Dapper Dave Posted September 17 Share Posted September 17 I absolutely love having a good quality knife with me at all times, usually a Benchmade Resistor, and/or a classic Leatherman. As it was explained to me, modern is verboten on the line, (which I fully agree with!), and I see a bunch of the Cowboys at the match I watched with various types of belt knives. I gather a lot of them are for show, but what was a Cowboy era utility knife? I heard tell of "screw knives" - what is that, (shameless plug to see pictures of your setups), and how useful are they? Thank you for your replies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randy Saint Eagle, SASS # 64903 Posted September 17 Share Posted September 17 6 hours ago, Dapper Dave said: I absolutely love having a good quality knife with me at all times, usually a Benchmade Resistor, and/or a classic Leatherman. As it was explained to me, modern is verboten on the line, (which I fully agree with!), and I see a bunch of the Cowboys at the match I watched with various types of belt knives. I gather a lot of them are for show, but what was a Cowboy era utility knife? I heard tell of "screw knives" - what is that, (shameless plug to see pictures of your setups), and how useful are they? Thank you for your replies. Here’s a link to lots of screw knives. http://www.shootingbums.org/klassiclaserworks/screwknives.html Randy 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reverend P. Babcock Chase Posted September 17 Share Posted September 17 Howdy Dapper, In my experience you'll see all kinds of knives on shooter's belts - from a simple Green River hunting knife to hilariously large "Bowies". My rigs all carry a knife (for Classic Cowboy): an antique trade knife, a modesty sized Bowie and a short bone handled custom Damascus. I'd advise against an excessively large knife as you rarely even use it at shoot (except maybe a pot luck dinner). I find that the handle is good for hanging my empty bullet pouch. You might chose a knife with an interesting handle (bone, stag or figured maple) as that is what will be visible. Them's my thoughts Rev. Chase 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rip Snorter Posted September 17 Share Posted September 17 Whatever knife you carry, unless it is one you don't care about, don't lend it at a match. I did and the guy lightly damaged a nice, unique custom. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abilene, SASS # 27489 Posted September 17 Share Posted September 17 14 minutes ago, Reverend P. Babcock Chase said: ...In my experience you'll see all kinds of knives on shooter's belts - from a simple Green River hunting knife to hilariously large "Bowies"... I have one of those hilariously large Bowies. I don't wear it too often because it is heavy and gets in the way. Discussion from last month: 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irish ike, SASS #43615 Posted September 17 Share Posted September 17 Not sure why any knife would be verboten. You see all types along with cell phones and wrist watches. Wear what you want. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rip Snorter Posted September 17 Share Posted September 17 Quick Draw Grandpaw has some nice, affordable, period appropriate knives. Have bought a couple. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dapper Dave Posted September 18 Author Share Posted September 18 13 hours ago, Randy Saint Eagle, SASS # 64903 said: Here’s a link to lots of screw knives. http://www.shootingbums.org/klassiclaserworks/screwknives.html Randy Nifty! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dapper Dave Posted September 18 Author Share Posted September 18 10 hours ago, Rip Snorter said: Quick Draw Grandpaw has some nice, affordable, period appropriate knives. Have bought a couple. Is he on here? Or would you be kind enough to have a link? Thank you very much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaleWolf Brunelle, #2495L Posted September 18 Share Posted September 18 2 hours ago, Dapper Dave said: Is he on here? Or would you be kind enough to have a link? Thank you very much. Look in the SASS WIRE CLASSIFIEDS. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dapper Dave Posted September 18 Author Share Posted September 18 Thank you, I will do so. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eyesa Horg Posted September 18 Share Posted September 18 9 hours ago, Dapper Dave said: Is he on here? Or would you be kind enough to have a link? Thank you very much. He just sold one in here! Check the classifieds for @Quick Draw Granpaw #48525 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edward R S Canby, SASS#59971 Posted September 18 Share Posted September 18 (edited) Screwknives are handy tools for resolving common malfunctions on '73 rifles. Palo Verde has some videos on how to use them. They are an essential tool and not a decorative item. I've used one to clear my wife's '73 at matches before. (My Marlins do not need them.) Edited September 18 by Edward R S Canby, SASS#59971 better link Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reverend P. Babcock Chase Posted September 18 Share Posted September 18 Howdy (again) Dapper and all, I'm not a cutlery historian, but I believe that damascus pattern blades are either very old or relatively new. I expect that most cowboys of the era carried a plain steel bladed knife (unless it was a bowie forged out of a meteor). I'm sure someone more knowledgeable than i am will chime in. Having said that, get what you like as the handle is what folks are going to see. Nobody can see the pattern on my bone handled knife unless I take it out of the sheath for no reason. Rev. Chase 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griff Posted September 18 Share Posted September 18 I don't carry a ridiculously large bowie, but do carry a copy of a Randle # 7 with a antler handle... and a modern folder on a back pocket. About the only time I need a knife is to clear a broken cap off on of my 1851s. The Randle is a little large for that task, although it does a fine job. As noted they make a great place to hang a brass bag, although I don't. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dapper Dave Posted September 18 Author Share Posted September 18 I agree with cap cleanup, but with a cap rake the 1860 ad 1851 usually don't have too much of that problem. Right now I have a borrowed Marlin 1894, so I guess I don't need the tool, but I can see how it would be handy! I might have to do the same thing and hide the Leatherman in the back pocket. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T.K. Posted September 19 Share Posted September 19 Heres mine. I put together the knife, made the handle, made the sheath. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickasaw Bill SASS #70001 Posted September 19 Share Posted September 19 I have bought blades , then hafted with deer crowns , and done a few that have gone to other folks as a rule , I tell folks a knife has to appeal to your eye and fit your hand unless I know to whom the knife is going ,I do NOT do the final hone , on one , they are right at razor sharp , but when final honed , they will cut ya deep , if not careful watched too many folks hurt themselves pretty bad with a polish sharp knife Chickasaw 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackson Haller Posted September 20 Share Posted September 20 (edited) On 9/17/2024 at 1:13 AM, Dapper Dave said: I absolutely love having a good quality knife with me at all times, usually a Benchmade Resistor, and/or a classic Leatherman. As it was explained to me, modern is verboten on the line, (which I fully agree with!), and I see a bunch of the Cowboys at the match I watched with various types of belt knives. I gather a lot of them are for show, but what was a Cowboy era utility knife? I heard tell of "screw knives" - what is that, (shameless plug to see pictures of your setups), and how useful are they? Thank you for your replies. Like it was mentioned above, cas folk wear just about any kind of knife; it's not a period correct game. Screw knives came into being for cas to clean jams, stuck caps etc. As for period correct "cowboy era" utility knives (roughly 1860-1900 for cas), look at green river/Russell knives for fixed blades (their butcher, hunter, and dadley styles), English/Sheffield made small clip or spear pointed fixed blades (5-6 inch blades) and especially pocket knives; barlow style, two blade and single blade jack, etc. As guns/ammunition became more reliable, knives shrank in size and their purpose changed from fighting/self defense to a more utility role. Edited September 20 by Jackson Haller 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Palo Verde, SASS # 56522 Posted September 21 Share Posted September 21 On 9/18/2024 at 6:43 AM, Edward R S Canby, SASS#59971 said: Screwknives are handy tools for resolving common malfunctions on '73 rifles. Palo Verde has some videos on how to use them. They are an essential tool and not a decorative item. I've used one to clear my wife's '73 at matches before. (My Marlins do not need them.) Redwing sells fine screw knives but the blade is too thick to efficiently do the work described in the video. Palo Verde is demonstrating with a .069" thick blade that is spring steel. There just isn't enough room in there for the thick blade. But, thanks for mentioning me. 🙂 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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