Tell me about historical ranching/cowboy knives

[Travis Fry]

I'm aware of historical and historically inspired Bowies and military knives and the like, but I'm curious if anyone has any pictures, resources, or information about the typical working knives of ranchers and cowboys from the days before barbed wire. I'd guess that most of what was available was either made locally according to local styles and materials, or made in Sheffield. I think I'd like to explore this genre in my knifemaking, but hardly know where to start. Please feel free to share anything.

 

[cbach8tw]

Very interesting, I would like to see them as well. I bet a lot were just plain skinners like green river knives, or local black smith creations, I am sure blacksmiths were needed to create branding irons, and re-shoe their horses.

 

[Jason Fry]

You might ask in the Traditional forum. Look at the "old knives" thread for some killer late 1800's slipjoints, if nothing else.