Patch Knife?

[Black Hand]

Why are so many hung up on not using things that were before the 19th century? Are the 19th century items taboo? I have a percussion rifle, so it shouldn't be for me.

Not sure where you are going. Can you explain?

 

[Artificer]

Why are so many hung up on not using things that were before the 19th century? Are the 19th century items taboo? I have a percussion rifle, so it shouldn't be for me.

I'm not sure what you mean either.

For those who do 18th century Living History, reenacting, etc. - we do our best not use anything that was not available during the 18th century. So no bullet boards, etc.

For those who do 19th century, most anything from the majority of the 18th century (besides some kind of clothes) is fine to use along with anything no later in the 19th century than your firearm and other gear.

Gus

 

[Zonie]

No. 19th Century things are not taboo here. At least anything that was in use before the end of the War Between the States ended. 1865 was chosen by Claude, the Forum owner.

Discussing percussion guns is fine.

There are a lot of our members who are very interested in acting out pre 19th Century events and lives.
They sometimes forget that others are more interested in acting out the years between 1800 and 1865 or not interested in acting out anything at all.

 

[Smokey Plainsman]

Ah, makes sense.

Hopefully they have some bags and patch knives at the rondy this Saturday.

 

[FishDFly]

In the loading block, patch placed in the hole in the loading block and a ball pushed into the loading block with a finger.

 

[FishDFly]

Kinda like walking to school or riding the bus to school.

 

[FishDFly]

Patches, round or square, no difference, mine are round. I mark them, the wife cuts them out while watching TV.

I am primarily a pistol line shooter, I make all my pre-made patches during the winter, both teflon coated or pre-lubed. In pistol line matches, time is of the essence, especialy in limited time matches.

For hunting, I use ball boards, no need for a patch knife, less clutter in the bag. I even use plastic vials with pre-measured loads, thus no need for a powder horn. Vials go into a small baggy to keep them contained and easy to find.

One of the great things is, we all get to do as we wish.

Some folks talk about neck knives, some years back I fell in the dark going home from deer hunting, attempting to protect my rifle, I broke 2 ribs and lost my glasses, that was a wake up call why not to carry a neck knife.

Oh, you make some really nice knives, wish I had your talent.

 

[Billnpatti]

Guys get their panties bunched up over loading blocks, but I see quite a few of them in Grant's photos.

I have heard that there is an electron microscope so powerful that it can actually see the very molecules from which stuff is made. If one were to use one of those microscopes, it would still be impossible to see my level of concern over those who get their panties in a wad over what I do. I do what I do just because I do and that is just what I do. I am too damned old to start caring about what someone else thinks. :yakyak: Just sayin'. Not aimed at you, Brown Bear, just at those who get their panties in a wad. :hatsoff:

 

[Black Hand]

Guys get their panties bunched up over loading blocks, but I see quite a few of them in Grant's photos.

It isn't that loading blocks weren't used, it is that they were used later (around & after the Civil War) when shooting small-caliber muzzleloaders was very common. People have made the mistake of bringing them into the past and using them for F&I through Fur Trade, which is what causes the issue as there is no supporting documentation. There is one loading block with a mid 1700's date (featured in a past issue of Muzzleloader), but it has been deemed a forgery.

Madison Grant's books are well know for having questionable dating and his acceptance of word-of-mouth rather than documented provenance. Great pictures, not so great documentation.

 

[BrownBear]

Yup. Wadded panties give me big yawns. :thumbsup:

 

[Mickc01]

I love this forum but it is one of the best I have ever seen at not only beating the proverbial dead horse to death, but pounding that poor horse to a bloody pulp. Oh, by-the-way, did I say how much I do love this forum (not being sarcastic)?.... :dead:

 

[pondoro]

Apropos of the patch knife question, I saw a "Patch Knife" in an antique store today. It had a chrome or nickel plated blade and was in a vaguely European style. The edge angle was so blunt that I am convinced it was actually a letter opener. $65.

 

[Archer 756]

ff The question was "Patch Knife" not about :bull:

 

[tenngun]

Well I believe short startes ball blocs and small knifes were known, but... the fact is we can't prove it. Using a minimum of equipment is hc. Small knifes were known and one could have a small knife to cut patches with on his bag,neck sheath or belt. He would use this knife for whatever a small knife was handy for. Precut patches were also known.
One thing to keep in mind was the old timers didn't go out on a routine bases and fire off a score of shots. Most contest shooting was a one at a time event not a five shot string. In a fight they would do whatever needed, including unpatched. 99.9 % of the time a shooter had plenty of time to reload. That included not having to block or starter, using a small knife was by no means out of the question. Audubon records watching Boone cut patches at the muzzle useing his belt knife.however ther is nothing in that passage to suggest it could not have been what we might sell as a patch sized knife today. A four inch belt knife could skin a deer cut dinner cut a patch and send an enemy to meet his maker as needed.

 

[Rifleman1776]

A four inch belt knife could skin a deer cut dinner cut a patch and send an enemy to meet his maker as needed.

Amen, Bro.
Enuf said.
Methinks this thread has worn itself out.

 

[Elnathan]

Small knifes were known and one could have a small knife to cut patches with on his bag,neck sheath or belt. He would use this knife for whatever a small knife was handy for.

I've found a surprising dearth of small fixed-blade knives that can be confidently dated prior to 1800. If you know of any I'd be quite interested to hear about it.

Only ones I can think of are that lion-headed and the Paoli-site knives illustrated in Grant. THose are 4 1/2" and 5" respectively, IIRC.

 

[Cpl. Ashencheeks]

I carry two folders at all times.

A Gerber LST that stays in my regular pocket and is my most used EDC knife. It has a 2 inch blade takes a fair edge and is even balanced for short distance throwing. While not period correct because of the plastic handle, it would still work as a patch knife.

My other folder is a Case 'peanut' 2 blade and would serve just fine as a patch knife with it's razor sharp edge on 2 blades and is probably higher in quality then the Gerber. This one resides most often in my watch pocket and it's general design has been around since the 1700s.

So many Barlow, Case, or Shrade folders will still look period correct in most sitiuations, but make sure it has the type of steel that will sharpen easily and maintain the edge for an acceptable period of time.

I have good luck sharpening most any blade made of carbon steel, my Opinel take an excellent edge but the pear handle expands too much and makes the blade too loose to carry.

Paring knives also hold very nice edges. I have several older Chicago Cutlery paring knives that I could shave with if I wanted and it would still hold the edge afterward. I have always wanted to shorten one these to make a fine whittling knife as they same well suited to that task.

I really don't like the idea of a neck knife as it would be risky in an unscheduled fall, but a knife mounted on the strap of possibles bag seems just a little bit safer.

I do have a 3" blade Boker belt hunting knife with a brightly colored lanyard of about 4 inches tied to it that I loop around and button knot lock to sheathing belt loop. This reduces the chance of the knife getting out of the sheath during any kind of fall.

So if you are going to carry a one piece knife in an open sheath, find some way to secure it into that sheath so it does not fall out too easily.