Boot Knives At An Event.

[Dispatch]

I have heard pros and cons to the effect of having a 'Period' boot knife displayed at an event. I don't have one but this subject was brought up at my last event (Olustee, Florida). I read alot about the fact that they were actually carried in this manner. If it is period correct and carried while properly secured for display purposes only, what are some thoughts here on having one to improve ones impression? :hmm:

 

[ohio ramrod]

A knife isn't much good unless it is shaprp. Now what is the name of the artery that runs down your leg? :hmm:

 

[mingo]

Sounds like a personal problem to me.

 

I read alot about the fact that they were actually carried in this manner.

What period are you talking about? What kind of "boots"? Just what is your persona?

 

[Dispatch]

I read alot about the fact that they were actually carried in this manner.

What period are you talking about? What kind of "boots"? Just what is your persona?

Civilwar period.

 

[Celt5494]

If you are talking about the peroid of the war against northern aggression many of the soldiers on both sides wore some sort of low quartered shoe or a very low-top boot. A boot knife just wouldn't work. The ones that wore what we consider boots these days were largely cavalry. Some of the infantry officers might wear boots because they could afford them. All in all most knives I have seen in pictures were worn on the belt.

 

I think "boot knives" have been over done in the movies. Almost as bad as wearing one behind your neck (for that quick throw at the bad guy). :grin:

 

[Celt5494]

I think "boot knives" have been over done in the movies. Almost as bad as wearing one behind your neck (for that quick throw at the bad guy). :grin:

HAHAHAHA, ah yes the old knife hidden behind the neck trick, that works everytime!

 

[Coot]

Unless it can be documented as common to the period, locale and your persona, having one will not "improve" an impression, rather (IMHO), the contrary. The best impressions focus on how accurate their gear is, down to minute details, rather than how much gear they have.

PS - Unit heads and event organizers have the final call of what is appropriate regardless of any opinions elsewhere.

 

[Dispatch]

Unless it can be documented as common to the period, locale and your persona, having one will not "improve" an impression, rather (IMHO), the contrary. The best impressions focus on how accurate their gear is, down to minute details, rather than how much gear they have.

PS - Unit heads and event organizers have the final call of what is appropriate regardless of any opinions elsewhere.

I've seen examples for myself in many museums. It is documented. Several examples exist at the Gettysburg museum. They were commonly carried on ones person in this way from the American Revolution to the American Civilwar and beyond. The ones I've seen were mostly converted kitchen knives. Aside from National Parks, 'most' private events I've attended for over two decades do allow such documented accoutrements to be carried, aslong as they were carried in a manner in which it did not pose a danger to anyone. Why should anyone care how much gear someone chooses to carry. As long as its period correct, this does not hinder ones impression.

 

I've seen examples for myself in many museums. It is documented. Several examples exist at the Gettysburg museum. They were commonly carried on ones person in this way from the American Revolution to the American Civilwar and beyond. The ones I've seen were mostly converted kitchen knives. Aside from National Parks, 'most' private events I've attended for over two decades do allow such documented accoutrements to be carried, aslong as they were carried in a manner in which it did not pose a danger to anyone. Why should anyone care how much gear someone chooses to carry. As long as its period correct, this does not hinder ones impression.

Except for the cavalry, who during the Revolution wore high top boots? Certainly, trappers ("mountainmen") wouldn't be wearing high top leather boots, so that may rule out the Rendezvous persona. Unless of course you're wearing those knee-high Apache boots, out of character?

Since we all want to learn, I think a little documentation is in order here. :wink:

 

[brubincam]

-----anyone see the movie where Woody Stroes (not sure of last name spelling)had his arrow quiver fastened to his boot-----

 

[Dispatch]

I've seen examples for myself in many museums. It is documented. Several examples exist at the Gettysburg museum. They were commonly carried on ones person in this way from the American Revolution to the American Civilwar and beyond. The ones I've seen were mostly converted kitchen knives. Aside from National Parks, 'most' private events I've attended for over two decades do allow such documented accoutrements to be carried, aslong as they were carried in a manner in which it did not pose a danger to anyone. Why should anyone care how much gear someone chooses to carry. As long as its period correct, this does not hinder ones impression.

Except for the cavalry, who during the Revolution wore high top boots? Certainly, trappers ("mountainmen") wouldn't be wearing high top leather boots, so that may rule out the Rendezvous persona. Unless of course you're wearing those knee-high Apache boots, out of character?

Since we all want to learn, I think a little documentation is in order here. :wink:

I'll get right on it and have it on your desk in the morning. :thumbsup:

 

[tg]

There have been types of high top boots worn for several huindred years by some folks, not common to all but there some the less and carrying a sheathed knife in a boot is likely something done but not common, this one will hinge on whether one goes for the "common" or just the fact that it was done as their standard of acceptance.In general this practice would be less offensive than many of the incorrect guns floating around various period doin's, like a Blue Ridge at a Rev War or F&I event.

 

[Dispatch]

I agree. Some in the hobby have no clue about period correct. This is why a new member must get with others in his unit to get word of mouth on 'proper' quality equiptment. Although, I wouldn't have one myself, it might be a nice touch to see a real stag handle sticking out of a stove pipe boot(properly secured of course). It does have a bit of uniqueness to it. :hmm:

 

[pichou]

Plenty of documentation for piles of excess junk dumped along the side of the road on long marches. :wink:

Boot knives with metal sheaths with spring clips were well known in the California Gold Rush era. Something of that quality probably would not get dumped on the roadside.

 

[Poor Private]

Concerning footwear during the civil war there are lots of variables. Most infantry did wear shoe type footwear, called brogans. Cav. and arty wore combinations of footwear. A mixture between cav. boot, and arty boots, and the common brogan. Though as an infantryman you could have a pair of boots sent from home, or purchased from the camp sutler.
A good starting reference point for civil war reenacting is to purchase a set of 3 books called "ECHOES OF GLORY" the books are titled Arms and Equipment of the Confederacy, Arms and Equipment of the Union, Illustrated Atlas of the Civil War. These 3 books have a multitude of photos, and the provenance to back them up. You can generally pick up a set from Ebay or 2nd hand bookshops or even a fellow reenactor. Cost can varry from 10 bucks a book to $60 or more for the complete set with the box. I picked mine up at a gun show for $20 bucks.
Personally I wear a pair of high top boots for whichever side or branch I am portraying at the moment. A pair of brogans can go upwards of $200, and boots may go as high as $400. I have both but prefer the boots.
Now as for carry a boot knife. When I first started I wore one, but I found out the hard way that when you do drill, our sham battles, and tacticles that I kept havint to pick the da*n thing up off the ground, or someone picked it up and asked me "did you drop something?" that I quit carry it and ended up tossing it in the home supply box- I think it has worked it way to the bottom about now. :rotf: If your going to be standing about a camp, doing little but talk to folk, or trying to look fierce go for it. But out in the field leave it in camp. There are even some reenacting Battlions who ban the carrying of knives in the field even as decoration. Sometimes less is better than more.

 

[poordevil]

Unless one is Horse Artillery, the gunners and crew WALKED and only rode the limbers when they had to hurry. I think anything in my boot or shoe would drive me nuts.

P

 

[Dispatch]

I wouldn't want one but if one is willing to put up with what comes with carrying it and the risk of possibly loosing it on the run, and it has be proven that they did have them, then what the hell. :idunno:

 

[redwing]

Why not? The fighting Scotch Irish folks carried knives in their stocking tops. These folks had been using leg mounted cutlery for 100s of years before moveing to America. They had a great influence on the American warrior. :thumbsup: