Dear group;
I am not being negative, per se, however I am offering a factual analysis of the carvings in questions and my observations, based on the evidence which has been presented, points to the carvings being modern in nature, perhaps turn of the last century, at the very earliest, but most likely even a later period.
This is my opinion of the carvings and it's an honest one. I know nothing of the KGC and as far as I am concerned they were/are a mythical organization which ceased to exist by close of the Civil War. The knives are all of modern design and the Indian caricatures are in fact, modern renderings of cartoon Indians.
My observations are based on experience, which in turn has derived from extensive research, both in archives and in the fields, and of course, study. Insofar as "facing the world like a man" I've traveled extensively and researched the Spanish and Portuguese colonists for the better part of three decades. My wanderings have taken me across the better part of thirty countries and I speak five languages, therefore I feel that I have aptly faced the world like a man should.
If one were to spend more time *hidden by their respective textbooks*, then perhaps one would be somewhat more enlightened and thereby shrug off the mantle of ignorance which has permeated ones' wretched existence since birth. I might suggest a bit more study into the true and factual history of mankind and then, perhaps one might see the folly of believing in that which does not exist, nor will ever exist.
And so, taken from the available evidence, and taking into account the stylistic renderings of the caricatures, the designs of the knives, the randomly placed graffiti and the overall composition and quality of the carvings in question, I now state firmly that the carvings were produced within the last 100 years, and most likely are even younger, say within the last fifty years. What the original intended meanings of the carvings were, I have no earthly idea, however I do know that they have no historical value per se and that they were not placed there by Spanish colonists or missionaries.
Your friend;
LAMAR