Reenacting Knives

[15thAlabamaInfantryUnit]

I know this would be pretty big but would this look authentic enough to be used for reenactments?

 

[Patrick H]

View attachment 133723 Would this knife be any good for reenactments?

It doesn't look "period" to me, but it might be excellent for discouraging solicitors from standing on your front porch.

 

[15thAlabamaInfantryUnit]

Anybody know where I could find good deals on period correct bowie knives or sheathed knives that aren't too small?

 

[15thAlabamaInfantryUnit]

Looks more like an Arkansas Toothpick and a little more period correct than the other one I found, any comments on it if it would look closer to "period correct"?

 

[FloridaCSA]

http://carolinabowies.tictail.com/

I like these. The D guards are about 75 bucks.

 

[johan_steele]

Damascus steel was around but it was extremely expensive and as mentioned is not appropriate for a CS impression.

For authenticity sake none of the knives you have pictured have period correct scabbards. IMO, as someone who has been in the hobby most of 20 years, anything extra on the belt screams FARB. A Bowie on the belt doesn't add authenticity. I would add that most Quality units I know of wouldn't allow such on the field. Pulling the thing while on the field is more likely than not to get you in trouble.

The Bowie has a sort of "cool factor" but it has little else. The less is more mantra is quite appropriate for any ACW impression. More stuff doesn't mean more authentic. If doing infantry you should only have what you can carry with you. If doing cav you should only have what you and your horse can carry.

Anybody here know any good fixed blade knives with leather sheaths that would be period correct for reenacting? Looking to add another accessory to my belt to add some authenticity to my appearance. If you can also link the knife or picture to me that would be great!

 

[FloridaCSA]

Something my captain brought up last time on this subject. He said he's been to some events especially anything national or state park related where they have funny rules on blades. I believe Sharpsburg 150th(could be wrong) they had to leave the knifes in the tents with the ram rods or you would be removed from the event.

 

[1950lemans]

The only time I heard of large fixed blade knives being used was by the navy. Night watch on board ships along rivers. IIRC, Adm. Dahlgen gave to order that sailors be armed with a rifle, a pistol and and anything edged like a bowie, a sword, an axe, etc. Some ships had swords, axes, pikes stored on deck. The guard would be the first line of defense if a boarding was to take place and he'd need as much firepower as possible until the crew managed to get to battle stations.

 

[unicornforge]

View attachment 133723 Would this knife be any good for reenactments?

Your first photo is of a knife that is classified as a "Fantasy" knife, the second appears to have a handle made from modern layered/glued woods, and all three have very modern looking sheaths.

There are a couple of good books available on knives carried during the War Between the States.

 

[15thAlabamaInfantryUnit]

Looking for a knife that isn't too expensive but still has the authenticity look to it.

 

[zburkett]

A question I may have missed the answer to is what unit are you a part of. If you are depicting an early Texas cavalry unit there are several references to them carrying big "Bowie" knives. If I remember correctly the "Louisiana Tigers" carried large knives. Lampson & Goodnow gave knives to every member of their home town unit but I've never seen what it looked like. I have seen several very nice English "Bowie's" carried by officers. Unicornforage is right, it is the sheath that is not period correct. Smokey Mountain Knifeworks is a good source of inexpensive reproduction period knives.

 

[Jordan M.E. Williams]

Atlanta cutlery has some bowie knives. They seem reasonably priced, but you'd probably want the other folk's opinions on whether they're accurate. I like the Frontier bowie. http://www.atlantacutlery.com/c-131-bowie-knives.aspx

 

[15thAlabamaInfantryUnit]

I'm part of the 15th Alabama Infantry Unit as you can see by my username

 

[15thAlabamaInfantryUnit]

What about this? Is the sheath or knife still incorrect?

 

[johan_steele]

I have to ask why are you fixated on getting a Bowie? Is that being encouraged by your unit leadership? Is there evidence that men of the 15th AL carried Bowie knives?

 

[jekct1212]

View attachment 134041 What about this? Is the sheath or knife still incorrect?

That's the one Bowie himself carried in the 2002 Alamo

 

[15thAlabamaInfantryUnit]

Not as much insisting on it being a bowie, just wanting a sheathed knife to carry on my belt, just some that I found were bowie knives because I wanted to see if they looked "period correct" or close to it/

 

[15thAlabamaInfantryUnit]

That's the one Bowie himself carried in the 2002 Alamo

What are you trying to say?

 

[jekct1212]

What are you trying to say?

Nothing, I just watched that movie this weekend and thought it was cool

 

[johan_steele]

Not as much insisting on it being a bowie, just wanting a sheathed knife to carry on my belt, just some that I found were bowie knives because I wanted to see if they looked "period correct" or close to it/

The link from Track of the Wolf on the first page is to a period correct belt knife and would set you back about $20 with S&H. It's a useful blade and not overly large, it would fit in your haversack or on your belt.