I couldn't believe it- had a very hard time not saying something, but just kept my peace and moved on.

Thanks for the tips on where to find them.
 
Jennifer_B said:
What did you do to the handle on that one?
Click to expand...

Sanded it down until it was flush with the tang all around and softened up any sharp edges. 600 grit on the final pass, smooth as glass. Two coats of walnut stain and a linseed oil soak. Pretty simple and easy, it didn't take much time at all. Then I filed off the hump on the spine, clipped the point and radiused the edge near the handle. I think it'll make a fine field knife once I get a chance to sheath it.
 
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I just bought a couple of Old Hickory knives.

A cleaver, and an 8" chef's knife.

Paid about 9 bucks each, brand new.

The cleaver is a really nice piece, perfect for its use.
Heavy and pretty darn sharp right out of the package.

The chef's knife is a little thinner than I thought it would be, it's almost as flexible as some fillet knives I have. And the edge needed some work, but just a little bit.
So now it's a great slicer, 9 bucks, made in the USA of 1095.

What a great deal. :thumbup:
 
I bought a couple of O.H. knives about a year ago, because they are so cheap and I wanted to look at them. These are new ones. They were good for the price paid but not up to the Forgecraft knives that I have. My mom had a set of Forgecraft knives and I still remember her telling me when I was a child how they had to be washed and dried immediately after using them. I think they date from the 1940's or early 50's. She put them away when the cheap lightweight stainless steel knives came out but my dad would still get out the Forgecraft when it came time to carve the Thanksgiving Turkey. You can still find them on that big auction website at a good price. I dont know about the old O.H. knives but would take the F.C. over the modern day O.H. in a heartbeat. These are the best knives I own, both for the memories they have and they are excellent knives.
 
Actually I think they used the very curved skinner model to make the nesmuck.
 
OH71.jpg

Here's the type of knife I've seen used to make a Nessmuk.
Might try modding one, after I do my Tramontina Scramasax.
 
Hmm, Mr. Preston beat me by a minute...:D

Here's a good conversion tutorial for those interested:
Click

Some other things that can be done:
Click
 
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