Idaho Knife Works Proudly Presents
Mike Mann,
Award Winning Custom Knife Maker
Knives proudly hand crafted in the U.S.A.
THE GAMBLERS OF THE
OLD WEST COLLECTION
Many folks gambled in the Old West. Men as well as women had "Betting Fever"! There were prospectors, cattle barons, dance hall girls, cowpokes, loggers and railroaders. The sounds of shuffling cards, rolling dice and roulette wheels spinning fill many Saloons. Cheating, whether actual or imagined, had it's perils which often brought the smell of gunsmoke! A gambler's weapon sprang to hand from vests, sleeves, boots as well as other hiding places. The weapon could be a derringer or a secreted Knuckel Duster Knife that could be used to smash a jaw as well as stab. A Push Dagger w/crosswise handle made it compact + easy to use. Although knives were hidden, gamblers liked them to be flashy as well. A Double Ring Dag w/scrimshaw was an example of a stylish weapon. The 5th Ace Bowie's owner believed he would win the pot if four aces proved insufficient! Dirk w/abalone shell handle and Dagger w/studded ivory handle are also examples of the 'personal style' of a flashy gambler knife. The end Bowie, w/stag antler handle, is a reproduction of the knife carried by Ben Thompson (who was known as one of the West's most violent gamblers).
This One of a Kind
Gambler Collection
is being offered as
'A Lot'.
click photo for enlarged view
Knuckle Duster
Knuckle Duster refers to the ability to give someone a good "dusting" like one would beat a rug to remove dust. Better known as 'Brass Knuckles'. Both American & British soldiers in WW1 had them in 'the trenches'. They've also been carried in WW2 & Vietnam as well as present day. It is "an edge with an attitude"!
This one is hand made of high carbon steel. Blade is 1 7/8" and measures 6" across. At widest, it's 3".
$1400
Push Dagger
Push (or Punch) Dagger has a short dagger blade w/"T" shaped handle designed to be grasped between fingers of closed fisted hand so blade protrudes from front of fist. It originated in 16th Century India called a Katar. It was used to punch thru armour. The Push Dagger came on the Western Frontier thru Old South West New Orleans in the hands of Saloon + River Boat Gamblers.It was also referred to as Gimlet Knife. Later Gamblers carried them in San Francisco with longer blades + Walrus Ivory handles.Most Push Daggers of that time were made by Will & Fink Co who also made 'gaming" devices. They were easy to conceal in a boot, sleeve or waist coat.
This Push Dagger was built by Mike Mann, Professional Knifemaker. It has a high carbon steel, fixed 4 1/8th" blade. Shaft is 1 1/4". The handle is hand shaped Mammoth Ivory. Comes with taced leather sheath adorned with concho.
$935
Double Ring San Francisco Bowie
Another notorious Gambler favorite was The Double Ring San Francisco Bowie with a dagger edge @ tip. This rare & unique knife (made by Mike Mann, Professional Knifemaker) has a hand forged high carbon steel, flat grind 6 7/8" blade that is handsomely antiqued. Mike hand crafted the double ring also from high carbon steel. The tang is hidden in gorgeous, camel cream colored Mammoth Ivory. The stunning detailed scrimshaw was done by Turning Bear Fine Art. It comes with a taced, leather belt sheath!
$2020
The Fifth Ace Bowie
The original Fifth Ace Bowie was owned by a Gambler who believed he would win 'the pot' if four aces proved insufficient! Mike Mann reproduced this bowie with a hand forged 8 1/4" blade of high carbon spring steel. The blade has a flat grind with a nice 'Satin Finish'. Ricasso is 1" and blade clip measures 3 5/8". The 'S' shaped guard is steel. Tang is hidden in a beautiful Birdseye Maple 4 1/2" handle. Mike created the ornate lettering by hand. A sturdy leather belt sheath with steel tacs compliments this knife!
$930
Dirk
This spectacular, one of a kind, double edged Dirk has a 5" Damascus Steel blade that was Born from The Fire of The Forge by the hands of Mike Mann, award winning knifemaker. He forge welded 15N20 & 5160 high carbon steel into a stunning pattern! A hidden tang in a striking Abalone shell handle is surrounded by hand filed nickel silver and topped off by a pommel. The combination of patterns in both blade & handle is extraodinary!!! A hand stitched leather sheath comes with this outstanding knife!
$1155
StdDgrShth
This sleek Dagger is a beauty to behold! The antiqued blade is 5 5/8th". It was hand forged of high carbon spring steel with a razor edge on both sides. A tang is hidden in creamy Mammoth Ivory with a very nice brass tac pattern on both sides of handle. Guard & Pommel are also brass and knife come with a leather scabbard to hold the blade.
$1345
Ben Thompson Bowie
Ben Thompson fought for The Confederacy in the Civil War and for Maximilian in Mexico. He was a gunman, gambler + occasional lawman in the Wild West!
This is a reproduction of the Bowie he carried. The 'Hog Leg' of a blade measures 10 1/4". Mike Mann hand forged high carbon spring steel to build this beauty. It's a flat grind with nice 'Satin Finish'. The riasso measures 1" and sway back clip measures 3 1/4". It's a heavy 1/4" thick @ full brass guard and tapers to the tip of blade. Hefty full tang handle has handsome brown, textured Elk Antler slabs with brass pins. Sturdy leather belt sheath has raised brass tacs and completes this knife for the 'rough & ready' Gambler of the Old West!
Remember, a knife is always loaded!
$1025
THE GAMBLERS OF THE OLD WEST COLLECTION
This One of a Kind Gambler Collection
is being offered as "A Lot".
Please, only serious inquires!
$8370
