Hudson Bay Camp Knife

I have always liked the looks of the Hudson Bay camp knife (aka buffalo knife or chiefs knife). I know they were made some time after the western fur trade era but its one of those knifes that just grabs me for some reason. I decided to try and make one out of an old butcher knife I acquired. It is not to scale of an original with a much thinner blade and tang but I tried to recreate the overall look and handle construction. Blade length 7 1/4" and handle length 4 5/8".

IMG_2179 by Barry Fowlie, on Flickr

IMG_2181 by Barry Fowlie, on Flickr

IMG_2182 by Barry Fowlie, on Flickr

IMG_0011 by Barry Fowlie, on Flickr

IMG_0018 by Barry Fowlie, on Flickr




I annealed the original blade in order to hack saw and file it, then re-heat treated it. Now I need to make a sheath for it. Any sheath style suggestions would be welcomed. I have done quite a few of the riveted sheaths a la AJ Miller and would like to try something different. Thanks for looking.

Turned out very nice. I like that style too. Making me want to do the same on some of the old knives I have. What type of material did you use on the handle scales?

Thanks. I used buffalo horn which I believe is consistent with the originals.

Your project turned out VERY nice !

I like it ! Nice work...

Thanks for the kind words gentlemen. I am pretty happy with how it turned out. I recently acquired some 1/4 inch 1075 and 1095 and am looking forward to making a couple more from scratch that will be closer to original scale.

That is a treasure. Your brass work is super. I have delved into knives myself but just tool steel not forging. Made a folder from tool steel and scrap brass with rosewood panels inlet ted 1/8" I am better with handles. The top is a bayonet blade that had no handle and the second was a bayonet cut for a skinner. The folder is a razor but tool steel does not like blood.

I finished up a sheath for the Hudson Bay knife. It is heavy veg tan dyed with vinegaroon and secured with brass rivets. It has a standard type belt loop on the back or can be worn tucked in the belt and secured with the buckskin wang. It is definitely a very late western fur trade outfit but I figure it might be well suited when I carry a percussion rifle. Thanks for looking any feed back will be appreciated.

IMG_0313 by Barry Fowlie, on Flickr

IMG_0456 by Barry Fowlie, on Flickr