Wile E. Coyote Knife Photo

[Dana Acker]

Here's another Terrill Hoffman photo of one of my "Bear Cult" knives I did for the show. The "Bear Cult" was a group of elite warriors within the Blackfoot tribe--kinda like their Green Berets or Navy Seals. Members carried knives with bear jaws for handles. I use coyote jaws, because the US Dept. of the Interior (wildlife police) take a dim view of using bear parts for anything. This particular coyote was killed by a falling Acme anvil while trying to catch a roadrunner--so I'm told.

I've seen this type of knife in the movie "The Mountain Men," with Charlton Heston and Brian Keith, and also in the book "Mystic Warriors of the Plains." Daniel Winkler made the first custom version I saw. Daniel was a tremendous help to and influence on me when I was first getting started, and several pieces of his older equipment is in my shop today. I hope any similarity in style on my more period or rustic type pieces would be seen as a tribute to him and his (and Karen Shook's) fine fine work. It's certainly intended that way.

The blade is forged of 1095 and the coyote jaws are wrapped with rawhide. The tassle is braided leather with bone and brass beads.

[Sweany]

Dana, you are the second person I know to use anvils to trap coyotes. Seems the coyotes are strangely attracted to them, and can't stay away

Kewl knife bro. I gotta go rent Jerimiah Johnson and the Mountain Men

[Lawrence Kemp]

Great looking knife Dana, and you're right about the photography. When I look at a knife like that, I can't help but think about the people that carried them as part of their survival equipment.....

[Mongoose]

Mighty meaty lookin' beast, Dana!
Very cool!

[Phillip Jones]

That knife definitely has a grip with some "bite" to it.

[Gene Chapman]

Has that look Dana, great.

[Chuck Burrows]

Was browsing through the threads and when I came across this gorgeous knife it rang a bell (fantastic work Dana). Found the following image in the book "Native American Weapons" by Colin Taylor.
This is an original collected by Duke Paul Willhelm of Wurttemberg (1829-1831). The sheath is decorated with split bird quills which is an eastern Plains rather than Northern Plains art form. They figure it's Assinboin or Eastern Sioux not Blackfoot, whch they had originally thought it was. Although there was a lot of trade up and down the Upper Missouri even then so the knife still might be Blackfoot.
Anyway thought ya'll might find it of interest.



I gotta try one of this style sheath, although I don't know about the bird quills - maybe beads or something?

Chuck

[DiamondG Knives]

Hey Dana, whats the proper/legal anvil weight for coyote bashing in N. Carolina?

Love the knife! How are the jaws attatched? Are they held only by the rawhide? Also whats your source for jawbones? Would large dogs do? Thinking roadkill here, or possibly the vets bone pit.


Mike

[Dana Acker]

The knife has a full tang contoured to the shape of the jawbones. The jaws are pinned through with brass pins. The rawhide was stretched wet over them and laced with hemp cord. The rawhide shrinks tight and makes the grip more comfortable--it doesn't "bite" the user that way. Large dogs would do. I've made them all different sizes depending on what jaws I have available--I rely alot on hunters. My dog nailed a 'possum once and I made a miniature one with possum jaws. It was cute. I gave it to a lady with a rawhide wrapped neck sheath. Raccoon jaws make a good medium knife handle. Mike try these guys out. They have a good assortment of bones etc.

http://www.clawantlerhide.com/

[Dana Acker]

Cool picture, Chuck. Are those bird quills or porcupine? I bought a book on Indian quill work and the author suggested using porqupine quills. I bought a bag from Crazy Crow, I think,--that's the link you posted, isn't it? Haven't done anything with them yet. One of those projects I intend to get around to learning if "one of these days" ever comes.

[Dana Acker]

You know, if one of these days ever does get here, I'm going to be one busy fellow.

[Chuck Burrows]

The book says they are bird quills! Never seen it before.

I've done porky quill work so if you ever get aroundtoit get a hold of me. I learned a few tricks from some of the old ladies up on the Rosebud Res many moons ago- they got a big kick out of teaching a wasichu boy! I think I would have blushed even more if I'd known exactly what they were joking about but I got the gist!

Chuck

[Dana Acker]

Very cool, Chuck, would love to see some of your work some time. Got any photos to post?

[DiamondG Knives]

Thanks Dana, Ill give them a try.

P.S.
Did you get my email?


Mike

[Dana Acker]

Yes, Mike. Just slow on the draw today. I'm more than up for it. E-mail me some details, where you'll be and such, what your schedule is etc., and I'll get back to you, Bro.