Trade Knife

[Pug-butter]

8_3/8"x1/16" blade of 5160 steel with iron pins and cow-horn scales. Made in the USA. So why is it so cheap?

The sale price from (insert website here) is $50. I'd be willing to bet they skimped out on the heat-treat—unless, of course, that thin stock, which is historically accurate and should still be plenty strong, means they can make many more knives from a single bar of 5160.

If you have seen this knife before I'm curious about its manufacture and its reliability. It looks like a traditional version of the JAB Baconmaker; very interesting. Thanks in advance for any help you guys can muster up.

 

[sunnyd]

It seems to be a 'trade knife' reproduction meant to look like circa late 18th or early 19th century. Its hard to tell the quality just from the picture of coarse but I suspect it will still bring a small profit margin to the maker at 50. USD.

 

[stevomiller]

The fact that it is 1/16" reduces the costs of material, and also the labor/time involved. My only question is where they are getting 1/16" 5160? I haven't ever seen it from a supplier thinner than 3/16, and that is pretty rare. Hmmm.