Trade knife sort of

[Harold1950]

Ok, after much discussion about my big ole butcher knife. I decided to make something smaller, more period correct for the 1830's and easier to carry on my belt. Looked around the garage and found some steel and shaped the blade on my grinder and also used hand files for final shaping. The blade is about 5 1/8" long and the handle is right at 4". It has a full tang and I had some Osage wood a friend had given me a couple of years back. Ot has two steel pins holding the handle on and after tempering it as best I could with a torch, it sharpened up fairly nice and so far has held its edge. It won't see hard use so I know the steel should hold up. I made the sheath out of 4-5 ounce leather. Tell me what you think.
http://s1074.photobucket.com/user/...[user]=140141173&filters[recent]=1&sort=1&o=0
http://s1074.photobucket.com/user/...[user]=140141173&filters[recent]=1&sort=1&o=1

I hope the pic upload works

 

[LRB]

Well, you did a pretty good job on the knife, but to be honest, it has more of a modern look to it than 1830's. Your blade with a grip like the butcher shown there, would be closer to that time frame.

 

[Rifleman1776]

Looks good from here.
I like the sheath also.

 

[BrownBear]

I can't speak for the correctness of the design, but I'll add some insight about that grip. From a purely practical standpoint I like it. Straight grips with nothing between them and the blade can be downright dangerous if you're using slick hands to work the knife hard. Could be bloody or wet hands, but also hands numb with cold or wearing slick gloves. If that knife can start shifting around in your hand, it will.

Since you said "light duty" and are concerned about HC, those insights won't be a factor though.

 

[Harold1950]

that was what I was shooting for was the butcher type handle (straight). I guess I got carried away and wound up with this one. I get a little nervous with the square handled knives, afraid my hand is going to slip as stated on here. Hey, I can always make another handle and put it on the knife if I want. I appreciate you guys looking and letting me know. I'm learning, just need to slow down and watch/look at what I'm making as I go along.

 

[BrownBear]

Only takes one big dressing/skinning job to make a guy consider the grip on his knife. Deer not so much, but if you ever take on an elk/moose/buffalo, I can almost guarantee slick handles will be an issue.

The blood doesn't stop at your hands or elbows. You'll have it head to toe and in places in between that will leave you wondering. :rotf: