On page 16 of "The Knife in Homespun America" is the story of Seth Kinman, Mountain man, Indian fighter, and wagon train guide. It also shows his knife that he called, "Grizzly Dissector" The knife inspired my blacksmith Carlton Matteo to produce a like version. He modified it to have a straight handle so it could also be used as a throwing knife. The blade is 10" with an overall length of 15". This first prototype has a curly maple handle. The blade was forged from a car leaf spring and the cutting edge is tempered to hold a sharp edge. Here's a picture of the original and the copy.

Do you think Ole Seth would approve?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: NWTF Longhunter,

Beautiful knife. I kinda wish he would have made it as nearly identical to original as possible. Integral tang and straight handle do make it quite different. With that wood handle I wouldn't try throwing it. You will probably lose the handle on first or second throw. Nevertheless, a good representation,if not identical, of the original.

Looks very nice. Have you made a sheath for it yet? RH

Rifleman 1776, the handle style on the original knife would have made it impossible to use as a throw by the handle knife, that's the reason for the modification. Also you'll notice the wood doesn't come flush with the butt of the handle in case the wrong end hits first it won't break the wood.

Carlton stopped by today to deliver some hawks and he had the Seth Kinman knife with him. I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. I walked over to my block and figuring by the length of the knife I stepped off 7 paces.

The first throw hit dead on as did the next 8 or 9 throws. The design of the blade has good weight forward and the business end found it's way into the block every time. The knifes weight, length and blade design makes it one of the best throwers I've ever had in my hand....and over the last 30 years I've had a passel of em..

I tried to talk Carlton out of it but he said he was gonna keep this one...somethin about the curly maple handle came from a piece of wood he bought back in 1972 for a rifle stock. I guess it had some kind of Mo Jo for him. roll eyes

Anyway I gave him some moose horn for handle slabs to make a knife for me and also some leather for knife handle slabs. I'm lookin forward to havin my own Kinman style knife not just for throwin but also for those occasional chores that require a BIG blade.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: NWTF Longhunter,

Here's MY Seth Kinman knife with moose horn slabs. I'm likin it a lot. I've thrown it a couple dozen times with no ill effects.. ...

Now THAT'S a knife!!! Looks great. Best regards. Rockerhound