Windlass American Frontier Knife -- myArmoury.com

Sean Flynt · Posted: Thu 30 Apr, 2009 10:49 am Post subject: Windlass American Frontier Knife

I've admired this knife for years but wasn't wild about the nickel bolsters or price. Could I rework it a bit to make a 15th/16th c. knife? If it's just nickel plate, maybe I could abrade it down to the mild steel, add a "nagel" rivet, refine the scales and replace the pins with tubular rivets, make a proper scabbard. But the price was too high to experiment. Today the knife is on sale for $22 (!) so I grabbed one. If you like these early American knives, this seems like a good deal.

https://www.atlantacutlery.com/p-830-american-frontier-knife.aspx

Nate C. · Posted: Thu 30 Apr, 2009 12:27 pm Post subject:

Hi Sean,

I picked one of these up recently myself. I figured it might be a fun mini-scabbard project as well. It is definitely solid although the grip might be a bit thick. From what I can tel, the bolsters are nickel silver. However, there was some green discoloration on mine so there may be hope. The one challenge I can see in turning it into a medieval knife is that the spine has some decorative filing. Not sure if that is historical for European working knives for your time period.

One question: any hints for removing the glue-like "rust inhibitor" windlass uses?

Cheers,

Sean Flynt · Posted: Thu 30 Apr, 2009 12:54 pm Post subject:

Oridinary engine degreaser from the local Mal-Wart will take it off in a jiffy.

Yeah, that decoration could present an obstacle to a pure medieval reinterpretation. No matter. I just like the proportions and shape of the thing. I've been planning a "Bama-wehr" project with a long Windlass bowie blade I got ages ago--blending elements of late medieval German knives with those of early American bowies. This piece could go the same way.

Nate C. · Posted: Fri 01 May, 2009 12:27 am Post subject:

Sean Flynt · Posted: Fri 01 May, 2009 11:16 am Post subject:

Something like these, maybe....

Sean Flynt · Posted: Tue 05 May, 2009 9:32 am Post subject:

The knife arrived yesterday, and I'd say it's a steal. Big Grin

Well made and balanced. Robust. Good fit and finish. Even the sheath is decent, if a bit flash. Dull. I thought I'd hate the nickel, but it's actually quite nice, reminiscent of silver-mounted knives of the Federal Period in this country. Speaking of which...

Nevermind a medieval conversion. It's better suited to an slight upgrade for its own period. I'll round those facets at the heel of the grip, sharpen and refinish the blade, refine the bevel of the scales and refinish them in black, then make a plain black scabbard/sheath. Then, with that nickel bolster, I think this will fit into the family of silver-mounted gentlemen's knives of the Federal Period. I'm very fond of those knives (Searles, et al.) but don't know enough about them to write a formal review of this piece (any tips on books? I have a coffee-table book about historic American firearms, and that includes many of these early knives as props. I have Neumann, of course, but nothing else).

Sean Flynt · Posted: Tue 05 May, 2009 9:40 am Post subject:

Some inspiration for the work (modern reproductions of famous originals, by Harvey J. Dean http://www.harveydean.com/ ):

Sean Flynt · Posted: Tue 05 May, 2009 10:34 am Post subject:

I just got this. Pricey, but not compared to what it'll cost when it leaves print.

http://www.amazon.com/Bowie-Knife-Unsheathing..._rhf_p_t_2

Sean Flynt · Posted: Thu 07 May, 2009 7:58 am Post subject:

Got the Bowie book yesterday. Eek!

Imagine Records of the Medieval Sword, Sword In Hand, Arms and Armour of the Medieval Knight, The Sword in the Age of Chivalry and Blood Red Roses combined in a single large format volume of ca. 500 pages, with extensive bibliography, detailed and engaging text, coverage of all aspects of the subject and hundreds of color photographs of the objects described (photos by Nathan Robinson, of course) together with other arms, accoutrement and ephemera (photos, public challenges to duel, etc) of the historical period. That's what this book does for early American knives in the very diverse bowie family. The author covers absolutely every aspect of the subject, from origins and evolution to values and modern reproductions/forgeries. Definitive. An astonishingly rich resource that will keep cutlers busy for decades.

$80? It's nothing, believe me. An equivalent (or lesser) publication from a European press would easily cost three or four times more.

This is one of the best arms books I've ever seen. If you have even the slightest interest in American arms, get it. Just....get it.

Gabriele Becattini · Posted: Thu 01 Mar, 2018 9:53 am Post subject:

have you ever finished the project Sean? just got one of these, and i was planning to do some modifications

Sean Flynt · Posted: Thu 01 Mar, 2018 10:00 am Post subject:

Funny that you should ask! I'm turning more and more toward knives, and this one is on my short-list for a 15th/16th century treatment. I've removed the grip and bolsters though I'd keep/modify the bolsters if they were steel. I don't have sketches yet, but I think it will be relatively plain, maybe without a nagel. I'd love to try the pommel technique you can see on some of Tod's knives--slotted and brazed (or soldered in my case)--but I will more likely use the simple flat, curved cap common on many knives of that culture and period. My guess is that I'll do something like this:

Gabriele Becattini · Posted: Fri 02 Mar, 2018 5:00 am Post subject:

me too, from this point onward i'll focus on knives only,

so in the end you have changed your plan and your going for a xvth - XVIth century look....

the funny thing i'm more and more interested in american knives, especially bowies and spanish knives and i was hoping to get some inspirations from you Big Grin

Mark Moore · Posted: Fri 02 Mar, 2018 6:41 am Post subject:

Sean, I guess you made an impact. These are now SOLD OUT. Dammit...and I wanted one! Worried

.....McM

Sean Flynt · Posted: Fri 02 Mar, 2018 6:47 am Post subject:

I got you covered, Mark! http://www.crazycrow.com/hand-forged-carbon-s...blade-13in

Mark Moore · Posted: Fri 02 Mar, 2018 6:58 am Post subject:

I can do that! Big Grin

I always forget Crazy Crow! Laughing Out Loud

.......McM

Sean Flynt · Posted: Fri 02 Mar, 2018 7:05 am Post subject:

I just ordered two of those since they're on sale. I also see a relatively cheap knife like the AC knife discussed above.

Mark Moore · Posted: Fri 02 Mar, 2018 7:09 am Post subject:

Be sure to let us see some pics when you get handles on them! Big Grin

.....McM

Gabriele Becattini · Posted: Fri 02 Mar, 2018 12:04 pm Post subject:

i have got mine in the uk, not easy to find in mainland europe,

i have bought this one as a companion for my cold steel trail hawk

Gabriele Becattini · Posted: Tue 06 Mar, 2018 1:08 pm Post subject:

got mine today,

as noted by Sean, is a pretty good knife, in Europe is a bit more expensive than the USA but still worth the money

the only real issue is the very flimsy sheath

it is a shame because it is quite nice overall but is is like a piece of paper in terms of weight

and it is very loose on the blade too, i was thinking to do another layer of leather and glue it inside....