Reenacting Knives

[15thAlabamaInfantryUnit]

Thank you for your help, I might go with that if I can't find another knife that I like similar to it

 

[15thAlabamaInfantryUnit]

Last and final knife picture, not too big knife combo set, would this be any good?

 

[Albert Sailhorst]

No

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

View attachment 134053 Last and final knife picture, not too big knife combo set, would this be any good?

As @Albert Sailhorst said . . . No !
Your impression would not be authentic.

Justin . . . you've received fantastic advice from some very experienced & knowledgeable members in the reenactment community.

I'm very impressed that a fourteen year old young man is asking questions about authenticity. That means there is hope for the hobby.

Moreover, all of the knives you have asked about are actually pretty cool, just not authentic.

Wearing such knives would seriously hurt your impression.

Please understand, all of these comments are meant to help you create the very best CSA impression.

 

[Albert Sailhorst]

As much as you may want a knife (I am also guilty of wanting one!) you'll soon discover that you don't need one!
So, my advice, take the money that you were going to spend on one and get a piece of gear that you will find more useful.
Good luck in your search and in reenacting!

 

[15thAlabamaInfantryUnit]

Thank you both for the encouragement and nice words, and closer to 15 than 14 so that might be a little info for that. As well as I've been told that I have a higher level of maturity than most boys my age, so that might be an important role in accepting advice as well as taking the hobby of reenacting seriously! And to add to that I was wanting one @Albert Sailhorst , I was wanting one that I could use for camping as well as reenacting because I would love to have one that could do both. I have also been reenacting for 4 or 5 years now so I am experienced enough to know how authentic I would look and if the advice given would help my CSA impression.

 

[15thAlabamaInfantryUnit]

Do you have any suggestions on good sites to find good gear for a decent/good price?

 

[FloridaCSA]

Knifes are cool. I tote a large hunting knife on me when not reenacting. But..

Everyone's given really good advice here.
Ill chime in again with the same message. Since you mention wanting to be authentic CSA. You shouldn't really tote a belt knife. The only one from my research that could possibly fly is the D guard bowie for a very early war impression. One that's handmade not so shiny or made in Pakistan. There's a reason for this. Having your leathers,haversack and canteen hanging. Plus cap box and bayonet on a belt that is nothing like today's duty belts. Then March for 10+ miles a day with a large knife flapping on your butt. It can get very cumbersome. The D guard bowie is mainly a fighting knife since it is so large. Combat in the civil war seldom got down to knife fighting. The hand to hand that did occur was mostly with bayonets or your rifle as a club because of all this the large knifes got tossed early on. Considering the amount of casualties very few were caused by edged weapons. I can't remember the exact number off the top of my head.

The key to authenticity is research research and more research.
Also money which is why my current CSA impression isn't as authentic as it could be haha.

Another thing to keep in mind is some people in this hobby can seem kind of critical. Most of the time it is just there way of trying to help you. Altho some are just arrogant. Just remember to have fun and keep learning. It's important that we keep the hobby alive so the future can learn what these men went through to shape are country.

 

[FloridaCSA]

Do you have any suggestions on good sites to find good gear for a decent/good price?

Be sure to check out trade blanket groups on Facebook etc. One of the best way to get good gear reasonably priced is to buy from someone who's getting out of the hobby.

 

[major bill]

Although I am not a reenactor, I will give you this advice. Reenacting groups are looking for new members. The usually have people that will help you go in the right direction an show you the ropes. Often they will loan you equipment until you can get your own. They will have uniform guide lines so do not make the mistake of purchasing too much stuff until you join a unit and see what their uniform guide lines are.

It is also nice to have people to fall in with when you go to an event.

 

[zburkett]

A point I would like to correct about what I think are misstatements that have shown up on this thread. Most soldiers carried knives, they were a vital tool living under the conditions they had to live under. Even at Camp Douglas POWs were allowed blades up to 4". Large belt knives were not carried by infantry very often after the first few months of the war. Large Jack Knives were popular and smaller fixed blade knives. The fixed blade knives usually had some sort of sheath to keep it from cutting the blanket or knap sack. Teamsters, cavalry, pioneers, cooks and artillery were more likely to have knives worn outside. Big knives seem to be more popular the farther west you go. Another small thing that should be pointed out is stainless steel and plastic had not been invented yet.

 

[Banjo Pete]

Don't buy a sheath with a snap closure. Not correct for the period.

 

[15thAlabamaInfantryUnit]

Although I am not a reenactor, I will give you this advice. Reenacting groups are looking for new members. The usually have people that will help you go in the right direction an show you the ropes. Often they will loan you equipment until you can get your own. They will have uniform guide lines so do not make the mistake of purchasing too much stuff until you join a unit and see what their uniform guide lines are.

It is also nice to have people to fall in with when you go to an event.

I have a reenacting group which is the 15th Alabama Company G Volunteer Infantry Unit, we are based in Bellingham, WA. I have been using loaner gear for a while now and I found C&C Sutlery for good budget priced gear, I just have yet the money to buy it. I have been taught the hobby by some of the best Washington reenactors that I know, they have taught much of what I know and how to do it.

 

[Jobe Holiday]

Zburkett's advice is very well stated.
J.

 

[Dave Hull]

I take into consideration the weight of all items carried and the space taken up by them, just as I did when in the Infantry. I carry a razor, so unless I have an overwhelming desire to begin a whittling project on campaign, I would use the razor to cut and twine, rope or cloth for patches and leave even the pocket knife home. Not unlike the days when young Officers and NCO's would trek out to Ranger Joe's to buy the latest Rambo items, after a klick or two, most found their way into the brush. If you carry everything on your back you intend to use during an event and make the occasional several mile march in your kit, you will find it is best to take as little as possible, even if that means going without certain comforts for a weekend.

 

[Booner]

If you got to have a fixed blade knife, why don't you make
Your own sheath?

Btw, I am not reenactor

 

[Package4]

14 inches in all, 9 inch blade.

Less is more, we recreate the 2nd Maryland and are considered campaigners; we laugh at the yokels wearing the big Bowies.

1. You see them in early war photos
2. You then see them at relic shows since they were quickly thrown away
3. You are not allowed to pull them during an event
4. You will end up hurting yourself or someone else
5. Why bother, it doesn't make you look more authentic
6. The average Confederate was accoutered lightly, with the bare minimum
7. Why go the FARB route?

 

[johan_steele]

As a note I have carried a pocket knife of one form or another since I was about 10, I don't recall when my father gave me nice little schrade.

Below are a set of pics of period style knives (w/ one exception due to a plastic handle) most can be found at antique,flea markets, tool & gun shows. Original knives from the period can hit $100 easily but often enough can be had for less than $30 if you look around.

You want to avoid stainless because it didn't exist yet. You also want to stay away from Damascus, not because it didn't exist but because it wasn't common and it was EXPENSIVE as it was considerably more time consuming to manufacture. Look for a good simple steel knife. The south imported a lot of British steel but US made knives were also prevalent and generally less expensive. The most interesting to me are blades made from used files. Those were a common blacksmith job and often found at a local level. I like various forms of sailors knives because they are different and their different style of blade stands out often being a conversation starter.

The majority of knives carried by the men in the field were simple pocket knives. Small, sharp and handy they were far more useful than a large Bowie or Arkansas Toothpick.

The World Knives link I provided has a large variety of knives including quite a few that would pass as originals as they are of the same style. They also run the gamut from very inexpensive to too beautiful to use with a clear conscience.

 

[Albert Sailhorst]

Thank you both for the encouragement and nice words, and closer to 15 than 14 so that might be a little info for that. As well as I've been told that I have a higher level of maturity than most boys my age, so that might be an important role in accepting advice as well as taking the hobby of reenacting seriously! And to add to that I was wanting one @Albert Sailhorst , I was wanting one that I could use for camping as well as reenacting because I would love to have one that could do both. I have also been reenacting for 4 or 5 years now so I am experienced enough to know how authentic I would look and if the advice given would help my CSA impression.

My son is also 15! He has been reenacting for the last 11 years! As a Pard once told my wife about my son reenacting: "He will learn more by sitting around the campfire and listening to us old guys talk than he will ever learn in school"....Based on your experience, I am sure you will agree that my Pard was right!
Have fun, stay safe, learn all you can and teach every chance you get!

 

[15thAlabamaInfantryUnit]

I definitely try to target the boys my age and teach them about the hobby and see if they are interested because most boys are when it involves guns and cannons. And thank you @Albert Sailhorst for the kind words, I will do my best to stay safe and keep the men and women on the battlefield with me safe as well!