Please help with Knife ID, Home made item with stag handle

[pred]

Ok, I found this at the local flea,
Pretty big, Well made with stag handle, Aluminum butt and front flange but steel blade,
Can anyone tell me more about it?
Thank you
Peter

 

[jerseyben]

Sold one that looked identical to a local guy about 4-5 months ago.

 

[Terry Soloman]

Ok, I found this at the local flea,
Pretty big, Well made with stag handle, Aluminum butt and front flange but steel blade,
Can anyone tell me more about it?
Thank you
Peter

Hi Peter. Looks like a carving knife that has been cut down and well used. Probably came in a set with a two-prong meat fork that would have had the same handle. Very popular in the late 1940s-'50s

 

[diggummup]

I respectfully disagree Terry. I don't believe this knife to be from a carving set. Although they were a popular item with the stag handles back in the day, the style of the knife itself is not right. It's too "stout". I've never seen a vintage carving knife with a butt cap or bolster of this style, nor a blade this wide at the bolster. The carving set knives are "dainty" and almost feminine (lol) in comparison to this knife.

 

[mick56]

Would a knife this big be considered a Bowie?

 

[Terry Soloman]

I respectfully disagree Terry. I don't believe this knife to be from a carving set. Although they were a popular item with the stag handles back in the day, the style of the knife itself is not right. It's too "stout". I've never seen a vintage carving knife with a butt cap or bolster of this style, nor a blade this wide at the bolster. The carving set knives are "dainty" and almost feminine (lol) in comparison to this knife.

OK. Just relating past experience dealing these knives. You could be right.

 

[Digs68]

The blade looks to possibly be Damascus to me. Perhaps a really nice homemade hunting knife. Some will fetch a decent amount of money if well made.

 

[Terry Soloman]

No, it just looks stained, not like Damascus. The blade is too thin to be anything other than a utility carving knife. No not really a "Bowie" knife, although the blade has been re cut to look like one. More of a "hunter" or "skinner" in that length, blade thickness and shape.

 

[dubmurphy]

It is not damascus just aged carbon steal. Definately looks handmade and is a bowie-style knife and not to thin to be so. I have been into knife making for 16 years and have made a few similar pieces.