Ole Seth Kinman's knife

[Ron LaClair]

On page 16 of "The Knife in Homespun America" is the story of Seth Kinman, Mountain man, Indian fighter, and wagon train guide. It also shows his knife that he called, "Grizzly Dissector" The knife inspired my blacksmith Carlton Matteo to produce a like version. He modified it to have a straight handle so it could also be used as a throwing knife. The blade is 10" with an overall length of 15". This first prototype has a curly maple handle. Here's a picture of the original and the copy.

Do you think Ole Seth would approve?

   

[sticshooter]

I like it! You always have the best knives.<><

[Mr.Vic]

:eek:      OH YEA !!!

[Ron LaClair]

Carlton stopped by the other day to deliver some hawks and he had the Seth Kinman knife with him. I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. I walked over to my throwing block and figuring by the length of the knife I stepped off 7 paces.

The first throw hit dead on as did the next 8 or 9 throws. The design of the blade has good weight forward and the business end found it's way into the block every time. The knifes weight, length and blade design makes it one of the best throwers I've ever had in my hand....and over the last 30 years I've had a passel of em..

I tried to talk Carlton out of it but he said he was gonna keep this one...somethin about the curly maple handle came from a piece of wood he bought back in 1972 for a rifle stock. I guess it had some kind of Mo Jo for him.

Anyway I gave him some moose horn for handle slabs to make a knife for me and also some leather for knife handle slabs. I'm looking forward to having my own Kinman style knife not just for throwing but also for those occasional chores that require a BIG blade.

You may be seeing this knife offered on my website before too long

   

[Steve Nuckels]

Great lookin!

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IN GOD WE TRUST

[Ron LaClair]

Here's #2 with moose horn slabs. I put a med brown leather dye on the horn.