A SW Knife & Sheath

[Chuck Burrows]

Haven't been around to post for a while - too many things keeping me busy, but I just finished this one and am tickled pink so..........

Here's 1840’s era SW Belduque style knife (I say style since original belduques were generally integrals, although the iron tang and bolster(s) were often forge welded to the steel blade rather than being formed in one piece –steel was expensive back when). The  8 3/8” blade was handforged by mi compadre Tai Goo with file work on the spine by me. The grip is has a pewter bolster and the wood is crotch grain hickory “repaired” with a deer rawhide wrap and decorated with some simple incise carving and brass tacks. Although hickory is not native to the SW it is a wood that would have been available after the opening of the Santa Fe Trade between the US and Mexico in 1821.
The beaded sheath is in a southern Plains style and the decoration is based on three originals. The core is heat hardened bark tan leather with a braintan cover. The blue, white, and amber 8/0 pound beads are typical colors used during the early period as is the larger size. Other decoration consists of beaded fringe with tin cones and buffalo hair tufts.
Everything was then aged to give it that used but not abused look.......

Enough of explanation here are the pics..............

[Trkdriver99]

You Sir, are a wonderful and true craftsman. That is beautiful. Not my time though.

Ronnie

[elk killer]

vey nice for sure,,
what did you stain the hickory with..??

[lonehunter]

Outstanding work! Thanks for sharing!

[Dennis Glazener]

Chuck,
I love it, and that from a guy that's much prefers eastern frontier accouterments!

Great work as always.
Dennis

[Tim Crosby]

 WOW Chuck! Fabulous!

 Tim C.

[eseabee1]

Very Nice

[wattlebuster]

You got talent

[BrownBear]

There's only one word for it:  Zounds!  I'm originally from the SW corner of NM, and this is in keeping with some of the originals I see hanging on mantles and in corners of old ranches.  The stuff I've seen isn't from the 1840's, but it certainly evolved from there before the turn of the last century.  And this would take place of pride with all of it.

[ChurchandSon]

Mr. Burrows,
 When I examine your work I have to remind myself to Breath, borrowing a phrase from my 16 year old-- Massive Kewel-
 One question if I may; The title Belduque , is this an actual style of Mexican blade or a broad term such as Bowie? Bowie seems to have evolved into Big Knife with Guard. I lied, one more question; the beaded strap/hanger, would this be a sash/belt  tie?
 As always, yours as well as Mr. Goos contribution to this craft is impressive. My lovely bride has actually caught me in the wee hours examining your website with a magnifying glass.
                         Thanks...........Randy "Preacher" Church

PS, Have been reading this forum a long time and finally nerved up enough to post, there is a ton of talent here.

[smylee grouch]

Welcome aboard Church and I whole hardily agree that the knife in question is indeed a great piece of work.   Gary

[A.Merrill]

    One word, FANTASTIC,      AL

[Gun Butcher]

  Chuck, ya just can't help yourself can ya. Each one is beautiful in its own right but always seems to "one up" the last one.

Ron....AKA  Gun Butcher

[Chuck Burrows]

Thankee all for the kind comments - after the year I've been having they are most appreciated! 

what did you stain the hickory with..??

elk killer - the crotch/heart wood was a fairly nice rich light-medium brown to begin with and then I used Aqua Fortis to bring out the grain (which unfortunately my camera didn't pick up all that well - there's lots of variation and tiger striping in this piece). To finish I used my own home-brewed linseed oil and rosin based varnish.

The title Belduque , is this an actual style of Mexican blade or a broad term such as Bowie?

Randy - The Belduque is a derivative of the older Spanish fighting knife of the 16th Century and is specific to the type, although there are variations in the handle styles. Here's a pretty typical example of a higher end original with etched blade and engraved silver grip plates - many/most of which were BIG with blades in the 10-13" length and very thick at the spine/bolster.

the beaded strap/hanger, would this be a sash/belt  tie?

It is the belt loop sashes were seldom worn by western NDNs who also seemed not to mind things that flopped around based on existing examples/sets of gear.......

[ChurchandSon]

Mr. Burrows, thanks for the clarification of the term Belduque, ignorance on my part. When I see this blade shape the first thing in my mind is Cuchilla , need to did a little deeper in the past. Late 16th-early 17th century was turbulent times for the Spanish , lot of dying over religion and real estate. I seem to remember a couple of paintings of Vaqueros with knifes either stuck in the top of their Botas or the sheath stitched inside. Sorry, ramblings of an old burnout.........Randy

[Sean]

Nice to see what's keeping you busy, Chuck.  I like that one a lot.

Sean

[RoaringBull]