My Woodbury Style Knife From Class

[jlutz]

I had a chance to take a class focusing on Woodbury style knives last weekend with Frank House and Joe Seabolt. It was held at the Blacksmith shop at the Goshen Historical Society in Goshen, OH (http://goshenhistory.org/gths-blacksmith). Definitely worth checking out if you can! I believe they will be offering the same class later this year. The knife I made is below.

 

[Jaeger]

I had a chance to take a class focusing on Woodbury style knives last weekend with Frank House and Joe Seabolt. It was held at the Blacksmith shop at the Goshen Historical Society in Goshen, OH (http://goshenhistory.org/gths-blacksmith). Definitely worth checking out if you can! I believe they will be offering the same class later this year. The knife I made is below.

Nice work.....and a good-looking knife that is period correct as far as I know.

 

[jlutz]

Nice work.....and a good-looking knife that is period correct as far as I know.

Thank you! Though not a replica of one specific knife, there are indeed many similar period pieces. We discussed that The Knife in Homespun America by Grant shows some of a similar style.

 

[Celt5494]

I had a chance to take a class focusing on Woodbury style knives last weekend with Frank House and Joe Seabolt. It was held at the Blacksmith shop at the Goshen Historical Society in Goshen, OH (http://goshenhistory.org/gths-blacksmith). Definitely worth checking out if you can! I believe they will be offering the same class later this year. The knife I made is below.

That is a beautiful knife! Fantastic work!!!

 

[SDSmlf]

I am not familiar with Woodbury style knives, but that sure is a great looking knife. Any plans to make a sheath for it?

 

[jlutz]

That is a beautiful knife! Fantastic work!!!

Thank you very much!

 

[jlutz]

I am not familiar with Woodbury style knives, but that sure is a great looking knife. Any plans to make a sheath for it?

Thank you! Woodbury refers to the area of Kentucky that Hershel, Frank and others of the House clan hail from. They are often thought of with this early american style of knife and it’s come to be known to many as a Woodbury knife. Here’s some info on one the big guys made: Woodbury Longhunter Knife & Sheath by Hershel House, John House, & Joe Seabolt - Contemporary Longrifle Foundation

And yes! Joe often makes a traditional braintan style sheath to go with this type of knife. I’m going to visit his shop in a few weeks to learn that process.

 

[SDSmlf]

And yes! Joe often makes a traditional braintan style sheath to go with this type of knife. I’m going to visit his shop in a few weeks to learn that process.

I just knew there had to be a sheath to go with a knife like that. I have always appreciated unique quality knives. Old man used to make knives, though much more contemporary designs, similar to Randall for example. Again, great job with knife.

 

[Loja man]

JLutz
Thats a nice looking knife! Very well executed!! How much was the class?

 

[appalichian hunter]

Good job.

 

[jlutz]

I just knew there had to be a sheath to go with a knife like that. I have always appreciated unique quality knives. Old man used to make knives, though much more contemporary designs, similar to Randall for example. Again, great job with knife.

I‘ll post a photo of the sheath if I’m successful in that endeavor!

 

[htredneck]

A job well done!

 

[BozoMiller]

Job well done, Great looking knife

 

[Snake Pleskin]

Nice looking knife. I have one that

looks similar. It is made by Swamp Fox kinves. All hand forged etc. I have the sheath sew on the strap of my larger hunting pouch.

 

[jefair1]

Very nice blade. What steel did you use?

 

[jlutz]

Very nice blade. What steel did you use?

Thank you! This one is 1084. Keeping with the theme, it’s a good steel a a for decent heat treatment in the forge without being as dependent on a heat treat oven as you might be for some other alloys.

 

[jlutz]

Nice looking knife. I have one thatView attachment 137373 looks similar. It is made by Swamp Fox kinves. All hand forged etc. I have the sheath sew on the strap of my larger hunting pouch.

That’s a great set up! Some of the folks in class did a poured pewter bolster and pinned tang. I did a through tang with a butt cap and ferrule for the bolster since I had some familiarity with pewter but had never used those elements before.

 

[CyrusP]

Love the Woodbury style! Beautiful knife!

 

[Notchy Bob]

@jlutz

Man, I like everything about that knife! Traditional style and materials, for sure, but other details like surface finish (not polished, but not too rough), coloration, and the visual balance or proportion of blade length to handle all figure into the whole. I took a couple of measurements and calculated a ratio of 1.60 (total length to blade length), which is pretty dadgum close to the Golden Mean (or ratio) of 1.618. I don't know if that was intentional or not, but this figure, sometimes called the "Divine Proportion," was very important in colonial times, and was utilized in art, architecture, and even the design of gunstocks. It works well for this knife!

I would also commend you on the photograph... The subject is well displayed, and there is no clutter in the background.

Very strong work all around!

Boys, we have some master knife makers on this forum. I think we just added another name to the roster!

Notchy Bob

 

[jlutz]

@jlutz

Man, I like everything about that knife! Traditional style and materials, for sure, but other details like surface finish (not polished, but not too rough), coloration, and the visual balance or proportion of blade length to handle all figure into the whole. I took a couple of measurements and calculated a ratio of 1.60 (total length to blade length), which is pretty dadgum close to the Golden Mean (or ratio) of 1.618. I don't know if that was intentional or not, but this figure, sometimes called the "Divine Proportion," was very important in colonial times, and was utilized in art, architecture, and even the design of gunstocks. It works well for this knife!

I would also commend you on the photograph... The subject is well displayed, and there is no clutter in the background.

Very strong work all around!

Boys, we have some master knife makers on this forum. I think we just added another name to the roster!

Notchy Bob

Thank you for the kind comments Notchy Bob. The credit really goes to my fine instructors who helped me “see” little changes that make a big difference in the final product. I do hope many more follow in the future and live up to your praise!