PC pocket knife ???

[Rowdy Fulcher]

Howdy
I was looking for a pocket knife to carry that was correct for the 1870 to 1890's . I know that the Russel Barlow was there . They had a single blade , what was the actual blade length . What other choices were there . Now where can a person find these and  how exspensive  are they . I have seen a few reproduction Russels ,just not lately .

[St. George]

There's a thread of period knifemakers on the 'Cutting Edge' forum.

Scouts Out!

[Pancho Peacemaker]

Rowdy,

I've traded with these folks in the past and they are reputable antique dealers:

http://www.jaysknives.com/antiqueknives.htm

If you look around their web site, you'll find lots of nice pre-1900 folding knives for sale.  If you look at the styles of blades and scales, you'll find that many of Case Knives current production pocket knives are decent reproductions of many of these antique designs.  (And the Case Knives cost alot less that the real antiques).

[Tjackstephens]

Really like Case knives. Tj

[1961MJS]

Really like Case knives. Tj

Hi, I went by a Case / Knife outlet in Missouri along I-44.  Case Knives are expensive for a little bitty knife.  Of course it WAS in a tourist area, so the prices were probably high.

later

Mike
Wichita KS

[Major 2]

Here are two Horsemans Knives Circa 1860-70

I have a one made in the 1950's  marked Collin's Horseman's 1866 extremely well made

It has Rosewood scales .... If you like I might sell it

[Rowdy Fulcher]

Howdy
Working on an original persona and was wanting a good PC pocket knife .   I wasn't looking  to spend a war pension on one . I have looked at a copy of a Russel Barlow ( the grandaddy ) which has a 4 inch blade ? that  may be a pain to carry in your pocket .

[St. George]

That knife was carried in a saddlebag - not in a pocket.

For that matter, most pocket knives were carried in a vest pocket - not a trouser pocket - especially if the user was a riding man.

If that was the case - getting to the pocket contents was a pain.

Any good gun show will have knives available - look for one with wood scales.

Scouts Out!

[Black River Smith]

Try something like this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/PARKER-ENGLISH-REPLICA-SMOOTH-BONE-LOCKBACK-FOLDING-BOWIE-KNIFE-NEAR-MINT-NR-/170877121599?pt=Collectible_Knives&hash=item27c911f43f


Look in the Peacemaker book by Wilson and get an idea of the style you want or like, then go looking.  Also look in the old catalogs from the timeframe and you would be surprised just how similiar some of the pattern are to modern knives.


I was able to find replica's of two knives from the Wilson book.  One at Smokey Mountain Knives and one at an Antique store, but that was years back.

[Major 2]

Howdy
Working on an original persona and was wanting a good PC pocket knife .   I wasn't looking  to spend a war pension on one . I have looked at a copy of a Russel Barlow ( the grandaddy ) which has a 4 inch blade ? that  may be a pain to carry in your pocket .

Ah ... then look at the Opinal 

made today as they were in 1850's

I have one of these as well

[Dutch Limbach]

I had an Opinal myself. Soak the blade in apple cider vinegar for about a half an hour and it will have a petina that looks like you've been carrying it for years.

[Major 2]

You get the same effect if you slice your finger, THEY are SHARP.... don't recommend it.

Don't ask How I know 

[Dutch Limbach]

You get the same effect if you slice your finger, THEY are SHARP.... don't recommend it.

Don't ask How I know 

I find the acv method virtually pain free. Besides, I keep a good supply around for making Sauerbraten and pickling bologna.

[Sacramento Johnson]

Howdy!
I just got done with my search for a period correct pocket knife (1860s-1880s).  I had carried a Case two blade trapper for a number of years at shoots, then found out they really were a 1930s style put out by Case.  Then I went on a hunt and came up either a Barlow style or a Navaja.  The only Navajas I could find several months ago were made by Muela, and I didn't care for their quality/construction on the ones in their affordable price range. (I've since come across much better.)  I then turned to Barlow style knives and was able to pick up a Russell grandaddy, single blade, spear point, high carbon and a regular size double blade high carbon model; both Solingen made, both discontinued, but still out there.  Both fit in my vest pocket. (I also purchased a few Case barlows, grandaddy and regular; very good quality, stainless steel blades, USA made, for non-cas use.)
I've done more searching since and figure English Jacks (large and small) would also fit the bill. Two other USA manufacturing companies I've purchased from are Schatt and Morgan (a high end division of Queen Cutlery); (their recent grandaddy barlow in ATS 34 steel is a real humdinger! They also did a neat spear point single blade regular barlow as well), and Great Eastern Cutlery, their Tidioute division, also very high quality, although their knives do seem to run just a tad smaller length wise, but wider than usual, and tend to 1095 high carbon (tool) steel. Their 'bullet-end' or 'swell-end' two blade English jack is turning into a real winner for me!
Here are a few web sites to peruse:

For Barlows, English Jacks, etc look at:

http://www.caseknifeoutlet.com/index.cfm
http://www.collectorknives.net/index.html
http://www.knivesshipfree.com/index.php?cPath=457
http://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/knife_store/knifestore909-y.html
http://www.cumberlandknifeworks.com/index.php?page=shop.browse&category_id=105&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=28

For box loads of Navaja style knives (look at pocket and folding knives sections):

http://www.worldknives.com/index.php

(The Muela Navaja listed here looks vastly better than the one on amazon!)

Hope this helps!

[Rowdy Fulcher]

Howdy
Just wanted to thank everyone for all the help . In the period we cover almost everyone carried a pocket knife . And yes what you did dictated how you carried it . Some carried the knife in their vest , while others used a pocket . Thanks again .

[Delmonico]

Ah ... then look at the Opinal 

made today as they were in 1850's

I have one of these as well

My young traineee carries one, I may have to get one myself for the camp box,,,,,,as if I need another knife for the campbox.

[Major 2]

http://www.amazon.com/Opinel-No-Olive-Handle-Folding/dp/B000UH0RUG

[Rowdy Fulcher]

Howdy
I went to the Smokey Mountain Knife works web site .   looked at the different makers of barlow design knifes . the prices were from $7.99 on up . I might break down and order a few just to add to my knife collection .

[Rowdy Fulcher]

Major
Will pick me up an opinel knife also . I need a good knife to keep in my saddle bags . The persona I am working on is a Hunter / scout . This ex soldier loves being out in the wide open spaces . He especially loves bear hunting with his 76 Winchester .

[JimBob]

Give a look at the Queen Cutlery line of knives,American made-

http://www.queencutlery.com/smheritage.htm