Lets Talk Cowboy Knives

[SIXGUN JIM]

I am about ready to pull the trigger on a custom Cowboy knife made here in the USA , I was wondering what everyone is carrying nowadays on their belt and why. This will be coming from a custom maker who is about to open ordering on their new cowboy knife. 

 

 

1. What's your favorite blade shape

2. What function does your knife serve in a shoot

3. How often do you need to use your blade

4. What are some features a good cowboy knife should have for SASS

5. How many carry true customs that are not the cheaper imports we see for sale under 50.00

 

 

 

 

[Skullbone Willie]

This is my knife, honestly it serves no purpose other than looks. I worked with Jesse Davis around 40 years, and he’s made custom knives since the mid 70’s. I’ve always wanted one of his knives and bought one to carry on my belt at Cowboy matches. I treasure this knife and our friendship. Jesse is a true craftsman, all his blades are hollow ground by hand, not flat ground. 

[Crusty Knees]

The only knife that ever gets used in a SASS Match is occasionally, is a screw knife.   Longer blades are strictly decoration.  In Classic Cowboy, it is one of the optional items that may be used, to make up the 5 items that are required for costume.   There is no requirement for blade length or design.  

I have quite a few nice knives, but since I don't shoot Classic Cowboy, I don't carry the knives anymore, (except for a screw knife.)  I did, but it was just more "stuff" to get in the way.

[El Chapo]

Someday I will have a Randall Made knife on my cowboy rig.  The reality is that I have no use for a fixed blade knife outside of the kitchen, but I have always wanted a Randall.  I saw Dr. Dust with one recently and it got me to thinking that someday I may order one (they take 5+ years to get).  I'm not aware of any other knife company with the kind of reputation for quality that Randall has so maybe it's just my childhood nostalgia speaking as my best friend's father had a whole collection of Randalls when I was a child.  As Crusty Knees says, it would probably just be a decoration that I'd carry with me when hiking in the middle of nowhere alongside my stainless Ruger Redhawk.

 

I would probably choose something with a stag handle just for the look.  I usually carry a pocket knife and I prefer small blades (under 3").  If I was going to go with a fixed blade knife I'd probably keep it in the 4" range because when I see someone besides a soldier carrying a big knife, it just seems impractical to me.  The Randall Model 5 small camp and trail comes in a 4" blade of 3/16" stock that is probably what I have in mind. 

[Erasmus]

I made this one out of 1075, ebony, and padauk (hammered, heat treated, and ground in my backyard). Before I made a screw knife I used it to pry caps off my nipples and open the occasional stubborn bag of whatever. Mostly it's just there for looks (especially now that I have a screw knife), but every once in a while something needs to be cut and it's easier to get to this than to get to my pocket knife while wearing a gun belt. 

[Griff]

A Blackjack copy of a Randall #7. 

 

On the belt

 

And, other'n the occasional steak or camp chore, it seldom gets  used for more than prying stuck caps off...  LIke most bigger knives, it's more of a danger to it's owner than others.  

[Injun Ryder, SASS #36201L]

I had this one made 20+ years ago as part of an ex-confederate persona. 

 

[Chas B. Wolfson, SASS #11104]

 My stage rig.

        My big bore rig

   Chas B 

[SIXGUN JIM]

A lot of nice and very cool blades. I Like the one Erasmus made for himself, very cool. I had heard of a screw knife so glad that came up in the conversation. 

 

I am going to go head and get on the order list for one of these C.U.B. knives (Cowboy Utility Blade) from Rogue Bladeworks. Looks like a great around the ranch knife for cutting twine, whittling or slicing off some summer sausage, maybe spreading something on a cracker too. I will have to send it off to my leather guy to have a sheath made. 

 

 

[Colorado Coffinmaker]

 

I have two.  One is a nice short(er) Damascus and the other is a "Custom" my sister bought me (don't remember who mad it) but the only purpose they serve is looking really COOL and hanging a fired cartridge bag on.  Mostly just get in the way when you sit down.

[Dacotua]

I have a large bowie knife and a smaller knife. I generally put the smaller knife on my gunbelt, but occasionally I'll swap it out for the larger knife. (I generally shoot classic cowboy).  I can't think of the last time I took the bowie knife out of the scabbard. The knives are 100% just a prop that I use for the costume.

 

[The Blarney Kid]

I carry 3 knives, a Scottish dirk as a boot knife a sgian dubh in my tool pouch and an Ames Riflemans knife on my gunbelt.

 

 

[T.K.]

Here's mine. I made the knife (except the blade) and the sheath. Its a 10" blade.

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

Mine, with a Colt Walker (reproduction) for scale.

 

Now THAT'S a knife!

[Horace Patootie, SASS #35798]

Ka-bar

 

 

[Horace Patootie, SASS #35798]

Silver Stag

 

[No Horse Hair, SASS #77464]

There's a lot of pride and historical lore involved owning a Randall Knife. It's true that waiting time at the shop is long (stop at the shop if you are in Orlando usually have a few models in the case for sale). However, Randall Knives has a selection of "authorized Dealers" that have a monthly allotment (slots)  for ordering knives. They usually have common styles  in stock or can order what you want and get it to you in in months.  When I sold Randalls  (un-authorized) , I did a lot of business with Tom Clinton out of Rockford Illinois. The business is ran by his son, Gary Clinton now. The family has a passion for Randalls and are great people to work with. The business is "SHARP STUFF".  Tell Gary that RAMBO sent you (nickname they gave me when I showed up on a job wearing CAMO pants).

[SGT. ELI 35882 GUNFIGHTER]

Russell, perfect size, period correct.

[Abilene, SASS # 27489]

I'll start by saying that this knife came from Pakistan and cost me $13 about 20 years ago.  

Some time later I saw an identical period knife, hilt shape and all, except it had ivory panels instead of bone.  A friend polished off the markings on the blade, and made the sheath, which cost a LOT more than the knife.  When I wear it, it is obviously just for looks.  So are my spurs. 

 

[Dutch Coroner]

I had a replica of the Last of the Mohicans knife created by Mike Kahil of 310 Forge in TX.

 

Looks great but rarely gets used on the range. 

 

Dutch

[Rip Snorter]

If you do carry a nice knife, do not lend it!  I was wearing a very nice custom and lent it to a guy I knew.  He absolutely wrecked the edge - can't recall the task he abused it for.  I was lucky he didn't ruin it since I've never seen one like it.

[Three Foot Johnson]

I found this one on eBay a few years back - sheath is my own creation with a hardwood welt liner inside along the cutting edge.

[watab kid]

i have a small one thats mounted to my holster , i always felt i needed a knife but as i started looking to reduce belt weight and bulk i retired the larger belt knife - i still have it on another belt ....in case ,,,,i have no shortage of knives for someone that does not collect - i even gave a bunch away 10 or so years ago , to a knife collector 

[Three Foot Johnson]

My baby Ruana and its original sheath - A few years ago, I had someone here tell me this little 7" beauty wasn't a legal accouterment for Classic Cowboy because it wasn't big enough... I asked how big it needs to be, he said he knew the right size knife for CC when he saw one, "and that ain't it". 

 

 

[Fretless]

 

This little beauty was made by a young man (in his 20s) from North Carolina named Raleigh Avery (Avery Knifeworks).  He made the whole knife, from blacksmithing to the woodworking. 

The sheath on the holster is my handiwork.  I made a second sheath that pins on to my suspenders for when I'm not wearing my belt.

[Chili Pepper Kid, SASS #60463]

I had this custom made by a co-worker. I shoot Classic Cowboy so it serves as one of my five items. 

[Equanimous Phil]

8 hours ago, Fretless said:

 

 

This little beauty was made by a young man (in his 20s) from North Carolina named Raleigh Avery (Avery Knifeworks).  He made the whole knife, from blacksmithing to the woodworking. [...]

It's marvelous!! What kind of wood is the handle made of?

[Cowtown Scout, SASS #53540 L]

I started shooting Classic in 2004 and this knife has been on my belt since then.  Won it at a match (pre-cowboy) somewhere don't even remember where.  It has Chase stamped on it.

[Fretless]

4 hours ago, Equanimous Phil said:

It's marvelous!! What kind of wood is the handle made of?

It's stabilized walnut

[Red Oak]

On 8/19/2024 at 12:20 PM, Three Foot Johnson said:

I found this one on eBay a few years back - sheath is my own creation with a hardwood welt liner inside along the cutting edge.

Nice, I like that configuration.  I see that as near perfect for a cowboy belt!!

[Rance - SASS # 54090]

Ok.. I don’t know how to do pictures 

I have one of the custom bone handle screw knifes that probably 

everyone has.. I sharpened the blade and left the slot screw tip..

it’s attached to the skirt on my right holster down out of the way..

Then I have a small scalloped bone handle knife hanging from the back of my

holster belt ( sharpened) to hang my loading strap on after I’m done at the loading table..

I have had them both over 15 years.. can’t remember using either one yet..

but hey  I’m old..  just sayin’