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The Outpost This forum is dedicated to all who share a love for, and a desire to make good knives, and have fun doing it. We represent a diverse group of smiths and knifemakers who bring numerous methods to their craft. |
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#1
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Guard or no Guard
In the study mode of making a Frontieer era knife. Was wondering what the consensus is on traditinal knives. Did the have guards or not? Just wanting to pick your brains for ideas!!
God Bless Mike __________________ "I cherish the Hammer of Thor, but I praise the hand of God" |
#2
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jackpot
Mike I did a search and came up with these two links
Blacksmiths Gazzette Hudson Bay digital Museum Manitoba __________________ NT Barkin Turtle Tribe ~~~Life is what it is~~~ |
#3
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Mike- It really has in part to do with how you want to describe a "frontier" knife and maybe even more important what time period are you discussing. Period Correct is a term often touted by reenactors - the problem though is "what" Period is one discussing. For instance what is PC for the late 1700's for example does not hold true for the 1840-1850, the period in which I base most of my gear on.
In general pre 1827 frontier knives (and most other's as well) are guardless. Then after 1827 - the birth of the Bowie and Bowies were definitely frontier knives - guards became more used, but the generic "trade" knife was almost always guardless. Some books to check out are: "Fur Trade Cutlery Sketchbook" available several places including it's home www.furtrade.org - this is the Museum of the Fur Trade's site and the back issues of it's quarterly are of inestimable value to any student of the frontier. "American Primitive Knives 1770-1880" Gordon Minnis "Early Knives and Beaded Sheaths of the American Frontier" John Baldwin Sweany's links are great sources as well. But remember there really is no such thing as a generic "frontier" knife - too much depends on time period, area of use, etc. __________________ Chuck Burrows Hand Crafted Leather & Frontier Knives dba Wild Rose Trading Co Durango, CO chuck@wrtcleather.com www.wrtcleather.com The beautiful sheaths created for storing the knife elevate the knife one step higher. It celebrates the knife it houses. |
#4
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Sweany: Thansks! Man those are cool sites!
Chuck: Thanks for the refrence. I made one some time back that had a Buffalo shin bone handle that was topped with a waterbuffalo horn spacer that flared to form a guard of sorts, nothing fancy, just a flare in the end of the handle that swelled to make a safer grip, Blade was made from a rasp with faint file markings left in the blade. I was thinking of the fur trapper area, but not stuck on anyone era, mabe a brass or copper spacer next to the blade? What would you guys suggest for length? Mine was @ 17" total, was bigger better back when? Or am I trying to attatch ideas to a piece that has no limits?? Oh well the mind is a triible thing to waste!!! LOL Thanks for the imput guys. Just got ideas rumbling around in this Ol Jug and trying to get them out! God Bless Mike __________________ "I cherish the Hammer of Thor, but I praise the hand of God" |
#5
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Mike-
Quote:
Frontier knives came in all kinds of shapes and size - big was not necessarily better, but it was pretty popular. For instance in many early writings the Longhunters - Daniel Boone, et al , were known as "Long Knives" by the natives. When thinking of designs also think of the major influences on Frontier knives, The French Trade Knife (basically a version of the common French Chef's knife), the Spanish Belduque, and last but not least the Scottish dirk. I think a lot of folks forget how much influence the Scot's Hielanders had on Frontier America from the mid 1700's - after the '45 - when so many were forced from their home and lands and transported to the New World. When looked at closely all three of the above named knives have a similarity to design and use and that transferred into such knives as the American Rifleman's knife. The western trapping era gives an even greater leeway in design - as noted it was during this era (approximately 1820-1840 the classic Mtn Man period although I think that can be extended to around 1855) that the Bowie Knife came into being. __________________ Chuck Burrows Hand Crafted Leather & Frontier Knives dba Wild Rose Trading Co Durango, CO chuck@wrtcleather.com www.wrtcleather.com The beautiful sheaths created for storing the knife elevate the knife one step higher. It celebrates the knife it houses. |
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