Whats in a Name: The Arkansas Toothpick

Jim McDougall · 1st June 2021, 08:37 PM

Most are familiar with the famed Bowie knife of 1830s Texas and its many descendants, but for many years the term has been loosely applied to unusually large knives, and often termed colloquially 'Arkansas Toothpick'. The thing is that while many inadvertently called the 'Bowie' an 'Arkansas Toothpick' it was actually a different form of large knife that carried that term.
This was referenced in "The Bowie Knife: Unsheathing an American Legend", Norm Flayderman, 2004.

We know that James Black, a blacksmith of what is now known as 'Old Washington' Arkansas, made a knife for James Bowie in Jan. 1831. It remains unclear what the actual knife looked like, however it is generally held that it was quite large, had a cross guard and a clipped point.
What is further unclear is whether it had the regular type grip and pommel or if it was what became popularly known as a 'coffin' shaped grip.

Returning to the term noted in the title, as James Bowie's fame grew as a knife fighter, particularly in regions of the Chihuahua Trail in Texas, people began to go to Black to make them, 'a knife like Bowie's'.

Black had by then developed another large knife(or perhaps more popularized it), more of a dagger for throwing, with double edges coming to a point. These were actually the knives that became known as the 'Arkansas Toothpick', more of a hubris laden reference to these as oversize and deadly knives as exaggerated toothpicks'.

These in antebellum times were known as both 'Arkansas knife' or 'Arkansas toothpick', and eventually both the Bowie and 'Toothpick' became collectively regarded, with the 'toothpick' nickname prevailing in many cases. Both were well known especially among Confederate forces.

In time, Arkansas' reputation became somewhat slighted for its association with violence and these deadly knives, primarily the 'toothpicks' and for some time it became known as 'the Toothpick State'.

ref: "Arkansas and the Toothpick State Image", William B. Worthen, 'Arkansas Historical Quarterly', 53, Summer 1994, 161-90

While Bowie's tended to be worn at the side, the 'toothpick's' were inclined to be worn and drawn over the shoulder, and thrown (much in the manner as seen in the 'Crocodile Dundee' rendition).

So as with the nicknames of many weapons, the 'Arkansas toothpick' was so termed with somewhat fearful and respectful, but cautious, regard.
So things often are here in 'these parts'

here in Texas.
I have been to the shop in Old Washington, Arkansas (rebuilt on the exact location of the original) where they still busily produce knives in the traditional way, an experience not to be forgotten.
\

The bottom two knives (double edged daggers) are the deadly 'toothpicks;.

1st June 2021, 08:37 PM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,945	Whats in a Name: The Arkansas Toothpick Most are familiar with the famed Bowie knife of 1830s Texas and its many descendants, but for many years the term has been loosely applied to unusually large knives, and often termed colloquially 'Arkansas Toothpick'. The thing is that while many inadvertently called the 'Bowie' an 'Arkansas Toothpick' it was actually a different form of large knife that carried that term. This was referenced in "The Bowie Knife: Unsheathing an American Legend", Norm Flayderman, 2004. We know that James Black, a blacksmith of what is now known as 'Old Washington' Arkansas, made a knife for James Bowie in Jan. 1831. It remains unclear what the actual knife looked like, however it is generally held that it was quite large, had a cross guard and a clipped point. What is further unclear is whether it had the regular type grip and pommel or if it was what became popularly known as a 'coffin' shaped grip. Returning to the term noted in the title, as James Bowie's fame grew as a knife fighter, particularly in regions of the Chihuahua Trail in Texas, people began to go to Black to make them, 'a knife like Bowie's'. Black had by then developed another large knife(or perhaps more popularized it), more of a dagger for throwing, with double edges coming to a point. These were actually the knives that became known as the 'Arkansas Toothpick', more of a hubris laden reference to these as oversize and deadly knives as exaggerated toothpicks'. These in antebellum times were known as both 'Arkansas knife' or 'Arkansas toothpick', and eventually both the Bowie and 'Toothpick' became collectively regarded, with the 'toothpick' nickname prevailing in many cases. Both were well known especially among Confederate forces. In time, Arkansas' reputation became somewhat slighted for its association with violence and these deadly knives, primarily the 'toothpicks' and for some time it became known as 'the Toothpick State'. ref: "Arkansas and the Toothpick State Image", William B. Worthen, 'Arkansas Historical Quarterly', 53, Summer 1994, 161-90 While Bowie's tended to be worn at the side, the 'toothpick's' were inclined to be worn and drawn over the shoulder, and thrown (much in the manner as seen in the 'Crocodile Dundee' rendition). So as with the nicknames of many weapons, the 'Arkansas toothpick' was so termed with somewhat fearful and respectful, but cautious, regard. So things often are here in 'these parts' here in Texas. I have been to the shop in Old Washington, Arkansas (rebuilt on the exact location of the original) where they still busily produce knives in the traditional way, an experience not to be forgotten. \ The bottom two knives (double edged daggers) are the deadly 'toothpicks;. Attached Images Last edited by Jim McDougall; 2nd June 2021 at 06:05 AM.