A Ciboleros buffalo hunting knife set and sheath....

ChuckBurrows · March 05, 2011, 04:59:44 AM

The Ciboleros were the Spanish and mixed blood buffalo hunters of Northern New Mexico. They hunted buffalo for meat and robes on the Llano Estacado aka Staked Plains of North Texas, Eastern New Mexico, and SE Colorado. To learn more about these intrepid hunters here is a link and there is even more info available elsewhere for those interested in researching the subject.
http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/poc02

The following pics show my vision of what one of these hunters might have personally carried as a skinning/meat cutting set. All blades are based on styles commonly available in the area during the 1820-1870's period and the materials used for the sheath also match what would have available to the folks living then and there.
The beadwork on the cuff is an exacting copy of the beadwork on an original So Cheyenne pipe bag. The So Cheyenne along with the Kiowa, Comanches, Utes, and Jicarillas would have been the tribes that the Ciboleros would have most often interacted and traded with on their hunts.
The Skinner has a 5 7/8" long blade by Dennis Miles of Double Edge Forge who builds his knives using only the, materials, tools, and methods available to an 18th Century frontier blacksmith/cutler.
The Sticker has a 6 ½" blade re-shaped from a vintage John Russell Green River butcher knife blade from circa 1870's. The blade was in relic condition with no handle along with a broken tip and tang so nothing historically valuable was ruined to make this piece.
The 6 3/8" blade of the Steel is from the mid-20th century.
All blades were re-handled using deer leg bone, pewter, buffalo calf skin rawhide, and linen cord for the sewing and the cord wraps.
The Sheath is deer rawhide over bark tan cow hide, with a brain tan deer hide beaded cuff. Besides the 8/0 glass pound beads decorating the edges and cuff, there are brass tacks and tin cone dangles with buffalo hair tufts. Brass beads and tin cones decorate the belt loop ties. The entire set was then given a patina of age – used but not abused..........

Ten Wolves Fiveshooter · March 05, 2011, 10:47:55 AM

Outstanding Chuck, wow the time it must have taken to create these trappings, as always your work is well thought out and executed, and they are beautiful to say the least, thanks for sharing with us.

tEN wOLVES

Skeeter Lewis · March 05, 2011, 11:47:33 AM

Classy as always.

Cliff Fendley · March 05, 2011, 12:52:46 PM

Incredible work Chuck, as always.

GunClick Rick · March 05, 2011, 07:50:40 PM

Holy Bones batman,those are sweet!

Would look good hangin with these...

Ten Wolves Fiveshooter · March 05, 2011, 08:00:37 PM

Rick , those trappings of yours are really nice too, thanks for the look see pard.

tEN wOLVES

KidTerico · March 05, 2011, 10:20:14 PM

Rick you have a real nice collection. KT

Marshal Will Wingam · March 06, 2011, 04:08:12 PM

Chuck, those are really something. I like the original bead work design. It really makes a nice look. The knives, of course, are second to none.

Rick, you really have some cool items. Your collection is definitely fun to see. Thanks for the pics.

ChuckBurrows · March 06, 2011, 09:45:07 PM

Thanks and glad ya'll enjoyed the look.....

and Rick the Cibolero set is going to hang on a wall, when not in use, along with these other items of mine.......

Ten Wolves Fiveshooter · March 06, 2011, 10:52:35 PM

Outstanding pieces Chuck, beautiful work pard.

tEN wOLVES

GunClick Rick · March 07, 2011, 12:16:15 AM

Sure would like to have a pair of the chaperenos,those ar stylin fer sure.

JD Alan · March 07, 2011, 02:15:42 AM

Mighty Fine work Chuck, Mighty Fine.

Cliff Fendley · March 07, 2011, 05:52:18 AM

Chuck, breathtaking as your work always is, I love the bag.

Dalton Masterson · March 07, 2011, 12:41:43 PM

Beautiful work Chuck!

I wish you would do a tutorial on taking those great photos! I keep using them as wallpaper on my computer at work.
DM

Wolf Tracker · March 07, 2011, 03:39:27 PM

Chuck and Rick those are all mighty fine. Thanks for sharing with us.

Wiley Desperado · March 08, 2011, 06:56:59 PM

Chuck, your work is over the edge!!!

GunClick Rick · March 11, 2011, 11:42:14 PM

I should be clear i did not make the ones i showed.KT mad the leather one and another feller by the name of James did the beaded one.He hangs out over at The Buck Rub forum.

http://thebuckrub.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=newestthreads

James-G · March 14, 2011, 07:52:49 PM

Thanks Rick , Great work Chuck.

Will Sellit · March 16, 2011, 11:56:24 AM

Well, I've got to brag a little and tell everyone that the Ciboleros buffalo hunting knife set was made for me and I just received it from Chuck.
I have heard several times and agree that Chuck's photography is great and would look great framed and hanging on a wall, but I know it's hard to imagine but the pictures do not due the actual item justice. Like I said I just received this set and I am in awe. I'm not sure what I expected, but this is far beyond anything I could imagine. It's not just the way it looks but the craftsmanship that has me so pleased.
As posted earlier above, Chuck has made several items for me that this set will be used and displayed with and it would seem I would get used to having my breath taken away when I open the package.
With the time difference I'm waiting to give Chuck a call so I can tell him I received it and how happy I am with it.