Historians often disagree on the term. Many claim that an "Arkansas Toothpick" and a "Bowie knife" are one and the same. I choose to disagree. This is what I think of as a "Toothpick":
I think that a lot of the controversy started when the writers of the day often inter-changed the terms. Who knows which line of thought is correct.
I gave this one a 10" blade of 1084 with blackwood for the handle. The ball-tip guard and pommel are machined from solid 416.
I'd appreciate your thoughts.
Thanks,
Gary
I really like that Gary. Has a great sheffield look to it. Way to go
Brion
Brion Tomberlin
Anvil Top Custom Knives
ABS Mastersmith
Thanks, Brion. I hadn't thought of this one as having a Sheffield look but I understand what you're saying. <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//smile.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' /> I've definitely been influenced by some of the old time makers from there.
Gary
Gary its really nice to see the number of historicaly inspired knives you have been putting out. I really enjoy the
flavour of the bygone days in this world of supersteels and the megaknife syndrome. Thanks , Paul
Gary,
That's nice!! I'm really enjoying the historic recreations that you have been doing.
I've always thought of a Toothpick as being the type of knife that you have built here. Early writers got into the habit of calling every knife that was used in a fight a "bowie". Much like today, pistols get called "Saturday night specials" and any gun could be called an "assault" weapon. Loose terminology used to sensationalize a news article, adds to the confusion of the uninformed public.
Thanks Paul & Steve. I appreciate the kind words.
When I started this one I had no concept of building a historic type of knife. I just decided to make a toothpick like one would decide to make a bowie. I guess that I have spent enough time recently studying the old masters that it's starting to rub off on the way that I build.
Often I don't pre-design the complete knife but let it evolve as I go. It seems that recently after completing a blade I often have decided, "That one needs a "coffin" or "dogbone" style of handle."
:)Maybe it's the large stack of books that I've accumulated on the subject setting in my living room that's influencing me that way. No matter what the cause, I've had a lot of fun doing it.
Glad that you have enjoyed them.
Gary
I've always thought of an Arkansas toothpick as more of a dagger, while Bowie as having a single edge (or sometimes a false edge as well)
