A couple jaw handled knives by Wulf

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I've been posting some of Wulf's creations for him in the Pre-Flintlock forum, but here's a couple knives he made:

The large one has a Bear jaw grip and the small one is Coyote...The sheath is blade fitted wood wrapped with Blue yarn. That is Alligator at the top for the thong.

(I know you said I didn't have to post them, Wulf...but you knew I would.)

 

Aside from the fine workmanship, and totally unrelated to this particular maker, I could never understand why anyone would want to grab a handle full of sharp teeth. I have handled knives like this and they are very uncomfortable.

Why would someone use the jaws, when the animal has so many other bones that are not only comfortable to hold, they come with ready-made holes in the center?

This has got be a modern "mountainman-ism".

 

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I've asked that very same question before, and was told that most people will use a jaw from an old animal, so the teeth are smoother. Doesn't make sense to me, though I can see the molars of the bear jaw not being too uncomfortable. I have no idea as to how common their use was, but I imagine almost any other bone was used more commonly for handles. They look neat, though.

 

[anvil1231]

Very Nice, :thumbsup: I have used jaw bone knives and the teeth seem to go between my fingers and helped grip.

 

[LaBonte]

This has got be a modern "mountainman-ism".

No it is not modern per se at least for the bear jawbone knives - original bear jawbone knives were used by the various "Bear Men" warrior societies of the Blackfeet, Assiniboine, Plains Cree amongst others. These groups were similar to the better known Dog Men of the Cheyenne.
On the originals the teeth were often ground smoother. There are several written sources for info on the Bear Men often referred to as bear cults. "Dog Soldiers, Bear Men and Buffalo Women" by Mails is just one.
As for the coyote jaws they are a modern replacement for the bear jaws due to legal restrictions on bear parts in many states and/or countries.

 

[vthompson]

Nice looking knives. I have never seen anything quite like them.

 

[RickD]

very nice

 

[Capt. Fred]

Wow, those things are wild looking.