Old Hickory Knife

[Thejeepster]

Now many here use an Old Hickory knife as a hunting knife? Are they considered period correct?

Here is a picture of mine and I am wondering if it is worth making a sheath for? Is it actually good for the woods? I do not want to spend $30 on a sheath for a $16 knife.

You guys know of any sheaths that will fit it that is pre made?

The bottom knife is an old rendezvous trade knife with its sheath, do you know of any sheaths like this but for a 7 inch Old Hickory?

 

[coloradoclyde]

I have more than ½ dozen vintage OLD HICKORY/type knives, two of which have a permanent home on my kitchen chopping block and boy are they sharp.
Don’t know how p/c they would be but the paracord needs to go.

 

[necchi]

Are they considered period correct?

Not really, I'm sure someone will correct me, but the typical common "hammer forged" knife that Old Hickory is came along a bit later,, 1870's and popular up through the 1950's.

It's a good blade an all, but I pass'm by when they're on a trade blanket

 

[zimmerstutzen]

1950's ?

Saw brand new old hickory e's for sale at the Shady Maple dry goods store 2 years ago. Around here folks still Butcher at home and Old Hickory knives are prized for butchering. Easy to sharpen.

 

[Claude Mathis]

Here's a 7 inch before and after, with the "hammer" marks ground off and a new handle. They make them a lot thinner now, so removing the marks on the blade makes the blade really thin. The old ones are noticeably thicker.

 

[coloradoclyde]

That’s awesome Claude, but how do you keep that sharp point from poking through what appears to be a deerskin sheath?

 

[Claude Mathis]

That’s awesome Claude, but how do you keep that sharp point from poking through what appears to be a deerskin sheath?

Lined with thin rawhide. (dog chew)

 

[Billnpatti]

Yeep, that's a dandy. :thumbsup:

 

[omarick1948]

I don't think that anyone has a ready made knife sheath especially for your knives, but sheaths are easy to make. Besides, it's fun and a part of you and not someone else!

Rick

 

[Thejeepster]

Don’t know how p/c they would be but the paracord needs to go.

Yep I agree and removed it last night.

 

[Thejeepster]

Here's a 7 inch before and after, with the "hammer" marks ground off and a new handle. They make them a lot thinner now, so removing the marks on the blade makes the blade really thin. The old ones are noticeably thicker.

I may take the wooden handles off of this bigger one and add some bone or antler handles to it.

I do not know what I will do with it but it will be something different I guess.

 

[BrownBear]

They make them a lot thinner now, so removing the marks on the blade makes the blade really thin. The old ones are noticeably thicker.

Yeah. Be kinda careful how you use them, and especially how much side torque you put on the thin blades. I've snapped them, and the tip takes off like a javelin. And somehow they usually seem to land point first.

I've visited several old traditional fish filleting houses over the years, and they're notable for all the partial knife blades stuck in their ceilings.... :shocked2: Back in the day the filleters (paid by the pound) really liked the skinniest blades because they cut fastest, but now there are even OSHA regs on how narrow you can sharpen those thin blades down to, then you have to destroy and replace them.

 

[sidelock]

We have an Old Hickory we use a kitchen knife that was my Mother in law's. Vintage 1945 so. Still cuts good but never goes to the woods.

 

[palonghunter]

I have several. Mostly I use mine in the kitchen, but I have a 7" butcher that I changed to half tang and put an antler handle on that I occasionally carry hunting.

As far as being period correct goes, they're not, but you can make them closer by grinding out the fake hammer marks, replacing the scales, and using iron pins instead of brass cutler's rivets.

I don't know of any premade sheaths that are available. I made the sheath that I carry mine in.

 

[Wes/Tex]

Would recommend you haunt any thrift stone or antique mall, even flea markets will have old crocks or jars full of old knives. You never know what might be in them marked $5.00! have found a few original Green Rivers in such places! :thumbsup:

 

[Luke MacGillie]

I have several. Mostly I use mine in the kitchen, but I have a 7" butcher that I changed to half tang and put an antler handle on that I occasionally carry hunting.

As far as being period correct goes, they're not, but you can make them closer by grinding out the fake hammer marks, replacing the scales, and using iron pins instead of brass cutler's rivets.

I don't know of any premade sheaths that are available. I made the sheath that I carry mine in.

Yep, Its all in what you want to pay, in time or money. There are original butchers out there to be had, and reproductions that come straight from the factory with 5 pins and a tapered tang, or you can spend 5 hours trying to turn a sows ear into a silk purse.....

Everything costs, either time or money

 

[Jaeger]

Very nice re-work, Claude! That's a dandy!

 

[crockett]

That sounds like a plan- I always look around goodwill stores. Solid leather belts can be used for straps, butchers reground into scaplers, etc. As Claude said the new Old Hickory Knives are MUCH thinner and when you grind off those hash marks they are really thin.

 

[HiWayMan]

I'm pretty sure that the sheathes for Kabars will fit the 7" Old Hick. The blade lengths are the same.

 

[Rifleman1776]

That sounds like a plan- I always look around goodwill stores. Solid leather belts can be used for straps, butchers reground into scaplers, etc. As Claude said the new Old Hickory Knives are MUCH thinner and when you grind off those hash marks they are really thin.

I'll ditto that. I'm not a skilled craftsman but I like to make my own stuff. A servicable and durable sheath can be made in not much time with scrap leather. I have made some from old belts, old cowboy or work boots, old jackets, etc. The resale shops are your friends. Good leather can be had real cheap.