Traditional Muzzleloading Association

Craftsmanship => Accoutrements => Topic started by: PetahW on March 30, 2019, 04:46:43 PM

Title: Finished A New Knife Build - A Scalper
Post by: PetahW on March 30, 2019, 04:46:43 PM: .

I ran across this Dexter/Russell (10" long x 1/8" thick blade) knife today @ a Salvation Army store @ $3 - and thought it might make up into a nice "Butcher Bowie".

(https://i.imgur.com/boNkv7Xm.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/ZgWtVUfm.jpg)

Since I had a piece of a shed stag/antler (Whitetail), I wanted to graft it onto the blade after I cleaned the blade up.

(https://i.imgur.com/AOBndn8m.jpg)

So, I removed the plastic grip and gave the blade a preliminary cleanup.

(https://i.imgur.com/rgINdZSm.jpg)

I did a dummy fit, just to see if was doable.

(https://i.imgur.com/PoMOy9mm.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/BYRadEGm.jpg)

I'm pretty sure it's a viable conversion - this is what it might look like when I'm done - I just have to decide about a crossguard, and fit everything.

(https://i.imgur.com/ovTiI60l.jpg)

We'll see how it comes out, at a future date ( que sera sera )…………….. :toast

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Title: Re: Started A New Knife Build
Post by: Uncle Russ on March 30, 2019, 05:14:09 PM: :hairy

Looking good!
To blade guard or not to blade guard.....I'm glad that will be your decision.

:Doh! I spent a good 10 minutes looking. and thinking about that, What to do, what to do?!?!?
Title: Re: Started A New Knife Build
Post by: PetahW on March 30, 2019, 06:30:01 PM: .

ILO of a traditional crossguard, I'm thinking about a round(ish) guard, with a funky edge to match the antler burr/crown @ the rear.

I'll most likely make a few different guards from cardboard, to determine what looks best to my eye, before I make a metal guard.

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Title: Re: Started A New Knife Build
Post by: prairie dog on March 31, 2019, 03:02:03 PM: Poured pewter is always an option.
Title: Re: Started A New Knife Build
Post by: Ironhand on April 01, 2019, 10:45:06 AM: Use the antler burr as your guard and cast a pewter end cap.

IronHand
Title: Re: Started A New Knife Build
Post by: Nessmuk on April 01, 2019, 12:52:47 PM: Quote from: Ironhand on April 01, 2019, 10:45:06 AM
Use the antler burr as your guard and cast a pewter end cap.

IronHand

I think Ironhand has nailed it. That would be an awesome knife.
Title: Re: Finished A New Knife Build - A Scalper
Post by: PetahW on April 03, 2019, 11:11:50 PM: .

After trying various cross guard configs, I decided to go w/o one, simply dressing down the front end of the stag/antler a bit.

(https://i.imgur.com/YMdgbk3l.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/KkMaiq2l.jpg)

IDK if I'll make a sheath for it yet...………………

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Title: Re: Finished A New Knife Build - A Scalper
Post by: LRB on April 17, 2019, 02:57:06 PM: Going with no guard was a good choice. In the 18th c., guards on any knife other than a double edged dagger, or repurposed/broken sword knife, would be rare to non-existent. One of my books on early knives has one very much like yours, and it was an early to mid 19th c. knife. You did well, especially considering what you had to work with. And as I recall, a very similar knife was found near fort Ticonderoga. It is considered an 18th c. knife, but has poor provenance as far as exact location of being found, and when.
Title: Re: Finished A New Knife Build - A Scalper
Post by: Uncle Russ on April 17, 2019, 05:13:18 PM: Quote from: LRB on April 17, 2019, 02:57:06 PM
Going with no guard was a good choice. In the 18th c., guards on any knife other than a double edged dagger, or repurposed/broken sword knife, would be rare to non-existent. One of my books on early knives has one very much like yours, and it was an early to mid 19th c. knife. You did well, especially considering what you had to work with. And as I recall, a very similar knife was found near fort Ticonderoga. It is considered an 18th c. knife, but has poor provenance as far as exact location of being found, and when.

Geeesh, I never knew that!
Thanks, LRB for sharing that little bit of information.

:hairy
Title: Re: Finished A New Knife Build - A Scalper
Post by: Ohio Joe on April 17, 2019, 08:12:07 PM: Good lookin' knife for sure.

It didn't dawn on me about guards on knives until I started thinking about the "trade" knives during the western Fur Trade / Rendezvous period that I'm so fond of recreating. When one thinks about it,,,there are no guard's on the trade knives, and most likely that's just about all those souls were a'carrying, including the Indians... Most tribes of the west that ventured to Rendezvous no doubt traded a'lot for these "guard'less" knives, as did the trappers.

:shake
Title: Re: Finished A New Knife Build - A Scalper
Post by: LRB on April 30, 2019, 09:03:15 AM: If PC/HC is of concern, always use iron/steel, pins and pin rivets in knife making. Brass and copper, just as guards, would be rare to non-existent on original knives, with exception of swords and naval items. Brass and copper was too expensive for any but the well off. Pewter is acceptable where high strength is not required.
Title: Re: Finished A New Knife Build - A Scalper
Post by: Hanshi on April 30, 2019, 04:26:02 PM: I think the knife looks really good. A fellow would be proud to have his hair lifted with that knife. :yessir:
Title: Re: Finished A New Knife Build - A Scalper
Post by: PetahW on April 30, 2019, 06:30:48 PM: .

Thanks to all, for the kind words - I really appreciate them. :toast

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