Riflemans knife

[hawkeye2]

When one thinks of daggers the "stiletto" style of blade is the first thing to come to mind whereas a dagger has a broader blade sharpened on both sides which can be used as a slashing weapon. A dagger is a somewhat specialized piece which can serve as a knife though it isn't as handy. If the spine is reduced in thickness and the point somewhat blunted the dagger becomes a double edged knife and is much more practical in this form. Eliminating the guard or reducing it in size makes any knife far easier to use for most chores except fighting. A double edged knife offers the advantage of not needing to be sharpened so often but requires twice as long to sharpen when it needs to be. They are also somewhat of a compromise as the blade can't be shaped to perform some tasks easier. All that said double edged knives were not uncommon, just not predominant.

 

[Blizzard of '93]

looks authentic, nice work.

 

[BrownBear]

A double edged knife offers the advantage of not needing to be sharpened so often but requires twice as long to sharpen when it needs to be.

Once upon a time I got all enthused for getting one for just that reason. Moose skinning requires a couple or three stops for sharpening, and two edges just seemed like they'd be better than one.

It worked, but I quickly learned the down side of a double edge: No way in tarnation you can put your hand against the back side of the blade for a good push, as demanded by some chores! It's all wrist, and tough to do when you're getting tired on the last half of the big skinning job.

My double-edge was a dandy. Still is, but at the moment I couldn't begin to tell you which drawer it's hiding in, buried somewhere down on the bottom where it's been for 30 years. Gonna stay there too.

Meanwhile I learned if I want two edges for moose skinning or other big chores, I need to bring along two knives.

Makes me wonder why so many paintings and drawings show guys carrying two knives rather than one "dagger." :hmm:

 

[hawkeye2]

Sounds like you found out the shortcomings of a double edged knife from practical experience. If one looks at a buffalo hunters gear from the American west one will see most carried at least two knives on their belt.

 

[hawkeye2]

I have gotten away from the original topic of this post. I need to get back to it and to say what a fine looking knife you have made! Wish I has one just like it. :hatsoff:

 

[Elnathan]

Not to hijack the thread, but would it really be that unlikely to find daggers in common use in America during that period?

I think that Wick was responding to Rifleman1776's comments and google link about knives, not daggers.

I can't answer for commonality of daggers, but there is a piece in Madison Grant's knife book, page 68, made from a cut-down sword blade and inscribed ROXBURY CAMPS Nov 1775. I want to make a copy some day.