Business Advice Needed: CS Bowie or Kabar Big Brother?

Bah. Anybody got anything to say on topic, Glad to Hear it.

I actually have a couteau de chasse/cuttoe/cutlass that I carry hunting with me. In the process of browning it, so I',m not going to post a pic just yet. Eventually, I'd like to lay aside enough cash to start carrying some things like it, stuff that is worth spending "sword" money on. I'd like to get in some more custom stuff, but I have been having problems either finding a smith, or agreeing on a price we can both make money at.

 

What is your price range?

 

I am open for seeing what y'all, and by extension, the market might consider for alternatives. I'm currently living on the edge, and trying to get off to one side. Trying real hard not to shoot from the hip, and cut up again.

Suggest away. Anything I can't swing this go round, I can at least use for future reference.

 

Can you produce a sheath for a Smith Made or Production Knife?

 

Anything over $70 I have been having a hard time trying to sell, but I am still introducing my market to the idea that a knife guy will be showing up if you have the money. So, preferably something below that I can still get in, pay my taxes on, and still make a profit on. Especially if I can find some living history stuff. I'd love to get my hands on some historical pocket knives that I could turn someone loose in the bush with (them Pakistani ones everyone sells for $20 are butter knives). Maybe a few more things, I know that they tend to like "camp" or "fighting" stuff around here, especially if you can back up that it'll hold together.
That vid of the Winchester bowie somebody posted is what people are used to dealing with around here, and I am gonna try and turn the corner on that at a reasonable price.

I am trying to figure out how, actually. I am picking up a few sheath making kits some that I can get my hands on them, and see everything in real time, where I can get my hands on it. I also have some books for more theoretical stuff like enlarging and whatnot, but I have to get my hands on a "done right" piece first to be able to apply the knowledge. I can, however, pick up all of the sheath making supplies wholes if I get it figured to where I am comfortable with it.

Thinking about, I also have access to some prebuilt sheaths from one of my suppliers, if I need to go that route.

 

Bear with me as I suggest this next product.

It is a Puma with a German Blade. As such it is a good looking well finished product "for the price".

Its problem is the handle, it is a wimpy bit of wood, but, if you had an antler and a bit of leather you could make a
decent handle and a frontier sheath.

That would turn it into a Bowie of the like of the Sheffield from England in the 1800s.

Figure two hours work and you could start by asking $125 and have room to work with.

The handle in the picture is not what you will receive.

• 

Puma Knives 6116396w
by Puma Knives
Price: $38.27 & FREE Shipping
Estimated Delivery Date: May 18 - 23 when you choose Expedited at checkout.
Ships from and sold by KnifeCountryUSA.

• 10 7/8" Overall

5 new from $38.25

 

The frontier sheaths were little more than thin leather put together with twisted grass, sinew or maybe some cut strips of leather lacing.

So I suggest that a bit of cast off scrap leather trimmings would work well unless your are into leather sheaths with bead work.

Of late I have been using Kevlar as a thread for my "home mades" it is usually found in a shade of yellow and blends well with home mades.

Here is a few other options with finished blades in the Frontier Bowie circa 1750s or so.

I do not have any experience with this company. I present them as samples for what was around.
Rifleman's Knives
Rifleman's Knives | Crazy Crow Trading Post
Home > Knives & Knife Making > Ready Made Knives > Rifleman's Knives


Frontier Rifleman’s Knife with Sheath
Code: 4926-005-002
Price: $45.00


18th Century Kentucky Rifleman's Knife with Sheath
Code: 4926-005-005
Price: $45.00


Rifleman's Knife with Sheath
Code: 4928-005-003
Price: $189.00


French Style Belt Knife with Sheath
Code: 4928-005-004
Price: $175.00


Copperhead Rifleman's Knife with Sheath
Code: 4926-005-016
Note Sale Pricing
ON SALE THRU 6/30/2016
Regular Price: $ 55
SALE Price: $46.75

 

Doesn't Kevlar mold and degrade when sweat on?

I've had some dealings with those blades before. The more expensive ones can be pretty good, but a lot of their stuff is untempered crap, and I am trying to dig myself out of that hole..bought some on some bad advice.

Appreciate it though. I will look into the puma.

I'm really on some tight funds right now, and trying to get bang for buck at the moment...very hard to have good ideas and no moneys. Haha.

The groups I am in with run pre-1800, pre-1850, 1850-1865, and whatever you prepper boys take a shine to. There is not enough locally to support just one interest, but I loose out when I don't have something for everyone to look over. Haha. I could easily get used to this though. Vending is fun, if you can handle the sunshine and the lack of grilling permits. Haha.

 

Kevlar is about as tough as it comes in the thread world. I figure the leather sheath would be gone long before the
thread that holds it together. Most days I wear pants made of a 60/40 combo (kevlar/nomex). Around 90 degrees it starts to feel warm but not oppressive.

 

That's cool. I find myself wearing more and more of my "Injun" kit as time goes on, unless I am making a trip into town. Seems to keep me the most comfortable, and the old timey stuff does a great job of keeping the bugs off.

 

@HK_User , Do you have personal expierence with one of those Miyabi blades? I may need a new carry blade..

 

The Chinese stuff I referenced is so junk, it is listed as "From China", not even a brand...

There are some clean lines on that steel.

 

Yes, I bought the model you see in the post. I was looking for a Blade that is large yet slim, concealable but right for defense. The Miyabi covers most of what I see as a need. I am just starting to go into a daily carry and have the leather I need to make the sheath to carry concealed. This is not a true fighter but is a slicer and dicer type knife. It is a Japanese production copy of a self defense blade that was used to make a strike and then break contact.

The sheath provided is sufficient for shipping or storage, which is always a good thing.

The steel is of good quality but I have yet to do any real work with it.

 

All my knives are tools and are used, be it dressing out game or cutting up a steak, and could see some hard use.. Thanks for the recomend..

 

I could see this knife as a great butcher knife, long enough to slice out a rack of rib from an animal on the ground or as butcher blade in the kitchen.