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Post by Beaver Hunter on Apr 26, 2012 18:33:47 GMT -7
I was wondering if anyone knows of a company or individual who makes a PC half tang knife in the style of J. Wilson or other 1830's style butcher knives? I know J. Adams LTD makes a 19th century pattern butcher knife. Here's their link: But theirs are full un-tapered tangs. Seems like most of the originals were half tangs, or at least tapered towards the back if full tangs. I am looking for a 6 inch blade, half tang, and 4 or 5 iron pins in the handle. Does anyone produce or make a "new knife" like this? Or will I just have to find and buy an original... |
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Post by Chuck Burrows on Apr 27, 2012 6:01:37 GMT -7
There are lots of maker's that could do it, but I'd check with Wick Elllerbe first don't know if he has one on his site but he can do it and do it right..... www.wickellerbe.comThere are other options like taking a Green River butcher (the marks are easily removed) and re-doing the tang and grip. ALso you do realize that full tangs were not unknown in the period? they were just more expensive and is one reason that you see butcher's of varying cost on the trade lists. |
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Post by randychurch on Apr 27, 2012 9:18:52 GMT -7
I love butcher knives..This is one of my wintertime remodels. I got the knife from a flea market/yard sale thing. I poured the bolster 'cause it was splintered and made the sheath...The knife has no markings and the 3 pins are steel instead of brass . I haven't seen another like that. It's also very large, about 15" and an untapered full tang. Someone ahead of me had filed the handle into a semi-ball end..  Sorry if my train of thought is scattered. I had surgery yesterday and am currently wacked out on pain pills but my point was there is still some very unique butchers available in the junk bins...... |
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Post by Beaver Hunter on Apr 27, 2012 9:22:50 GMT -7
Thanks Chuck! I will give Wick a call and see what he can do. His work looks excellent! I figured full tangs were out there too, but I want something a little more common for the average trapper on the Upper Missouri. I don't really want to buy/use an original, so having a new knife made in the same style as the old half tang Wilsons will be perfect.
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Pare
Mountaineer
Posts: 153
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Post by Pare on May 18, 2012 17:11:45 GMT -7
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Post by randychurch on May 19, 2012 10:07:44 GMT -7
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Post by caintuckrifle on May 31, 2012 20:18:37 GMT -7
I would recommend watching thrift stores sometimes you can find good old used carbon knives that is where all my knives came from. Also try old hickory knife works.
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Post by Beaver Hunter on Sept 3, 2012 13:31:46 GMT -7
Here is my second attempt at modifying a knife to match an original. This time I started with a half-tang post 1890 marked Wilson butcher knife that matched the profile of an original from the 1830's. The markings were not very deep on this knife and the blade was in perfect shape. I ground off the later markings without really changing the thickness of the blade. I then polished the blade, made new beechwood handle scales and pinned it with the five pin pattern. I made the sheath using thick veg-tanned leather and correct one piece cast brass tacks from the Trunk Shoppe. I feel that this "new" knife is a good representation of a common butcher knife carried by the original mountaineers. Attachments:
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Pare
Mountaineer
Posts: 153
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Post by Pare on Sept 6, 2012 12:35:15 GMT -7
Looks spot-on to me. Very well done!
Also, have you seen the butcher and scalper knives offered at Ft. Union?
Pare-
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Post by Beaver Hunter on Sept 6, 2012 14:25:28 GMT -7
Thanks Pare! Yes, I have seen the ones at Fort Union. They are good quality knives. But, their butcher knife is a full tang knife. When a half tang knife was more common at the time. The blade profile on the scalper seems off a little to me. I believe they get their knives from this supplier in England: www.sheffieldknives.co.uk/acatalog/Miscellaneous-Knives---Scrapers.htmlBelow is a Scalper knife that I purchased from Kyle Willyard at the Old Dominion Forge. It is a great knife and well worth the money! -Ryan Attachments:
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Post by Rod on Sept 10, 2012 13:52:25 GMT -7
Ft. Union gets their butchers from England, and their scalpers are of the Avalon forge variety. Blade shape on the scalpers is okay (they varied quite a bit originally), but I'd recommend stripping the red paint off the handle, and the blades are often polished rather bright (almost to the point you'd think they were stainless, but they aren't--or at least the ones I've examined aren't). Made in India, I think, but are pretty decent quality.
Rod
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