Patch Knife Project

Hello Folks,

For a while I have been planning to make a nice patch knife. I now have a few blades selected. However while searching for blades I came upon a knife with a coyote jawbone hadle :shocked2: ... The idea clicked in my mind because I just happen to have a couple of coyote heads decomposing in my forest. So I have lots of Jawbones but I have little experiance in knife making... I have a few questions that need answering.

How comfortable would the grip be?
Would the jawbone have to much marrow or comblike stuff to sturdly fit the tang in?
Round or flat tang?
Guard or no guard?
If the answer is a guard, single sided or dual sided?
How can I secure the teeth from falling out?
How to install the tang?

I doubt this was frequently done in the 1800's, but I thought it would make a neat looking knife to use at the range or just for show. I need lots of advice here so all sugestions no matter how small or insignifigant are welcome.

 

[hoochiepapa]

Understand I am not a knifemaker. If it were me, I would use thin super glue to hold in the teeth, and some epoxy or such to seat the blade.
Just my hunble (cough) opinion.

 

[fatboy]

I never used one Im sure some others here have I agree with Mikes comments Each critter's jaw and teeth are different,not sure how comfortable it would be for every day use but a patch knife maybe not a bad thing at all. I've seen some with bear jaw it has a cool factor but never used if Labonte gets on here and see's this he would give you a good answer Wick would too.
Check this knife out it's one of Labonte's looks like he wrapeed the main grip area with rawhide or leather of some type this is bigger then what you want to make but can get some ideas from it.
http://www.wrtcleather.com/Frontie...-Acker-Forge-Coyote-Jawbone-Knife-Sheath.html

 

[Black Hand]

Jawbone knives (Bear) have religious and spiritual significance. Coyote is usually the trickster in various mythologies and you may wish to reconsider its use.

Add a wooden handle, easy, comfortable and correct (and you won't piss anybody off).

 

[MSW]

I'd heard that the coyote is considered a trickster, but that had escaped me until you mentioned it.

still, it's an intriguing idea...

 

Thaks for the info guys... LHunter looked at labontes work, i had never considered covering the teeeth. Not a bad idea. But it does take away from the looks... But thanks for the post.
I am stuck on the idea of a jawbone handle so no posts on how I should use wood, antler etc.
About the trickster coyote... Thank you for bringing it to my attention. I have read many tales about the coyote; most were quite funny :grin: Does anybody know where I can get a bear jawbone incase I change my mind??? But thank you all for the advice I really apreciate it :hatsoff:

 

[fatboy]

Try here http://www.hideandfur.com/inventory/5313.html

 

[ohio ramrod]

Super glues will give a clear strong finish to the bone.And hold loose teeth in place. Clear Epoxy will hold a nothed flat tang into a hole in the bone. It sounds interesting? :idunno: