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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Ron LaClair on October 24, 2006, 10:51:00 PM

Title: 18th century knife for bow hunting?
Post by: Ron LaClair on October 24, 2006, 10:51:00 PM: I just got this new riflemans knife hand forged by Mike Mann of Idaho Knife Works. I sent it to Chuck Burrows of Wild Rose Trading and had him make a period correct sheath.

I know the 9" blade is too big to be practical and the quilled and beaded sheath is too fancy to carry in the woods but....pleasssse tell me I should take it hunting. :pray:

Here's what Chuck said about the knife and sheath,

"The sheath liner is double thickness elk rawhide with a braintan buckskin piece sewn into place at the inside top. The cover is braintan buckskin dyed with walnut hull dye. The sash flap is a piece of buffalo rawhide. All sewing was done with linen or hemp thread or real elk sinew. The beads are antique 8/0 pound beads. The style and porcupine quillwork decoration is based on a couple of existing original 18th sheaths. The quills were dyed with natural dyes: the black/brown quills were dyed with a mix of walnut hulls and ground charcoal, the red with red ocher, and the yellow with rabbit brush, a local southwest member of the sunflower family. The cone tinklers are handmade brass with buffalo hair tufts, They are attached with linen cord through copper and antique glass pound beads."
BTW - the blade is based on the one excavated at Ft. Ticonderoga."

(http://www.wrtcleather.com/1-ckd/1-gallery/laclair-riflemans-knife-sheath.jpg)
(http://www.wrtcleather.com/1-ckd/1-gallery/laclair-riflemans-knife.jpg)
Title: Re: 18th century knife for bow hunting?
Post by: Marblesonac on October 24, 2006, 11:06:00 PM: Beautiful knife, but it DOES need just a bit of blood on it.

Take it out for a walk in the country Ron...it deserves to be christened....
Title: Re: 18th century knife for bow hunting?
Post by: trashwood on October 24, 2006, 11:13:00 PM: well now I think ya should take it hunting. Come on down here to Fort Worth. I got a sounder of pigs connered. One or two of 'em are just about the right size to put your knife to the test. :) . I'll be happy to hold the dog and your coat while ya take care of 'em :) oh and mamma may be a little big to try the knife on. I had a shot at her Sunday night and passed. :) I didn't have a clue how I'd get sumpin that big out of the boggy bottoms!!

rusty
Title: Re: 18th century knife for bow hunting?
Post by: Starkman on October 24, 2006, 11:14:00 PM: Ron,
I know where you're coming from.....I have a few customs that I would be very upset if they were scratched or dinged. I could definitely see myself pulling something like that out around the campsite or campfire to spark some conversation. I once read a comment on a custom knife forum that made sense to me, either get satisfaction from using it, or keep it in mint condition in hopes of making money on it for resale or trade. There is nothing gained if it were to sit in a safe or display case. That knife is just asking for some history which may make it even more special. Besides, a 9" blade makes a perfect camp knife...she's a beauty. I love Chuck's sheaths.
Title: Re: 18th century knife for bow hunting?
Post by: Ray Lyon on October 24, 2006, 11:46:00 PM: Ron,

Bring it to camp. I'll use it to slice apples for the apple pie. :D

Greg says he'll have camp meat hanging by tomorrow night, so we could use it as a boning knife too. :biglaugh:
Title: Re: 18th century knife for bow hunting?
Post by: ChuckC on October 24, 2006, 11:51:00 PM: Ron. much of what we do is done because of the feelings it gives us. I could shoot a deer every day with a rifle, but that gives me no feelings.

If carrying that beauty imparts any feeling at all of pride, of delight or even just a good feeling of the weight of it in your belt, then wear it next hunt. You can't take it with you in the end, enjoy it on the journey there.
Chuck
Title: Re: 18th century knife for bow hunting?
Post by: BamBooBender on October 25, 2006, 12:05:00 AM: Quote
If carrying that beauty imparts any feeling at all of pride, of delight or even just a good feeling of the weight of it in your belt, then wear it next hunt. You can't take it with you in the end, enjoy it on the journey there.
Good words Chuck.

I'd take it huntin.
Title: Re: 18th century knife for bow hunting?
Post by: tmccall on October 25, 2006, 12:22:00 AM: Well spoken Chuck!!!
Title: Re: 18th century knife for bow hunting?
Post by: Woodduck on October 25, 2006, 01:17:00 AM: Don't put it down in front of me when I'm eating or you might see sparks flying off that and the fork I'm holding; if I'm real hungry :bigsmyl:
I't make me smile to see you pull it out and carve the Thanksgiving turkey.
For really, it's a beauty!
Title: Re: 18th century knife for bow hunting?
Post by: Jerry Jeffer on October 25, 2006, 02:53:00 AM: I'd say you should use it at least one time. What is the point of having some thing you never use. It sure is nice.
Title: Re: 18th century knife for bow hunting?
Post by: RickD on October 25, 2006, 05:23:00 AM: Well I think you should use it at least once..
Title: Re: 18th century knife for bow hunting?
Post by: arsenic on October 25, 2006, 05:26:00 AM: Hi guys. My opinion is use it. I'm a pipe smoker and there's plenty of people that buy these fancy pipes and never smoke them 'cause they look "too nice to smoke." BS!!! It's a tool that was created to be used!

But that's just me :) Perhaps it does have more value to you as an art piece or you could make some money off it down the road if it's in pristine condition. Only you can utimately make that call. If it was me, it'd get used.

Happy hunting.
Ron
Title: Re: 18th century knife for bow hunting?
Post by: sticshooter on October 25, 2006, 05:52:00 AM: NO you should not take it hunting. Send it to me and I'll take it hunting. Sides you got plenty of knives to take LOL. Heck Ron take her with ya that is just a great knife and Sheath. I love when you post pics of all them knives.<><
Title: Re: 18th century knife for bow hunting?
Post by: yleecoyote23 on October 25, 2006, 07:05:00 AM: quote:
Originally posted by Ron LaClair:
....pleasssse tell me I should take it hunting. :thumbsup:

that is a REAL beauty!!!!
Title: Re: 18th century knife for bow hunting?
Post by: vermonster13 on October 25, 2006, 07:31:00 AM: The original was found at Fort Ticonderoga you say. Well based on it's ancestor, it would be an insult to not use that knife. Take it hunting like it is meant for. A knife like that gets character marks not dings.
Title: Re: 18th century knife for bow hunting?
Post by: JasonV on October 25, 2006, 08:45:00 AM: Wow! :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy:
That is beautiful!!! - the knife and the sheath both...

I'd take it hunting - nothing is more beautiful than when we're using it for its true purpose. You'll get more enjoyment carrying it than you ever will looking at it.
Title: Re: 18th century knife for bow hunting?
Post by: ber643 on October 25, 2006, 09:22:00 AM: Ron, you know you are going to carry it hunting - even if everyone of us screamed, "NOOOoooooo...," at the top of our upper case. Sure is a beauty and that sheath is just unreal. It's funny, as a younger man I always wore a sheath knife on my belt (as a kid, my Ma used to have to check me everytime we went anywhere "dressed up" to see if I had one on) anytime I was in the woods or on the water for any reason. In the MC I always wore a K-Bar "in the field" and had a Cutco fishing knife and a Cutco hunting knife for those occasions. Now, as an older dude, I strongly believe in my Bug Away suit and so I can't get to my belt any more - LOL - besides I quite often have a fanny pack on, with little extra room on it. So, now my sheath knives are ashamedly relegated to my packs and/or my truck's extended cab area and I stick a folder in my pocket. Kinda sad, huh :(

TAKE IT HUNTING, HOSS!
(and send me an unpublished pic of you at full draw for my new section of my web site - I ain't lettin' ya off that easy - See the "I Have A Vision" thread in the Shooters Forum, please. :) )
Title: Re: 18th century knife for bow hunting?
Post by: 2fletch on October 25, 2006, 09:56:00 AM: Nice knife, and a great sheath. Almost too perdy to hunt with.

Ron,I sent you a pm.
Title: Re: 18th century knife for bow hunting?
Post by: woodsman196 on October 25, 2006, 10:14:00 AM: Ron,

That is one fine looking setup you have. I would like to think it will be used with great pride in the craftsmen who made them.

As usual your photography is top notch. Worthy of any magazine.

Ivan
Title: Re: 18th century knife for bow hunting?
Post by: pjsnell on October 25, 2006, 11:02:00 AM: When I grow up, I want to be like Mr. LaClair!
Title: Re: 18th century knife for bow hunting?
Post by: Archer 1 on October 25, 2006, 11:11:00 AM: Great looking knife Ron, and a lot of history there. If it were me, I would use it. I to am a knife nut. I can't pass up a good looking knife, I got more then any man needs, but I still keep getting more, and I use every one of them.
Good hunting, and skinning.
John.
Title: Re: 18th century knife for bow hunting?
Post by: pjsnell on October 25, 2006, 11:14:00 AM: I would get a "woods" sheath made for outdoor excursions. I think a design similar to the sheath that Osagetree made (in his homemade equipment thread) would suit this knife well.
Title: Re: 18th century knife for bow hunting?
Post by: Ron LaClair on October 25, 2006, 11:22:00 AM: I was planning on taking it to the woods no matter what was said so thanks to all of you for confirming that I'd be doing the right thing. :wavey:
Title: Re: 18th century knife for bow hunting?
Post by: David M. Mathis on October 25, 2006, 01:31:00 PM: Use it. I didn't buy your Samurai to hang on a wall. I must say it has done well in the field. Bloody it Ron. Mike
Title: Re: 18th century knife for bow hunting?
Post by: Montauks on October 25, 2006, 03:05:00 PM: Hey Ron,
I see Wild Rose has a whole web page (http://www.wrtcleather.com/Recent_Work/index-gallery3.html) dedicated to your 18th century "toys"
NICE!

Gene
Title: Re: 18th century knife for bow hunting?
Post by: robtattoo on October 25, 2006, 03:17:00 PM: Now that's a stunning bit of cutlery, right there! Congrats Mr LaClair. What are you going to use it for if not hunting? :D :D :D
Title: Re: 18th century knife for bow hunting?
Post by: Doc Nock on October 25, 2006, 04:01:00 PM: Ron,

Big strappin boy as you are, Bro, you could just wear that as a "neck knife" and keep that fancy period sheath protected under yer shirt! :knothead: :eek:
Title: Re: 18th century knife for bow hunting?
Post by: JL on October 25, 2006, 05:56:00 PM: By the size of Ron, it could easily double for a fancy toothpick...

I say blood that puppy!

JL
Title: Re: 18th century knife for bow hunting?
Post by: bentpole on October 25, 2006, 06:20:00 PM: heck yeah ron take it to the woods!AND if I was you I'd have a ss GOLD in my hand!! Heck with a knife like that you might as well go after bear.
Title: Re: 18th century knife for bow hunting?
Post by: JEFF B on October 25, 2006, 06:22:00 PM: awesome knife and sheath YEAH DONT BE A WIMP TAKE IT HUNTING LOL!!! :thumbsup:
Title: Re: 18th century knife for bow hunting?
Post by: Jake H on October 25, 2006, 06:51:00 PM: Hear hear!

I think it would be a tragedy to deny that knife time in the field. Pie is meant to be eaten, women to be loved, and knives to be used.

Jake
(who wouldn't waste the effort to put on his pants in the morning if there wasn't a knife on them)
Title: Re: 18th century knife for bow hunting?
Post by: Ron LaClair on October 25, 2006, 09:02:00 PM: Quote
Hey Ron,
I see Wild Rose has a whole web page dedicated to your 18th century "toys"
NICE!
Oh Oh !...the jig is up :eek: ... :o :o

:goldtooth:
Title: Re: 18th century knife for bow hunting?
Post by: ber643 on October 25, 2006, 09:18:00 PM: Thank you, Ron - I'll be watching for it and get it posted for everyones enjoyment post haste.
Title: Re: 18th century knife for bow hunting?
Post by: hunt it on October 26, 2006, 12:13:00 PM: I was aware Ron had a knife problem!! But after seeing that web site it's a bigger problem than I visioned. Nice stuff!!! That new one's a real beauty indeed but take it huntin Ron. Your new addition is the nicest knife/sheath combo I've seen in a long time. Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: 18th century knife for bow hunting?
Post by: Randallnthesand on October 26, 2006, 01:30:00 PM: It is a beauty and I just bet will even more special after a few miles on your belt and well earned blood on it.

BTW.. new here but already it feels like where I should have been a while back.

Randall
Title: Re: 18th century knife for bow hunting?
Post by: chrisg on October 26, 2006, 03:11:00 PM: Use it the only fear is losing it out in the wilds, but then you are only giving it back to the universe.That is a decent and honorable loss in the right places. To lose it without ever using it would be a miserable shame. I lost a good knife with plenty of history, it had been in the family 80 years, to a thief who walked into my house one day. Walked out with my hunting/guide pack full of gear. Grim rage and bitter misery as it had been my dad's and he only used it once in the wilds of the remotest bits of Botswana in the sixties. I used it on on many trips and several hunts and skinned and slaughtered my first animal with it. Now I am so glad that I did too. Glad too that he also used it some. Sad that it is almost guaranteed to be used in crime here in our fabulous country.
Title: Re: 18th century knife for bow hunting?
Post by: Naked in NH on October 26, 2006, 04:21:00 PM: Met a guy that finds chert arrow heads, hafts them to an arrow, resharpens the edge, and hunst with them. I told him I thought it was a waste as they were valuable and too cool to lose etc. He said that they were meant for hunting and he got a kick out of it.

In the end, I saw that he had a point (no pun)
Title: Re: 18th century knife for bow hunting?
Post by: Jeff Hren-Renegade on October 26, 2006, 10:39:00 PM: The knife NEEDS to be blooded!!!!!
Title: Re: 18th century knife for bow hunting?
Post by: Ron LaClair on November 11, 2006, 02:33:00 PM: After 10 days in deer camp carrying my new knife, I found it's more than just a pretty trinket, it is very functional and easy to carry. This type of sheath with the "frog" or flap that goes over the belt or sash rides very comfortably in any position plus it gives quick access to the knife.....what can I say...I love it.

I think I'm set for knives for awhile... :rolleyes: ..... :biglaugh:

(http://www.shrewbows.com/rons_linkpics/ron_hunt.JPG)
Title: Re: 18th century knife for bow hunting?
Post by: JasonV on November 11, 2006, 04:13:00 PM: Ron, do you have a closer pic of the sheath/holster for your hawk? I've been trying to get one 'just right' and that one looks like it rides very well....

And (as you know) just when you THINK you're set for knives for a while you'll find "just one more" that you really "need" :biglaugh: :biglaugh: :biglaugh:
Title: Re: 18th century knife for bow hunting?
Post by: Ron LaClair on November 11, 2006, 04:36:00 PM: Jason, there's a picture of the hawk sheath on my web site.
http://www.shrewbows.com/shrewhawk/
Title: Re: 18th century knife for bow hunting?
Post by: Roger Norris on November 12, 2006, 07:32:00 AM: "I'm think I'm set with knives for awhile"....Uh-huh...sure... :saywhat:
Title: Re: 18th century knife for bow hunting?
Post by: ber643 on November 12, 2006, 07:41:00 AM: OK, Ron - Your back now ( LOL - Welcome Back.) I'll be looking for the Full Draw pics. Just a GENTLE reminder - :bigsmyl:
Title: Re: 18th century knife for bow hunting?
Post by: Ron LaClair on November 12, 2006, 07:48:00 AM: Bernie, full draw pics??...my dementia must be kicking in. :confused:
Title: Re: 18th century knife for bow hunting?
Post by: ber643 on November 12, 2006, 09:04:00 AM: Ber643 on 25 OCT post, this thread, page 2.

Quote
TAKE IT HUNTING, HOSS!
(and send me an unpublished pic of you at full draw for my new section of my web site - I ain't lettin' ya off that easy - See the "I Have A Vision" thread in the Shooters Forum, please. )

Ron LaClaire on 25 Oct post, this thread, page 2.

Quote
Bernie, I'll try and get a picture for you up at deer camp next week

:D No "Weaslin'", Ol' Hoss! (Memory lapses are allowed and well understood :bigsmyl: )
Title: Re: 18th century knife for bow hunting?
Post by: Ron LaClair on November 12, 2006, 09:10:00 AM: :o :o I plum forgot Bernie...too much stuff on my mind and my brain went into overload I guess.

I'm heading up to the farm today for the last few days of bow season before the gunners hit the woods...I'll see if I can get a shot for you there.

Ron...gettin forgetful in his old age :banghead:

PS, I just wrote myself a note to remind me and put it in the pocket of my huntin pants...now if I just don't forget to take my pants.. :o ... :D
Title: Re: 18th century knife for bow hunting?
Post by: ber643 on November 12, 2006, 10:32:00 AM: :biglaugh: Sounds like me, to me, Ron - though I have done a little better with remembering to take the camera with this year - and then to get it out of the truck and use it - ;)
Title: Re: 18th century knife for bow hunting?
Post by: Ron LaClair on November 16, 2006, 09:28:00 PM: WARNING!
...Viewer discretion advised
(http://www.shrewbows.com/rons_linkpics/bloodyblade.JPG)
Title: Re: 18th century knife for bow hunting?
Post by: ber643 on November 16, 2006, 09:49:00 PM: Ah - so the venerable knife has been blooded - in your capable hands. Ya done good, ol Hoss! :thumbsup:

(Now - I'm waiting on "my" pic from you - ;) )
Title: Re: 18th century knife for bow hunting?
Post by: Ron LaClair on November 16, 2006, 09:52:00 PM: Bernie,...you've got mail
Title: Re: 18th century knife for bow hunting?
Post by: ber643 on November 16, 2006, 10:01:00 PM: LOL - yeah, Ron - I got the PM notice just after I posted that. 1,000 go-mens, my friend, and thank you. Rushing to look, and take care of it now - (exit stage right).

(Oooops - still didn't work yet.)
Title: Re: 18th century knife for bow hunting?
Post by: ber643 on November 17, 2006, 06:55:00 AM: The pics came in during the night, Ron, and are now installed on Page 4 of my Traditional Bows Drawn section. Thank you so much - looo-oookin' gooo-ooood!
Title: Re: 18th century knife for bow hunting?
Post by: Doc Nock on November 17, 2006, 03:50:00 PM: Anybody else notice that was a BIG knife in it's introductory pics and looks like a fingernail picker lying on that deer!???

Gads, Ron..how fat was that li'l Hoss of a deer?
Title: Re: 18th century knife for bow hunting?
Post by: Shell on January 24, 2007, 09:29:00 AM: I am just in awe of that beautiful sheath! I love that quill work and the colors are so vibrant!

Beautiful knife and sheath, just beautiful! :archer:

Shell
Title: Re: 18th century knife for bow hunting?
Post by: Ray Hammond on January 24, 2007, 10:55:00 AM: yeah, Shell...you think they smoked that elk hide up to make it look old, or soaked it in tea or something..it sure has an aged look to it like it was made in 1800 doesn't it..and the quillwork is flawless...and the edge beading...a real craftsman...but then so are you, Shell.

Your work doesn't take a back seat to anyone's in my opinion.
Title: Re: 18th century knife for bow hunting?
Post by: ironrhino on January 24, 2007, 11:29:00 AM: as my good friend who collects SA Colts tells me every time we go out shooting

"who more worthy than I to wear the Blue off these babies!"

And thats the same position i take on life! I'm glad you used it and keep it goin, how would you feel if you were the knife? I'd rather be riding on a belt as opposed sitting in a display case or a drawer!

thats probably wierd, but hey... its just my .02!
Title: Re: 18th century knife for bow hunting?
Post by: Ron LaClair on January 24, 2007, 11:30:00 AM: Here's what Chuck had to say about the sheath and knife.

"The sheath liner is double thickness elk rawhide with a braintan buckskin piece sewn into place at the inside top. The cover is braintan buckskin dyed with walnut hull dye. The sash flap is a piece of buffalo rawhide. All sewing was done with linen or hemp thread or real elk sinew. The beads are antique 8/0 pound beads. The style and porcupine quillwork decoration is based on a couple of existing original 18th sheaths. The quills were dyed with natural dyes: the black/brown quills were dyed with a mix of walnut hulls and ground charcoal, the red with red ocher, and the yellow with rabbit brush, a local southwest member of the sunflower family. The cone tinklers are handmade brass with buffalo hair tufts, They are attached with linen cord through copper and antique glass pound beads."
BTW - the blade is based on the one excavated at Ft. Ticonderoga."