Found a 12" Knife in the Woods. Skinning Knife? Butcher Knife? Murder Weapon?

[FreeBirdTim]

What the heck was someone doing in the woods with a foot long knife? Is this a skinning knife or just a deadly weapon? Any input on what it was used for and how old it is would be appreciated.

 

[nhbenz]

I think there is a date at the base of the blade 19_ _ (I can't make out either of the last two digits)

 

[ScubaDetector]

Looks very old. Could have been anything as you said. A hunting knife, a murder weapon, a trappers knife. However, I am no knife expert by any means. With the rust and the handle gone, I would say old.

 

[Crappies-n-Coins]

 

[rick67]

 

[tamrock]

Just searching images of 19th century knives I see many were longer in those times It seems. Yours also is in the style as most 19th century cutlery. Nice find.

 

[mojjax]

OJ Simpson ?

 

[mirage83]

Looks to be an old drop-point bowie style blade, could have been used for a general utility knife, hunter, who knows. I'd guess late 19th to early 20th century.

 

[FreeBirdTim]

Thanks for the help, guys! I forgot to mention that it had stacked leather rings on the handle when I found it. There were only a few left and they were too far gone to save. Maybe that feature will help to pinpoint the date of the knife.

 

[trikikiwi]

OJ Simpson ?

Funny you should mention that case
Police investigating knife found on OJ Simpson's former LA property | US news | The Guardian

 

[ARC]

Tis a "Bowie".

 

[Bum Luck]

Everyone used to carry knives in the woods, even Boy Scouts. No big deal. I still do.

This knife is remarkably rusted out for a recent one, but it could be older. We found one from the 1830s in about that shape.

The design is a basic one that's been around for some time.

 

[FreeBirdTim]

Everyone used to carry knives in the woods, even Boy Scouts. No big deal. I still do.

It's a big deal in my state of RI. If I carried that knife around here, I'd be arrested and tossed in jail.

11-47-42

 

[Nitric]

It's a big deal in my state of RI. If I carried that knife around here, I'd be arrested and tossed in jail.

11-47-42

Not that it matters...But I think as long as it isn't concealed or you don't have the "Intent" to use it on someone or unlawfully. You could carry that. If I read that right.

As kids we carried stuff like that. The survival knives with the compass that screwed off and held matches or fishhooks in the handle. It could be anything. I've run into guys hunting that have half a hardware or sporting good store hanging off of them.

It is a cool find! It would be fun to try to figure out how old or it's possibilities!

My dad made his own in the past and I think I still have one or two with the leather stacked handles. You might be able to even save and rebuild it. It might be a little smaller after grinding.

 

[ScubaDetector]

It's a big deal in my state of RI. If I carried that knife around here, I'd be arrested and tossed in jail.

11-47-42

I guess that really depends on the officer and your replies. For example, a double edged stiletto is illegal in Michigan. However I carry two at all times while diving. One on my BC and the other on the back of my gauges. They are considered DIVE TOOLS.

I guess that would be up to a judge if you were convicted and an officer if you were even charged. I don't see why you couldn't call it a digging tool. Now if you told an officer it was a pig sticker, I am sure you wouldn't get a favorable reaction.

Again my 2¢

 

[Bum Luck]

It's a big deal in my state of RI. If I carried that knife around here, I'd be arrested and tossed in jail.

11-47-42

What you guys dress deer with - your fingernails?

 

[Channon]

I'm a hunter and I would never use a knife that big to gut a deer. 2 1/2 to 3 inch blade is plenty but every has their own preferences

 

[Nitric]

I'm a hunter and I would never use a knife that big to gut a deer. 2 1/2 to 3 inch blade is plenty but every has their own preferences

Well.......Maybe? it's a big deer! Jkg...Hunting deer Rambo style! Put the knife in your teeth, sneak up and attack! No...Movies never effected me as a kid! Crocodile Dundee and Rambo, Then every kid in the neighborhood had to have the "survival" Knife!

 

[G.I.B.]

It's a big deal in my state of RI. If I carried that knife around here, I'd be arrested and tossed in jail.

11-47-42

I read the statute-

You can carry a Bowie knife, just not concealed. If you are concealing it, it has to be under 3 inches.

Otherwise, strap that puppy on and hit the woods.

 

[G.I.B.]

What you guys dress deer with - your fingernails?

I understand that in R.I. they prefer to be dressed in party hats...