When I was very young man, mid-1960’s, I used to hang around a very old fella named Vic and his machine/blacksmith/weld shop/barn. He was ancient even then, I’d guess late 80’s, maybe 90 as he puttered around the old shed. From time to time, he’d tell me a story about his father ( a officer in the CW, Illinois Calvary, Vic still had is hat, sword and pistol/belt/holster) who lived on the then western frontier and was also a blacksmith/gun repair/farrier by trade. Vic was the last boy born when his Dad was in his late 50’s or so. There was a number of blades blanks lying here and there that Vic told me his Father had made for trade/sale when work was a bit slow, which wasn’t often. But, it also recycled used files and other bits(broken springs) which Vic said there were usually plenty generated in the horseshoe and wagon repair trade. Still had the 3ft diameter grindstone, water operated on which they were made. Most appeared to be large bladed, kitchen, I’d call butcher knives. But, there were several smaller personal knives, daggers, etc. One I fell in love with was what would be called an Arkansas toothpick. Vic told me most of these were made in the early to mid-1800’s by his dad as a young man/apprentice in the blacksmith shop. Cash was tight and a good, sharp knife usually brought cash money. There was always demand for a good knife. Vic passed away, my first year in college, and shortly after a fire burned down the building. I found out about 6 months later, but by then everything had been cleaned up and the farm cleared for a strip mall. Yes, that’s progress, all right.
