Looking for a small belt knife

[Richard Schimenti]

I am interested in the purchase of a small belt knife to carry during an event. I do not want anything "big" such as a bowie, ect. I want a small knife that would have maybe a 4 to 5" blade and scabbard and would be used to make kindling strips or peel an apple or slice some bacon.

Any help in locating one would be appreciated.

[GaWildcat]

Richard,

Honestly your best bet would be to go with a good period folder. You can use em for all the uses you stated, they dont weigh much, and they stay out of the way. And as your cavalry, its less weight on your horse as well....with the added benefit that used carefully so as not pierce the frog or sole, you can use it as a hoofpick!

Soldiers then are like soldiers now, and weight becomes a big deal. The lighter you can go, the better. There are examples of soldiers pocket knives from the Revy War and Civil War enough to make it a very good choice, and most sutlers carry them.

[terry sorchy]

try www.trackofthewolf.com and look under the cutlery page.
Terry Sorchy

[reddcorp]

I'd suggest looking at the offerings from Dixie Gun Works www.dixiegunworks.com or Jas. Townsend & Sons www.jas-townsend.com.

I have purchased knives from both and found them reasonably priced and of good quality.

Andy Redd

[Cav_Maj]

Richard,
I second Robert's reply. A good folding pocket knife is all you really need. I carry two, one in my haversack and one in my vest / pants pocket. You can eat / cook with it, cut or slice an apple / bacon, sharpen a pencil, do any number of things and it's not in the way and you don't have to worry about adding one more thing to your belt. A folding pocket knife is the way to go. Hope this helps.

Brian

[Rob Weaver]

It's a lot harder to lose a pocket knife than a sheath knife. I darn near lost a butcher knife my grandfather made and I've carried for 30 years. It was in a really nice belt sheath and both fell out of my belt. Recovered the knife, not the sheath - which was OK because I can make another sheath. The majority of sheaths sold with knives are poor reproductions, and good reproductions rarely hold the knife securely enough for the kind of running around that we do on a regular basis. Having learned a hard lesson, I'd point you toward a clasp knife.

[jgr1974]

If you are looking for a functional lbelt knife, hee is my suggestion. It is the "common" butcher style. These gould be found all throughout the united states during this era. They can most commonly be found at antique stores or Flea markets for just a few dollars. If you want to buy a new one a "green River" knife is available from several mountain man type companies. One I may suggest is www.crazycrow.com I would not spend a ton of money on a fancy knife as you could loose it, or be afraid of loosing it. If you want to make youor own, they can be made of an old crosscut saw blade. mark out length and width on the saw blade.. Then rough cut it out witha cold chisel. Once you have your "blank", you can grind it to shape. Just make sure to keep the blade cool, as you could remove the temper. Spritzing the blade ocdcasionally with water while you azre working works best.

Make sure the blade you use is carbon steel, one because it is period correct, and second, it will hold a better edge!

Thank you
Jeremy G. Richardson

The Mad Mick!!!

[Richard Schimenti]

Gentlemaen, thank you for the replies. I do agree with you that a folder knife would be much handier. However, there lies the rub. I ahve not been able to find a good period folder on the market.. There are alot fo the cheap imports available, but I cannot find a decent foling knife at a good price. currently I carry tow old Barlow's and I do believe that there were manufactured during the war, but if you could give me some hints on a good period folder, I would appreciatei it

[GaWildcat]

Check Dixie Gun Works.... they have a pretty nice looking folder (ok, it is of Revy War style, but should work) at about $23. Might have to get one for myself.

[terry sorchy]

If you want a good period folding knife chec out www.orchardhillsutlery.com
It has the knives your looking for. Mohawk Valley.
Terry Sorchy

[Hoosier Yank]

Finding a pocketknife isn’t too hard these days. I’ve found several a local flea markets, antique malls, junk shops, and the net antique mall known as Ebay.

If you can find a copy of the “Catalogue of American Hardware” at your library you will see that the styles, various blade arrangements and types of blades hadn’t really changed in 147 years.

If you’re handy or know someone who is you can even replace the handles of a knife with bone or wood to your liking.

Terry is right on the money with Orchard Hill if you want a new “old“ pocketknife. I’d really like to see Mr. Daniel Houde reproduce a pocketknife with a corkscrew. That’s what I’ve been wanting for a long time now.

[hanktrent]

The majority of sheaths sold with knives are poor reproductions, and good reproductions rarely hold the knife securely enough for the kind of running around that we do on a regular basis. Having learned a hard lesson, I'd point you toward a clasp knife.

I agree that a pocket knife is generally all around more practical and useful, but for the first time in 15 years of reenacting I'm getting a larger belt knife, and since I'm going through the problem of how to keep it in its sheath, just thought I'd share an experience.

One thing I noticed was that many typical 19th century sheaths had a brass piece around the throat, which I thought was just for durability. But now having got a nice center-seam sheath with one, I discovered it also works for making the sheath adjustable to alter the friction on the knife. By squeezing the brass piece, you can make the knife fit tighter, and I've set mine so you can hold the sheath upside down and shake it, and the knife doesn't come out, but it still pulls out smoothly when you want it. Haven't had a chance to take it to an event yet, but I'm guessing it will stay in well.

Hank Trent
hanktrent@voyager.net