Let's see your Belt or Rifleman's knife

[Einsiedler]

I like it Einsiiedler and it has history and is repurposed. All of those add to its shine.

Thanks KJ, think I’ll tote it around next week at the RMNR.

 

[Murph507]

For as long as I can remember I've been fascinated by edged weapons and accoutrement, particularly from the 18th and 19th century.

Over the years I've become a serious student of what is commonly called the Rifleman's knife or belt knife, in my opinion the most essential of tools for those early American explorers and hunters.

As authentic examples are rare and hard to come by in any condition( they were carried and used!), fortunatly there are a few highly skilled craftsmen who build period correct and useable belt knives well suited for any hunter, shooter or collector.

Please post pics of your own belt knife or rifleman's knife, here are a couple of mine to begin;

Daniel Winkler

Rich McDonald ( present belt knife)

Rich McDonald ( previously owned)

Made out of T-1 Wear Plate off railroad car ,188" thick .

 

[appalichian hunter]

I like the old butchers have a few that belonged to my grandfather and dad, they now see use in my butcher shop. Every time I pick one of them up there is a instant where I just look at them a bit before going to work.

 

[Runewolf1973]

I found this old blade in the barn when grandmaw and grandpaw sold the farm in 1964. I believe about 4 or 5 inches of the tip end were broken off and grandpaw repurposed it and used it for his hog and beef butchering knife. Had no handle. Other day I cut off about 2" of the handle end and stuck a piece of broke hatchet handle on it with a couple of iron pins.





Made an inside the belt sheath for it. Used it other day when old son, his father in law, and I butchered a 750 lb steer. Worked great!

Thar's cool! Did you use cutler's resin on it?

 

[Einsiedler]

Thar's cool! Did you use cutler's resin on it?

No, I used just a tiny bit of epoxy.

 

[deermanok]

 

[Ricochet]

I just finished this one to carry this winter

 

[Flintandsteel]

Here’s a Wick Ellerbe that I love. Faux squirrel leather repairs on knife and sheath.

 

[user 36911]

Patch knife.

I use a Damascus Bowie knife as a backup for bear hunting but I don't have a picture.

 

[jonathan butcher]

I really like this. Simple, elegant and 100% utilitarian by the looks of it. Not familiar with Wick Elerbe, will have to look him up.

Here’s a Wick Ellerbe that I love. Faux squirrel leather repairs on knife and sheath.View attachment 37361

 

[Rató:rats]

You guys have seen the PC knives I use on other threads. Here are a few I bought as a younger i.e dumber man. At the time I thought they were 18th century style knives.

 

[smoothflinter]

The knife on the bottom has a handle which is from the first deer I got in the 70's, a spike buck. My Dad thought it was worth saving, so I used it for this knife years later. The 5-1/4" blade is from Norway, being hardened steel sandwiched between milder steel. Tarnished brass hilt. Don't know how PC/HC it is.

The top knife blade is a present project. It has a 11-1/2" blade, 16" overall. Not exactly what I was looking for due to the length, but at a cost of 20 bucks it was worth a try. Will drill my own holes for pinning. The handle will look more like JB67's in the 2nd post of this thread. Not sure what wood I'll use. Have some curly maple, ash and osage orange (if my wife lets me take a piece out of one of our hedge apple trees)

.

 

[wiksmo]

The knife on the bottom has a handle which is from the first deer I got in the 70's, a spike buck. My Dad thought it was worth saving, so I used it for this knife years later. The 5-1/4" blade is from Norway, being hardened steel sandwiched between milder steel. Tarnished brass hilt. Don't know how PC/HC it is.

The top knife blade is a present project. It has a 11-1/2" blade, 16" overall. Not exactly what I was looking for due to the length, but at a cost of 20 bucks it was worth a try. Will drill my own holes for pinning. The handle will look more like JB67's in the 2nd post of this thread. Not sure what wood I'll use. Have some curly maple, ash and osage orange (if my wife lets me take a piece out of one of our hedge apple trees)
View attachment 38204.

That longer knife blade looks really nice, Smooth. I'd opt for the osage orange handle; like the appearance/color of that wood. Looking forward to the finish of your project. ~wiksmo

 

[brazosland]

I really like this. Simple, elegant and 100% utilitarian by the looks of it. Not familiar with Wick Elerbe, will have to look him up.

Sadly, Wick has retired. Spoke to him on the phone a couple weeks ago. Sounded rough. Man made outstanding blades and leather.

 

[Bob McBride]

My newest acquisition.

 

[jonathan butcher]

Love it. Who made it ? Did it come with a sheath ?

My newest acquisition.

View attachment 38354View attachment 38355

 

[jonathan butcher]

Another Rich MacDonald, in-bound.

 

[Bob McBride]

Love it. Who made it ? Did it come with a sheath ?

Hershel House made it. I’ve been trying to get my hands on one for some time. No sheath. I’ll have one made for it.

 

[jonathan butcher]

Have to say, this is really a work of art. I didn't even know it was possible to find Hershell House knives oir rifles to buy.

My newest acquisition.

View attachment 38354View attachment 38355

 

[Bob McBride]

Have to say, this is really a work of art. I didn't even know it was possible to find Hershell House knives oir rifles to buy.

Yea it is. He’s something. It’s very difficult to find anyone that will let one go and Hershel’s list is long and he only makes them when he needs a bit of jingle.