Hey gang! 
Earlier I asked about period knives and sheaths that would fit with my northwest trade gun.
Well thanks to all your suggestions I ordered up a John Nowill 6” butcher knife from Bernal Cutlery.
Additionally, numerous people recommended forum member Two Feathers as an excellent furnisher of sheaths, so I contacted him and he sold me one of his “Mountain Man” sheaths that is very much period in design.
Here are both items:
The Sheffield, England made Nowill blade is rustic as were the originals. The beechwood handle arrived unfinished with some gaps and proud, rough wood. A few minutes with a draw file and after some sanding later it was nice, smooth, and even.
I finished out the handle with some aqua fortis blushed with a heat gun and some Birchwood Casey Tru-Oil. It turned out lovely, with just enough texture for a nice grip.
The blade is of excellent quality. It is carbon steel with a perfectly even grind that is razor sharp. It features a neat metal stamping just like the originals, many of our modern knives use etching which isn’t period correct for these knives.
Overall I’m very very pleased with the Nowill butcher’s knife and it is well worth the $30 price tag.
The sheath from Two Feathers is just outstanding. The thickness and quality of the leather is amazing, as is the very well done and highly durable sinew stitching.
With instruction from Two Feathers I wet molded the sheath to the knife handle and it’s now a perfect snug but smooth fit. Retention is excellent.
The belt slit pattern was commonly found on sheaths from the fur trade and allows for either a cross draw or strong side carry grip on the knife handle:
Two Feathers took the time to provide detailed instructions for me as well as fast shipping with correspondence all the way. Not only are his products outstanding, but so is his service to his customers.
I’m thrilled with both these purchases and just thought I’d share.
Thanks gang!!
Earlier I asked about period knives and sheaths that would fit with my northwest trade gun.
Well thanks to all your suggestions I ordered up a John Nowill 6” butcher knife from Bernal Cutlery.
Additionally, numerous people recommended forum member Two Feathers as an excellent furnisher of sheaths, so I contacted him and he sold me one of his “Mountain Man” sheaths that is very much period in design.
Here are both items:
The Sheffield, England made Nowill blade is rustic as were the originals. The beechwood handle arrived unfinished with some gaps and proud, rough wood. A few minutes with a draw file and after some sanding later it was nice, smooth, and even.
I finished out the handle with some aqua fortis blushed with a heat gun and some Birchwood Casey Tru-Oil. It turned out lovely, with just enough texture for a nice grip.
The blade is of excellent quality. It is carbon steel with a perfectly even grind that is razor sharp. It features a neat metal stamping just like the originals, many of our modern knives use etching which isn’t period correct for these knives.
Overall I’m very very pleased with the Nowill butcher’s knife and it is well worth the $30 price tag.
The sheath from Two Feathers is just outstanding. The thickness and quality of the leather is amazing, as is the very well done and highly durable sinew stitching.
With instruction from Two Feathers I wet molded the sheath to the knife handle and it’s now a perfect snug but smooth fit. Retention is excellent.
The belt slit pattern was commonly found on sheaths from the fur trade and allows for either a cross draw or strong side carry grip on the knife handle:
Two Feathers took the time to provide detailed instructions for me as well as fast shipping with correspondence all the way. Not only are his products outstanding, but so is his service to his customers.
I’m thrilled with both these purchases and just thought I’d share.
Thanks gang!!
