Making a patch knife?

[1BadDart]

If you can make the knife
Try scabard as well ..?

I took your advice (thanks) and made my own. I already had a piece of leather and bought a leather sewing kit off amazon for about $14. I wish I had made it deeper, but the knife stays in it well, if there is a problem I'll make another.

 

[Redlemur60]

Very nice, and now yet another skill!

 

[1950DAVE]

I love the " Can do Attitude", of course tools, time, and talent help.

 

[LRB]

Not intending to argue, but if shooters of the 18th c. or early 19th c. commonly cut patches at the muzzle, it is very doubtful they would have had a specific knife to use, other than their common belt knife which most often would be a common butcher or scalper trade knife. You do not see, or I have not seen, period paintings showing a cloth strip of patch cloth hanging off a bag strap or belt, and there is a reason patch boxes were called patch boxes. Just saying.

 

[flconch53]

I bought an antique dresser once upon a time. In the back I found a bottle of black powder with a roll of ticking for a stopper. There was an author whose name escapes me right now that has also cited that example. The patch boxes on guns were more commonly used for grease. In the poor boy rifle they were called a grease hole. I agree that people on the frontier for the most part had 1 knife just as they had 1 gun. I have seen hunting pouches with a knife sheath on the back for the knife they had

 

[1BadDart]

How about I call it a skinning knife that will serve double duty for cutting patches at the muzzle. Heck, I might even slice potato's or peel apples with it. It'll be a multi purpose knife.

 

[LRB]

I bought an antique dresser once upon a time. In the back I found a bottle of black powder with a roll of ticking for a stopper. There was an author whose name escapes me right now that has also cited that example. The patch boxes on guns were more commonly used for grease. In the poor boy rifle they were called a grease hole. I agree that people on the frontier for the most part had 1 knife just as they had 1 gun. I have seen hunting pouches with a knife sheath on the back for the knife they had

BUT, do you have provenance for the dresser and the bottle? I seriously doubt for the shot bag. Only a very few shot bags have provenance for the 18th c. With the average patch box, I would argue that you would not have such a large and deep pit for just grease and why were they not called grease boxes, and where did the patches found in some come from? I was referring to 18th c., and early 19th., 1st quarter. I would imagine the grease found in any patch boxes came from pre-greased patches, and most were likely or most often square cut. Major difference between a patch box and a grease hole, and poor boys were late comers.

 

[flconch53]

Following the progression of your thread where did someone on the frontier get nice little round patches. I still have the bottle and patch material and I will concede the bottle is too new but I don't think the idea is.

 

[LRB]

Following the progression of your thread where did someone on the frontier get nice little round patches. I still have the bottle and patch material and I will concede the bottle is too new but I don't think the idea is.

Who said they used round patches? At the siege of Boonesboro the women stayed in a cabin and cut patches for the men. I seriously doubt they were round. You might do your 1st load and cut the patch at the muzzle, but not for continuous quick loading under pressured conditions. Way too slow and in combat, you would likely cut yourself.

 

[flconch53]

I also seriously doubt they were .015 ticking or any other measured size but that is for another day.

 

[Mike in FL]

I don't think a dedicated patch knife is a modern notion.

 

[Headrush]

Great idea! I have three

Go on eBay, Etsy, etc, and look for some cheap, old hickory, Chicago cutlery. dexter, paring knives. Take the scales off and add your maple and you're done.

I have some old hickory knives that I have used for years they are very reasonable priced and hold a good edge and they have a nice patina on the steel with age