The klondike, what did they carry?

Kidwholaughs, the horses and mules definitely didn't fair so well, here are a few shots of the aptly named Dead Horse Trail:

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Stampeders had to have a years worth of supplies (about a ton) before the Canadian Mounted Police would let them go further than the top of the passes. In the case of Chilkoot pass this required a thirty mile trek, often done 40 times ( that's about a thousand miles!). Took and average of three months just for a poor sap to get his goods up to the top of the pass:

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Once they got over the passes, they encountered the Yukon River, at which point they had to build rafts and boats by whipsawing their own lumber, and travelling downriver some 500 miles. I'm thinking these folks went through a knife mighty quickly up there, likely it was the first thing they replaced once they hit town.

Here's a shot of what those hardened trekkers considered tablewear, just use an axe to carve the roast!

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Once Dawson was established (this happened VERY quickly with all that gold floating around), it became a very wealthy place, I'm sure more folks carried gent's knives around town than anything else. They even had the first opera house in Alaska! 99% of those stampeders didn't see a lick of gold once they got there, all the claims were filled by the original bunch who found the gold.

Eric
 
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I'm very interested by those photos, thanks! Also mesmerised by the idea of carrying 250 lb of bacon!
 
Obviously, "Cold Steel" knives. Actually, whatever was available at the time at a decent price. Probably a sheath knife, a barlow, or a clasp knife.
 
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Love the pictures.

"Also mesmerised by the idea of carrying 250 lb of bacon!"

My thoughts exactly.
 
I was fascinated those Klondike pictures too. Thanks Eric. I had to go Google Chilkoot Pass and Dead Horse Trail. Amazing what the thought of gold did to people.

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I am a big fan of Jack London and the goldrush. I suspect they would have carried something cheap and simple like a sodbuster. Thanks for reminding me I need to pick up one of his books again.
 
When I see references to a heavy pocketknife at that time, I think a regular jack in the 4" range would be a high probability. So many of the antique slipjoints of that era (at least what I have seen) are in the 3 3/8" to 3 3/4" size range, with knives 4" and up being somewhat uncommon. This Challenge is a pattern that would fit the bill well:
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Or this Challenge:
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Or this H&B:
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Of course, that cokebottle folding hunter would also be a good choice.
 
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Growing up, one of the local families had some Klondike souvenirs from a family member who made the trip. The knives included a cheap Barlow, a big stag-handled folder w/sheepsfoot and marlinspike, and one of the "hunter's companions" that were popular then: a butcher knife, a skinning knife, and a steel, all in one scabbard.

Their former owner packed in supplies, and did make some minor profit.
 
Interesting list, TwoDogs. Seems like a fixed blade and a pocketknife that could be pinched open would be the way to go.

This Virginian jack knife is 4 3/4s closed with the IXL “Celebrated” stamp that Levine’s Guide says is circa 1860s-1890s.

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Mike,
That jack is without a doubt one of the finest I think I've ever seen! I don't know why, maybe just the perfectly proprtioned lines, but I'm mesmerized! Note too that it has a pen blade that's narrow enough to be used for what it's name intended.

Eric
 
Lambertiana, I admire those knives you show:thumbup:

Mike Robuck, If they took that knife with them they would've struck gold already:D
 
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