Sheep Shear Knives

KnifeHead

KnifeHead

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Apr 5, 2006
Messages
5,576
Don't know if these are common or not. These show up in flea markets around here occasionally. It's amazing how cool these look and it's just a little bit of work to turn something that looks like junk into a cool knife.

These belong to a friend of mine...picked up at the Croy Creek Traders Fair, Brazil, Indiana.

sheepshearknives.jpg
 
I likem. Can you show more pics of how they are constructed? The other side maybe?
 
Fiddleback said:
I likem. Can you show more pics of how they are constructed? The other side maybe?
Click to expand...

Darnit! That is the only image I have but I can tell you there isnt anything different on the other side. It's half of a sheep shear like this
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/HAND-SHEARS-S...emZ290094055638QQcategoryZ11752QQcmdZViewItem

They get cut in two and the handle material is riveted on what ends up being the top of the handle. VIOLA! Primitive Knife :D Putz around on ebay and you will see these shears can be very collectable.
 
Very cool looking cutters Kerry :thumbup: I really like the rustic looking work on the bottom handle, the top 2 are just.........primitive looking ;) I like em !
 
Now I understand - they took a shear that had broken the spring and modified it to a knife with wood or bone for a handle !
 
I may have to try to make some of those. I have plenty of shears laying around, I sheared sheep to help pay for school. I never did shear enough to stay in school. lol
 
mete said:
Now I understand - they took a shear that had broken the spring and modified it to a knife with wood or bone for a handle !
Click to expand...

I know one fellow that buys good, old shears and cuts the spring off to make 2 knives. The old Sheffield marked shears can bring some money on Ebay and these guys are cutting them up to make knives :eek:

It does make a pretty cool looking primitive knife eh;)
 
These were very popular among the Cheyene, and Sioux in the late 19th C.
 
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