What's your favorite from the pre-1900's if you have had one made to your specs based on historical knifes post them below.


They had to be used for everything from Fighting to skinning. So I'm looking for all knives

Here's my small assortment of pre 1840 knives.
Top to bottom:
1830s standard butcher knife, traded by the thousands in the Rocky Mountains and Missouri River trade of 1825 to 1845. Good for butchering, not so much for opening cuts or delicate work.
Late 18th and very early 19th century English trade knife, known as the red handled scalper. Very common in the Eastern woodlands and great lakes trade. Decent all around knife. Too light for serious butcher work.
Mid to late 18th century English trade knife. Common from Maine to Georgia area, west to Mississippi River. Another great all around knife, I carried this one for almost ten years as my go to knife
Mid 18th century French Boucheron style trade knife. Common in the great lakes and Canada. Probably my current favorite, but still a touch on the light side for butcher work.
All the big, fancy custom knives are nice to look at, probably better suited to intimidation and fighting than general use.

K snow. You're the man! Good job.

I forgot to add, the three bottom knives are all handmade knives, not by me though. The top one is from Sheffield knives, same pattern they've been using for 200 years. They live in simple leather sheaths.

All of these patterns were traded by the thousands. Typically shipped in barrels. Its not uncommon to see 10 to 20 dozen knives on trading lists.

My boot knife was made from a file and buffalo horn by a very good friend. Not old but holds an edge and really feels good in the hand. I don't know much about the history of the larger knife just that it was my great-uncle's and handed down to me with his passing. The thick blade looks to be home made and although awkward to hold by the handle, is very well balanced when you hold it more towards the center of the blade as you would for skinning.