Tack Sources

Jay Mulcahy · Oct 17, 2004

I've been working on a couple of primitive looking knives (actually most anything I've made so far looks primitive compared to what I see here). I am looking for a source of brass and or copper tacks for dressing up the handles, pinning on rawhide etc. I tried some from Home Depot, but they were only plated and of course I dinged them up and the finish chipped off. Any ideas where to get some pure brass or copper tacks? Thanks for any leads!

AwP · Oct 17, 2004

Does Chuck Burrows of Wild Rose post on this forum? He has a good source for solid brass tacks.

Wild Rose · Oct 17, 2004

For solid brass tacks (brass head with steel shanks) www.crazycrow.com

For the real McCoy - solid brass heads with square brass shanks www.thetrunkshoppe.com - theses are pricey ($45.00 a hundred) but worth it when making high end period correct, pre-1850 pieces (steel shank tacks started being used by 1850 or so but the real McCoy solid brass tacks continued to be the most widely used by the natives.

Jay Mulcahy · Oct 17, 2004

Chuck thanks for the information, I'm going to order some to finish up a couple knives I've been working on. Indian George and I have all kinds of bones soaking in jars just waiting to get reincarnated as handles, so these tacks will come in handy. Can you describe the best way to mount them into bone?

Wild Rose · Oct 17, 2004

Howdy Jay - gad to help.
Bone is the tough one, followed by antler - but the way I do it is predrill a whole that is .015" or so smaller in diameter than the shank - this will give you a friction fit. Clip the point off so that it doesn't smack against the tang and then add a drop of 5 minute epoxy to the shank - it will slide up the shank and set up under the domed cap. Wipe off any extra with white vinegar or acetone.
The biggest problem with bone is it's inherent brittleness, it will crack if hit too hard.
With antler I drill through the hard outer section only.
In wood, such as maple, clip the point off and you can predrill just deep enough to get a good start if you want. Me I use a diamond shaped awl like a gimlet to make a starter hole.

Jay Mulcahy · Oct 19, 2004

Chuck, sorry it took so long to get back to you on this, but thanks again for the information. This style of knife is really intriging to me. Interestingly I've shown a couple of my early attempts to non knife people and they were well received, lots of comments and questions about how they are put together.
I wonder if people are interested because they appear "antique". If I get up the nerve maybe I'll see if my buddy Indian George can post a picture for some critique. Thanks again for all the help, you've certainly got me pointed in the right direction.

Ed Fowler · Oct 20, 2004

Thanks Chuck: I have been looking for some of their products for some time, I sincerely appreciate that information!
Take Care

indian george · Oct 20, 2004

Jay Mulcahy said:
Chuck, sorry it took so long to get back to you on this, but thanks again for the information. This style of knife is really intriging to me. Interestingly I've shown a couple of my early attempts to non knife people and they were well received, lots of comments and questions about how they are put together.
I wonder if people are interested because they appear "antique". If I get up the nerve maybe I'll see if my buddy Indian George can post a picture for some critique. Thanks again for all the help, you've certainly got me pointed in the right direction.

No problem BUBBA!!!! Jay, I did find some copper tacks and brass nails in my father's old junk. He must of got it when he worked at the old Atlas Tack Co. in the early 50's.
Bring your knives to the HI and I'll show you how to use my camera.

paintfool · Oct 20, 2004

My cousin is in the upholstery biz, if you can find a local shop they can usually find tacks and square nails of all materials, just an idea.

Wild Rose · Oct 20, 2004

Jay - not sure what it is about the "look" (Gene Chapman's word for it) exactly - I think that it has a sort of "life" to it or at least appears that way.

Ed glad to help.

As paintfool said upholstery shops should have the solid brass head tacks as well - just make sure they are the solid brass head ones (they come in what is called a French finish).