An early American folding knife utilizing friction as the simplest form of blade retention – in lieu of backsprings or locking mechanisms. The tightly pinned blade is swung open and held in position by the thumb pressing down on the extended tang. Secondary knives like this were handy additions to a frontiersman’s “possibles” bag. Small cutting tasks abounded in daily frontier life; personal grooming, making trap lines and stakes, slicing tobacco plugs, cutting food and bait, shaving wood for firestarting, etc.

Friction folders of various sizes can be traced back to the Roman times. This diminutive example uses a curved piece of antler that is filed out to form a blade channel. The metal ball is a decorative addition that a blacksmith may have provided to finish the butt end of the handle. Personal ownership is defined by the incised designs, leisurely carved by the fireside.

Handle length 4 ¼” Open length 7 ¼” $850