most common type of knife?

[Ohioreb1861]

I have been searching the forum and I have a idea, but thought i'd ask. What was the most common type of knife used? I have seen everything from bowie knives to fixed blade to pocket knives. I don't care for the 4ft bowie knife but what about small ones for camp use. I'd appreciate any help. thanks.

[jgr1974]

I have both, and used both. The best in my opinion is the simple jacknife. They can be used for most tasks, and slip into the pocket most reasonably. They are also most cost effective. Several sutlers are selling the ones that Military Warehouse. They sell for about 10-12 dollars. I carry one in my pocket everyday at work. keeps a good edge as well. Just like the soldiers that went before us, if ou carry a big bowie for to long on a march you can't wait to dispose of it no matter how much you paid for it!

I also remember an account of CS prisoners I believe at Gettysburg were allowed to keep their jackknives. I highly doubt they would have been able to keep those large yankee slayers!

If any one is interested ina MW jackknife pm me I plan on making an order real soon, and can get you a better deal on them than the skinner's on the row can!

Jeremy G Richardson
The Mad MIck!!!

[killerreb]

probably the most common knife, was (& still is for the most part) a simple single bladed pocket type knife with a 4 to 5 inch blade

steve hutton

[NoahBriggs]

When all else fails, think like the Original Cast did. they carried pocketknives.

Shaving with Occam's Pocketknife instead of a razor,

[Rob Weaver]

Short-bladed barlow pocketknife. Dug from sites all over the country.

[easttnfed]

I've dug several of the single and double bladed pocket knives out of camps and battlefields around the area where I live. They were simple. The most common feature on them all was a small shield on the handle. The handles on the ones that I have dug were of wood or horn. I lucked up and found one from an antique shop that matched one of the ones that I dug. It is great for everything that you need a knife for. I'll post pictures of some of my originals and the one I carry later.

[killerreb]

i carry a 180 yr old lock back and she works like a dream every time...
goes to say something bout the craftsman back then..

steve hutton

[easttnfed]

Here is a picture of one of the knives that I have dug. I only pulled out several to take a photograph of and they were too fragile to handle. I could not find the original that had the shield on it nor could I locate my personal pocket knife. The one in the picture came from a Union cavalry camp a mile from my house. It has a wooden handle that has drawn up smaller as it dried out. The rest of them look like this one and slightly different, but you get the point.

[Ohioreb1861]

Thanks again, as always this site has been a great help.

[Huck Finn]

Single blade hawkbill, dating from the 1850s. Very functional and is good for cooking bacon in the dark.

[easttnfed]

One other suggestion. Pick yourself up a book full of dug and non-dug relics and look in it. Several of them in fact. You can find a lot of examples in those to help you determine what type of knife to use. Of course, you could also make your own as though you made it while out in the field and needed one. Some good steel, a hot fire, hammer, something to pound on, and a piece of good old fashioned oak for the handle works well. Seen several such knives dug that have been field made also and they did not measure but about four inches at that.

[RJSamp]

Single blade hawkbill, dating from the 1850s. Very functional and is good for cooking bacon in the dark.

Might be 'good', but a fork is EXCELLENT for cooking bacon in the dark. My problem is finding the cooking fire in the dark......

I've always been a Green River blade fan myself....

[Rob Weaver]

Funny thing, whenever I make a fire - it's no longer dark there! :D
I'd recommend a fairly shor blade if you want it to be truly utilitarian. 2-4" of folding knife will due for the cooking and cutting duties.

[Ohioreb1861]

i've tried to look for pictures of original knives, usually what I find are big bowies and some pocket knives, I ordered a pocket knife from Chris Utley and I have a small bowie type knife that I made on the forge. I use it on occasion.

Where would I find a artifact book?

[easttnfed]

You can find these on sever websites of relic dealers or if you are within driving distance of Mansfield, they have a relic show there and you can pick some up from those. Sometimes book store have some too. I got one called Warman's Civil War Collectibles by John F. Graf that is chopped full of relics and even gives prices to them as well. Look on Amazon also.

http://www.amazon.com/Civil-War-Artifacts-Guide-Historian/dp/0961358157

Another link is this:

http://www.scspublications.com/

then this

http://www.mcfarlandpub.com/book-2.php?id=978-0-7864-3186-1

Just google search "civil war artifact books" and you'll get a bunch of hits on them. They are out there and easy to find.:cool:

[Parault]

I carry both a folding pocket knife,and a knife on my belt. I carry the "Arkansas Toothpick". Mine is very heavy and not made in Pakistan. It has been used for everything from cutting small branches for tent stakes,to slicing bacon.

We request every member to purchase an Arkansas Toothpick when they can.