Athabascan knife

LJ · 4th August 2014, 01:48 PM

The recent post on a North American knife reminded me I was going to post this one with a query. It looks to me like an Athabascan knife (the sheath was probably made in England, mid 20th Century). The usual story seems to be that Athabascan knives were originally made in copper, and when iron became available the old shape was copied in the new material. But iron is much harder to work than copper, and I find it hard to believe that Athabascan smiths were making iron knives in the same shape all over the northern woodlands area. So, were they made in one place in Canada. Or mass produced in Birmingham or Sheffield [for instance] and shipped in by the Hudson Bay Company ? In which case, it is equally hard to believe somebody was willing to portage heavy boxes of knives over a vast area. So, does anybody have any more information on these knives??

p.s. the other side of the blade of this one is flat.

4th August 2014, 01:48 PM	#1
LJ Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 93	Athabascan knife The recent post on a North American knife reminded me I was going to post this one with a query. It looks to me like an Athabascan knife (the sheath was probably made in England, mid 20th Century). The usual story seems to be that Athabascan knives were originally made in copper, and when iron became available the old shape was copied in the new material. But iron is much harder to work than copper, and I find it hard to believe that Athabascan smiths were making iron knives in the same shape all over the northern woodlands area. So, were they made in one place in Canada. Or mass produced in Birmingham or Sheffield [for instance] and shipped in by the Hudson Bay Company ? In which case, it is equally hard to believe somebody was willing to portage heavy boxes of knives over a vast area. So, does anybody have any more information on these knives?? p.s. the other side of the blade of this one is flat. Attached Images