North American Indian knife

Martin Lubojacky · 3rd December 2019, 11:31 AM

Kronckew, Cthulhu and BAW, Thank you for your additional remarks. And welcome to the forum, BAW.

The knife is not with me now and I´ll see it ca in half a year, again. Nevertheless, what I remember: the small beads on the shetah are made of glass. The bigger bead (with flower ?) on the pendant is made of glass and is very well worn. Other beads on the pendant are made of wood. Back side of the sheath is not worn (if I compare with African knives). The handle is, I would say, nearly absolutely ergonometric and was used. The teeth don´t matter, just opposite. The blade has tongue, it fell out and I glued it back (there is a hole in the handle). The sewing material is a mystery for me - I was not able to recognize, if it was some kind of a flat plastic thread or natural sinew, it is somehow "dry".

Pukka Bundook · 3rd December 2019, 02:25 PM

It looks an interesting and attractive knife, Martin.

The handle on this appears to be a bear jaw-bone, and there was some made this way originally.
The blade looks more modern than I would expect for an original artefact, as does the sinew or whatever holding the rawhide sheath together.
Things like the stitching and the holes normally get rubbed and filled with dirt/grease and polished a bit with wear and carrying.
Holes were normally made with an awl, rather than being punched out.
I think (Think) it may be a nicely made more recent piece.

Thank you for showing it! We don't see many N American pieces here!

All the best,
Richard.

PS,

This reminds me of a knife my daughter has;
It was found at a buffalo jump in southern Alberta. Will take photos and post it on a new thread.

3rd December 2019, 11:31 AM	#1
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 843	Kronckew, Cthulhu and BAW, Thank you for your additional remarks. And welcome to the forum, BAW. The knife is not with me now and I´ll see it ca in half a year, again. Nevertheless, what I remember: the small beads on the shetah are made of glass. The bigger bead (with flower ?) on the pendant is made of glass and is very well worn. Other beads on the pendant are made of wood. Back side of the sheath is not worn (if I compare with African knives). The handle is, I would say, nearly absolutely ergonometric and was used. The teeth don´t matter, just opposite. The blade has tongue, it fell out and I glued it back (there is a hole in the handle). The sewing material is a mystery for me - I was not able to recognize, if it was some kind of a flat plastic thread or natural sinew, it is somehow "dry".

3rd December 2019, 02:25 PM	#2
Pukka Bundook Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 803	It looks an interesting and attractive knife, Martin. The handle on this appears to be a bear jaw-bone, and there was some made this way originally. The blade looks more modern than I would expect for an original artefact, as does the sinew or whatever holding the rawhide sheath together. Things like the stitching and the holes normally get rubbed and filled with dirt/grease and polished a bit with wear and carrying. Holes were normally made with an awl, rather than being punched out. I think (Think) it may be a nicely made more recent piece. Thank you for showing it! We don't see many N American pieces here! All the best, Richard. PS, This reminds me of a knife my daughter has; It was found at a buffalo jump in southern Alberta. Will take photos and post it on a new thread.