What knives were really carried?

[Winter Hawk]

I remember reading a book about Dan'l Boone, back when I was in about 4th grade, and it described cutting the patch at the muzzle and carrying a special patch knife for this.  Over the years since then I have read of the various woodsmen (longhunters, plainsmen, mountain men, etc.) carrying hunting knives, butcher knives, fighting knives, patch knives, scalping knives, barlow (pocket) knives and I don't know what else.  It seems to me that, wandering the wilderness, a person would have the minimum of gear.  So if one knife will work for all the cutting chores, that is what one would carry, probably a medium sized butcher knife with which to dress out game, cut patches, stab the infidels etc.

So is there any provenance on what was carried and where?  Not in a wagon, but on a person so it was right at hand.  I would imagine that some of the reenactors have knowledge to pass on to this pilgrim!

Thanks,
~WH~

[amm1851]

One knife may be enough; provided, of course, you don't lose that knife. Or break it. Or have it stolen. Or wear it out. Just my two bits.

[Ohio Joe]

Most patch knifes we see today are small and worn around the neck in a small sheath, or sewn into a special pocket on one's shooting bag as a loading extension tool. We also normally see today's reenactor with one knife on their waist as well.

I do agree with amm1851 that one knife (depending on just what you were doing for a living) would be enough.

With this said, IMHO, the knife you choose to carry on your person would have to be the one that can be used for dressing out game and cutting up meat as well as affording yourself with a fighting tool as a last ditch effort if an enemy was on you. It had to be an all around knife for everyday use.

[amm1851]

If I were going into the wilderness for an extended period,  I would definitely take more than one knife with me. Inexpensive butcher style knives were brought to the Rocky Mountain rendezvous by the thousands. Many were used as trade goods, but the trapper's themselves purchased many for personal use.
As I said, a lot of things can happen to a knife, and if you lose your only blade for whatever reason, you could be in serious trouble if you're hundreds or thousands of miles from a source of resupply.

[Ohio Joe]

I agree with amm1851.    

[amm1851]

You said it much better than I did, Joe.  

[Bigsmoke]

Carrying this out just a little bit further, I would not envision a trapper with more than one, possibly two knives carried on his person at one time.  They would probably be a larger butcher knife carried on the belt, and a smaller fixed blade or even a folding knife carried on or in his shooting pouch or possible bag.
And I do agree that he would have backup knives in case of breakage or loss, probably carried in his supplies on a horse.
But that is mere supposition on my part, I claim no great knowledge on the subject.
John

[amm1851]

I think John is right. For myself,  I  carry a butcher knife on my belt and a folding knife inside my shooting pouch. I have a spare knife at the bottom of my haversack, plus maybe another knife or hatchet tucked somewhere.
We have pretty solid information about what sort of knives were brought to the Rockies in the rendezvous period based on the lists of goods that are available online in several places,  including the AMM website.  The vast majority were inexpensive butcher knives, imported by the tens of thousands from England,  many marked GR, short for the Latin Georgius Rex,  for King George,  but which the mountain men took to mean Green River.
Nobody likes a pretty knife more than I do, but most of the knives carried by the mountain men were plain knives, meant to be used hard and replaced when worn out.

[Bigsmoke]

What? :shock:  :shock:  :shock:  :shock:

Do you mean to tell me that every single mountain man in the Rocky Mountains DID NOT carry a 14" blade Bowie Knife?      

OK, I'm gonna go snivel and cry, maybe go out in the yard and eat some worms.

John

[amm1851]

 :horse

[Bigsmoke]

Do you mean to tell me that this fine little knife would not be appropriate for an AMM gathering?



And that something like this would not have probably been carried?

This day is just getting worse and worse by the minute.

John

[amm1851]

I think you should send it to me so it won't be a painful reminder for you.  :peace

[Longhunter]

This'n will do it all

[hawkthrower]

Knifes are a necessity but a sharp blade is useful even if broken - many knifes were honed until there was nothing but a nub..... Seen several vintage blades that look like they wore out a stone or two, so several spares of differing size and shape might be included in a pack roll. Having been out and about  in the wilderness a bunch over the last long time I have found it prudent to have at least three handy. A small pocket knife, a folder (both of which I carry habitually at work and everywhere), when out hunting or on a long walk I add either a single large blade capable of butchering and scraping a hide or the kit below -  

My folder can be a patch knife but I generally carry pre-cut patches, pocket knife has its uses as well as a larger blade sheath knife. I even have a few "long knifes" for "extended reach" but I generally don't carry my katana, wakizashi, and tanto, or the rapier and main gauche much for adventures in the wild.  

[amm1851]

Good looking knives, Ron and Hawkthrower, and excellent points.