Not sure what this knife is?

[steveh326]

so I just got back from NC to help my aunt settle my uncle's estate. Among his things were a few fixed blade knives. I brought them home with me and will treasure them because they were his.

I have no idea what this one is made of, does anyone know? My guess would be obsidian, but I thought that was all black, and this has streaks of red/brown among the black 'stone'. I am thinking the handle is cactus.

Wondering if it's worth me trying to find someone to make a sheath for it. I don't like it bouncing around unprotected where it could get damaged.

Any thoughts, info, or advice is much appreciated.

 

[308Scout]

That's definitely an obsidian blade. Obsidian can be mottled in color. Red is not uncommon mixed in.

Out of curiosity, was your uncle a "knapper"? If so, It's likely he made that blade. That takes skill to get right.

 

[eruby]

Looks like a bona fide murder knife

 

[outrider58]

The scale is cactus? Very cool knife.

 

[steveh326]

That's definitely an obsidian blade. Obsidian can be mottled in color. Red is not uncommon mixed in.

Out of curiosity, was your uncle a "knapper"? If so, It's likely he made that blade. That takes skill to get right.

I am sure he bought it somewhere. the edges on this thing seem very sharp to me but did not test it.

 

[308Scout]

I am sure he bought it somewhere. the edges on this thing seem very sharp to me but did not test it.

Obsidian blades can actually have a much finer edge than steel (but much more fragile as it is essentially volcanic glass). IIRC, it can be a much finer edge than what's even on surgical steel cutting tools. If you're going to test it, don't test it on yourself.

 

[steveh326]

The scale is cactus? Very cool knife.

yes almost positive it's cactus

Seems a little porous and unfinished to me. As a woodworker, I am wondering if I can soak it in something like danish oil, polyurethane, or even penetrating epoxy to stabilize/strengthen it.

 

[John from MD]

Indian knife?

 

[308Scout]

Indian knife?

Modern blade shape makes that less likely (unless of modern make). Most of the traditional NA ones found are double edged, more "dagger" style.

 

[outrider58]

Modern blade shape makes that less likely (unless of modern make). Most of the traditional NA ones found are double edged, more "dagger" style.

That's what I've seen too.

 

[308Scout]

That's what I've seen too.

The rationale is solid on a functional basis. One side gets damaged, flip it.

 

[outrider58]

The rationale is solid on a functional basis. One side gets damaged, flip it.

Yup. The drop point is a "modern" design. Not trying to sound like a knife expert. I'm not.

In my opinion, that doesn't take away the cool value of that knife.

 

[gforce]

Obsidian blades can actually have a much finer edge than steel (but much more fragile as it is essentially volcanic glass). IIRC, it can be a much finer edge than what's even on surgical steel cutting tools. If you're going to test it, don't test it on yourself.

^He ain't kidding, cut the crap out of myself testing the edge on one of those

That's a neat blade. Handle does look quite porous, nevver seen cactus as a handle before. I like the penetrating epoxy idea.

 

[MeatGrinder]

That handle looks like Cholla cactus.

 

[Blacksmith101]

That handle looks like Cholla cactus.

Definitely Cholla cactus wood handle:

cholla cactus wood at DuckDuckGo

DuckDuckGo. Privacy, Simplified.

duckduckgo.com

 

[smokey]

Keep searching his stuff to find his peyote stash. That's a cool knife. Obsidian cleaves down to a single molecule at the edge when it's knapped. It can make for an edge that will cut you without you knowing it.

https://www.cnn.com/2015/04/02/health/surgery-scalpels-obsidian/index.html

 

[gforce]

Definitely Cholla cactus wood handle:

cholla cactus wood at DuckDuckGo

DuckDuckGo. Privacy, Simplified.

duckduckgo.com

What a cool material, not sure about it for a handle but it is certainly neat