Frontier knife books........

[Uncle Stinky]

Any recommendations on a quality reference book coving the knives used on the frontier from the Bowie days through the end of the 19th Century? I don't want to waste my money on poorly researched "fluff" books as I want a quality reference book with plenty of photos and illustrations.
Thanks in advance..........Stinky

[Books OToole]

The American Knives by Harold Peterson

The Knife in Homespun America by Madison Grant

&
Bowie Knife by Raymond Thorpe.

Those are a good start.  For great color photographs go to Peacemakers by R. L. Wilson.

Books

[River City John]

Also for some great eye-candy, there are quite a few color pics of knives in "Steel Canvas".

[St. George]

I'd recommend Thorpe - but it's not cheap.

There really aren't any of the R.L. Wilson-style of 'coffee table books' that deal strictly with edged weapons - you have to hope the editors of various books included them in the different photo as artistic accompaniment to the firearms - but there are a lot of 'knife books' that feature Frontier-era blades, so typing in 'Indian Knife' or 'Bowie Knife' on your favorite search engine should give you some interesting prospects for your librarian to order.

Look for anything by 'Robert Abels', as he was an early collector of Bowies and had an amazing collection.

Regrettably, his books were small, featuring the black and white photography typical of the early 1960's - but they're still worth reviewing if you can.

Once I get back near my reference library, I'll post a couple of titles.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[Jubal Starbuck]

     "Bowie Knives:  Unsheathing an American Legend"  by Norm Flayderman is one I recommend.  I think it is to bowie knives what "Packing Iron" is to gunleather.  It is a big book with lots of good photos and interesting text.
    Regards,

Jubal Starbuck